Podcast Season 2

Anthony Lial

Anthony was born in 1984 and has lived in the Portland metro area for most of his life. He is proud to be able to claim North Portland, Southeast Portland, and Gresham-Rockwood as neighborhoods that he grew up in.

Anthony did not want to provide a picture as he hopes the interview will speak for itself.

Jordan Nilsen

Bio is pending for Jordan, please enjoy his interview

Latrice

Latrice is a mother, a former prisoner, and a managing broker in Spokane WA. She is changing the world, and the way they see us, one day at a time.

Faraji Bhakti

My name is Faraji Bhakti and I am 41 years young. My passion in life is to raise the collective consciousness of my Tribe and community through an all inclusive approach of meditation and yoga. I am a spoken word artist, activist, a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and many other things. I have been a victim of the preschool/foster care to prison pipeline and use my voice to speak for the voiceless. There is so much more to my evolution, to my journey ahead of me. You can follow it through my Instagram @aumthegod.

Ryan David Undeen

Ryan Undeen has been a book salesman; a graveyard clerk at a Shell, a Citgo, and a Texaco; a bookstore do-it-all; a travel agent; a busboy at Chopstix; a server at Waffle House; a salesman for a moving company; everything at East University McDonald’s; a newspaper salesman; and a technician, an analyst, a manager, a supervisor, and a technical training manager at an independent contract food testing lab. He went to prison because he valued resolution over peace and spent too much time thinking about himself. Currently, Ryan David Undeen is attempting to further the spiritual resolution through poetry, art, and the steady beating heart. He believes in acorns.

Brian

Brian was unable to provide a bio or photo for us at this time. He talks about the prison industrial system in America, and some potential ways to stand against it. Please listen to his educational & eye opening story below.

Mason

Mason Sees is an Oregon native who is currently teaching classes to incarcerated youth and individuals in the community who are impacted by addiction or the justice system. Mason has been in prison twice in Oregon State for drug related crimes and strongly believes we need to rethink how we approach the strong-arm punishment system. He is engaged to his partner for over three years, has two dogs and loves the Pacific Northwest for the outdoor opportunities. His apartment is filled with plants and indoor greenhouses growing lots of tropical plants.

Tacuma Jackson

A father, son, friend, and voice for the voiceless. On January 27, 2021 I was granted a Governor’s Clemency, 13 years early from a 33 year sentence. As much as I prepped and prepared for this blessed day, I never really believed it would happen. I hit the ground running. I carried the voices of my fellow brothas and co-founded the Mary Kiona Foundation. In addition, started my first business Fremont Plaza LLC. All rooted in re-entry. I’ve worked alongside fellow members of Uhuru SaSa Cultural Club and from OASIS and other advocates to help bring and pass a bill that sits on our ballots today: SJR10. It removes a language of “Slavery and Involuntary Servitude” from the Oregon Constitution. And 70 plus years of a racist and demonic law that continues to plague our people of color: SB1511, which I have testified and advocated for as well. Today I continue to work alongside those who represent and support the collective interest of my Culture and my Community. In many ways I know I have attained my uhuru (freedom). But Uhuru SaSa will forever ring and be sung from the top of my lungs and will continue to be the daily work until my brothas’ and sistas’ voices are heard around the world. GOD. FAMILY. A VOICE. UHURU SASA!

Anthony Pickens

Anthony is a formerly imprisoned youth. who was incarcerated at the age of 15. He served 24 years of a 29-to-life sentence before successfully proving outstanding rehabilitation and reformation; having his sentence commuted by Governor Kate Brown.

Note from Joshua: This episode was recorded a bit before the Roe vs Wade decision on June 24th, 2022. At the end, a line I say is eerie given what happened a few weeks after I said it. Just felt the need to reflect that, and to keep fighting for the rights we all deserve. Thank you.

Natalee is a 34 year old mother from St. Louis, Missouri. She enjoys spending time with her teenage daughter, playing Animal Crossing, and cuddling with their 5 cats. While she is open about her former drug use and incarceration, she does not let it define her. Her motto in life is, “What costs nothing but means everything? Kindness. Throw it around like confetti!”

Terrence Hayes spent nearly 13 years in prison after being convicted in Multnomah County by a 10-2 jury vote. He was released in 2016 and has since done social justice work, along with many other things. He lives in Portland, OR, with his family.

Jerome

Jerome was not able to share a bio or pic with us at this time! We still highly recommend all of our interviewees as their stories are important!