Graves to Gardens Podcast

In today's episode I'm joined by 3 really amazing guests. You’ll hear from abolitionist and co-founder of the National Bail Out, Arissa Hall, prison rights activist Peter Roman and Civil Rights Attorney, Blerim Elmazi. In today’s episode we’ll be tackling a rather weighty topic - the issue of citizens rights. During our initial interview we touch on so many subjects. So in an effort to not overwhelm you I’ve broken this conversation up into parts. In this first part you’ll get a foundation on citizen’s rights and how we can begin to imagine community safety and support beyond the need for police.

To further engage with the issues discussed in today’s episode I recommend you check out the book Prisons Make Us Safer and 20 Other Myths About Mass Incarceration here. I also encourage you all to meditate on Zechariah 9:12 (NLT) which reads, “Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope! I promise this very day that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles.” I believe this verse paints a powerful picture of restoration and holding out for promised blessings even in the face of adversity. Continue to meditate on this verse until the next time!

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In today's episode I'm joined by author and paralegal at the Washington Lawyers Committee, Raymond “Ray” Dodd. In today’s episode Ray shares his personal journey of growing up behind bars as a young person and voices what he believes young people are in need of in order to thrive as fully healed humans.

You can purchase Ray’s book Essays of My Journey Through Incarceration into Philosophy here. You can also check out the trailer to Kim Kardashian’s documentary The Justice Project, where Ray was featured, here or a 20 minute segment of the documentary here. To view the full documentary you can find it on Oxygen.

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In today's episode I'm joined by Dr. Tom Haney, long time volunteer for Books Through Bars Philadelphia. Dr. Haney’s 30+ years working in law enforcement informed his view on the criminal legal system and inspired him to involve himself in the making access to educational services behind bars possible. He has since dedicated 10 years of service to Books Through Bars and continues to support the organization support people incarcerated in the Mid-Atlantic states receive free books while inside.

If you would like to donate to Books Through Bars make sure to click the link. You can also check out the short documentary Second First Chance on Books Through Bars Philadelphia here. Don't forget to like, subscribe and share this episode with a friend.

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In today's conversation I’m joined by the Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts, Alma Robinson. Alma beautifully details the comprehensive work that California Lawyers for the Arts is involved in, from programs like their pilot program Designing Creative Futures to their Youth Mediator programs held in 14 different schools in the Sacramento area. Alma shares from The Impact of Prison Arts Programs on Inmate Attitudes and Behavior the positive impact arts programs have had on the lives of incarcerated men and how the arts can serve a a deterrent for kids falling victim to the school-to-prison pipeline. She also talks on the impact of a recent film screening, A Woman on the Outside, hosted with Houston Museum of African American Culture.

To find ways to donate to California Lawyers for the Arts please visit their website here. Follow them on Instagram to stay updated on all the work that they are doing. Make sure to also check out the second chapter in Bell Hook’s All About Love  and the eighth chapter in James Kilgore’s Understanding Mass Incarceration to learn more about the school-to-prison pipeline.

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In today's episode I’m joined by artist Rachel Burrell. Rachel is a singer, songwriter, publisher and school mentor to some of New York’s youth. In today's discussion we'll talk about her journey as a musician and how she uses her art to influence the lives of youth living in New York City. 

You can follow Rachel on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube to stay connected with her and her work. Make sure to also purchase here book Journey to Purpose here! 

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Suit up for an incredible conversation about economic freedom and confidence building with Dress for Success', Melissa Tenzer. As the Central Jersey Chapter's CEO, Melissa serves as the perfect person to speak on the ways that Dress for Success has managed to impact the surrounding communities of Central New Jersey. This nationwide organization empowers women across the country to look their best by providing them with suiting options that will have them feeling their most confident professional self in the workplace. Many of the women who come through the doors of the Central Jersey chapter are system impacted and are looking for a fresh start and a fresh new wardrobe. The Central Jersey campus provides them with that and much more through the programs that they offer.

To volunteer your time with Dress for Success, make sure to check out their local and national website. Follow them on Facebook and on Instagram. Be sure to also follow Melissa on Instagram to stay connected with her and her work as well!

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In today's episode I’m joined by fashion designer, educator and founder of the brand Arielle, Arielle Crawford. What sparked today's conversation was a piece she published in 2021 on her brand's website arguing against the use of prison labor in fashion. Her sustainable apparel label is not only committed to preserving the integrity of ethical labor and manufacturing within the industry, but it is also committed to serving as a leader in climate activism as well. Crawford serves as the leader of the Citizens' Climate Lobby's Fashion Industry Action Team. She also makes sure that through her own brand she is pioneering a path for fashion brands alike to engage in more sustainable and earth-friendly design practices. In today's discussion we'll talk about all of this and more!

You can follow Arielle Crawford on Instagram to stay updated on all that she is doing to change fashion and the world from her homestead in Texas. Also be sure the shop the brand Arielle by checking out her website here. 

In today’s discussion, Arielle also makes mention of Ava DuVernay's documentary film 13th and I agree that it is one you should definitely watch. You can find it on Netflix or on Netflix's Youtube account linked here. And as my final call-to-action, make sure you check out Michelle Alexander's book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. 

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The focus of today’s conversation is a beautiful and captivating documentary which will be filmed at the Alexandria Film Festival on November 11th in Alexandria, Virginia called Oh Mother Of Mine. In today’s episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Charnal Chaney, one of the film's central voices and Anna Rawls the filmmaker of Oh Mother of Mine - a documentary film piece which began as the subject of Anna's senior thesis but has since grown into a piece that has initiated change both within the dynamics of family household's and legislatively for communities. Follow along in today's episode as we explore beautiful ways of disrupting media's traditional approach to capturing the stories of system impacted individuals thus shifting the way we all view and interact with one another. 

Make sure to check out the book Inside this Place Not of It: Narratives From Women's Prisons. 

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In today's conversation I’m joined by artist, curator and researcher Sofia Thieu D’Amico. In this in-depth discussion, Sofia takes us through the intersections of art, landscapes and incarceration, informing us on how convict labor has historically been forcibly used for the cultural development of Upstate New York. We begin our conversation with a focus on her thesis research titled, Up River Studies: Carcerality and the American Sublime, the study that peaked her interest to want to explore the further dimensions of carceral labor. The conversation then transitions into the other major discussion piece which centers on her latest work -- an exhibition developed in collaboration with artist Maggie Hazen called Talking Back: Artists of the Columbia Collective, featuring the work of two young women and one trans artist as the Columbia Collective who are currently incarcerated at the Brookwood Secure Center for Youth in Claverack, New York. Their artwork is for sale via the exhibit. All proceeds are being saved for these young artists for once they are released! To learn more visit the Columbia Collective, please visit their website here. 

You can follow Sofia on Instagram to stay updated on all upcoming projects. And as my final call-to-action make sure to check out Bell Hook's Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black. 

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Today I’m talking about curating a clothing collection with Founder and Creative Director of Black Boy Knits, Jacques Agbobly. Jacques is one of the 2022 CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist and recipient of the 2022 DHL Logistics and Fashion Award in partnership with the CFDA. They were also part of this year's NYFW. 

In today’s episode we spoke about a collection that pre-dates Black Boy Knits but serves as the genesis to the work that they are doing today. This collection was one I wished to highlight because it brings into conversation issues around incarceration through clothing. 

To become more familiar with other black creatives like Jacques, head over here. Some suggested readings from today's episode are Liberated Threads and Black Designers in American Fashion. 

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