No one to love me | Ryu Paul Snyder | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Poetry and music in this presentation combining spoken word and singing. Originally from Florida, Ryu Paul Snyder, 29, is involved in Christian Ministry, loves the outdoors, almost all sports, plus poetry and music. The son of incarcerated parents, Snyder describes himself as a new man with a heart to help others.
Hopeful | Bobby Zankel and the SCI Chester Jazz Band | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Brooklyn-born composer/alto saxophonist Bobby Zankel first began to blossom around 1971, while a student at the University of Wisconsin as a member of MacArthur Fellow Cecil Taylor's "Unit Core Ensemble". He performed in New York in the early 70's with William Parker and Ray Anderson before moving to Philadelphia in 1975 to raise his family. The introspection of his life has been balanced by over 25 years of sharing musical ideas with the inmates of Pennsylvania.Accompanying Bobby Zankel are Rickie Marra, drums; Joseph Bowie, trumpet; Jonathan Means, guitar; Jesse Tancemore, guitar; Brandon Adams, guitar and Tory Summerford, drums.
I stumbled up | Maurice Cartier | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Musical performance. Originally from South Philadelphia, Maurice Cartier enjoys home remodeling, fashion, art, museums, antiques, travel, foreign cars, reading, exercise, music, singing and song writing. The third of five children, Cartier said his parents instilled in him a love of performing music, singing and dancing. He said he has written more than 30 songs during his incarceration.
Are you in or are you out? | Dawan Williams | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
While a state prison inmate, Dawan Williams built a relationship with his children through their schoolwork. Now, he works to stop the cycle of incarceration sharing that what his children need, what all such children really need, is their father. Williams is the Program Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Restorative Justice Guild program. He works closely with the program participants, at-risk youth between the ages of 18 and 24, serving as both a supervisor and a mentor. He utilizes his own personal experiences with the criminal justice system to help him connect with the Guild's youth participants. A certified life-skills professional, Williams works closely with returning citizens on a day to day basis. He is also an active member of several non-profit organizations in Philadelphia which are dedicated to uniting families and strengthening the community.
My father, my hero | Cynthia Roseberry | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Cynthia Roseberry, a criminal defense attorney and the daughter of an alcoholic, talks about the labels we give to people that tend to build walls of resentment and brokenness. She argues that love is stronger than those labels and breaks down the barriers that separate us. Ms. Roseberry currently serves as Project Manager for Clemency Project 2014. The Clemency Project - a partnership among the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Civil Liberties Union, the American Bar Association, Families Against Mandatory Minimums and the Federal Community and Public Defenders - was created in response to a challenge to the legal profession to provide pro bono assistance for clemency to federal prisoners who would likely receive a shorter sentence if they were sentenced today.
Please don't judge me | The Lady Lifers & Friends | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Felicia L. Taylor, 49, of Philadelphia, is the mother of three adult sons and three grandchildren - two boys and a girl. She works as a carpenter. Cynthia Alvarado, of Philadelphia, is the mother of two daughters who were 10 years and 15 months old when she was first incarcerated eight years ago. She never gives up hope that she will be with her children and says her dream is to see her youngest daughter graduate from high school. Brenda Watkins, of Hoffman, N.C., enjoys reading, crocheting and watching old movies. Her favorite quote is. "You have two hands - one for helping yourself and one for helping others." Lashawna Bennett, 41, of Harlem, N.Y., has one daughter. She loves to play tennis and travel. Naomi Blount, 66, of Philadelphia, is the mother of one son who was 10 years old when she came to prison 34 years ago. Her son and daughter-in- law are the parents of two children and recently, became grandparents to Noah.music by Naomi Blountlyrics by Brenda Watkins
Transformational yoga in prison | Brianne Murphy | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Brianne Murphy teaches trauma sensitive yoga and mindfulness to staff and inmates in state prisons. Through a simple demonstration, she talks about the practice of yoga’s ability to offer courage, compassion and confidence; helping inmates heal and rediscover the life and freedom within. Transformation Yoga Project facilitates yoga programs at prisons and community youth detention centers across the Delaware Valley. The objective is to provide access to safe, supportive yoga programs that teach mindfulness and practical solutions for dealing with impulse control, substance abuse, anger and aggression. Benefits include reduced stress and better self-control.
Me becoming my mother | Matthew Dowsett | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Matthew Dowsett, the son of an incarcerated parent, talks about the nightmare of his mother’s arrest and trying to break free from the cycle. Originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania, the 25- year-old Dowsett has aspirations of becoming a published author and motivational speaker. He credits the support of his fiance, Katrine Karchner, and hopes to become a father someday.
Three poets | Men of Change | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Each man shares his message, through poetry, about the impact of incarceration. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, the 36-year-old John Tyrone Tate, Sr. is a proud father of six children. He enjoys drawing, painting, singing and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers football team. Originally from Philadelphia, Alexander Solomon said he comes from a loving, supportive family. He enjoys watching and participating in sports, is interested in social, political and economic issues, and would like to work toward preventing violence, inequality and injustice. Quran Herrington, 31, says he is the father of three "beautiful" children who are his pride and joy. He loves to write and wants to work helping inner city youth.
Our children, our champions | Anna E. Hollis | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Children of incarcerated parents in Pittsburgh are taking on policy-makers to improve their future. Hollis challenges incarcerated parents to in turn, rise to the challenge and change the legacy they leave their children. Ms. Hollis is the Executive Director of Amachi Pittsburgh, a unique partnership of secular and faith- based organizations working together to support children and families of the incarcerated. Under her leadership, the organization has become an ever-growing and diverse network of community organizations, dedicated volunteers, families, and partners in education, government and business.
What are you going to do now? | Eugene DePasquale | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
As Pennsylvania’s Auditor General and the son of an incarcerated father, Eugene DePasquale talks about the tremendous financial cost on children, with a challenge for the future. DePasquale became Pennsylvania's 51st Auditor General in 2013, and was recently re-elected to a second term. Prior to his service as Auditor General, DePasquale was a member of the state House of Representatives, where he was known as a leader in government reform.
These children are somebody | Chad Dion Lassiter | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Society says children of incarcerated parents are nobody, but Chad Lassiter maintains there is a moral imperative – on the part of their incarcerated parents and policy makers - to protect, guide and create a new identity for these children. Lassiter is nationally recognized in the fields of American race relations and violence prevention among African American males.
The path to prison | Kenneth Eason | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Kenneth Eason grew up in a single-parent family in a poor Philadelphia neighborhood, where statistically 7 out of 10 black men end up in prison. He did end up in prison, but as an career employee. Knowing education was the key, Eason credits his mother’s wisdom and courage to put him on the path to success. Deputy Eason has been employed by the Department of Corrections for 26 years. He started his career with the department in 1990 as a corrections officer at SCI Graterford where he became part of the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Fire Emergency Response Team (FERT), served as a training instructor as well as a mentor. Eason also served as a training sergeant at SCI Graterford and, in 1998,was promoted to lieutenant. In 2012, Eason transferred to SCI Chester as the Training/ Administrative Lieutenant. In 2015 he was promoted to the rank of Major of the Guard and in 2016 he was promoted to Deputy for Facilities Management.
Life or death | Charles Sample | TEDxChesterStatePrison 2016
Hip hop performance. Originally from North Philadelphia, Charles Sample is the father of a daughter and two sons. His dream is to one day become a hip hop artist.