Impossible, to possible, then probable | The Jabbawockeez | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
The Jabbawockeez is an all-male crew made up of six members from San Diego, California. The name originated from Lewis Carroll's book "Through the Looking Glass." The crew members wear white masks so that people will focus on their dance moves and not on the individuals.
Carrying the torch | Ruett Foster | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Pastor Ruett Stephen Foster has over 30 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, and advocate for the children, youth, and families of Los Angeles. For the past 16 years, Pastor Foster has served as an ardent public activist for violence prevention. He and his wife Rhonda became assiduous advocates after the tragic and senseless loss of their innocent 7-year-old son, Evan, to gun violence in 1997. Pastor Foster continues to serve as an advisory board member for the Office of Restorative Justice of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The R in CDCR | Millicent Tidwell | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Millicent Tidwell is the California Judicial Council's Acting Administrative Director. She previously served as the council's Chief Deputy Director, overseeing the Judicial Council's Leadership Services Division. Prior to that, she served for two years as the Judicial Council's Chief Operating Officer, directing the Operations and Programs Division. With more than 20 years of experience in the criminal justice field, she previously served as Director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation where she managed an annual budget of more than $450 million. Ms. Tidwell’s breadth of career experience includes policy making, strategic planning, partnership building, research, and evaluation and process improvement for complex and diverse organizations. Ms. Tidwell practiced law in Sacramento before turning to public service in 1999, when she went to work as a public safety policy analyst for the Office of Governor Gray Davis. A year later, she became Chief of Mentally Ill Offender Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In 2005, Ms. Tidwell became Deputy Director of the Office of Criminal Justice Collaboration at the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, during which time she served on the Judicial Council’s Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee. In 2013, she became the Director for the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she served until joining the Judicial Council. Ms. Tidwell holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Sacramento State University, with a major in criminal law. She earned her juris doctorate from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento, and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1997.
Education and re-integration | Renford Reese | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Dr. Renford Reese has been a professor in the policitical science department at Cal Poly Pomona for 18 years. He is the author of five books including "Prison Race." Professor Reese is the Founder/Director of the Prison Education Project (PEP) and the Reintegration Academy for Parolees. With the assistance of 300 university volunteers, PEP provides academic programming to inmates in seven California state prisons.
Dare to dream again | Prophet Walker | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
When Prophet Walker was an infant, his birth mother succumbed to a heroin addiction. At 16, he was sentenced to six years in prison for robbery and great bodily injury, stemming from a fight with other teenagers. Prophet vowed to turn his life around and while still in prison, he helped start a program that gives incarcerated youths the ability to earn a two-year college degree. Over 100 of its graduates have now left prison and enrolled in four-year college programs, including Prophet himself, who enrolled at Loyola Marymount University. Prophet also co-founded the Watts United Weekend, which brings together young residents of local public housing projects before they turn into gang rivals. He is a founding member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which supports prison and sentencing reform while helping young people get a fresh start after incarceration.
Johnny Appleseed | James A. White, Jr. | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Jim is an incarcerated veteran who served in the US Marine Corps for six years as a helicopter crew-chief. He flew in Cuba, then combat flying in the Civil War of Santo Domingo (1965), and an extended tour in Vietnam. He then inter-service transferred into the Army as an officer, where he served as a helicopter pilot. He served in various airborne units while serving multi-tours in Vietnam, first flying Aero-Scouts and then Cobras for a classified operation. Jim is a disabled veteran from the Vietnam War. He has written and published books about his military service, including a well-received book "Laotian Highway Patrol," which is a historical novel based on his flying Cobras for MAC-V-SOG. Jim is a Life Member of the Special Operations Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the Disabled American Veterans Association. He is the co-founder of the HMM-262 Helicopter (Vietnam) Association. He and his wife have four children.
From impossible to probable | The Jabbawockeez | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
The Jabbawockeez is an all-male crew made up of six members from San Diego, California. The name originated from Lewis Carroll's book "Through the Looking Glass." The crew members wear white masks so that people will focus on their dance moves and not on the individuals.
The disgrace removal process | Charity Chandler | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Charity Chandler is an academic counselor at Loyola Marymount University where she received her B.A. in 2012. She's current pursuing an M.A. in Public Administration from Cal State, Northridge. Charity is also a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. Because of her experience in both the juvenile justice and foster care systems, Charity passionately advocates for change within both systems with a special interest in preventative measures and eucation. Charity is a loving partner and mother to 3 sons and is also raising a nephew.
Lyrics from lockdown | Bryonn Bain | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Bryonn Bain is Brooklyn's own prison activist, actor, hip hop theater innovator, and spoken word poetry champion. Wrongfully incarcerated during his second year at Harvard Law School, Bain was featured on 60 Minutes after writing "Walking While Black: The Bill of Rights for Black Men," which received the largest reader response in the history of The Village Voice. Currently an artist in residence and visiting scholar at NYU, Bain has taught courses on hip hop, spoken word, and the prison crisis at Harvard, Columbia, and Riker's Island. Executive produced by Harry Belafonte and directed by Gina Belafonte, Lyrics from Lockdown is a multimedia, hip hop theater production based on Bain's experience of wrongful imprisonment. Bain's latest project, Life after Lockdown: The Digital Mixtape is executive produced by the legendary first Hip Hop DJ Kool Herc. Working in collaboration with the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions in Brooklyn and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition in Los Angeles, the LAL Mixtape includes music and videos inspired by Lyrics from Lockdown and provides resources for people returning home from prison.
Performance | Mark Gonzales + Mike de la Rocha | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Mark Gonzales has over a decade of experience focusing on emotional intelligence, sacred education, design thinking, and human development. In 2014, he cofounded the Institute for Narrative Growth, a platform for advancing story-based approaches to healing, success, and intergeneratioinal forgiveness. Mike de la Rocha has more than 15 years of experience advancing public policy and empowering community stakeholders with an emphasis on public safety and juvenile justice. Mike is also a writer and artist who uses music as a way to stimulate conversation, build commuity, and inspire the public imagination around issues of change and transformation. In 2012, Mike merged his love of politics and music by created Living Rooms Across America, a series of curated events that utilize music and storytelling to shift the public conversation around violence.
The movie of your life | DeVon Franklin | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
DeVon Franklin is a rarity: an African-American studio executive at the forefront of Hollywood's hit machine. The 35-year-old San Francisco Bay Area native currently serves as SVP of Production for Columbia Tristar Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, making him one of the youngest individuals in that position in the industry. In addition to his entertainment industry pursuits, DeVon is also a preacher, a motivational speaker, and the author of "Produced by Faith," a how-to guide about pursuing your career without compromising your faith. He's appeared on CNN, Fox News, NBC, TBN, and was a featured guest on "Oprah's Life Class," "Oprah's Super Soul Sunday," at BET's Celebration of Gospel Prayer Breakfast, TD Jakes' MegaFest, and Essence Music Festial. He has also been featured in Esence, Jet, Black Enterprise, and on the cover of Ebony Magazine.
A piece about peace | IN-Q | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
In-Q writes poetry to challenge audiences to look deeper into their human experience. He has been featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam, Verses & Flow, the Discovery Channel, Disney, and Nickelodeon. He is a National Poetry Slam Champion and has shared the stage with Aloe Blacc, De La Soul, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Saul Williams, Eminem, and John Legend. His one-man show has toured nationally since 2009 and has been seen at over 70 universities across the country. IN-Q is credited as the first poet ever to perform in a Cirque Du Soleil production, from the famed O stage at the Bellagio Hotel during "One Drop." Above all, he performs in order to inspire, challenge, love, entertain, and relate with his audience.
Why conservatives should hate overcrowded prisons | Matt Cate | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Matthew Cate began serving as the Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in 2012, after serving for more than 4 years as the Secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). At CSAC, Cate represents California's 58 counties at the state and federal level and plays an integral role in developing and implementing advocacy strategy on a wide variety of issues. As CDCR Secretary, Cate was instrumental in implementing sweeping reforms that reduced recidivism, overcrowding, and prison spending. In 2010, Cate was elected as Regional President of the Association of State Correctional Administrators.
More precious than gold | B. Wayne Hughes Jr. | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
B. Wayne Highes, Jr. was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from USC with a BA in Performing Arts, but his knack and inherent ability in real estate development led him back into Public Storage, the family business, where he continues to serve on its board of directors. He is the Founder and current EVP of American Commercial Equities and its affiliates engaged in the acquisition and operation of commercial properties. In 2013, he founded Serving California, a nonprofit that facilitates healing for people who have experienced suffering, including military families, victims of crime, and inmates looking to rebuild their lives. He has taken strides in addressing the crisis in the California penal system by leading in projects like The Urban Ministry Institute where prisoners are trained as pastors.
Sing beyond these walls | Carmen Perez | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Carmen Perez is the Executive Director of the Harry Belafonte Foundation. Her work in Santa Cruz with the criminal justice system was well known within the community. She is the founder of the youth leadership group R.E.A.L. (Reforming Education, Advocating for Leadership) and the co-founder of The Girls' Task Force in Santa Cruz County, which is dedicated to improving gernder-specific services to better support all girls in our communities. Carmen was also responsible for developing the idea of supporting youth to speak out about their personal and important issues. She created and supported the "Youth Summit" concept where young people came together to discuss solutions on serious topics such as drug and alcohol reform, detention alternatives, gangs, and violence. Recommendations that came out of the group discussion were often presented and adopted by community and statewide policy makers throughout California.
Transcending mental bars | Hill Harper | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Hill Harper is a humanitarian, an award-winning actor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, health and wellness ambassador/educator, and philanthropist. Currently, Harper stars in ABC’s #1 television drama, The Good Doctor, and has starred in numerous television and film projects including CSI:NY, He Got Game and Lackawanna Blues. In addition to his performing career, Harper has authored four New York Times bestsellers Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother, The Conversation and his award-winning book, The Wealth Cure, that addresses ways to solve the racial wealth gap. Letters to a Young Brother also won several awards and was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association in 2007. Harper has been recognized with seven NAACP Image Awards, four of them for his writing. Amongst his other titles, Harper is a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Chairman of The Black Wall Street Digital Wallet & App, co-owner of the award-winning New Orleans hotel, International House, and a thriving coffee franchise in downtown Detroit called The Roasting Plant. Harper is on the Board of Directors, National Black Bank Fund, named Honorary National Co-Chair of the Redevelopment of Black Wall Street, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, and served on the President's Cancer Panel having been appointed by President Obama in 2011. Harper is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship and grant programs; and has established The Pierce and Hill Harper Arts Foundation. Harper graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was named Valedictorian of his department. Harper then graduated cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School, as well as with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, with honors, from the Kennedy School of Government. He holds honorary doctoral degrees from Howard University, Winston-Salem State University, Cheyney University, Le-Moyne Owen College, Westfield State College, Dillard University and Tougaloo College. Harper’s passion for business, financial literacy, and social & economic justice keeps him on the forefront and in-demand as a speaker worldwide. In 2004 and 2014, People Magazine named him one of their Sexiest Men Alive…he anticipates being named again in 2024!
The future of our arts | Johnson Le | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Johnson Le loves everything about nature and spirituality. He believes that music has healing effects on the mind, body, and soul. Johnson is a self-taught guitarist and has written some of his own songs. He feels that peace and serenity are achievable through one's thoughts, and music has helped guide the way for him. He feels that creativity does not have to be developed but only enhanced; everyone has the potential for manifesting into their greater self. If everyone would try to reach their potential, we could live in a world where selfless acts were the cultural norm.
The power of story | Rocky Thomas | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Rocky Thomas‘s speech is about the inherent power in the sharing of personal stories of failure, struggle, triumph, and redemption, specifically, how it can transform lives. Rocky is an avid outdoorsman who finds nature to be one of God‘s greatest gifts. He spends much of his time working as a college tutor, which includes elements of counseling and mentoring. He has two degrees from Palo Verde Community College: an A.S. in Business Management and an A.A. in Liberal Arts, emphasizing Social and Behavioral Sciences. His desire is to get a B.A., or higher, in Clinical Psychology and become an addiction counselor. Overall, he says, "I am a man who has come to realize the most fulfilling realities come from contributing to the lives of others."
Successful transition | Fred Hayes | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Fred‘s talk is about the necessity to expand transitional housing for those that age out of the foster care/group home system. Fred Hayes was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to California in 1994. Fred‘s father introduced him to the sport of golf at a very young age. During his early teenage years, Fred worked as a caddy at the Oakland Hills Country Club, located in Birmingham, Michigan. Fred is a Detroit Tiger baseball team fan, and he was privileged to play an 18-hole round of golf with the legendary Al Kaline (former Detroit Tiger baseball team member) during Caddy/Member Day at Oakland Hills Country Club. In 2008 Fred obtained his A.S. degree in Business Management and is currently enrolled in a Literary Braille Transcribing Course offered by the National Federation of the Blind. Fred is an avid reader. After receiving a book gift entitled "Screenplay the Foundations of Screenwriting" by Syd Field, Fred is presently working toward completing his first original screenplay. Fred strives to give back to society via the routes available to him and intends to continue to do so throughout his life.
The prison of your mind | Sean Stephenson | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Dr. Sean Stephenson (1979-2019) was predicted not to survive at birth because of a rare bone disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, that stunted his growth and caused his bones to be extremely fragile (fracturing over 200 times by the age of 18). Despite his challenges, Sean took a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. Sean appeared on everything from The Oprah Winfrey Show to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in addition to online videos with tens of millions of views. The Biography Channel produced an hour-long feature on his life called Three Foot Giant. His international best-selling book, Get Off Your “But,” was translated into over a dozen different languages. Sean held a degree in Political Science from DePaul University and a doctorate in Clinical Hypnosis, in addition to being a board-certified therapist. Originally from Chicago, Sean moved to Arizona in 2011 with his fiancée and fellow entrepreneur, Mindie Kniss. They married in 2012. In 2017, Sean joined Mindie as a co-owner of her company, Lucra. They worked together to inspire people around the world for the remainder of his life. Sean's legacy lives on through his innumerable videos, dance parties, and social media posts still circulating today. Over the course of his 25-year speaking career, his powerful message was heard at live events in 48 states and 16 countries. He shared the stage with U.S. Presidents, billionaire business moguls, celebrities, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.