Leslye Penelope Visits Women’s Book Club at the DC Jail
In December, the Free Minds Women’s Book Club (WBC) held at the DC Jail hosted a special guest, Leslye Penelope, author of The Monsters We Defy. Penelope is a Maryland native and accomplished writer with 14 published works. She brought her story to life for the women of the book club, sharing the magic and history behind The Monsters We Defy, a historical fantasy novel set in 1920s Washington, D.C.
Read More → about this topicReentry Book Club: Fall Accomplishments from the Free Minds Family
This season we are celebrating the tenacity and mutual support of Free Minds and its members, who have made tremendous achievements despite many challenges this…
Read More → about this topicVernon Brundage Inspires Young Writers During Author Visit at the Youth Services Center
On October 15th, 2024, Vernon Brundage—author of Beyond the Arc—visited the DC Youth Services Center (YSC) to meet with Free Minds members in our youth…
Read More → about this topicPrison Book Club: Cultivating Communities of Care
Here at Free Minds, we often speak of the “Free Minds family,” or the network of mutual care and support that members build among themselves…
Read More → about this topicReentry Book Club: Through the First Half of 2024, Members Have Racked Up Successes
Now that we’ve crossed the midway point of 2024, Free Minds has paused to reflect on the successes of our reentry book club members so…
Read More → about this topicAuthor and Community Advocate Tony Lewis Jr. Visits Incarcerated Youth Book Club
On May 1, 2024, community leader, reentry expert, and award-winning advocate for those impacted by mass incarceration Tony Lewis Jr. visited the DC Youth Services…
Read More → about this topicPrison Book Club: End of Year Reflections and Inspiring Resilience
As we look forward to the start of 2024 here at Free Minds and in the Prison Book Club, we reflect on a past year…
Read More → about this topicReentry Book Club: Free Minds Members Continue to Excel!
Greetings from the Free Minds Community! Since our last report, we have some exciting news here at Free Minds headquarters, including lots of graduations! Members…
Read More → about this topicCommunity Ties Far and Wide
This past summer at Free Minds has been all about connecting with our members and all of the Free Minds community near and far. Despite…
Read More → about this topicJoin the Free Minds Team
Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop seeks a passionate, experienced project manager and editorial leader to helm our Prison Book Club program, a long-distance, correspondence-based program with members incarcerated in prisons across the country. Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Prison Book Club Manager will ensure high quality service delivery for 800+ incarcerated members; this includes the publication of a magazine, personalized selection and shipment of thousands of books to incarcerated readers, coordination of a letter writing program with hundreds of volunteers, and facilitation of interactive digital events to foster community connections between writers and readers across prison walls.
Read More → about this topicBuilding Wealth with Author Cedric Nash
In June 2023, author Cedric Nash joined our Men and Women’s Book Clubs at the DC Jail to discuss his book Why Should White Guys…
Read More → about this topicFinding Balance Within Expectations
Our most recent Connect Magazine, Free Minds’ bimonthly publication written by and for our members, focuses on the theme of Expectations. In the Expectations Connect,…
Read More → about this topicRestoration through Growth: A Discussion of Through the W.I.R.E.
Author Lashonia Thompson-El joined our Women’s Book Club at the DC Jail in June for two sessions about her memoir Through the W.I.R.E.: My Search…
Read More → about this topicFree Minds Members Spring Forward
This spring has marked a season of continued success as 2023 comes around in full swing. Free Minds members are out and about at job…
Read More → about this topicNoname Book Club Connects with Free Minds Book Club
On March 1st, 2023, rapper and poet Noname joined our book club in the DC Jail. As the creator of the Noname Book Club, she…
Read More → about this topicUpdates from the Prison Book Club: A Great End to 2022
As we look forward to all that 2023 has in store for us here at Free Minds, we would like to take time to highlight…
Read More → about this topicReentry Updates: Growth and Connection
As 2022 draws to a close, we are so grateful for how this year has been one for building connections and growing together. After over…
Read More → about this topicAuthor and NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony Visits Book Club
On August 5, 2022, NBA star and author Carmelo Anthony came to speak with members of our Youth Book Club, a program that brings literature…
Read More → about this topicAward-Winning Short Film Based on Free Minds Poetry
“Lines,” an animated short film featuring poetry by six Free Minds members, won both the Audience Award and Jury Award for Best Animated Short at the Woodshole Film Festival.
Read More → about this topicJoin the Free Minds Team
teaching artist will co-facilitate 2-3 book clubs weekly at Youth Services Center, DC Jail, and Correctional Treatment Facility, and will work closely with the Book Club Manager and Lead Facilitator.
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