Father’s Day, for many dads, means getting a new pair of socks or thoughtful text messages from family members. Fat Joe and Jadakiss partnered with REFORM Alliance and popular New York City restaurant Sei Less this week to provide an unforgettable experience for those paternal figures who needed love and appreciation the most.
Seventy fathers, along with their spouses and kids, gathered in a private room at the restaurant on Wednesday afternoon (June 11) to be treated to the exquisite asian fusion menu that has made Sei Less a must-go for New Yorkers and beyond. These particular dads, though, were those who had been adversely impacted by the criminal justice system and were in the process of reconnecting with their families and society.
Joe and Jada shared opening words of encouragement, greeted everyone in the room, took selfies, and even checked out some of the attendees’ music. It was good vibes all around — with fantastic food to match. “Working with Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and REFORM to celebrate these fathers at Sei Less was truly special,” Sei Less owner Dara Mirjahangiry said of the occasion. “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.”
Fat Joe greeting attendees at the Father’s Day Lunch at Sei Less in partnership with REFORM Alliance for fathers adversely impacted by the criminal justice system on Wednesday, June 11
Shareif Ziyadat for Sei Less
Fat Joe and Jadakiss spoke with invited media members before the event about the importance of hosting these fathers, based on what they see happening in the world and their individual experiences with their fathers. Though the two have long committed to impacting their community, they know the work is far from done.
“My father showed me the importance of family,” Joe said. “Supporting our brothers, supporting our sisters. He never gave up on nobody in our family. The guy always had a party. He always brought my stepbrothers, my stepsisters. He always made us one unit and made sure nobody left out nobody.”
Jada advised fathers in the room, and beyond, to focus on readjusting and not trying to make up for time they missed while in jail. “I would say just give yourself some time,” he began. “Being a family member and a friend of a lot of dudes that did bids, [whether] federal, state, or what have you, sometimes you want to rush to get the time back. Just take it easy and let the game come to you, as far as your kids, as far as getting back to the bag, as far as finding your niche in society. Just take your time so you don’t end up rewinding the time the wrong way.”
Jadakiss greeting attendees at the Father’s Day Lunch at Sei Less in partnership with REFORM Alliance for fathers adversely impacted by the criminal justice system on Wednesday, June 11
Shareif Ziyadat for Sei Less
It’s been an exciting time for the two rappers as they recently launched their podcast Joe And Jada, which The LOX member told us had been in the works long before they finally got behind the microphones. While the show covers a myriad of topics within entertainment, they equally value the power their voices hold in inspiring those who feel hopeless based on the current political climate of the United States, even at the expense of business opportunities.
“I think we motivate people, and we try to affect as much change as we can, but politics itself, I went all the way to standing next to Kamala Harris,” Fat Joe said. “I lost money. I don’t want to turn this into a controversial thing. When I did that, when I went out there like that, I lost million dollar deals from people who’s like, ‘Yo Joe, we ain’t know you felt like that. I can’t do business with you no more.’ This is a f**king fact.
“That’s why the importance of events like today is that you got guys like us co-signing these dads and letting them know that we with them, and we stand with them because they need that moral support. A lot of times in life, men, children, whatever they need people that they respect [got] to co-sign what they’re doing in a positive way because it’s just so much negative out there to get involved with.”
Fat Joe and Jadakiss greeting attendees at the Father’s Day Lunch at Sei Less in partnership with REFORM Alliance for fathers adversely impacted by the criminal justice system
Jadakiss echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the work must begin on a much smaller scale than people often think. “It starts with self,” he said. “We come from a society that blames and points fingers. It’s not too many full-parent homes. There’s a lot of single-parent households. But if you got some good people or you got some good will and belief, start with yourself and try to start to trickle down after that. We ain’t going to do nothing as a people until individually we start living correctly.”
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