Before They Could Dream: An Exploration of Youth Justice and Incarceration in the United States

In the finale of Before They Could Dream , host Abd’Allah welcomes Donnell, Catherine, Eddie, April and James all back for an in-person roundtable discussion. Together, they reflect on the powerful stories shared throughout the series and synthesize the key insights. The conversation focuses on moving forward, exploring tangible solutions and actionable steps to reform the youth justice system and...

Travel back to the late 1980s and early ’90s, to Galveston Street in Washington, D.C. Once a child with dreams of becoming a scientist, James is forced to confront the consequences of harmful policies and a broken criminal justice system that reshape his life. This episode explores parental loss and the lasting ripple effects of harm,  and how it extended to the family and friends who supported Ja...

Raised by her grandparents in Carrboro, North Carolina, April was a fiery, independent teen, until one relationship altered the course of her life forever. In this episode, we explore the power dynamics involved in coercive control and the realities of teen pregnancy and parenting while incarcerated. Featuring expert insight from Yasmin Vafa and Marsha Levick.  Themes may include physical, mental,...

Eddie, a lover of the outdoors with dreams of playing professional football, takes us back to his childhood in Washington, D.C., during the height of the “superpredator” myth era. As fear-driven policies take hold, his story reveals the devastating impact of gun violence on communities of color and the isolation of youth placed in solitary confinement. This episode features expert analysis from Ma...

In the United States today, children as young as 10 can face adult charges, and there are 12-year-olds living in adult prisons. The first episode of the Before They Could Dream podcast lays the foundation for the series which sets out to illuminate a system most Americans are unaware of - exploring the historical context, key facts, and the challenging realities young people face when forced into...

 Donnell, a son of Philadelphia and proud oldest brother, shares his deeply personal story. This episode delves into the far-reaching impact of parental addiction and neglect, and explores the complex realities of disproportionate policing within communities of color. This episode features expert analysis from Josh Rovner, Dr. Robert Kinscherff, and Marsha Levick. Themes may include physical, ment...

Meet Catherine, a young girl from Florida who loved to dance and light up a room—a stark contrast to the difficult journey her life would take. In this episode, we explore the profound impact of childhood abuse and uncover data and insights into the unfair realities stacked against young girls in America’s criminal justice system. We are joined by experts Yasmin Vafa, Dr. Robert Kinscherff, and Ma...

Before They Could Dream is a seven-episode podcast series that explores the history, lived experiences, and lasting impact of youth incarceration in the United States.  The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS) in partnership with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) and Green Buzz Agency , set out to tell the story of youth incarceration in the United States from...