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
Beyond the cliff | Laura van Dernoot Lipsky | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
In this talk, Laura offers us a window into the cumulative toll that can occur when we are exposed to the suffering, hardship, crisis or trauma of humans, other living beings, or the planet itself. Held within a larger context of systematic oppression and liberation theory, we’ll dive into what gets hard and how to work toward reconciling it both individually and collectively. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is the founder and director of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others. She has worked directly with trauma survivors for 28 years, including survivors of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, acute trauma of all kinds, and natural disasters. Laura has been active in community organizing and movements for social and environmental justice and has taught on issues surrounding systematic oppression and liberation theory.
The me you don’t see | Tiffany Williams | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
Tiffany wishes prison could be more like fractals, even though prisons do have routines.At 17 Tiffany was incarcerated and that is where her life began. A lot of her previous life’s memories are vague and lost. She really wants to be known for the good things she has done in her life, instead of the bad. A few years ago, Tiffany was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, which has given her a deeper understanding of herself.
Jarocho Ensemble | Veracruz Dance | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
The traditional Jaracho ensemble is proudly worn by Veracruzana women. This ensemble recognizes their origin and traditions. Their beauty amazingly shines while dancing Fandango to Jarocho rhythm. Maria was born in Veracruz, Mexico. She is an avid soccer fan and a new fan of the Seattle Seahawks. Her inspiration to dance comes from her older sister. Maria dances for herself and for her son.
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.
Cracked sidewalks | Tonya Wilson | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
No one blames a badly planted tree for cracking the slabs of sidewalks. Tonya blurs the line between habilitation and rehabilitation, and how it relates to society. Tonya’s life revolves around words. Love of books, learning, and family has shaped her connection to the world. Tonya believes that human understanding, connection and acceptance create change. Understanding that every life has intrinsic value adds passion to her pursuit of nonviolent academic excellence. Using her varied street, prison and educational experiences, Tonya intends to promote change in her community.
I've been set free | Jasmin and Tammy | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
Tammy and Jasmin collaborated for this event and created an original musical piece entitled, "I've Been Set Free." Both of these women were raised in the Pacific Northwest. Separated by age, they share a deep love of music from all walks of life that has helped them to bond, forming a long-lasting friendship. This experience is a stepping stone to a better life outside of these walls. Music has inspired change in their lives and their hope is to inspire positive change in others, too.
Northern Cree Women's honor song | Broken Wing Circle | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
The drum is the heartbeat of our people. Drumming honors the four directions, representing our four walks of life: red, yellow, black and white. As a group, we represent our respective tribes and all nations. Songs and dances are prayers made visible with each footstep of the dance. These songs are passed down from previous generations and will continue to be shared with our youth. The Broken Wing Circle are Native American drummers and offenders at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Washington.
Closing drumming | Broken Wing Circle | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
The drum is the heartbeat of our people. Drumming honors the four directions, representing our four walks of life: red, yellow, black and white. As a group, we represent our respective tribes and all nations. Songs and dances are prayers made visible with each footstep of the dance. These songs are passed down from previous generations and will continue to be shared with our youth.
Prisoners are college students | Tanya Erzen | TEDxWashingtonCorrectionsCenterforWomen 2015
Dr. Erzen believes that prison should be a place of departure and beginning. She passes her passion for education to those she encounters and instills a desire to apply learning to success. Tanya Erzen is an Associate Professor of Religion at University of Puget Sound and the executive director of the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound, a college program inside the Washington Corrections Center for Women. In 2014, she received a Soros Justice Fellowship from the Open Society Foundation to finish a book about religious programs in American prisons. She is the author of the books Straight to Jesus, Fanpire, and co-editor of Zero Tolerance.