If you’ve ever sat through an episode of VH1’s Black Ink Crew, you know Sky Days. She’s loud. She’s unapologetic. She was, for a long time, the heartbeat of the Harlem shop. But behind the "Boricua Barbie" persona and the viral blowups, there was always this heavy, lingering cloud involving Sky Black Ink Crew sons, JoKeir and Dessalines. It wasn’t just a subplot; it was the rawest, most uncomfortable look at motherhood ever broadcast on reality TV.
Most fans remember the heartbreaking moment she reunited with them after giving them up for adoption as a teenager. It felt like a breakthrough. Then, things went south. Fast.
Honestly, the timeline of Sky’s relationship with her boys is messy. It’s full of public shouting matches and Instagram blocks. If you’re looking for a neat, happy ending where everyone is sipping tea at brunch, you won't find it here. Life isn't a scripted sitcom, and the reality of their estrangement is way more complicated than a 42-minute episode suggests.
The Adoption Backstory You Might Have Missed
Sky was just 14 years old when she had her first son, Genesis (who later went by JoKeir). A year later, she had Dessalines. Think about that for a second. While most kids are worrying about freshman year algebra, Sky was a mother of two before she could legally drive.
She ultimately made the choice to give them up for adoption. She’s been open about the fact that she couldn't provide the life they deserved. She wanted them to have stability she didn't have. But "giving them up" isn't something you just get over. That trauma followed her into adulthood and into the spotlight of Black Ink Crew. When she finally reconnected with them on camera in 2017, the world watched with bated breath.
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JoKeir was the first to appear. He was guarded. You could see the resentment in his eyes, the "where were you?" vibe that’s impossible to ignore. Dessalines followed, and for a brief window, it looked like they might actually become a family unit. Sky was buying them clothes, trying to be "Mom," and making up for lost time. But you can't buy back fifteen years of missed birthdays.
Why Things Fell Apart with JoKeir and Dessalines
The tension peaked during a filmed trip to Los Angeles. It was brutal. Sky and JoKeir got into a screaming match that ended with Sky saying things no mother should ever say to a child—especially one who felt abandoned. It was a PR nightmare, but more than that, it was a human tragedy.
Why did it go so wrong?
- The Pressure of the Camera: Imagine trying to heal a decade of abandonment issues while a camera crew is shoved in your face. It's an impossible environment for genuine reconciliation.
- Expectation vs. Reality: Sky expected them to jump into her arms. The boys expected a mother who had it all together. Neither got what they wanted.
- Generational Trauma: Sky’s own childhood was turbulent. She didn't have a blueprint for how to be a "normal" parent, and it showed in her volatile reactions.
Dessalines, the younger son, stayed out of the fray a bit more than JoKeir, but the distance remained. While JoKeir was vocal about his pain, Dessalines seemed to prefer a quieter life away from the reality TV circus. He eventually joined the military, a move that many fans saw as a way to create his own identity far away from the "Sky's son" label.
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Where Are Sky Black Ink Crew Sons Now?
If you check social media today, don't expect to see a lot of family photos. The relationship remains strained.
JoKeir has been carving out his own path. He’s been involved in music and creative projects, often keeping a distance from his mother's public life. He has occasionally posted about his growth and his own journey toward healing. He doesn't seem interested in being a "reality star." He just wants to be JoKeir.
Dessalines, as mentioned, took the route of service. His stint in the Army gave him a structure that was arguably missing from his early years. Sky has occasionally posted prideful messages about him, but it’s unclear how much they actually speak behind the scenes.
Sky herself has undergone a massive transformation. She left Black Ink Crew under a cloud of controversy, moved to Miami, and then spent significant time in Jamaica. She’s leaned into fitness and "inner peace," but she’s also acknowledged that the bridge with her sons is still being built—or at least, the debris is being cleared.
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The Nuance of Reality TV Motherhood
We love to judge. It's easy to look at Sky and call her a "bad mom." It's easy to look at the boys and call them "ungrateful." But the truth is somewhere in the middle.
Sky was a child raising children. The foster care and adoption systems are complex, and the emotional toll on the birth mother is often ignored in favor of the "happy ending" narrative for the kids. In Sky's case, the trauma was compounded by the fact that her mistakes were broadcast to millions.
It’s worth noting that other cast members, like Ceaser Emanuel, have also had very public struggles with their children. This suggests that the environment of the show—long hours, high stress, and the need for "drama"—is toxic for family dynamics.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’ve been following this saga and find yourself triggered or deeply invested, here’s how to process it with a bit more empathy:
- Stop Searching for Heroes and Villains: In family estrangement, there are rarely "good guys." There are just hurt people hurting people. Understanding that Sky is a product of her environment helps humanize her without excusing her outbursts.
- Respect the Sons' Privacy: Just because they appeared on a TV show as teenagers doesn't mean they owe the public updates on their lives. If they want to be private, let them.
- Acknowledge the Limits of Reality TV: What you see on screen is edited for maximum impact. We see 10 minutes of a 10-hour day. The nuances of their quiet conversations (if they have them) aren't "good TV," so they get cut.
- Support Organizations for Foster Youth: If the story of JoKeir and Dessalines moves you, consider looking into groups like FosterMore or local mentorship programs. There are thousands of kids in the system who need the stability Sky’s sons were searching for.
The story of Sky and her sons isn't over. It’s just no longer being told in weekly installments. Whether they find their way back to each other or find peace in their separation, it’s their journey to walk—off-camera and on their own terms.
Next Steps for Readers:
To get a better understanding of the complexities of adoption and reunion, research the concept of "Adoption Trauma" or "The Primal Wound." These psychological frameworks provide much-needed context for why reunions like Sky’s often result in explosive conflict rather than immediate harmony. You can also follow the individual social media accounts of JoKeir and Dessalines for their rare, first-hand perspectives on their current lives and career ventures.