Humbling experience

By far the most humbling experience I had this week was attending the graduation of students in the Exchange for Change Creative Writing Program for the incarcerated at the Everglades Correctional Institution on Tuesday.

As I drove out to ECI along Tamiami Trail I wondered what to expect. I was invited because having written about the program last year for the Artburst Miami blog (https://www.artburstmiami.com/blog/incarcerated-students-in-exchange-for-change-writing-program-continue-thriving-despite-covid-19 ) and then listening to the program’s Executive Director Kathie Klarreich speak at this year’s Miami Book Fair and eventually, following up with an e-mail to her about her beautiful talk, she ultimately invited me to attend.

Upon arrival and after ensuring I’d brought only my keys with me (nothing else of course is allowed in the correctional institution), I made my way to where the graduation was taking place.

I was surprised at the atmosphere. Graduates immediately approached me, it was obvious they were so excited to have guests in attendance. Several of the men I spoke with actually write for the newsletter that’s published at ECI. I was quoted for an article they were working on about the graduation.

A copy of the Exchange for Change Graduation Program that includes articles as well as a list of each of the graduates that presented and the title of their piece.

I also met a couple of the program’s instructors, two former journalists who teach classes in the program. I plan to definitely keep in touch with them, especially since I was asked by Kathie if I was interested in teaching (which I believe I mentioned in last week’s post). The ceremony included graduates from the nine programs offered this past semester.

Listening to the graduates read their very personal work was eye opening, heart wrenching. It provided a window into their souls. I was drawn in, captivated by their words and actions, their raw honesty and need to express themselves through the written word.

I found them to be courageous and brave, putting themselves out there amongst their peers, letting their emotions come forth with no holding back.

My plan is to visit again through a new program they’ll hopefully be introducing sometime next year. It’s called the Frederick Douglass Program and provides an opportunity for the public to visit and have an open forum/exchange with the incarcerated at ECI. The program was initiated in Washington, DC.

Learn more about the E4C (Exchange for Change Program) on their website https://www.exchange-for-change.org/ and ways to support them by perhaps purchasing one of their editions of “Don’t Shake the Spoon” or their latest publication “Hear Us: Writing from the Inside During the Time of Covid.” Excerpts from the latter were read during the Miami Book Fair presentation.

I also wanted to share a fun article I wrote for the Artburst Miami blog on a recent Sustainability in Action PSA competition co-hosted by the City of Miami Beach and Oolite Arts, a non-profit organization. Here’s the link: https://www.artburstmiami.com/blog/10-local-filmmakers-win-in-oolite-arts-sustainability-in-action-psa-contest

Thanks as always for reading. I’ll be taking the next few weeks off so hope you all have a wonderful holiday next week and a Happy New Year!