Mayor Zohran Mamdani surprised graduates at Rikers Island's East River Academy with an unexpected commencement address.
On Tuesday (June 16), the 34-year-old mayor joined the 2026 graduation ceremony as 57 incarcerated students received high school diplomas or GEDs.
Mamdani then delivered a speech focused on perseverance, education, and the ability to move forward despite difficult circumstances.
"Many of you arrived on Rikers in a cloud of uncertainty and despair," Mamdani told the graduates, per Spectrum News NY1. “The future felt very grim, indeed. And yet you did not surrender to that alienation. You were not overcome by the adversity that lay before you. Instead, you chose to continue moving forward. You chose to pursue your education, to stick with it, even on your lowest days.
"If today is proof of anything, it is that you have the power to move your life forward, even when everything feels like it is pulling you backwards," he added, per the New York Daily News. “And no matter what is waiting for you on the other side of your degree, be it college or be it a career, there will always be a place for you in New York City."
He continued, "Today was not inevitable. You accomplished this, you got yourself, you will always have this for the rest of your lives. And I am so proud of everything that you have done to get to this point."
Graduate Elijah Smith, who is facing attempted robbery and assault charges and plans to pursue a career as an EMT, made a speech to his classmates saying he felt “liberated.”
“Everybody here wants to change, you know. So school is definitely a part of change. With your education, you could change a lot. You could change the world,” he told NY1.
New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced a new mentorship initiative for East River Academy students after feeling inspired by Smith during a meeting they took together a month ago.
"I asked myself, ‘What can I do more? If he can do this, there’s much more that I can do as chancellor.’ And so that’s why I’m excited to share today that I am launching a new leadership initiative to create more mentorship opportunities for East River Academy students," Samuels said, per NY1.
The New York Daily News reported that the mentorship pilot program will begin next year with 10 students and 10 education officials.
