In November, author, activist, and actor (CSI and Covert Affairs) Hill Harper visited the juvenile unit at the DC Jail to talk with Book Club members about his most recent book, Letters to an Incarcerated Brother: Encouragement, Hope, and Healing for Inmates and Their Loved Ones. The Book Club members have read several of Harper’s other books, including The Wealth Cure and The Conversation. They challenged him on writing a self-help book for inmates when he has never been incarcerated.
“Why do you even care?” one of them asked him.
“I care because I love y’all,” Harper said.
“You don’t even know us though,” the youth replied.
“I don’t have to know you to love you,” Harper said.
For the next hour, Harper told stories about his own life as well as the life of a young friend who is in federal prison. He encouraged the young men to become the architects of their own lives, rather than simply allowing their lives to happen to them. Over and over, Harper emphasized the importance of education.
“Do you know why I’m successful?” he asked.
“Because you’re in Hollywood!”
“No,” Harper said, “I’m successful because I got my education. That is the number one reason.”
At the end of the session, Free Minds members all gathered around Harper to shake his hand, give him a hug and ask him to sign their books. Harper encouraged all of the young men to stay in touch and to let him know how they are doing.
One member, M.C., said the visit had a huge impact on him. “That book tells it like it is. It’s a lot of good advice in there to help me better myself and my life. And now that I met him, I know he’s for real.”
Thank you, Mr. Harper!