06/13/2026
Some moments hit different.
Years ago, I came home from prison knowing one thing: if I stayed around the same people, places, and habits that got me locked up, I’d end up right back where I started.
The Doe Fund gave me an opportunity when I needed one most.
I started by pushing a bucket, cleaning streets, learning discipline, accountability, and consistency. I had absolutely no idea that one day I’d become a pastry chef, own a bakery, be featured on Good Morning America, the New York Post, and Black Enterprise, or stand in front of a room full of supporters sharing my story.
Last night at Dishes by Doe, held at the Museum of the City of New York Museum of the City of New York, I had the honor of doing exactly that.
Not only did CHEF FRESH🇭🇳 aka PASTRY PAPI provide desserts for the evening, but I was also able to tell the story of how one opportunity, one mentor, and one second chance changed my life forever.
Chef Gino planted a seed years ago in The Doe Fund kitchen. Last night was a reminder of just how far that seed has grown.
Thank you to everyone who supports The Doe Fund and believes in second chances. Your support creates stories like mine every single day.
And to everyone currently rebuilding their lives: keep going. Your next chapter can be bigger than anything you’ve imagined.
Now let’s finish this story the only way New York knows how…
LET’S GO KNICKS! New York Knicks 🏀 🏀🗽
