It all started with a simple but genius idea. Any kid who comes into Zack's Finest Deli & Grocery in Staten Island, New York with good grades can get whatever they want from the store. Wail Alselwi is a co-partner in the deli and he often livestreams while he works behind the cash register. He goes by the nickname "Island Ock," and kids love to show him their report cards.
In 2023, the idea began when a 12-year old boy named Zameir Davis came into the store and proudly shared his grades with Wail. Around the same time, Wail started a TikTok page and was posting funny videos as well as videos of himself cooking in the deli. He would sometimes ask kids math and geography questions. Seeing how excited Zameir was, Wail promised him that if he earned a 90% average and made the honor roll, he could get anything he wanted from the store.
"We shook hands, and two days later, Zameir came with his report card. He did good but didn't make it. I had a bet with him and said, 'If you make it to the honor roll, I'll give you whatever you want from the store,'" Wail told Stay Inspired.
Zameir kept updating him every day after school. At first, he didn't make it, but by the end of the year, Zameir finally earned a spot on the honor roll. He ran into the store, shouting, "I told you I was going to do it! I told you I was going to do it!" The emotional moment was captured on video, and it quickly went viral, touching hearts all over the world. This marked the beginning of a movement called "Grades for Grabs."
Wail realized he could inspire other kids too. Soon, more students came to Zack's Finest Deli & Grocery to show Wail their report cards. He made similar deals: if they got good grades, they could pick whatever they wanted from the store. Some kids even traveled from Brooklyn, NY, and as far as Pennsylvania.
At first, Wail paid for everything out of his own pocket, but he was determined to inspire kids in his community to excel in school. On March 22, 2025, Wail's brother Nashwan created a GoFundMe page because many people wanted to support the initiative.
As of November 2025, the GoFundMe has raised over $330,000 from 7,100 people. Donations provide free snacks as instant rewards for students who improve their grades, cash prizes to motivate kids to reach higher academic goals, and fund community-driven programs that make learning fun and rewarding.
"It's not just about giving $100 or free snacks. The kids get inspired more when they see themselves in the videos. They see themselves being acknowledged by a lot of people," Wail told Stay Inspired.
17-year-old Madison Mayas is one of the students Wail has inspired. Previously scoring 98.0%, Wail challenged her to do even better. Madison returned with a perfect 100.0% on her report card.
Russell Vinson is 11 years old and was also excited to show Wail his report card. He received a 92.67% average. Wail gave him $100 and told him he can get what anything in the store. A lot of viewers pointed out that some of the kids get items for their families, such as milk, eggs, and laundry detergent.
Wail even transformed a wall outside Zack's Finest Deli & Grocery into a "Hall of Fame Wall," with Zameir Davis as the first name. Soon after came Madison, Russel, and Daisy. Students who earn a 90+ average receive $100. But Wail also rewards improvement. He said if a student goes from a failing grade to a 70 or 80, they still receive $100.
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Before opening Zack's Finest Deli & Grocery, Wail ran a deli in the Bronx from 2019 to 2022. The area had high crime, and a shooting occurred at that deli, which Wail survived unharmed. When the pandemic hit in 2020, his deli went out of business. Wail was discouraged, but his brother Nashwan motivated him to try again. They moved to Staten Island and opened a new business together with co-partner Zack.
Wail is 36 years old and he's from Yemen. He has three daughters and a wife back home. He visits them on vacations and hopes to bring them to New York City. He also keeps up with his daughters' grades and makes videos to celebrate their accomplishments.
But Wail's kindness comes straight from his father, Mohammed Alselwi. Talking about his son, Mohammed said, "I couldn't be prouder of Wail. He's taken his passion for helping others and turned it into something amazing. He's showing the world what it means to be a true leader and a positive influence in his community."
"I'm showing every kid that it's not about perfection. It's about progress. The smiles on the kids' faces, their determination… that's what makes me want to keep going," Wail said.
To support Wail Alselwi's "Grades for Grabs" initiative, donations can be made through his GoFundMe page.