Hip Hop/ Rap
NYC Mayor Mamdani Teams Up with Cardi B to Launch Free 2-K Program
New York City families will soon have access to 2,000 free child care seats for 2-year-olds through the city’s new 2-K program – Mayor Zohran Mamdani partnered with award-winning rapper Cardi B to announce the application period in a video released Friday.
The program, set to begin in the fall, aims to ease the financial burden on families and expand access to early childhood education. Cardi B, a Bronx native, highlighted the importance of child care in allowing parents, especially women, to pursue careers and personal growth.
“Sometimes us women, we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,” she said.
Applications will open on June 2 and close on June 26, with admission offers slated for release in August. The state will fully fund the first two years of the initiative, starting with $73 million for the initial round of seats and planning up to $425 million next year.
Citywide Jingle Competition
To engage New Yorkers, Mayor Zohran Mamdani also announced a citywide jingle contest. Residents are invited to submit original 15 to 30-second jingles encouraging families to apply for 2-K.
A judging panel, including Cardi B, will select finalists, and the public will vote for the winning jingle. The winning entry will become the official 2-K theme for the city and will be played on local radio stations.
Rama Duwaji: The Artist Redefining the Role of New York’s First Lady-in-Waiting
“As Cardi B says: ‘I can get ‘em both. I don’t wanna choose.’ With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to,” Mamdani said. “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”
Submissions are due by April 17 and can be submitted online through the city’s official portal.
View this post on Instagram
Program Rollout and Eligible Areas
The initial rollout of the 2-K program will cover five school districts across New York City:
-
Manhattan (District 6): Washington Heights, Inwood, Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville
-
Bronx (District 10): Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Marble Hill, Morris Heights, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village, parts of Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford Park, Mount Hope, Claremont-Bathgate, East Tremont
-
Brooklyn (Districts 18 & 23): Canarsie, Rugby-Remsen Village, Brownsville, Ocean Hill, parts of East Flatbush-Farragut, and Prospect Lefferts Garden-Wingate
-
Queens (District 27): Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach, Rockaways, parts of Lindenwood and Springfield Gardens North
Expanding Access to Early Education
The 2-K program represents a significant investment in early childhood education and family support in New York City. With Cardi B’s involvement, the announcement has gained widespread attention, making early care accessibility a focal point for residents and policy discussions.
As applications open in June, the city aims to ensure that more families have the resources and support needed to thrive while maintaining career and educational opportunities.
