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.
Hacking our justice system | George Gascon | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
George Gascón is the 43rd District Attorney for Los Angeles County. He took office on Dec. 7, 2020, and immediately instituted a series of policies based on science, data and research to bring change within the criminal legal system. He is working to build a national model of criminal justice reform that supports and restores crime victims and survivors while addressing mass incarceration, racism and social systemic inequities. Throughout these historic reforms, public safety has been the overriding priority. On his first day in office, Gascón ended the use of the death penalty as a sentence in Los Angeles County; stopped charging children as adults; eliminated many sentencing enhancements that do not benefit public safety and contribute to mass incarceration; and removed cash bail for misdemeanor or nonserious or nonviolent felony offenses under California law as determined by the California Supreme Court in its People v. Humphrey decision. In 1967, at the age of 13, Gascón boarded a “freedom flight” with his mother and father from Havana, Cuba, to Miami. They had nothing more than the clothes on their backs and a change of underwear that they carried in a cardboard suitcase. Within a week his family moved to Southeast Los Angeles to settle in Cudahy. As a monolingual Spanish speaker, Gascón struggled to keep up with schoolwork and he ultimately dropped out of high school and started bagging groceries. Once he turned 18, Gascón joined the U.S. Army and quickly became the youngest sergeant in his brigade. He earned his high school diploma while simultaneously taking college extension courses, and after earning a history degree from Cal State Long Beach, Gascón got a job as a patrol officer in the Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.Over the next three decades, he worked his way up the ranks of the LAPD from patrol officer to Assistant Chief of Police under Bill Bratton. As Assistant Chief, he oversaw operations for the more than 9,000 LAPD officers, overseeing major homicide and gang investigations and weeding out corruption following the infamous Rampart scandal. Then, in 2006, he was tapped to be Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona, where he stood up to the hateful and anti-immigrant policies of then-Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In 2009, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Gascón to be San Francisco’s Chief of Police. Two years later, Newsom again turned to Gascón to fill a vacancy created when then-District Attorney Kamala Harris was elected California Attorney General. Gascón was re-elected San Francisco District Attorney twice. He was the first Latino to hold that office, and the nation’s first Police Chief to become District Attorney. In the many positions Gascón has held throughout his career – from Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department to Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona, and San Francisco, and District Attorney for San Francisco and Los Angeles Counties – his commitment to fairness, service and public safety has remained steadfast. Gascón has led the growing movement of progressive prosecutors. He was the first District Attorney in the nation to call for an end of cash bail and to launch an automatic record clearing program for marijuana convictions following legalization and the only District Attorney in California to support a state law that created a stricter standard for when police can use deadly force. Gascón never shied away from holding the powerful accountable, creating the state’s first independent investigation bureau to enhance transparency and limit the conflict of interest that occurs when police investigate themselves in the aftermath of a critical incident. He has earned a national reputation as a visionary in criminal justice reform. Today, Gascón and his work are defined by the same notions of fairness, public safety, service and critical thought that have been consistent throughout his life. In addition to his criminal justice work at the local, state and national levels, Gascón has worked on public safety initiatives in Latin America and the Middle East. He is a board member of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a graduate of the FBI’s National Executive Institute and a member of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Session on Policing and Public Safety. After serving two terms as San Francisco District Attorney, he returned to Los Angeles to care for his elderly mother and to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren in Long Beach. He entered the race for District Attorney to enhance the safety and livability of Los Angeles and bring equal justice to his hometown. Gascón is married to Fabiola Kramsky, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and recipient of the “Premio Nacional de Periodismo,” the highest recognition given to journalists in Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Long Beach, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Western State University, College of Law.
Youth and today's society | Sherman Jackson | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
This piece is inspired by events that have transpired in Sherman Jackson‘s life and the lives of people around him. He believes that the youth of today‘s society should have more information about crime, drugs, and their consequences in order to help reduce the rate of incarceration. Sherman is 25 years old and from Troutdale, Oregon. He is Lakota, Oglala and aspires to return to his reservation as a drug counselor to help alleviate the drug and alcohol problem. He currently is attending Palo Verde College to obtain not only an AA but to become a drug counselor through the Alcohol and Drug Studies course.
I have a song | Paul Carillo | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Paul is 58 years old and has been a resident of the California penal system for over 33 years. He is from the Tohono Oodham o-tem Tribe, the San Xavier Reservation District, Arizona. Paul‘s number one sport is fishing, and he loves hiking. Born in Palm Springs, California, in the Cochella Valley desert in Riverside County, he is an avid Sweat Lodge participant of the Native American Indian ways, and loves life to the fullest. ―I Have a Song‖ it is in the beauty of discovering the hidden song in each and every one of us. Paul is giving a song to the world for healing, and wishes you to sing with him. Let‘s sing! Let‘s begin the healing.
Infinite incarceration | Steven Vincent Price | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
I am a straightforward, outgoing, and sensitive person. I love life, people, the outdoors, all sorts of activities, and the enchantment of exploration and discovery. I am a strong and healthy person who likes to work out and eat healthily. I love to develop, build and race cars, boats, motorcycles, handicraft projects, and I love to share those experiences with others. I have multiple degrees and continue working on my master‘s. I am open, honest, affectionate, and appreciative of the smallest things. I love listening to music and playing instruments (guitars and harmonica), and jamming with a band. I would like to share the meaning and purpose of my life by helping others find meaning and purpose for theirs.
The prison, the mohawk, and the two-sided coin | Lenore Anderson | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Lenore Anderson is the co-founder and President of Alliance for Safety and Justice, and founder of Californians for Safety and Justice. She is an attorney with extensive experience working to reform criminal justice and public safety systems. Lenore was the Campaign Chair and co-author of Proposition 47, a 2014 California ballot initiative to reduce incarceration and reallocate prison spending to mental health, drug treatment, K-12 programs and victim services. The initiative represents the first time in the nation voters have elected to reclassify multiple sections of the penal code to reduce incarceration and reallocate state money from prisons to communities. More than half a billion dollars has been reallocated from state prisons to community-based public safety programs. She also served on the Executive Committee for California’s Proposition 57 to expand prison rehabilitation and earned credit for release and Florida’s Amendment 4 to provide voting eligibility to people with old records in Florida. Previously, Lenore served as Chief of Policy and Chief of the Alternative Programs Division at the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, where she spearheaded innovative initiatives to expand alternatives to incarceration and build community partnerships. She also crafted local and state legislation to aid victims of domestic violence and protect violent crime witnesses. Lenore also previously served as Director of Public Safety for the Oakland Mayor, overseeing the Mayor’s violence reduction initiatives, and as Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice where she oversaw the city’s violence prevention grants and launched city-community partnerships to improve public safety. Lenore serves on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Innovations in Prosecution of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a member of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Task Force. She served as the inaugural Chair of the Board of the Center for Youth Wellness, an initiative to reduce the health impacts of toxic stress on urban youth. She holds a J.D. from NYU School of Law and a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and lives with her family in Oakland, California.
The sins of the father | Gerry Cypert | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Gerry Cypert is the proud, loving and devoted father of three children: Emily, 25, Savanah, 21, and Brandon, who recently turned 18. Gerry has struggled tirelessly over the 18½ years of his imprisonment to play a supportive role and remain relevant in the lives of his children. He believes firmly that imprisonment is no excuse to abandon a parent's responsibilities to his or her children, no matter the difficulties and obstacles which must be overcome.
Infinity explained in 3 minutes | Hakeem Oluseyi | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Astrophysicist, educator, and humanitarian,TED Fellow Hakeem Oluseyi trounced race and class to become an important contributor to computer technology and space research. Back on Earth, he's doing all he can to give young and underfunded scientists a chance to reach for the stars.
I have a plan | Michael De Longis | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Born in The Bronx in the dark ages before cell phones and the Internet, Michael De Longis graduated high school in New Jersey, moved to California and settled in Sonoma County at twenty. He became a carpenter and award-winning contractor. Since becoming travel impaired, Michael has graduated from Coastline Community College and also earned a paralegal degree. Certified in Literary Braille in 2011, Michael now focuses his efforts transcribing for the blind and is working toward Nemeth (math) certification, allowing him and his wife to better serve the blind community upon his release. Michael speaks on his personal growth and how Braille affected his life.
Love, commitment, rehabilitation, and respect | Tony Cardenas | TEDxIronwoodStatePrison 2014
Raised by hard-working immigrant parents, Tony Cárdenas was brought up with simple ideals – that integrity and dedication were the keys to success. Rep. Cárdenas is committed to bringing awareness and change to the issues most important to the San Fernando Valley and its families. A passionate advocate for justice, Cárdenas’s work on common-sense gun safety, immigration reform, juvenile justice, and championing solutions that will make the U.S. economy even stronger has been recognized and praised both locally and nationally. Rep. Cárdenas was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2013 for the 113th Congress (2013-2014) and has represented California’s 29th district since. Now in the 117th Congress (2021-2022), Rep. Cárdenas sits on the prestigious House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he is fighting for hard-working American families. He has worked on and authored legislation to lower prescription drug prices, protect American consumers, combat climate change, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest of the "authorizing" committees in the House. Rep. Cárdenas was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2013 for the 113th Congress (2013-2014) and has represented California’s 29th district since. Now in the 117th Congress (2021-2022), Rep. Cárdenas sits on the prestigious House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where he is fighting for hard-working American families. He has worked on and authored legislation to lower prescription drug prices, protect American consumers, combat climate change, and ensure that everyone has access to affordable, quality health care. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest of the "authorizing" committees in the House. These are the qualities that he has brought to his career as a public servant, and he continues to offer that today as a United States Congressman. And when it comes to America’s youth, Rep. Cárdenas has been a steadfast champion. Cárdenas led the passage of the bipartisan At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act, which he co-wrote with Virginia Republican Morgan Griffith. This law ensures that at-risk young people have much-needed health and mental care coverage when they reenter the community from juvenile detention centers. The resolution acted as an extension of his work within the bipartisan Crime Prevention and Youth Development Caucus, which he co-founded along with Rep. David Reichert of Washington during the 113th Congress. During the 113th Congress, Rep. Cárdenas also founded the bipartisan Congressional Student-Athlete Protection Caucus along with Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, underscoring his dedication to fostering America’s youth through bipartisan support.