Check out this episode with Alyssa Tamboura, an advocate for children impacted by the criminal justice system and founder of Walls to Bridges Project, which aired initially in Season 1.

Alyssa shares about her organization and the book project created this past summer for system-impacted kids to maintain communication with their loved ones since in-person visits have been suspended due to COVID-19. Alyssa also shares a powerful poem about what it was it was like waiting while her dad was gone for most of her childhood as he served nearly 13 years in San Quentin Prison.

Hey Visitors! After a nine-month hiatus, Nadine is back!

In this episode, Nadine gives you a brief update on some of the things she's been focusing on in her "year of no."

As mentioned in the show:

Look out for new episodes on the first Wednesday of every month.

In the last episode, Nadine mentioned she'd be moderating a conversation for the Minnesota Justice Research Center's Re-Imagining Conference. Here is a link.

Nadine started a new job in a familiar place, the Hennepin County Public Defender's Office, and she was appointed to the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission.

Nadine recounts her experiences at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference in Chicago, a city she has now fallen in love with. She highlights the controversy surrounding former President Trump's appearance and her admiration for Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the New York Times 1619 Project.

If you are traveling to Chicago, Nadine highly recommends you book the Chicago Mohagany Tour with historian Dilla, also known as 6figga_dilla.

In this solo episode, Nadine shares some of the things she has been up to in the last few months as well as two upcoming conferences she'd love for you to attend.

Featured in this episode:

We Are All Criminals

• Support

The Great North Innocence Project

• Support

National Association of Public Defense Racial Justice

• Photos from the conference

Book recommendations

• The Rage of Innocence - How America Criminalizes Black Youth by Kristin Henning
• Change is Possible - I Never Gave Up: a memoir by Eddie Ellis
• The Fear of Too Much Justice: Race, Poverty, and the Persistence of Inequality in the Criminal Courts by Stephen B. Bright & James Kwak

Equal Justice Initiative

Duluth Minnesota Lynching

Minnesota Justice Research Center Re-imagining Conference

The Legal Revolution Criminal Justice Legislative Changes CLE

TWR Instagram!

Thanks for joining us in The Waiting Room!

Molly Bailey, therapist and founder of Minnesota Trauma Recovery Institute joins Nadine in the Waiting Room for an in-depth conversation about how trauma impacts human behavior and her passion for helping families impacted by the criminal legal system find healing.

Molly is waiting for our legal system to catch up on the science of trauma, so it can be more reflective of how we now know how humans change and heal. Molly asks, "If we as a society say we value mental health, what is the evidence of that?"

Also mentioned in this episode:

The 4 for WCCO news segment

Antonio Williams' new book, The Dream Weaver.

RS Eden

TWR Instagram

Hey Vistors!

In this episode, Nadine checks in briefly to highlight Juneteenth, Open Nexus Community Partners Open Road Fund, the Department of Justices report on the Minneapolis Police Department, and ends with the amazing news of being named one of the 2023 Bush Fellows! See the links below for more details on everything shared in this episode!

1. Juneteenth

2. The Open Road Fund was created to serve Black descendants of the Atlantic Slave Trade, especially formerly incarcerated folks, single parents, senior citizens, those living with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and more. Through 2031, Nexus will award $50,000 in grants that can be used for wealth projects, including housing, education, financial well-being, healing, and economic justice. We want to be clear–these grants are not reparations but an opportunity to redistribute resources to our communities to build Black wealth.

   • Info session Thursday, June 22 from 6:30 - 7:30 CST

3. DOJ Report - MPR takeaways

   • Report

4. Bush Fellowship The Bush Fellowship is a recognition of fellow's extraordinary accomplishments and support for their potential. It is an investment in fellows, so that they can make a difference in your community. The Fellowship is a flexible grant of up to $100,000 to help fellows strengthen and develop your leadership.

   As a Fellow, I get to define your own vision and create a unique Fellowship plan to learn the skills and build the relationships that will help me make your vision a reality.

   • MPR Interview w/ Emily Bright Minnesota Now at MPR News

Hey Visitors!

In this episode, Nadine gives a brief H.O.T (humble, open, and transparent) update on where she's been the last 2 months and also shares insight on what she's been reflecting on as she approaches her 40th birthday! Send her some birthday love on IG at TWR_Podcast CashApp: $NadineGraves Venmo: @Nadine-Graves

Shenika Chambers, Policy Program Manager at Violence Free Minnesota, joins Nadine in the Waiting Room and shares insight on the legislative process from her time as a Legislative Assistant with the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Here is an additional resource outlining how a bill becomes law. Who Represents Me?

Also, here you can find Violence Free Minnesota's 2023 Legislative agenda, which includes some policies mentioned in this episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

Penumbra Theatre Let's Talk: Shifting The Narrative On Criminal Justice

Catholic Charities Locked Out: Concepts Of Criminality And Housing Security In Our Community

LRC: Know Your Rights MN / Until We Are All Free - follow up to inquire about purchasing a limited edition Black History Month Tee

Lewiee Blaze Artist, Activist, and Entrepreneur - Song: "My Own People"

Text Blaze to 33777 to hear more from him.

Wise Ink - The publishing company hosting the writing retreat

Book recommendation: Bending The Arc: My Journey From Prison to Polictics by Keeda J. Haynes

In this solo episode, Nadine gives a brief update on previous bills mentioned on TWR. She also shares some upcoming events as well as opportunities to share with either MNJRC any experiences you've had with cash bail and/or with the Human Rights Initiative at the University of Minnesota any impact police violence and surveillance has had on you or your loved ones.

Upcoming events:

1. Legal Rights Center (Know Your Rights) and Until We Are All Free Black History Month Event February 22, 2023, 6:30 - 8:30 pm @ Open Book in Minneapolis! There will be free food, guest speakers, and a performance by Lewiee Blaze. We will also sell limited edition and limited batch (50 total) Black History Month STAND shirts (Pictured on TWR's IG page) with a portion of the proceeds going to folks who are currently incarcerated. Shirts are sliding scale, starting at $30. Reserve a shirt in advance for pick up at the event using either PayPal ([email protected]) or Venmo (legarightscentermn). Cash will also be accepted as an in-person form of payment at the event.

2. Second Chance Day on the Hill March 8, 2023, Press Conference – 9:30 a.m. Rally in the Rotunda – 10:30 a.m. Visits with legislators – 12:00 onward.

1. Art From the Inside Exhibit April 5 - 30 at Creators Space in St. Paul, MN

Survey/Research opportunities:

Angela Rose Myers - Former Minneapolis NAACP President - IG @angelarose_sr

Contact Angela at [email protected] or 612-624-8543

Minnesota Justice Research Center use the (MNJRC) link above or call 612-293-8262.

Antonio Williams, Founder of T.O.N.E U.P joins Nadine in the Waiting Room for an in-depth conversation about the importance of healing and liberation. From prison to the "free world," Antonio embodies the power of community organizing against injustices. He is a canvasser, writer, community builder, father, and activist, and we are all much better because of his commitment to uplifting people. Please support Antonio's work by donating.

Also in this episode:

House File 28 Testimony - Right to Vote

House File 93 Testimony - Remove the exception that allows slavery or involuntary servitude as a punishment for a crime!

Rush City Prison Strike:

https://theappeal.org/a-prison-strike-in-minnesota-actually-got-results/

https://psmag.com/news/how-rush-city-inmates-organized-a-successful-prison-strike

Book recommendation:

We Are Our Own Liberators: Selected Prison Writings by Jalil Muntaqim

Articles featuring Antonio:

Reimaging Public Saftey Washington Post

NPR All Things Considered: Where Minneapolis' Pledge to Defund the Police Stands Now

Public Safety Reform - MPR

Marcel Hofker, Founder of Strive Staffing joins Nadine in the Waiting Room role where he shares how he overcame his addiction and now is in the service of others as he provides second chances for those seeking employment.

Check out more about Marcel here: "Minneapolis Man Connects With Hockey, Overcomes Addiction, Gives Others A Second Chance"

Also mentioned in this episode:

Challenge Incarceration Program aka Boot Camp

Summit Academy

Proverbs 24:11-12 - Sin of Omission

SEIU - Union