In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

Is There Such a Thing as Black Thought?
The New York Times by Reginald Dwayne Betts February 24, 2022

A deep dive into the life and work of Tariq Trotter, and a look into his current project, a musical reimagination of George S. Schuyler’s satirical novel “Black No More.”

Freedom Libraries Open in Two Louisiana Prisons
L'Observateur February 21, 2022

Freedom Reads opened two Freedom Libraries in Louisiana, one at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and the other at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center.

Nonprofit organization opens Freedom Libraries in two Louisiana prisons
BRProud by Stacie Richard February 21, 2022

Freedom Reads opened two Freedom Libraries, one at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and the other at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center.

Reginald Dwayne Betts shares stories from his “writing life"
Yale News by Dante Motley February 18, 2022

Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses his foreward to “The Sentences That Create Us,” a writing guide for incarcerated people.

Prison to Possibility: With Reginald Dwayne Betts
The Michael Steele Podcast by Michael Steele February 17, 2022

Michael Steele interviews Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts on his life journey and how he believes Freedom Reads can create true change.

MASS Design Group and Freedom Reads to Install Libraries in 1,000 Prisons Across America
Architectural Digest by Eva Fedderly February 11, 2022

MASS Design Group discusses the design history, features, and intention behind the final form of Freedom Reads’ signature Freedom Libraries.

Books carry inmates beyond the bars
The Christian Science Monitor by Editorial Board December 21, 2021

The Christian Science Monitor Editorial Board notes the importance of libraries and books in prisons in the context of the founding of Freedom Reads.

Prison cell thought to be Malcolm X’s has been reinvented as a library for inmates, part of massive new campaign
The Hill by Shirin Ali December 8, 2021

Freedom Reads is set to open the first Freedom Library at MCI-Norfolk Correctional Facility in Malcolm X’s former cell.

Reginald Dwayne Betts is on a quest to build 1,000 micro-libraries in prisons across the U.S.
WBUR by Tiziana Dearing and Cynthia Betubiza December 4, 2021

A dive into Freedom Reads’ mission, the Freedom Library, and the future of the organization.

Louisiana releases Henry Montgomery, but so many 'juvenile lifers' remain behind bars
MSNBC by Reginald Dwayne Betts November 19, 2021

Reginald Dwayne Betts writes about the plight of juveniles incarcerated for life sentences, and calls for the parole board to consider parole for more folks as they did for Henry Montgomery.

Locked up to libraries: Man uses the power of books to make an impact on people after being in prison
WTNH by Keith Kountz November 1, 2021

How books changed Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts' life in prison, and the path to founding Freedom Reads.

'It feels like the start of something': Reginald Dwayne Betts on his groundbreaking prison library project
The Guardian by Adrian Horton October 8, 2021

Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke with The Guardian about the MacArthur grant and what it means for the future of Freedom Reads.