New York City is rolling out a new childcare initiative, and it has the star power of Cardi B behind it.
The Bronx native is collaborating with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to drum up support for the city’s upcoming 2-K program, an effort to ease the financial burden on parents by providing 2,000 free childcare slots for children from age two up to kindergarten.
During a recent announcement, the Grammy winner and the 34-year-old mayor discussed the urgency of accessible care. Cardi shared her surprise at the mayor’s age, remarking, “Can you believe that we got a 34-year-old mayor? I feel like I’m a kid and you’re like, running New York.”
As a mother of four, the rapper emphasized the personal impact of childcare shortages. She explained how difficult it is for working mothers to balance their careers when support is missing, “Sometimes us women, we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids.”
To build momentum ahead of the June enrollment period, the city is launching a jingle contest. They are calling on New Yorkers to submit original 15 or 30-second tracks, with the winning entry becoming the official theme for the program. Cardi is set to serve on the judging panel, jokingly noting, “Oh I would judge it for sure… I’m gonna judge, and he’s gonna give ‘cause he’s the one with the funds.”
Mayor Mamdani framed the initiative as a way to provide stability for families who have long struggled to remain in the city. Referring to one of Cardi’s hit songs, he said, “As Cardi B says, “I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.” With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to.” He continued, “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”
Interested participants have until April 17 to upload their submissions via the official city portal at nyc.gov/jingle.
