The Mellon Foundation Is Giving Out $125 Million in Grants for Creative Projects Addressing the 'Dehumanization' of U.S. Criminal Justice
Freedom Reads is one of several recipients of the Mellon Foundation’s new grant that seeks to address the U.S. criminal legal system’s “dehumanization, stereotyping, and silencing.”
'Imagining Freedom' will give $125 million to art projects focused on incarceration
Freedom Reads is a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s new “Imagining Freedom” grant which supports projects addressing the systemic dehumanization of incarcerated people.
On John Edgar Wideman
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts responds to the article "A Dream of a Great Burning," a retrospective on John Edgar Wideman.
Freedom Libraries empower prison residents
Freedom Reads will open 17 Freedom Libraries inside Valley State Prison and Central California Women's Facility, bringing books and beauty to both incarcerated people and staff.
Dwayne Betts on Beauty, Prison, and Redaction
Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses the mission of Freedom Reads and Redaction, his latest book of poetry in collaboration with artist Titus Kaphar.
Las nuevas 'Bibliotecas de la Libertad' en instituciones de California pretenden empoderar a las personas encarceladas
La organización Freedom Reads abrió minibibliotecas en la prisión estatal de Valley (VSP) y en centro para mujeres de California Central (CCWF), llevando libros y belleza a las personas que estaban dentro. (The Freedom Reads organization opened mini libraries at Valley State Prison (VSP) and the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF), bringing books and beauty to the people inside.)
Reginald Dwayne Betts on Politics, Poetry, and the MacArthur Fellowship
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses his approach to poetry, politics, and his MacArthur Fellowship.
New Haven-based program is helping to empower inmates through literature
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses the inspiration for Freedom Reads, the literature featured in Freedom Libraries, and what’s next for the organization.
John Legend is Helping Build A Library In Louisiana State Penitentiary: Here Is How You Can Help
John Legend supports Freedom Reads and a Freedom Library opening at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
The Search for Beauty in a Prison Cell
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts writes on regaining his freedom after eight years of incarceration and why he feels an urgency to bring beauty to those left behind.
Holding a Gun
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts in conversation via letters with Serhiy Zhadan, Ukrainian poet and novelist.
Between the Lines: PW Talks with Titus Kaphar and Reginald Dwayne Betts
Artist Titus Kaphar and poet and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts discuss their latest collaborative collection, Redaction.