Stories
Each oral history interview in our archive contains dozens of stories. Explore them here, filtering by topic and collection.
670 stories released to date
-
Perceptions and misconceptions about prison life and incarcerationMaria Moon -
Breaking the cycle of incarceration and advocating for reentry services for womenAnisah Sabur
-
Experiencing and resisting gang recruitment during adolescenceLeroy Orange
-
Fond memories of camaraderie and respect within the Stones communityDarrell Cannon
-
Experiences with independent living programs and entry into City Girls treatment centerMaria Moon
-
Reflecting on prison experiences and motivations for future changeAnisah Sabur
-
Childhood experiences and creativity growing up in the Henry Horner ProjectsMaria Moon
-
Coping with personal loss and its impact on life choices and activismMichelle Clopton
-
The impact of creative and supportive programs during incarcerationMarketta Sims
-
Realizing the need for change and taking action while incarceratedAnisah Sabur
-
Experiences with the justice system and challenges with police and community supportDenise Spencer
-
Entering prison at a young age and the initial challenges facedMarketta Sims
-
Support from strangers and overcoming challenges during incarcerationMarketta Sims
-
Calls for justice system reform and support for exonerated individualsMadeline Mendoza
-
Mentoring experiences and relationship with mentee Naquasia PollardYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Challenging judgment and advocating for understanding of parents with incarcerated childrenDenise Spencer
-
Experiences and community dynamics in San Quentin prisonEddy Zheng
-
Reflecting on the psychological impact of incarceration and the struggle to maintain hopeMaria Moon
-
Addressing wrongful convictions and systemic issues in mass incarcerationMichelle Clopton
-
Reflecting on the blessings and challenges of growing up in a residential areaSharon White-Harrigan
-
Reflecting on past self and the impact of mentorship and guidanceYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Reflecting on a mother's hard work and perseverance during challenging timesRonald Marshall
-
Gratitude for community support and personal growth beyond a criminal justice labelMarketta Sims
-
Developing leadership skills while helping younger inmates in shock incarceration campKeith Peterkin
-
Providing workforce development for justice-impacted individuals and training businesses on hiring themCharlotte Garnes
-
Addressing disrespectful behavior in a supportive environmentMichelle Clopton
-
The importance of comprehensive education in empowering community growth and successYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in detention cells with women and childrenTeresa Njoroge
-
Challenges faced by women in prison regarding basic hygiene and dignityTeresa Njoroge
-
Experiences and challenges in juvenile detention leading to personal transformationRonald Marshall
-
Using mime and youth programs to build trust and provide emotional release in a church settingMichelle Clopton
-
Influence of early life experiences and community efforts to prevent youth violenceMarilyn Mulero
-
Motivations for advocacy and upcoming community and art projectsHeather Jo Canuel
-
Childhood experiences with church choir and Bible activitiesDenise Spencer
-
Solution-driven organizing to address systemic issues affecting marginalized communitiesRobin Turner
-
Addressing and navigating discrimination and bias in professional environmentsRobin Turner
-
Reflections on overcoming challenges and maintaining faith while working for the cityKeith Peterkin
-
Concerns about the impact of incarceration on children and siblingsMaria Moon
-
Learning about Ms. Khan's racial identity and her experiences with passing as a survival tacticRegnarian Jenkins
-
Growing up in a culturally diverse and accepting householdYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Experiences and security levels during time in correctional facilitiesMarketta Sims
-
Experience in incarceration and participation in the Shock Incarceration Program as a mentorKeith Peterkin
-
Childhood experiences with domestic violence and efforts to protect familyRonald Marshall
-
Growing up in a neighborhood impacted by drug addiction and safety concernsKeith Peterkin
-
Addressing childhood bullying through a direct confrontation approachDenise Spencer
-
Advocacy for legislative change to protect children during parental arrestsMarketta Sims
-
Influence of family and lessons from their experiencesMichelle Clopton
-
Coordinating and producing educational and cultural programs in prisonSharon White-Harrigan
-
Overcoming poverty and childhood trauma to shape personal and professional identityLauren Hansen
-
Controversy surrounding Chief Illiniwek and cultural misrepresentation at the University of IllinoisDana Talbot
-
The formation and naming of a gang in the neighborhoodLeroy Orange
-
The transformative role of mentorship and influential figures in personal growthTiffany Vulcain
-
Adapting to new family dynamics and trauma after the loss of a parentMarketta Sims
-
Experiencing the first day in prison and the realities of San Quentin State PrisonEddy Zheng
-
Challenges of finding employment and advocating for those with criminal recordsWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
-
Early political experiences and career development in government and campaignsChanel Rhymes
-
Childhood experiences and family challenges in a tumultuous home environmentLeroy Orange
-
Early influences and the impact of family dynamics on community involvementYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Experiences of trauma and coping through poetry after a hospital stayMaria Moon
-
Discussing the impact of Native American mascots and imagery in sports and cultureDana Talbot
-
Overcoming childhood challenges and achieving success through education and social workWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
-
The importance of communication and perseverance in overcoming racial barriers in the USBill Ryan
-
Challenges faced growing up in Greenwood Lake, including being teased for a New York accent and limited access to activitiesLauren Hansen
-
The impact of a family tragedy on a young life and its consequencesRonald Marshall
-
Experiencing childhood abuse and its impact on dreams and mental healthTiffany Vulcain
-
Growing up in Canada, California, and England with a back-to-the-land movement experienceJane Dorotik
-
Experiences and challenges faced during deportation proceedings and life afterwardEddy Zheng
-
Experiences and challenges in Tamms Supermax prison and personal resilienceDarrell Cannon
-
Future projects and personal development goalsTiffany Vulcain
-
Journey from military service to a career in social work and child welfare reformBill Ryan
-
Influence of peer group on early career ambitions and choicesKeith Peterkin
-
Overcoming early educational challenges and fostering a lifelong love of learningTiffany Vulcain
-
Experiences of bused education and its impact on after-school opportunitiesKeith Peterkin
-
Experience with prison protests and organizing effortsKeith Peterkin
-
Building familial bonds and community among incarcerated womenMadeline Mendoza
-
Growing up in New Orleans with a challenging childhood marked by domestic violence and private schoolingRonald Marshall
-
Experiences and attitudes towards education and personal growth through incarcerationLauren Hansen
-
Growing up in a loving home with a career banker father in Nanyuki, KenyaTeresa Njoroge
-
Ongoing activism and advocacy in various social issues through personal purpose and serviceMarketta Sims
-
The impact of environment on youth and the cycle of incarcerationRonald Marshall
-
Fond childhood memories and receiving a first birthday gift at sixteenWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
-
Supporting youth through military-style programs and educational challengesKeith Peterkin
-
Challenging childhood experiences and coping with traumaTiffany Vulcain
-
Overcoming early life challenges and discouragement to become an organizerLinda Small
-
Early childhood and upbringing with grandparents in IllinoisHeather Jo Canuel
-
Emotional experience of incarceration and personal struggles during a family milestone eventAnisah Sabur
-
Activism and support for mothers of incarcerated childrenDenise Spencer
-
Challenges and solutions for addressing youth issues related to addiction and street violenceDana Talbot
-
Efforts to support incarcerated individuals and address racial disparities in the justice systemKeith Peterkin
-
Experiences growing up in public housing and aspirations for a better lifeRobin Turner
-
Facing challenges of gang violence and bullying while growing upMadeline Mendoza
-
Raising awareness about wrongful convictions and changing public perceptions of police officersDenise Spencer
-
Significant life experiences during childhood and adolescenceMadeline Mendoza
-
Mentoring and inspiring younger generations through personal experiences and community engagementMadeline Mendoza
-
Experiencing the legal system and sentencing as a young immigrant charged with serious crimesEddy Zheng
-
The broader impact of incarceration on women, families, and communitiesLeah Faria
-
Involvement with bail fund and the impact of George Floyd's death on fundraising effortsChanel Rhymes
-
Creating and expanding programs for AAPI prisoners and supporting the community through New Breath FoundationEddy Zheng
-
Criticizing the allocation of funds within Illinois prisonsDenise Spencer
-
Positive experiences and personal growth from living in a group home during childhoodWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
-
Team dynamics and lessons learned in a challenging environmentYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Growing up in a supportive community and facing challenges with drug addictionAnisah Sabur
-
Experiences and challenges transitioning from Catholic to public school in a culturally diverse environmentYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Childhood trauma and its lasting impact from exposure to gun violence and neighborhood crimeMaria Moon
-
The importance of familial and supportive relationships inside prison for womenMarilyn Mulero
-
Advocacy efforts for a bill addressing children affected by parental incarcerationMarketta Sims
-
Executive director of a nonprofit helping children with incarcerated parents through art therapy and support networksHeather Jo Canuel
-
Childhood aspirations of becoming an athlete and community sports involvementKeith Peterkin
-
Formation of a foundation addressing AAHPI mass incarceration and deportation issuesEddy Zheng
-
Reflecting on organizing and education efforts in a reparations movementDarrell Cannon
-
Memorable moments and triumphs from involvement in prison work focused on women's education and supportYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Teaching a son to defend himself against bullies and valuing education over early adult responsibilitiesDenise Spencer
-
Involvement in advisory board for education while incarceratedLauren Hansen
-
Influence of Black female mentors during upbringing and education journeyWaleisah Wilson-Menefee
-
Encouragement to ask questions and understand others' perspectives without judgmentDenise Spencer
-
Educational experiences and lack of career ambitions in early lifeYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Supporting fellow survivors and discussing the impact of police violence with studentsDarrell Cannon
-
Challenges of growing up in a non-diverse, lower middle class communityLinda Small
-
Becoming a leader in a prison program to support and mentor young inmatesKeith Peterkin
-
Challenges and considerations in providing housing for women and gender nonconforming individuals with childrenYolanda Johnson-Peterkin
-
Childhood career aspirations and how they evolved over timeSharon White-Harrigan
-
Experiencing the transition from prison to immigration detention and the impact of 1996 immigration lawsEddy Zheng
-
Community support and mentorship during childhoodMarketta Sims
Load More Stories