Teardrops | Robert Van Orden | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
I grew up in the military with my father. I’ve lived in seven different states in my 22 years of life. I have 12 siblings. I started writing music after I fell in love at 16 years old and made a mistake and lost her. Nothing has been the same since. I’ve been in and out of jail since I was 17 years old. I want to change my life and show the world that a guy can make a mistake and want to fix it. I want to show that everyone messes up and it’s okay as long as they work to change and be better.
Breakdancing | Kolton Cotter | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022
Kolton Cotter grew up rough. His life story has been included in a book. He's seen and been through a lot and loves to help other people. His heart is his family – his mom, for sure. He always says what’s his mind. He loves soccer and baseball. All around, he's been through and done a lot, so he can relate to just about anything.
What the Haka means to me | Daniel Darling | TEDxSanQuentin 2022
Watch as Danny Darling scares away his personal demons through the Haka. Aloha, my name is Danny Darling. I spent 31 years incarcerated and 28 of those years being raised by Pacific Islanders. I was a part of the Native Hawaiian Spiritual Group and have performed opening chants for Merrie Monarch Ceremonies. I have learned to do hulas, Civa Taus, LakaLaka and Haka. Aloha Oe!
Digital dash | Oscar "Grand-O" Cuadra | TEDxSanQuentin 2022
Grand-O performs "digital dash" off his latest project called "Oro." Oro is dedicated to his late friend and fellow City Zoo member Andrew "Dru Hush" Zieman. Follow Grand-O on social media @grando1k Grand-O mixes style with lyrics in a way no other artist has before. His new age sound, with his classic twist of word play, along with some soul sprinkled on top, truly make him an eclectic force in the game. The San Francisco born native is a direct reflection of the melting pot of what is the Bay Area. The young artist serves as the bridge between where the art of hip hop has been and where it is going. For booking, shows, or any other inquiries he can be reached at TheGrandestO@Gmail.com. Follow Grand-O on Instagram @grando1k.
Why I scream | James "JC" Cavitt | TEDxSanQuentin 2022
At 17 years old, JC never thought that he would be arrested and charged with 1st degree murder, but that’s exactly what happened. Listen to how found his way through spoken word. JC has dedicated his career to addressing educational disparities and inequalities among people directly impacted by mass incarceration. A tireless advocate for communities impacted by the criminal justice system and returning citizens. JC spent the last several years working at California State University Fullerton, Project Rebound, a program that supports the higher education and successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals. Having spent over two decades of his life incarcerated, JC brings his firsthand experience with the criminal justice system and the carceral education system, as well as in-depth expertise with working with trauma survivors in confined spaces. Much of JC’s career has been dedicated to changing the narrative about incarcerated individuals and providing pathways for formerly incarcerated students to gain greater access into institutions of higher education. JC is currently completing his Master’s degree in Social Work at CSU, Long Beach.
Time in space | Bobby Gonz | TEDxSanQuentin 2022
Recorded live from S.I.R. Studios in Hollywood, listen to the incredibly talented Bobby Gonz's spoken word representation of the current and formally incarcerated community and how their worth can crumble concrete. Born in San Jose, California, Bobby has developed a raw style of songwriting while serving a life sentence since age 16. His songz reflect remorse, accountability, and the unlearning of distorted beliefs that raised him in the alleys of Silicon Valley. In 2018, in a pre-concert sharing circle with Hollywood producer Scott Budnick, hiphop legend Common, and several incarcerated individuals, Bobby poured his heart out by speaking his truth and performing an original song with only the pounding of his fist and the snapping of his fingers. Bobby then was invited on stage alongside Common and live band that very night and rocked 4,000 of his peers. Governor Brown commended Bobby for his rehabilitative efforts leading up to this night and decided to commute his life sentence! Now he is waving the flag of creative sovereignty and ownership as well as setting precedents for current/formally incarcerated artists being given a second chance today.
I see me | Christopher O'Neill | TEDxSingSing 2020
Self-reflection is often the most challenging thing someone can undertake, but in this emotional poem, Christopher O’Neill takes us on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. Starting from his life at a young age and following up through his incarceration, Chris reflects on his younger self and the ways in which he has grown and changed. Christopher O'Neill is a Hudson Link Alumnus; He earned a Bachelor of Behavioral Science in 2011 and a Masters of Professional Studies in 2012 from New York Theological Seminary. For nearly a decade, Chris has assisted hundreds of men earn their degrees, who have become their own success stories. He embraces and understands the transformative power of higher education. Recently, Chris became a primary member of Voices from Within, an initiative dedicated to changing the prison culture and setting healthy examples for children with incarcerated parents.
How to be a better man | Mark Pelfrey | TEDxAttica 2019
Mark Pelfrey sings of his longing to change and become a better man. How missing the best days without his kids and watching time tick by in Attica has helped lead to an awakening where he seeks redemption. This beautiful song will have you singing along in no time. Mark Pelfrey is a songwriter/musician who has played for small venues and written numerous songs over the years. He taps into and uses his unique life struggles to create art. He takes as his motto: “It’s never too late to change, to be better today than yesterday, or to help others, even if just with a smile.” Mark is a simple man who loves the outdoors. He grew up rough and made some bad life choices, but Mark stands today as a changed man.
Nothing happens if nothing changes | Lazarus Clyburn + Jordan Williams | TEDxAttica 2019
If Attica gave out music awards, these two would make Kanye jump on stage if they didn't receive one! Lazarus and Jordan make a great duo, and their performance is packed with energy that will have you rapping this tune all day long. Lazarus Clyburn is a drop of water from the Fountain of Life and believes that rising every morning is a blessing and another chance to invoke change. He's a man risen from the dead of immaturity to understanding that life is a journey of being perfectly imperfect. He's a survivor of extreme gun violence, a father when doctors said he couldn't be, a college student of sought-after degrees. He's also an alternative to violence project facilitator, a gifted drummer, and an exceptional welder -- all while doing his best to be persistently resilient and encouraged enough to believe that God made him the way he did so his purpose in life matches the gifts He gave him. Jordan and his older brother were raised by their mother and stepfather. Although growing up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood, Jordan graduated high school and found solace in his local recreational center. He participated in a community building project called Bridges to Wellness that paired the recreational center youth with college students from Rochester Institute of Technology to bring awareness to the problems within the community. Having been incarcerated since the age of 21, he has participated in programs such as the 64 days of Non-Violence and the Alternative to Violence program. He is a former member of the Inmate Liaison Committee for the Attica Correctional Facility and is now a member of the TEDxAttica organizing team. Every day, Jordan strives to change from being an anger-filled, adolescent into an honest, loyal, and responsible man. Upon his release from prison, Jordan aspires to be a productive influence conducive to positive change within his community.
One last cry | Joseph Norman | TEDxSingSing 2020
We don’t often think about a prison as being the birthplace of art, but Joseph Norman is here to say otherwise. As a currently incarcerated poet, Joseph channels his energy into creating and sharing stories, poems, and songs about his life and his lived experiences. In “One Last Cry,” Joseph speaks about friendship, brotherhood, and fatherhood behind prison walls. Growing up in North Carolina, Joseph was made fun of and called names. He channeled his hurt from being picked on through writing poetry. Recently, Joseph completed five phases of the Alternative to Violence Project Workshop. He also completed nine months of Alcohol Substance Abuse Treatment and currently volunteers his free time to the program telling his story and assisting others with their sobriety. Joseph continues to write poetry focusing it on addiction, love, and fatherhood.
My secret dog inside Attica prison | Michael Rhynes | TEDxAttica 2019
Listen to this entertaining performance piece as an incarcerated man inside Attica confesses to an audience (including the head of corrections for New York State) about the hidden dog in his cell and various methods he uses to deal with the traumas of incarceration. Michael has been incarcerated since the age of 23. He is now 58. Michael’s endeavor to reconnect to his humanity through the arts finds its roots in the same fertile ground that produced the Harlem Renaissance. Rising from the ashes of his past, he has produced a chapbook of poems entitled, “Guerillas in the Mist.” Michael co-created and co-founded the Phoenix Players Group at Auburn Prison. He also initiated a domestic violence prevention program while at Auburn. At Attica, he created and co-founded the 3rd Prison from the Sun Theater Group. Michael obtained his associates degree in Arts and Humanities from the Cornell Prison Education Program.
Rise above the pain | Renee B | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
Renee tells the story about life on the inside. Through the use of soft folk like melodies, she guides the audience through the fears and doubts that come with a life behind bars. Renee is an avid musician and loves the act of storytelling through song. Although initially nervous to share her folk music melodies with the TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional team, she overcame her fears and performed a beautiful song about the fears and doubts that came with a life behind bars. Renee is currently a resident of the ADOC at Perryville.
We gotta live together | Blessed Crew | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
The Blessed Crew is a group of strong, diverse women who are residents of the ADOC - Perryville. Together they showcase the long-practiced dance genre, ‘step.' Much of their music is focused on the idea of striving for change and empowerment for all. In this performance they provide a collection of step routines created specifically for TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional. The Blessed Crew showcases the long-practiced dance genre of ‘step’ and is made up of a group of strong, diverse women striving for change and empowerment for all.
The climb from Perryville Correctional | Sarah R | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
Nervous at first, Sarah eventually overcame her fear and auditioned for TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional. She knew this was an opportunity to share her musical talent with the greater Perryville and Phoenix community. She chose to sing a rendition of “The Climb,” originally performed by Miley Cyrus, as a tribute to the journey ahead of the women as they face their future. Sarah has always found solace in music. It’s her escape; a way she expresses her creativity and copes with a range of emotions both negative and positive. Sarah hopes that through singing she can help others deal with many of the emotional issues we struggle with on a daily basis. She is currently a resident of ADOC-Perryville.
SILENCE any story that tells you this is the end | Julia Garcia | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
Inspired by the incredible women she met and worked together with at Perryville Women’s Prison, nationally renowned speaker and performance poet, Julia Garcia, wrote this original piece in order to release the feelings of unworthiness and captivity that so many of us struggle with. Every breath she took and word she spoke is dedicated to unheard voices and courageous woman everywhere who continue to rise above their circumstances and own their innate power to rewrite their stories. “As we hold on to the hope that breathes life inside of us all, we have to remember that we ALL fall, but still, we must SILENCE any story that tells us that this is the end…” Whether it's through her powerful speaking style, edgy performance poetry. revealing memoir, small n' mighty tech startup, or her doctoral research, Julia Garcia, is a young biracial woman who is changing the game and leading our generation in some pretty powerful and urgent conversations.
Hickory dickory rox | Roxanne R | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
Roxanne was a carefree individual, driven by bringing joy to others, always willing to crack a joke. She was a lover of travel and saw a world filled with opportunity and adventure. Abruptly all of that changed. As a result of her actions one fateful night, she would lose much more than just a few of years of her life to Perryville State Prison. She lost much of her core identity as well. Faced with nothing but the contemplation of time, she began to write. A good friend of hers encouraged her to write her story in line with a fairy tale or nursery rhyme. This is when she wrote, “Hickory Dickory Rox.” Two years later, TEDx came to Perryville. She took this opportunity to bring her poem to life. With the help of her friend Raeann, an Arizona native who loves her children, they were able to paint a picture of what Roxanne was feeling prior to her incarceration. For many people, prison can seem like a hopeless place. Roxanne saw it as an opportunity for growth and change. It was because of this mindset that she was able to rediscover her passions and focus on her future.
Today I feel like I'm evolving | Joey Cook | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
The song “Today I Feel Like I’m Evolving” is a cover, originally written and performed by a band called River City Extension, and is featured on their 2010 record “The Unmistakable Man”. A record that has impacted Joey time and time again over the years. Joey Cook initially rose to fame on Season 14 of American Idol in 2015. Since then she has toured and recorded with the internationally known jazz ensemble, “Postmodern Jukebox”, as well as released her first studio album “Welcome To The Variety Show”. Her much anticipated new record is due to be released in 2018.
I'll be alright | Shannon R | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
From Shannon: "It’s titled ‘I’ll be Alright.’ I wrote this song with a vibe that comes from positive energy. I made this song to be more inspirational on purpose. So I can lead by example. The first piece I performed gives a hard knock life description while the next one introduces strength as the key to survival. Telling everyone that I will move forward, despite my past; I survived. “I’ll get through this trial, and I will rise.” This is the message I wanted to send to all of the women in my position. TEDx allowed me to share this message." Updating Bio This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Why don't you just do you | Kiki P | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
In an effort to share with the public what life is like on the inside, KiKi performs a piece titled, “Why don’t you just do you,” detailing the negative impact judging others has on an individual. She shows what the human heart is capable of when inspired by feelings of love, forgiveness and transformation. Watch as she showcases a unique perspective of life on the “yard.”
Hard for me | Shannon R | TEDxPerryvilleCorrectional 2018
From Shannon: "The song I performed is titled ‘Hard for Me.’ I always wanted to show this piece of music that I wrote to the world because it describes what I went through as a child, and how I felt. It also explains my history, detailing how I made it to the Department of Corrections. Although my history is common, I wanted people to relate in the sense of the individual. This was ME in that situation at one point in my life. Here I am now, for the past no longer exists. Though, I’ve done something with it. I have created a song out of it by using my talent. Even though I made it to this correctional facility today, I am strong and I can make changes to do something different. I can lead a different life to feel better about myself."