Tracey Syphax hosts dinner and lecture series events in Philadelphia for Second Chance Month

“April is National Second Chance Month, which recognizes the importance of helping individuals and communities across the country in supporting the safe and successful reentry of thousands of men and women released from prison each year. As part of a new dinner and lecture series, which shares the same title as Booker’s Restaurant & Bar co-owner Tracey Syphax’s book: ‘From the Block to the Boardroom,’ Booker’s in West Philadelphia will spotlight the journeys of two formerly incarcerated Philadelphians who are grabbing headlines for their inspirational journeys.

Most [formerly incarcerated] folks have incredible potential that just hasn’t been realized yet.

“The dinner series kicks off Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. with Bungee Oblečení CEO Darrell Alston, who spent more than 11 years in prison on drug charges after a successful career in hip-hop. He used that time behind bars to sketch designs for shoes which would eventually lead to his luxury sneaker and apparel brand, Bungee Oblečení. Shortly after launching his company in 2019 Alston was featured on The Today Show, Inside Edition and his products were sold at Foot Locker and luxury clothing retailer Neiman Marcus. …

“On Wednesday, April 30, Booker’s hosts James Beard Leadership Award winner Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, the founder of Down North Pizza, a mission-driven, award-winning pizza spot in Strawberry Mansion. ‘Our aim is to help erase employment barriers faced by formerly
incarcerated men and women by providing culinary career opportunities,’ said Abdul-Hadi. He exclusively hires formerly incarcerated people and serves up pizzas with a purpose by providing crucial resources such as housing options and mental health support to help reduce recidivism. Muhammed recently published a cookbook entitled We the Pizza: Slangin Pies and Savin Lives, which offers recipes for the tender, crispy-edged, square-cut, sauce-on-top pies that are Down North’s signature menu item, and provides historical information about incarceration in the U.S. along with empowering stories from Down North’s formerly incarcerated staff. …

“Tracey Syphax [Leading with Conviction™ 2019], author/entrepreneur/President/CEO of Phax Group LLC, a multi-million dollar real estate development company that purchased Booker’s in 2023 with his wife Cheri, will lead the discussions. It’s an issue that is close to his heart as Syphax was formerly incarcerated in his youth, and now is a recognized voice in reentry advocacy and leads many educational seminars and entrepreneurial workshops for reentering citizens.

“‘I spend a ton of my time assisting incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people regularly, and most of these folks have incredible potential that just hasn’t been realized yet,’ said Syphax.

“‘Darrell and Muhammad both have amazing stories that included overcoming tremendous obstacles to get where they are, and I’m extremely excited to provide them with a platform to tell their stories … These events will be emotional, inspirational, and heartfelt, and I cannot wait to share the pain, joy, love, and tears with our special guests.’”

Learn more at Booker’s website.