Nationally recognized artist Kodak Black announced he teamed up with Greenacres Nissan to gift a recent graduate a free car ahead of Kodak Black Day: Car Show Edition during a recent press conference.

Kodak Black is no stranger to philanthropic gestures. The young rapper has a documented history of assisting families of fallen officers, donating $100,000 to Nova Southeastern University, financially contributing towards Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, and partaking in grassroots initiatives like going door to door donating air conditioners and food to those in need.

Now, he hopes that gifting a car to a deserving high school graduate from an underserved community will change the direction of a student’s life and college endeavors.

“The student is driven. He’s ambitious. He has goals. The car is going to help him get to his destiny faster,” said Kodak.

Although Kodak Black and the team have already chosen the student via Tu Es Bella, an organization founded by media personality and philanthropist Stichiz that supports high school students transitioning to college, the recipient is still unaware. They will find out during the Car Show Edition event on Sunday.

“The student thinks they won tickets to come to Kodak Black Day, but when they get there, they’ll find out. The car will be ready with a bow,” said Francky Pierre-Paul, who supports many of Kodak Black’s charitable campaigns.

The donated Nissan won’t be the only decorated car at the event.

Kodak Black Day: Car Show Edition is being held in Pompano this Sunday, June 11, from 12p-6p at Pompano Community Park and will showcase 100 of the hottest cars and bikes from across the nation competing to win a cash prize. The second annual event will have live music, food, a Kid Zone, and vendors. Tickets are still on sale at https://www.kodakblackday.com/

Almost 125 people attended the showing of iMordecai alongside the movie’s namesake, Holocaust survivor Mordecai Samel, at the Movies of Lake Worth. The event was hosted by Temple Beth Torah and Wellington residents Todd and Deborah Barron to unite the community and share critical firsthand accounts of dark history in an unlikely delivery– through comedy. The hope is that the movie will also attract younger and Non-Jewish audiences, making an impact beyond the traditional supporters.

Originally released on February 9th, 2023, iMordecai was produced, directed, and filmed by Mordecai’s son, first-time movie maker Marvin Samel. Filmed over twenty-nine days, the heart-warming movie is based on true events and stars Academy Award-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning actor Judd Hirsch (star of the Emmy-winning sitcom Taxi, Ordinary People, Independence Day) as Holocaust survivor Mordecai Samels and Academy Award-nominated actress Carol Kane (Hester Street) as his wife, Fela. Both are survivors from Poland, now living in Miami. Their son, Marvin, played by Academy Award-nominated actor Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings), is an ambitious cigar maker trying to support his own family while still being there for his aging parents. When Mordecai’s ancient flip phone breaks, he is forced to take smartphone lessons from Nina, a young employee of Ultratech. Nina opens Mordecai up to all kinds of novel experiences like visits to downtown areas and painting classes, making him feel like a kid again, which has him tapping into forgotten memories– including ones of his mother’s face, last seen when she died holding his hand on the breadline during the Holocaust.

Remembering events, even traumatic ones, has importance.

“Anything about the Holocaust is important to bring the community together because it teaches us lessons about how we ought to always remember our history so we don’t repeat it again in the future,” said Rabbi Andy Rosenkranz from Temple Beth Torah before the movie started. “Although it’s supposed to be a comedy, it’s dealing with the survivor of a genocide. The underlying message is that we should never forget, no matter what form that takes. There are not a whole lot of comedies about the Holocaust, so I’m really interested to see what this entails. And I understand this isn’t just about the Holocaust. It’s about someone learning to work their phone.”

The decision to make the Holocaust a secondary theme of the movie was intentional by Director Marvin Samel. Weaving it in through subtle flashbacks and layered with comedic relief was a way to attract younger crowds and Non-Jewish viewers as well as Jewish supporters. iMordecai premiered in January 2022 at the Miami Jewish Film Festival, winning the audience award for best narrative film. Since then, it has done what the director intended it to by bringing all members of the community together.

“We are so happy that the community came together to celebrate the incredible journey of a Holocaust survivor becoming an American success story. Mordecai Samuel created a family and embraced a community in South Florida while focusing on the future with a positive outlook. Mordecai and his son Marvin demonstrate that friendship and love are the strongest forces of all,” said Todd Barron, who, along with his wife Deborah, underwrote the event, making it free for attendees.

Attendees were treated to free drinks and popcorn and engaged in a live question and answer session with Mordecai and Marvin Samel following the showing. When asked what ten-year-old Mordecai would have said if he was told he would one day be on the big screen, Mordecai replied, “I would say it’s a dream come true. A miracle.”