Formerly Incarcerated People Will Have Employment in Down North Pizza Shop

Philly natives Kurt Evans and Muhammed Abdul-Hadi opened a business in their neighborhood, and they’ve made it their mission to only employ people who were formerly incarcerated.

Good Morning America (GMA) reported Evans and Abdul-Hadi opened Down North Pizza, a pizza restaurant for employees, men, and women with a criminal background.

“We’re changing the quality of life for our community by being the hand that feeds and teaching others to do the same,” co-founder Evans told Good Morning America.

The two childhood buddies were passionate about giving back to their community, and their love for pizza motivated them to open a shop in North Philadelphia in March 2021.

Evans and Abdul-Hadi knew incarcerated people leave a personal and financial burden on their friends and family once they are released from prison. Finding employment can also prove difficult for former prisoners.

“We just want to meet people where they’re at and help them along the way,” Evans told GMA. “It was very important for us to help these people coming from the system and break the cycle of mass incarceration.

The pizzeria opened a month ago, and business is booming at the popular eatery. Down North Pizza was highlighted on Color Coded Voices on Instagram. The two men believe it their responsibility to help fight mass incarceration.

In addition to employment, Down North Pizza employees will receive six months of free rent so they will be able to save for housing and other living expenses. The co-founders provide additional culinary training for their staff at a fair wage, but also provides them with a working skill so they can make a reasonable living.

“If you want to get involved, you can start by partnering with local organizations that are like-minded,” Evans told GMA

. “Usually, the community is speaking to you about what it needs, you just have to listen.”

Dominique Carson

Dominique Carson is an award-winning community activist, journalist, researcher, and licensed massage therapist. In November 2020, she published a biography on R&B icon, Jon B entitled, Jon B: Are You Still Down? She graduated with her bachelor's and master's degrees from CUNY Brooklyn College. Carson also received her massage degree and certification from CUNY Queensborough Community College. Ms. Carson has been an active freelance writer for eight years and wrote for many publications including Amsterdam News, NBC News, The Grio, Ebony.com, Singersroom.com, Soultrain.com, & Bleu Magazine. She has interviewed over 100 notable people in entertainment. Carson has been apart of various writing projects over the years such as How to Survive Freshmen Year in College, Lefferts Manor Association Journal, and Brooklyn College media-related assignments. She is currently a senior writer for Sister 2 Sister & News Onyx.