In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

On John Edgar Wideman
The New York Review by Reginald Dwayne Betts February 9, 2023

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
California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation January 24, 2023

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
EconTalk by Russ Roberts January 23, 2023

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
Universo Abierto by Jeff Macomber January 18, 2023

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
Library Journal by Reginald Dwayne Betts January 12, 2023

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
WSHU by Molly Ingram December 19, 2022

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
Moguldom by Isheka N. Harrison November 30, 2022

John Legend supports Freedom Reads and a Freedom Library opening at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

The Search for Beauty in a Prison Cell
The New York Times by Reginald Dwayne Betts November 25, 2022

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
The New York Review by Reginald Dwayne Betts and Serhiy Zhadan November 24, 2022

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
Publishers Weekly by Natalie Zacek November 23, 2022

Artist Titus Kaphar and poet and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts discuss their latest collaborative collection, Redaction.

More 'freedom libraries' arrive in Louisiana state prisons: 'If we build it, they will come'
The Advocate by Jacqueline DeRobertis November 21, 2022

James Washington, Freedom Reads Library Fabrication Supervisor embedded with the Revival Workshop in New Orleans, reflects on giving back to those incarcerated after serving 25 years.

The years that we've lost
Yale Alumni Magazine by Dylan Walsh November 1, 2022

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on his journey and how the years behind bars inform his life now.