A new and cooler way to invite those to give back!
On Sunday, July 18th, Kangie who is the founder of streetwear brand Second2None alongside her mother, Santana’s Foundation, and Up 2 Something Studios put together a clothes and food drive to grant aid to provinces lacking basic necessities in Lima, Perú. What made this donation drive stand out from the rest was not only was it an event designed to give back, but it also felt like one big family reunion. As soon as you enter the space you are greeted by two large donation boxes, with one designated for the winter clothes and the other for canned goods. It was quite amazing to watch as each box grew larger and larger to the point where they had to use other bags to make space for the incoming donations.
Kangie and Santana’s Foundation created Happy 2 Help t-shirts and tote bags for supporters to also purchase, in which each purchase equates to a donation. Alongside this there were a couple vendors present selling products ranging from curated mixed drinks to fresh coffee beans. Being that Kangie has returned to Miami to hold this special event, all of her loved ones and supporters showed out to give back to her cause. It was quite beautiful to watch as people poured in to show their support and while also truly happy to reunite with friends they haven’t seen in a while.
The highlight of this donation event was the authentic Peruvian food provided by Kangie’s mother. The plates consisted of ceviche, papa a la huancaina, chicha, mazamorra, and arroz con leche. I had to admit it was probably the best ceviche I have ever had in Miami. What really drove the family reunion aspect was watching as individuals ate their delicious plates while dancing to some good music and rejoicing with friends, all while giving back to a good cause.
I was able to speak with Kangie on how this event all came to together and some more insight on her brand, Second2None:
Lauryn: Tell us more about how this event came about and why was it important to have it here back in Miami?
Kangie: To be honest it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, to just give back to my country because it’s something constantly on my mind. I lived in Perú until I was 10 years old, I know what life was like out there and I also can very much contrast how my life is here. Honestly I’ve been blessed, I was so happy when I lived in Perú and I’m happy here, but you find joy in different things rather. In Perú I found joy that I had my family with me and that I was home.
With that being said, I’ve always wanted to do this because I’ve always realized the difference in opportunities that people are not given over there. I wouldn’t have been able to live the life I do today if I had still been there. This is me planting a seed towards something so much bigger that is going to be able to give people the same opportunities that are there.
It was important for me to do this back in Miami because this is my second home. Also I’m fully aware that I’m not the only one who grew up here as an immigrant, I know that other people can relate to that same feeling as though you are living here so good, then you think about the people back home that don’t get to experience this. Even if I am able to help at this scale, at least it’s a step closer to what we want to achieve in the future.
Lauryn: I’m curious about Second2None and would love it if you could provide us with some background knowledge alongside how this brand represents you?
Kangie: The Second2None year anniversary is actually the 22nd of this month, it is something I've been planning for so long. I’ve been designing for 6-7 years under Kangie. I first started making clothes by painting on clothing in highschool mostly because I couldn’t afford the clothes I wanted. Fast forward, I was designing under just my name and I wanted something more separate. None of us are second to anybody, we are all just as important as the next person.
Lauryn: Is there anything that you are also looking forward to, whether it be with more events such as this one or within your work?
Kangie: There’s so much where I don’t even know where to start. Honestly it’s crazy because I wish that there was a single thing that I could actually pinpoint, but the reality of it is what I’m so much more excited about is the fact that my life changes every single day to something I could have never thought of before.
I’m so grateful for everybody being here because I could have never done this by myself, it takes a village. This is the most fulfilling thing I could’ve done.
Founder of Up 2 Something Studios, Aldhair Ramirez also got to speak with Kangie’s mother about her journey and more insight behind her delicious meals:
Aldhair: Señora Antonia, how old were you when you first started to cook? I had two plates and they were so delicious.
Señora Antonia: I started at 12 years old, but my mom always had me in the kitchen ever since I can remember peeling potatoes and carrots. As I got older, she would tell me the recipe to these dishes, but they would go in one ear and out the other. Until one day my mom was going to be too late and gave me the responsibility of preparing dinner for our family. When it came down to it, I forgot and I had to go and ask my neighbor how to prepare Seco a Pollo. I went and made it and it didn't come out the best, but with practice I have perfected it.
Aldhair: What would you say is your specialty now?
Señora Antonia: I love to cook everything, but my favorite is auntie anticucho and ceviche.
Aldhair: Well I was able to taste your ceviche today and I do need to tell you it’s one of the best I’ve had in a long time, congratulations! And what is anticucho? For the readers that might not know?
Señora Antonia: Thank you. I appreciate that, my brother-in-law tells me I should start my own restaurant. Anticucho is cow’s heart.
Aldhair: I’m sure you cook that amazing as well and I do believe you should start your own restaurant, I would be one of your best clients.
Overall this event was filled with an abundance of love, good food, and a whole lot of giving!