Muhammad Abdul-Hadi is a Philadelphia entrepreneur and author whose commitment to dismantling social and economic barriers for others, writes Leigh Green for PA Eats.
His success has occurred through an unconventional path.
Abdul-Hadi is the founder and owner of Down North Pizza. He opened the Strawberry Mansion pizzeria during the thick of the pandemic, and deliberately staffs it exclusively with individuals who were formerly incarcerated.
“People were looking at me like I was literally out of my mind. But, honestly, those are the things that made me look at it like, ‘This is going to work.’ Because nobody believed in it,” he said.
It didn’t take long for him to find success at the pizza, which serves up square pies, wings, fries, milkshakes, and more.
Working with formerly incarcerated individuals is something he has long wanted to do, as he has previously worked with them in his prior roles. Abdul-Hadi sees their value, from their dedication to their resilience.
Through Down North Pizza, he, executive chef Michael Carter, and the team are able to help reduce recidivism and create a path towards economic stability.
Recently, Abdul-Hadi published a new book titled, We the Pizza. In addition to recipes, the book also includes historical information about incarceration in America.
Read more about Muhammad Abdul-Hadi and his strong social impact at PA Eats.
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