Graves to Gardens Podcast

For the season five finale I'm joined by Pastor Carl Day of Culture Changing Christians. Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Pastor Carl has his own personal connection to this second chance model he's molded with Beat the Block. His influence has trickled out beyond his neighborhood and now he can say he's been to the White House, challenged Donald Trump on his "make America g...

In honor of Women and Girls Empowerment Day, which falls later this month, I'm excited to bring to you a conversation I had with Founder and Director of the nonprofit Silent Cry , Shawanna Vaughn. This episode comes at the most opportune time because today is the day that Shawanna's nonprofit will host their Women and Girls Empowerment Day in NYC! At a time where the state of women's r...

In January of this year, The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Institute for Human Rights Blog released this statement: "Indigenous people are incarcerated in federal and state prisons at over four times the rate of white people". Like many groups of color, Native people are vastly overrepresented in criminal legal system. In today's episode you'll meet Henry Frank , an I...

In our continued effort to explore creative ways to influence policy change we are fortunate to have this time to hear from abolitionist and disability rights activist, Dara Baldwin. In anticipation of her book release, To Be a Problem: A Black Woman's Survival in the Racist Disability Rights Movement Dara and I spoke about her work and how it influenced the writing of her book. You can get yo...

What would you say to your local officials to convince them to invest more in the arts for the sake of safer more healed communities? One of today's guests said, "I survived by myself in prison. I heal in community." It was the art that allowed Carlos to build community and it is one of the ways that today's guests want to encourage our officials to carefully consider the power o...

We're continuing to demystify what it means to be an activist engaged in policy reform with this incredibly insightful interview with Khalil Cumberbatch. Khalil is a nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice and deportation policy reform who serves as the Director of Engagement and Partnerships for the Council on Criminal Justice. Khalil shares not just his story but the ways in whic...

Today's episode wraps our mental health series with an interview from a talented poet and artist based in Philadelphia, PA. About 27 years ago, Eddie Ramirez was wrongfully convicted of a crime and it was while he was incarcerated that he began to explore art as a professional. During his time at SCI Phoenix he worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia on a number of projects. Then in November of 20...

Today in prisons all across the country incarcerated journalists are faced with a myriad of challenges when it comes to reporting on and publishing stories. In today's conversation I speak with freelance criminal justice reporter, Khawla Nakua on these barriers and others while also shedding light on organizations and publications that are stepping up to bridge the gap where those barriers pre...

In today's episode we're taking wellness to the mat, the pilates mat that is. Join me and Lisa Coffee-Smith , Owner and Director of Instructor Training at Total Pilates Studio located in Tulsa Oklahoma. According to the Sentencing Project , as of 2021 Oklahoma had the 3rd largest female incarceration rate in the country. However, at the time that Lisa connected with Resonance , a local non...

It’s May which means it’s officially mental health awareness month. In honor of that I bring you a very tranquil episode featuring the founder of a company who spends most of her time out on the water. Meet Brannon Johnson , Founder and Head Coach of BLJ Community Rowing - the first and only black rowing company in the country. This gem of an organization is making its mark right in Philadelphia o...

As a creative who is also an activist it can sometimes feel as if what you produce isn't making as much of an impact as you would hope. Today's episode will reaffirm to anyone who's ever thought that way that your work does in fact have the potential to make a lasting impact. In today's episode you'll hear from Atlanta-based sculptor and visual artist, Abigail Cook. Abby's...

This past Tuesday, April 16th, I was invited to attend a Congressional Briefing of the Second Chance Act in Washington D.C. held by The Council of State Governments Justice Center and The Correctional Leaders Association at the Senate building on Capital Hill. And for today's episode I'm sharing some of my takeaways from the discussion! Hear from New Jersey State Senator, Cory Booker , Pee...

6ABC News calls him a " Hometown Hero " but the young people he works with refer to him as Doc. Meet Pastor Damone Jones Sr. , the Senior Pastor of Bible Way Baptist Church and Founder of the Brothahood Foundation , an organization that mentors young people detained in Philadelphia's jails. With almost 40 years into his ministry work serving young people in the Philadelphia penal sys...

I’d say the best kind of food is the kind that changes you. At Down North Pizza they are hard at work changing perceptions and the narrative about people impacted by the carceral system while broadening the scope of what it looks like to make an impact in the approaches to addressing this systemic issue. Today I bring you the season 5 opener with a conversation between myself and the founder and o...

On January 13, 2027 the State of Ohio intends to execute an innocent Black man, Keith LaMar. To the state he is just another life determined to be swallowed up by the system, first via a 17-life sentence and then with this pending execution. However, to the people who know him and those who have come to know him, his life has so much more meaning and value. Keith is a son, grandson, family member...

The long awaited final episode is here and for it I present to you the lovely minds that contributed to the recently released “ That’s a Pretty Thing to Call It ”. Learn from some of the writers as they reflect on their time spent with folks on the inside. To purchase “That’s a Pretty Thing to Call It” click here . All proceeds from the book will go to support Dances for Solidarity , a project tha...

When she was 20 years old, Donna Hylton was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Today, Donna is taking all of the hurt and trauma she endured to transform her life and the lives of all those she is blessed to touch. Activist and author, Donna Hylton makes it clear that her story does not begin with incarceration nor does it end there! In this episode you get a chance to hear from the dynamic speaker...

In today's episode you get a chance to meet Chicago Books to Women in Prison, an organization that caters to women behind bars. This episode comes at just the right time with the holidays right around the corner. In hearing from Becca, one of CBWP's longtime volunteers, my hope is that you are inspired to support them and their efforts. Make a woman's day around the country by serving...

I love this quote I stumbled upon which reads: "It does not matter how strong you are we all face dark times, it is in your darkest hour that you need the most strength. The power of mind to not give up, to hold on to hope, to restore your faith when all seems lost." It reminds me so much of Valerie's story and how through the grace, mercy and power of the Holy Spirit she was able to...

Today's episode builds on some previous conversations we've had on the podcast. In today's episode I am joined by the authors of Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice and the Abolition of Prisons , Joshua Dubler and Dr. Vincent Lloyd. Break Every Yoke masterfully presents all of the materials needed to paint on the canvas that is alternatives to incarceration and they do so through tying...

I can't believe I'm saying this but today's episode is a pre-release book discussion with lawyer and author Matt Martens . His book Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal is now available to purchase but this episode was recorded a week before the official release. Tune in to sit in on a conversation with the author to learn about his process in writing his new book, his visi...

Today's episode marks a final chapter in this series specifically touching on Believers in Christ Jesus and how their faith influences the way they show up in this work. In closing, I am joined by Caitlin Morneua , the Director of Restorative Justice for the Catholic Mobilizing Network . The Catholic Mobilizing Network is a nationwide organization with two very distinct calls - a call to end t...

In one of Jesus' teachings He says these words, "I was in prison and you came to visit me..." This statement served as a call to His followers that if they truly wish to serve Him it looks like showing up for those in society that are typically and generally counted out. This beautifully daunting call serves as the basis for today's discussion. In today's episode I had the ex...

You may have heard it said love your neighbor. This Gospel truth is one that we’ll dive into in a very specific way. First let’s start with the Gospel, it simply means good news. And the good news we’re exploring today is a Christ-centered understanding of the work that we’ve all been tied to. We’ll learn about Christ’s heart for the issue of incarcerated and our call as followers and believers of...

We are in the final hours to help save the life of a man on death row in Texas. His name is Jedidiah Murphy and I am urgently asking you to show up for him. The title of today's episode comes from a poem Jedidiah wrote which you can find here , along with the other poem (Untitled) referenced in today's episode and a brief bio written by Jedidiah himself. A man who we now know has diagnosed...