Author Kenji Jasper with a young Free Minds member.
"[Free Minds] taught me a lot about concentration, staying focused, and thinking positive. Before I joined Free Minds my mind wasn't free, I always thought I was made for the streets and nothing else, until they got me to write my first poems, read books, and things of that nature. They helped me open my eyes to bigger dreams and long term goals, they also helped me get into programs that prepare me for the working world and the future. Thank you Free Minds for everything."
— DeAnte, Age 21
Newsroom
ABC Channel 7 Feature on Seaport Foundation
Free Minds member Bobby, seen in this video, graduated from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation in August 2012
July 2012
Free Minds in Prison Education News
July 2012
Documentary about Free Minds member Michael Kemp by American University student Kaneia Mayo
May 2012
Shining a Light in the Darkness of Prison
Article about the power of reading in prison by formerly-incarcerated writer John Lash, April 2012
U.S. Department of Justice Issues New Regulations Protecting Children in Adult Jails and Prisons from Sexual Abuse
Press Release from Campaign for Youth Justice, May 2012
Campaign for Youth Justice Holiday Book Drive
Michael Kemp, Free Minds Reentry Coach and Member guest blogging for the Washington Post's The Root.
Catalogue for Philanthropy Giving Guide 2011
The 3-Minute Interview: Tara Libert
The Washington Examiner, July 31, 2011
Interview with Unlikely Brothers Author Michael Mattocks
Catalogue for Philanthropy's Blog "Good Works" Profiles Program Director Juliana Ratner
Free Minds featured grantee in DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Video
Catalogue for Philanthropy’s blog “Good Works” Profiles Program Director Juliana Ratner
Good Works, June 30, 2011
Free Minds Founders Tara Libert and Kelli Taylor Interviewed Woolly Radio, February 11, 2011
Reaching Out To Families Behind Bars
WAMU Metro Connection! December 12, 2010
Book Drive Benefits Youth Held in City Jail
Afro, December 8, 2010
For one of Sudan's 'lost boys' and teens in D.C. jail, a shared struggle
Washington Post, October 8, 2010
Hear Us Out: Read local press coverage of the event from the Informer
Reader
Spotlight: Ted and Gerald 'J-Man' Best, of Free Minds Book Club &
Writing Workshop
Washington Post Book World, May 5, 2009
Free
Minds Uses Books and Writing to Show Incarcerated Youth A Better Way
Examiner.com, Mar 25, 2009
In Prison at the 'End of the Earth' - D.C. Youths are Jailed Across the U.S., Making Family Connections Difficult
The Washington Post, December 27, 2008
Reading
Gives Inmates Hope for the Future
ABC 7 News, Friday Jan 25, 2008
There are about 26 teenagers being held in the D.C. Jail Friday night,
charged with adult crimes. Most of society might have given up on their
chances of finishing school or getting a good job, but one organization,
the Free Minds Book Club, is helping those juvenile inmates turn the page
on their lives.
Words
of Hope: Book Club Offers Jailed Youth a Second Chance
Street Sense, July 1, 2007 - July 15, 2007
His
Body Imprisoned, His Mind Set Free
The Washington Post, Sunday Jun 10, 2007
Prisoners
Find Release through Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop
East of the River, Dec 2007
An
Outlet for Anger, and Fear
The Washington Post, Aug 7, 2004
Free Minds held its first annual poetry reading back in July 2004 at Washington, DC’s Love Café, where a standing-room only crowd applauded the work of Free Minds’ young poets, performed by youth volunteers from City at Peace. Read and hear more about the event in the Washington Post article, August 7, 2004.
If you would like to join Free Minds’ media list to receive press releases and news advisories, please email your contact information to: mail@freemindsbookclub.org.