The Shade Pink Room

This is Wail Alselwi, also known as Island Ock1 , and he's the co-owner of a deli in Staten Island, New York called Zack's Finest Deli & Grocery. In 2023, he started a program called Grades for Grabs where kids who came into his store with a 90+ average on their report card could get $100 and anything they wanted from the store. He also rewards the kids who may be failing and are improving their grades as well. It all started with one kid named Zameir Davis, and it soon turned into a global movement with kids and adults coming in from everywhere who were inspired by his kindness.

People wanted to know how they could support his mission. So Wail’s brother, Nash, who is also a co-owner of the deli, helped him start a GoFundMe page. So far, it has raised over $587,000. All the money goes back to supporting the Grades for Grabs program. The deli itself looks like your regular New York deli shop, but the positive energy inside is where the real magic happens. While I was there for a few hours, a little girl came in with her report card along with her grandmother. Wail recorded a video from behind the counter for social media of her walking in with her good grades. The girl was excited and went around the store for about 10 minutes picking up items.

Even after the kids leave with their bags full of groceries, you still feel something special. Maybe it's the feeling that kids lives are being changed for the better. No matter who walks through the door, Wail treats them with kindness and compassion. And he always tries to make people smile and laugh when they leave. Wail and his family are from Yemen, and his father, Mohammed Alselwi, always told him and Nash the importance of education. Wail said, "Seeing these kids come in from everywhere to show me their report cards, and them pushing themselves to do better inspires me to keep going."

(Photo: Nash Alselwi / Island Ock)