Created and launched by Philly born-and-bred entrepreneur Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, the mission of Down North Pizza is to reduce recidivism rates in North Philly and serve up most insanely delicious food while doing it.

We the Pizza is a testament to survival, second chances, and spectacular pizzas, wings, and more. Recipes for tender, crispy edged, square-cut, sauce-on-top pies are Down North’s signature dish; a whole chapter is devoted to vegetarian and vegan pizzas like No Betta Love made with four cheeses and the arrabbiata-inspired Norf Sauce, while the Meat and Seafood pizza chapter features their most popular Roc the Mic pepperoni pie as well as the smoky berbere-brisket Tales of a Hustler and Say Yes, topped with jerk turkey sausage, roasted butternut squash, kale, ricotta and lemon-honey drizzle.

The pizzas along with classic and creative wings fries, lemonades, and shakes are paired with cinematic photography of the pizzas in their natural setting and out in the wilds of Philadelphia, with lots of journalistic-style photography of the Down North crew making dough and slinging pies. At the same time, readers will find empowering stories recounted by Down North’s formerly incarcerated staff, and pizzas from renown chef-supporters like Marc Vetri and Marcus Samuelsson, creating a cookbook that celebrates ingeniously delicious pizza, as well as the power people have to rise above their circumstances--if simply given the chance.

About the author: Muhammad Abdul-Hadi is the Founder and Owner of Down North Pizza, the mission-driven restaurant that exclusively hires formerly incarcerated individuals and serves up pies with a purpose in the Strawberry Mansion community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a background rooted in entrepreneurship and rehabilitation centers, and first-hand experience of the prison industrial system’s effect on his community, Abdul-Hadi has turned his love for business and community building into a clear mission: reduce recidivism through economic opportunity, excellent food and quality customer service.

About the moderator: Kareem Queeman is a 2023 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist forOutstanding Pastry Chef and Baker, who grew up in Harlem baking cakes in his grandmother’s apartment, developing a lifelong love of the culinary arts and earning the nickname “Mr. Bake”.