“They’re Paying for Their Crime”: Carmelo Anthony’s Ex-Wife La La Reveals Son Kiyan’s Impact on Brave Venture

Fresh off his 17th birthday, Kiyan Anthony is growing into basketball, navigating college decisions, and dealing with fame that comes through two famous parents. That’s not the case for a lot of young people. Kiyan’s mom is trying to change that. Between her work on Starz’ BMF and being a mom to Kiyan, La La Anthony is helping rehabilitate young men turn away from crime through her nonprofit, ThreeSixty. Why? She wants these youth to have a shot at a good life just like her son.

“At this age they are still so young,” she explained to People after many questioned why anyone should care about delinquents. “When you talk to them, especially if you have your own kids, you just become so much more compassionate. It feels like any one of our kids could be one bad decision away from being in a similar situation.”

Carmelo Anthony’s ex-wife hasn’t exactly received unconditional support. Not many share her sentiment to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals. She says this is something that betters their community. “If they did something wrong and they’re paying for their crime, let’s give them real rehabilitation while they’re there so they can come out and be better citizens.”

As La La reiterates, re-entry programs help these people from staying away from crime. She’s acutely aware their home life was not stable before they ended up in Rikers and she hopes to provide better opportunities. Most of them being around Kiyan’s age, there’s a lot of potential to change.

La La Anthony is hands-on

ThreeSixty offers several programs for youth aged 18-21 who are incarcerated at Rikers Island to mentor and rehabilitate them. These young men avail sports and arts driven leadership and enrichment programs along with meetings with motivational speakers and mental health support. Before they re-integrate to life outside Rikers, they get help with job training, rebuilding relationships, and whenever needed even Legal assistance.

READ MORE: “I Can’t Stand the Knicks”: Despite Brotherly Bond With Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade Reveals His Detest for NY

Carmelo Anthony’s ex has a thriving acting career. She’s currently starring in the third season of BMF and recently starred on The Perfect Find with Dwyane Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union. She also spends her free time with Kiyan. Yet she remains hands-on with ThreeSixty through its weekly sessions with Rikers inmates.

While Kiyan is on college tours (even testing out his dad’s Syracuse colors), La La revels in some success stories of ThreeSixty. Like one of the mentees who enrolled in Columbia University within a year of release.

From the sound of it, La La gets the same fulfilment from mentoring these young people as much as she does being a mom. “If I could help one kid, then that in itself is a success story.” Which she certainly has.

READ MORE: Father of a Son, Carmelo Anthony Praises Caitlin Clark Pops’ Tough Girl Child Love: “That’s a Different Commitment