Paula bryant ellis sits with shaka senghor to discuss his book, writing my wrongs. Shaka senghor was one of them for 19 years, and he spent about seven of those in solitary confinement. He also has a popular ted talk and mentors young kids. He says that what drives him to do the work that he does is to put a human face on incarceration. Ito and rainey actually take up shakas invitation to tour the real detroit. Mar 31, 2016 in 1991, james white went to prison for seconddegree murder. His memoir, writing my wrongs, was published in march 2016. Writing my wrongs by shaka senghor overdrive rakuten. Shaka senghors terrific and inspiring book affirms that we are all more than the worst thing weve ever done. Shaka senghor is the presidentcreative director of shaka senghor, inc. Nov 17, 2017 senghor, who was sentenced to 17 to 40 years for seconddegree murder, served 19 years in prison, spending seven years in solitary confinement. Shaka senghor is a writer, mentor, and motivational speaker whose story of redemption has inspired young adults at high schools and universities across the nation.
He was, he says, a drug dealer with a quick temper and a semiautomatic pistol. Shaka senghors story of redemption new york amsterdam news. Im a human being who grew up in some unfortunate circumstances and made some poor decisions. Shaka senghor, 43, has just become a new york times bestseller.
Ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor on writing. March 16, 2016 in a new book, shaka senghor describes 19 years in prison and how he transformed himself into an advocate for inmates and a spokesman for the idea that people can change. Life, death and redemption in an american prison, in which he discusses his 19 years in. At the age of 19, shaka senghor went to prison fuming with anger and despair. Posted by kahn santori davison on fri, mar 11, 2016 at 12. Shaka senghor is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. Life, death and redemption in an american prison, debuted on the new york times best seller list as well as the washington post best seller list. In 1991, james white went to prison for seconddegree murder.
Life, death, and redemption in an american prison drop a gem publishing, 20, speaks with jeffrey brown about how reading and writing helped him to examine his life, and the need for american citizens to understand the prison system. Even oprah, the queen of media, gave her stamp of approval. Jailed for second degree murder, that could very well have been the end of the story. Shaka has been a guest on cnn, cbs this morning, the daily show with trevor noah, good day new york, newsone now with roland martin, fox good day d. Senghor just appeared on oprahs super soul sunday tv show where he. Author shaka senghor here shares perhaps the most compelling parts of his story. This is shaka senghor, the celebrated public speaker, writer and activist taking a few minutes to relax and take in the accomplishments. Shaka senghor details life transformation in new book. Life, death and redemption in an american prison, by detroiter shaka senghor.
Shaka senghor is a leading voice in criminal justice reform and a senior fellow with the dream corps. Shaka senghor generally travels from detroit, mi, usa and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other. Life, death and redemption in an american prison convergent books, 2016, is an example of a persons recovery, a mans. The letter dramatically shifted his perspective, leading to an awakening within him to rethink his life. Life, death, and redemption in an american prison afterbuzz books. Ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor on writing his. Enter detroiter shaka senghor and his memoir, writing my wrongs. His mothers abuse led him to run away at age fourteen, and after two weeks of sleeping in garages and hustling at the grocery store for food, shaka turned to drug dealing. But, books saved himthey freed his mind long before he walked out of. An honor roll student and a natural leader, he dreamed of becoming a doctorbut at age 11, his parents marriage began to unravel, and beatings from his mother worsened, which sent him on a downward spiral. Oprah sits down with criminal justice activist shaka senghor, an author and mentor who turned his life around after spending 19 years in prison for second degree murder, to discuss the power of redemption and forgiveness. Join facebook to connect with shaka senghor and others you may know. I was sent to prison at the age of 19 for seconddegree murder. Senghor is a former mit media lab directors fellow, and a former fellow in the inaugural class of the w.
Life, death, and redemption in an american prison, proves that seeking a second chance takes perseverance and crazy, unwavering faith. Shaka senghor, a member of oprahs supersoul 100, is a writer, mentor, and motivational speaker whose story of redemption has inspired thousands. Shaka is a 2016 ebony magazine power 100 honoree for his leadership and positive impact on the black community. The following is an excerpt from the new book writing my wrongs. Shaka senghor is the author of writing my wrongs 4. Shaka senghor is an executive director for the antirecidivism coalition arc with two videos in the cspan video library. I refuse to allow that to define me for the rest of my ife.
The actor behind moff gideon shares how he found his voice with a little help from james earl jones. Convicted of seconddegree murder at age 19, he went to prison angry and bitter. An unforgettable memoir of redemption and second chances amidst americas mass incarceration epidemic. He has written six books, including a new memoir about his life in prison, writing my wrongs. While serving his sentence for seconddegree murder, he discovered redemption and responsibility through literature starting with the autobiography of malcolm x. Today, he lectures at many universities, is a leading voice on criminal justice reform, and an inspiration to thousands.
Shaka senghor speakers bureau and booking agent info. As of october 2015, he also teaches a class as part of the atonement project, a partnership between him, the university of michigan, and the mit media lab. I just refuse to allow that to dictate what i can and cannot do. Life, death and redemption in an american prison, in which he discusses his 19 years in prison and his life since his release. Instead, it was the beginning of a yearslong journey to redemption, one with humbling and sobering lessons for us all. Feb 07, 2017 paula bryant ellis sits with shaka senghor to discuss his book, writing my wrongs. Its the story of shaka senghor, who was raised in a middleclass neighborhood on detroits east side during the peak of the 1980s crack epidemic. But, books saved himthey freed his mind long before he walked out of prison. Mar 21, 2016 ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor is very profound.
Books that demonstrate the ongoing need for prison reform. He is far from his detroit home, and in the middle of an. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. Bestselling author lived hyperviolence that so frequently. Shaka senghor talked about his book writing my wrongs. Right now senghor is in the middle of a book tour for his memoir, writing my wrongs, currently on the new york times bestselling list for nonfiction three weeks running. He says that what drives him to do the work that he does is to put a human face on. Mar 30, 2016 shaka senghor, 43, has just become a new york times bestseller. New york times bestseller member of oprahs supersoul 100 one of world economic forums most recommended books of 2016 now in paperback. That was the moment when i decided that i would never go back to the darkness, shaka says, and that i had to find my light. Shaka senghor is directors fellow of the mit media lab, college lecturer, author, and was convicted of murder in american courts. Oprah sits down with criminal justice activist shaka senghor, an author and mentor who turned his life around after spending 19 years in prison for second degree murder, to discuss the. While serving 19 years in prison, senghor discovered redemption and responsibility through literature, his own writing, and the kindness of others.
Senghor, who was sentenced to 17 to 40 years for seconddegree murder, served 19 years in prison, spending seven years in solitary. The night shaka senghor, a man convicted of second degree murder, changed my life. Shaka senghor is grateful hes not the man he once was. Shaka tour is very nice and has great sincerity to help me even though i have many questions. Shaka senghors story of redemption new york amsterdam. Nice to have their help and advice so that i have a great trip with my youth son who enjoys much especially polynesian cultural center and dolphins explore. I highly recommend it for anyone run a company, but especially those who want a culture that encourages longterm innovation. Oprah and detroits own shaka senghor full episode on supersoul sunday. Shaka senghor was raised in a middle class neighborhood on detroits east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic.
He discovered his love for words while serving 19 years in prison. Shaka shares with oprah the lifechanging epiphany he experienced reading his sons words. Today, he is a lecturer at the university of michigan, a leading voice on criminal justice reform, and an inspiration to thousands. Detroit author shaka senghor oprahs super soul sunday writing my wrongs book tour supported by know 2 no host det2lamims david know 2 no mims. He was a drug dealer in detroit, and one night, he shot and killed a man who showed up on his doorstep. Detroiter rebuilds his life as a writer after 19 years in. Ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor is very profound. In 1991, at the age of nineteen, shaka senghor shot and killed a. New york times bestseller from a member of oprahs supersoul 100. Life, death, and redemption in an american prison drop a gem publishing, 20, speaks with jeffrey brown about how reading and writing helped him to examine his life, and the need for. While serving 19 years in prison, senghor discovered his love for writing. Detroiter rebuilds his life as a writer after 19 years in prison. Life, death and redemption in an american prison, was released in march 2016 and debuted on the new york times best seller list as well as the washington post best seller list. Bibliography includes bibliographical references pages 267268.
Summary in 1991, shaka senghor was sent to prison for seconddegree murder. Mar 16, 2016 march 16, 2016 in a new book, shaka senghor describes 19 years in prison and how he transformed himself into an advocate for inmates and a spokesman for the idea that people can change. An unforgettable tale of forgiveness and second chances. Memoirs from two eras testify to prisons corrosive effect. My only other quibble is with the structure of the book. I spent my time reading and writing, using books to free my mind and expand my thinking. Author shaka senghor sits down with trevor to discuss his new book writing my wrongs. Shaka senghor, author of the memoir, writing my wrongs. The night shaka senghor, a man convicted of second degree. He is far from his detroit home, and in the middle of an intense book promotion tour around the country for his autobiography. Anyone can say theyre redeemed, but actions truly speak louder than words and in his latest book, writing my wrongs. Mar 08, 2016 the night shaka senghor, a man convicted of second degree murder, changed my life. This meeting has led to shaka working with the media lab to find real solutions to help revitalize detroit. Mar 08, 2016 shaka senghor is grateful hes not the man he once was.
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