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.
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.
I've been consumed | Damoni Hall | TEDxAttica 2019
Through poetry, Damoni takes us on an emotional journey leading to his incarceration, but ultimately to his faith. Damoni Hall is a man of integrity and a great encourager to all people. He has attended Alfred State College and Erie Community College, where he studied psychology. Among his many accomplishments since being incarcerated, Damoni is now a clerk in Attica’s Industry Department and an active member in the Youth Association Program. He loves sports, reading, and writing poetry.
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.
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.
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.”
Healing inside prison | Jacques Verduin + Fateen Jackson | TEDxSanQuentin 2016
Years before emotional intelligence became the latest catchphrase. Jacques Verduin was offering innovative programs that taught this revolutionary concept to prisoners. Don't miss the powerful ending, a spoken word piece by Fateen Jackson, an incarcerated facilitator working with Jacques. Jacques Verduin is currently the Director of Insight-Out. He also founded the Insight Prison Project, which under his leadership produced the gold standard restorative justice program called VOEG. His efforts have helped birth the Prison Mindfulness Initiative, the Prison Yoga Project, the Insight Garden Project, and Veterans Healing Veterans, among others. All of these organizations are being actively replicated. In addition to California, he is a consultant to the U.S. State Department and he and his staff have traveled abroad to train professionals in Guatemala, El Salvador, Bosnia, and the Netherlands. Fateen Jackson has fully accepted responsibility for all of the wrong he has done throughout his life. He has denounced all gang activity and has dedicated himself to being a peace advocate and peacemaker. He's currently working toward becoming a state certified Domestic Violence counselor/facilitator and is also a student in the Prison University Project here at San Quentin.Only recently did Fateen discover his hidden creative talent of being a spoken word expressionist. He was inspired by a fellow prisoner to write and perform his material and since, has developed a passion for the art. He now uses its platform for redemption, healing, and enlightenment.
Freedom | David Jassy | TEDxSanQuentin 2016
With a Grammy nomination and a promising career ahead of him, Swedish hiphop artist David Jassy flew to Hollywood But six weeks into his stay, Jassy found himself facing a life sentence in prison. Listen to his song about his experience in the U.S. criminal justice system. David Jassy is a Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter, and producer from Stockholm, Sweden. He began his career in music as a human beat box performer and later formed the rap band Navigators. He’s written songs for a number of artists including Ashley Tisdale, Sean Kingston, Mohombi, Iyaz, and Charice.
The power of the pronoun | Jarvis Clark | TEDxSanQuentin 2016
Listen to a transgender prisoner's complex journey through the many stages of her life expressed through her Shakespeare-inspired performance. Jarvis Juvan Clark (also knows an “Lady Jae”) is a Transgender performance artist and poet who has been incarcerated for 27 years. Jarvis was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to San Diego, CA at an early age. While in college, her first role was in a production of the Wiz (1982) where she was cast as a singing and dancing crow. Soon after, she started a dance troupe called Street Jazz Productions (1983-1984). Since being incarcerated, Jarvis has participated in many programs and has received a number of high achievement certificates. In 2013, she arrived at San Quentin and hit the ground running. She’s an original member of A.C.T. (Acting with Compassion and Truth), an LGBTQ-based educational class. The curriculum teaches gender identity awareness. In May of 2015 Jarvis was cast as Lady MacBeth in the Marin Shakespeare Company at San Quentin’s production of MacBeth.
Soundtrack of your life | Ira "S.C. Prince" Perry | TEDxSanQuentin 2016
Listen to Prince's spoken word performance celebrating his life - and our lives - through popular songs. Ira Perry (also known as "S.C. Prince") was born in 1966 to Arlee and Ola Mae Perry in South Central, Los Angeles. He grew up in a two-parent household, went to college, and has always shown an interest in acting and performing. Ira is also a prime example of how growing up in a gang, crime, and drug infested neighborhood can eventually lead to bad decisions. He is now serving a 50 year-to-life sentence and has been incarcerated since 1994.
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.
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.
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.
Poetry and expression | Poetic Rhythms of Life | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
Reality is shared through the dance of poetry and song. Poetic Rhythms of Life are poets and offenders at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Life is beautiful | Simeon Duggins | TEDxSingSing 2014
This poem connected to Building 1412 in Brooklyn, a public housing development, highlights the realities of urban life, particularly in Building 1412, yet his premise is to make the world understand that Life is What You Make It. Simeon Duggins brings a lot of energy into the room as he enters with his outgoing personality. He is a progressive thinker, and a remarkable entertainer who strives to inspire others around him. His aspirations are to become a fitness trainer and a counselor for youth, but once you hear his poetry, we believe you’ll agree his place is on the stage.
Life after lockdown | Bryonn Bain | TEDxSingSing 2014
Multi-media exploration of the possibilities for life beyond incarceration. Prison activist, spoken word poet, hip hop artist, actor, author and educator. After launching the “Lyrics on Lockdown” national prison tour/campaign, Bryonn Bain created the university course by the same name to link students at Riker’s Island prison to NYU, the New School, and Columbia, and has performed the hip hop theater/spoken word production “Lyrics from Lockdown” for sold-out theaters on three continents worldwide. www.lyricsfromlockdown.com
Bad math | Clifford R | TEDxMarionCorrectionalSalon 2014
Hear the metaphorical and mathematical journey of a man's life through poetry. Clifford R. hails from nowhere and everywhere. He is a welder, poet and artist, and considers those three things to be different sides of the same coin. You can find him in a book early in the morning since he is usually VERY awake at that time. Later in the day you’ll find him away from the noise, taking a good nap. This is he path he found to happiness, and is ok with you borrowing it. If you get a chance, ask him about the time a friend broke his big toe with a safety cone. Seriously, ask him. Cliff is taking the stage just to share. He hopes his poetry can improve someone’s day and maybe provoke some good thoughts. After TEDxMarionCorrectional he will continue to put pen to notebook page.
Tapestries | Clifford R | TEDxMarionCorrectionalSalon 2014
Poetic view of a soldier's war experience and returning after war. The difference lies in supporting a soldier from afar and when they return. Clifford R. hails from nowhere and everywhere. He is a welder, poet and artist, and considers those three things to be different sides of the same coin. You can find him in a book early in the morning since he is usually VERY awake at that time. Later in the day you’ll find him away from the noise, taking a good nap. This is he path he found to happiness, and is ok with you borrowing it. If you get a chance, ask him about the time a friend broke his big toe with a safety cone. Seriously, ask him. Cliff is taking the stage just to share. He hopes his poetry can improve someone’s day and maybe provoke some good thoughts. After TEDxMarionCorrectional he will continue to put pen to notebook page.
Dreams | Carlo Owens & Andrew Beckman | TEDxMarionCorrectional 2014
Dreams come to life through poetry. Follow the journey. six.word.bio: Soul is music loving life uncompromisingly & one great sin, bad chocolate cake.