Psychology professor and substance abuse counselor | Andrew Assini | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Psychology professor and substance abuse counselor, Assini described himself as having a great potential until he dropped out of college and bottomed out after years of alcohol and drug abuse. It’s only when Assini found himself in jail, that he began his journey to recovery and, now, fulfilling his desire to help others. After earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Rowen University in Glassboro, N.J., Assini is now an assistant professor of psychology at the college. He also a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, leading yoga and meditation classes at his own wellness center.
Why I chose to go to prison | Christian Conte | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Psychologist and anger management specialist, Dr. Conte created the “Yield Theory,’’ as a powerful approach to combining radical compassion with conscious education. After earning his doctorate at Duquesne University, Dr. Conte co-founded a center in California to help people who have been convicted of violent crimes. Now, in addition to writing, public speaking and co-hosting a reality TV show about sports’ coaches, Dr. Conte works with inmates in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
Dance | Kevin Sheaff + Ricky Turner | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Performing a combination hip hop, ballet, jazz and other dance moves, the two dancers convey the message that art offers freedom – even for those in prison. The two dancers, Kevin Sheaff and Ricky Turner, are accompanied by Fermin Martinez on guitar and Angel Ortiz on drums.
Leadership freak | Dan Rockwell | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
With humor, energy and charm, Rockwell shares lessons he’s learned about leadership, including how reevaluate strategies that aren't working and how to respond to failures, helping to build better relationships and becoming better mentors. Dan Rockwell is leadership coach, speaker, and author of the popular daily leadership blog called, the “Leadership Freak.’’
Braddock | John Fetterman | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Braddock Mayor John Fetterman talks about his passion for a small town whose economy collapsed with the decline of the steel industry and the progress Braddock has made to save its youth and rebuild the community.
Chief of naval operations | Jonathan Greenert | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Admiral Greenert, a decorated career officer with the U.S. Navy, presently serving as the Chief of Naval Operations, cites personal integrity and team work as essential qualities for successful leaders. A 1975 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Admiral Greenert competed studies in nuclear power for service as a submarine officer. Following four submarine assignments, he was placed in command of USS Honolulu from 1991 to 1993. Admiral Greenert then went on to serve as commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Naval Operations. He is a recipient of various personal and campaign awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Legion of Merit. In 1992, he was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership.
Specialty courts | John Zottola | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Pennsylvania Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Zottola talks about the need for “specialty courts,’’ which spotlights the unique needs of veterans and persons who have mental health issues who get caught up in the criminal justice system. During his 22 years on the bench, Judge Zottola earned national recognition for his founding and supervision of the county’s mental health court and veteran’s court.
Guitarist | Michael Hairston, Sr. | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Hairston plays an original composition on the guitar with his own “thumb-picking style,’’ hoping to bring joy and inspiration. Hairston is a member of the praise and worship groups at the State Correctional Institution at Pittsburgh. Earlier in his life, Hairston studied music and he hopes to resume that career someday.
Simply human | Nina | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
Nina performs a song on her guitar conveying the message that our individual vulnerabilities and insecurities make us all simply human.
True leaders | Sue Fazzini | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
As a child growing up a large, financially struggling family, Sister Sue Fazzini learned at an early age that all that we have is a gift - and gifts, no matter how humble or meager, are meant to be shared with others. True leaders, she reminds us, reach down to help others up. A member of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh, she presently works as a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist Supervisor at the State Correctional Institution at Greene in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Joy through adversity | Terri Roberts | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
A wife, mother and grandmother, Terri Roberts has also survived serious illness, crediting her faith and a rigorously healthy diet. Mrs. Roberts’ book, “Forgiveness: The Amish School Shooting, A Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace,’’ will be available in the fall of 2015. In 2006, Mrs. Roberts’ son, Charlie, shot and killed five girls inside an Amish school house, wounding five others. The crime – and the Amish community’s response – made international headlines as it propelled Mrs. Roberts and her family into the public’s eye. Mrs. Roberts describes herself has one who has walked through circumstances beyond her ability to cope, and yet found strength, and even joy, along the way.
Love front porch | Vanessa German | TEDxPittsburghStatePrison 2015
The front porch of Ms. German’s Pittsburgh studio unintentionally became an artistic outlet for the neighborhood children. She shares the lesson that art is love, love is power and love can displace hatred and violence. An award-winning multidisciplinary artist, whose works have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the country