GROWING UP WITH “I CAN DO BETTER”
Growing up inside a community effort and beginning to shape what comes next.
What is “I Can Do Better”?
I Can Do Better is a community event held each April on the Lower East Side created by Samuel (Sam) Jacques in memory of my father and others lost to gun violence.
At its core, it’s about saying no to gun violence and yes to something better, bringing kids together through sports, art, and dance, and creating a space that feels positive, consistent, and rooted in the neighborhood.
Over time, it’s also grown to include small businesses and local creatives making it feel less like a single event and more like something the community builds together.
How did you first get involved?
I started when I was around 8/9 years old dancing with my god sisters during the halftime portion of the games.
A few years later, in middle and high school, I started playing basketball as part of it.
It became something I returned to each year, just in a different role.
More recently, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started working more behind the scenes.
What does your role look like today?
Lately I’ve been helping think through the visual side, especially around the kids’ jerseys, logo, and overall brand identity.
Color palettes, what each team is wearing, how they relate to each other, making sure there’s contrast, but that everything still works together. I’m also putting myself in the mindset of younger kids and what feels cool to them... what they’d actually be excited to wear and be part of.
It’s not just about how it looks. It’s about making sure the identity reflects everything it stands for: the mission, the origin, the community, and the focus on youth. It’s small decisions, but they shape how the whole event feels and it’s where I’ve started to realize how much I care about creative direction, not just participating, but shaping.
You’re starting to be asked bigger questions about the future of the program. How are you thinking about that?
I’ve been sitting with a question. If I were to take on more responsibility over time, what would I keep, what would I evolve, and what might need to change?
I’m not rushing to answer that.
What feels important is understanding what the event has meant to the community and also being honest about what I would bring to it, based on who I am and what I’m building.
How does this connect to your own creative work?
There’s a real overlap. My brand is rooted in Nolita and this is Lower East Side. It’s a lot of the same neighborhood, just seen through different lenses.
There’s also a shared sense of purpose. Being close to the community, creating something that reflects where I’m from, and contributing to something that brings people together in a positive way.
For some people, New York is a stop along the way or a place you visit.
For me, it’s home. It’s where my family immigrated to - thanks to my grandparents - and now have built their lives, and it’s where I’m starting to build something of my own.
Developed in conversation with my family, friends, and of course, ICDB founder Sam Jacques.
