Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso on Saturday presented rapper and civic leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow with a Key to Brooklyn at the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo.
Marking the 25th anniversary of Barrow's debut album Shyne, Reynoso presented the Key to Brooklyn in honor of his contributions to Hip-Hop and his civic leadership in Brooklyn and around the world. Reynoso also declared April 25, 2026 as “Shyne Day” in Brooklyn.
"Shyne embodies what is possible when a community believes in its young people, and the magic that can happen when young people are given the resources they need to thrive. East Flatbush raised Shyne, and it only made sense to present him with the Key to Brooklyn as we team up to deliver hope and opportunity to dozens of young men today,” Reynoso said.
The event took place during the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo held at SUNY Downstate. Organized in partnership with East Flatbush Village and carribBeing, the expo brought together young men from East Flatbush for a day full of panel discussions, workshops and mentorship.
Reynoso, Shyne, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Rafael Camargo of Chick-fil-A opened the day with a panel discussion about navigating our city and our workforce as men of color. The Kingsborough Community College Fatherhood Academy led a session on fatherhood and identity, Urban Upbound led a financial literacy workshop equipping attendees with skills to build economic stability, CAMBA walked young men through their rights in the workplace, and Hot Bread Kitchen discussed how to turn a passion for cooking into a culinary career.
To support the young men’s professional ambitions, Reynoso also announced a $5,000 commitment to purchase tailored suits for all 35 young men in attendance. The suits will be sourced from Brooklyn-based retailer Stacey Adams Plaza: Exclusive Menswear Clothing.
Shyne also surprised the participants by announcing free tickets to his 25th anniversary concert next week at the Kings Theatre.
"This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass the love that this community gave me forward to the next generation," said Hon. Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
Shyne started his music career in Flatbush, and was eventually offered a five-album deal with Bad Boy Records. He was sent to prison after being convicted for assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of an illegal weapon after a 1999 shooting at a Manhattan nightclub with Sean Combs and Jennifer Lopez. Barrow has stated in various documentaries and interviews that he was not the shooter during the incident. He is now a politician and activist in Belize.
Tabling partners included NYC Small Business Services’ Workforce1 Career Center, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, TWU Local 100, SUNY Downstate, Hot Bread Kitchen, and Kingsborough Community College. Gift cards to Dekalb Market Food Hall were provided to participants who completed their “tabling passport” by visiting all of the tabling partners.
The event was sponsored by City Point, Dekalb Market, Allan’s Bakery, and Rogers Burgers whose co-founder, Josue Pierre, spoke about his experience as an entrepreneur.
