Fat Joe and Jadakiss hosted a Father’s Day luncheon at Sei Less NYC on Wednesday afternoon (June 11) for 70 fathers and their families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.
The Joe & Jada podcast co-hosts shared words of wisdom and traded stories with the families on hand while munching on an array of delectable Asian fusion dishes at the Manhattan staple.
After posing for photos and selfies, some of the fathers even had the chance to play their own music for the pair of New York rap veterans throughout the afternoon.
“A lot of kids grew up, parents used drugs and parents in jail and all that — the fact that I had my father, a real leader in my household, and working and always kept me focused on the right things,” Joe said of his relationship with his father.
‘Kiss reflected on the importance of helping reintegrate those who were incarcerated back into productive members of society. “Just hitting that switch to let them know that they can come back and get right due to whatever hardships they went through,” Jada said. “There’s some hope now when you come back to get readjusted. Hopefully change your financial situation.”
Joe also implored fathers who have fractured relationships with their kids to reconnect. “Reconnect with your kids because sometimes kids can get bitter their parents were away in jail,” Joe added. “You gotta find that bond. It’s always there, but you gotta find that red tape to get in sync.”
He continued: “Start now. Forget if you messed up the last 10, 20, 30 years. Start now to be a productive father and get your relationship with your kids. … On New Year’s everyone want to lose weight; I think Father’s Day should be an adjustment with you and your kids.”
Joe and Jadakiss hosted the event in collaboration with Sei Less co-founder Dara Mirjahangiry and the REFORM Alliance, ensuring that this Father’s Day these families had something to celebrate.
“Working with Fat Joe, Jadakiss and REFORM to celebrate these fathers at Sei Less was truly special,” Mirjahangiry said. “Ahead of Father’s Day, we really wanted to shine a light on these fathers who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and support their re-entry journey with compassion. It was a powerful way to bond through culture, community and cuisine.”
