Ep. 82 - “We Are More” Pt. 2: Transforming Systems & Community Organizing after Incarceration ft. Dyanna Winchester

BrownTown sits down with Dyanna Winchester, Decarceration
Organizer with Live Free Illinois. In Part Two of the "We Are
More" series, BrownTown and Dyanna discuss organizing against and
within institutions to disrupt dangerous policy, addressing
intracommunal violence with interpersonal relationships,
supporting re-entry after being incarcerated, and more. Watch the
micro-docs, listen to the series, and take action at
SoapBoxPO.com/We-Are-More and IllinoisPrisonProject.org.


Dyanna's shares her experience with incarceration before the team
delves into policy-driven factors like the Truth in Sentencing
Act and the barriers folks formerly incarcerated folks face upon
re-integrating into society after being released. They also touch
on the nuances and history of faith-based organizing,
particularly in the Black community, as well as Live Free's full
free campaign and clean state initiative. What does
freedom really look like? Here's their take.


Full Transcription Here!


GUEST
Dyanna Winchester is a Chicago-born, formerly incarcerated
organizer and mother of two boys, one of whom was tragically
killed from gun violence within the city. She received her
associates degree in Liberal arts from Lakeland College and is
currently studying to get her Bachelor of Science in Business
Management. Dyanna spent 20 years in the prison system and has
worn many hats of employment while facing barriers to financial
stability due to being system-impacted. Her most influential
roles have been a Community Navigator/Case Manager/Career Coach
at Howard Area Community Center. Now, she is passionate about her
new role as Decarceration Organizer with Live Free Illinois where
she can bring forth change both in our communities and at the
policy level to help deliver the liberty and dignity we all
deserve. When not in her Live Free Illinois role, she enjoys
loving on her family, playing with dogs, exercising, and helping
others.


 


ILLINOIS PRISON PROJECT (IPP)
Through advocacy, public education, and direct representation,
the Illinois Prison Project brings hope to and fight in community
with incarcerated people and their loved ones for a brighter,
more humane, more just system for us all. Learn more about the
IPP on their site; follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
LinkedIn and YouTube. 


 


CREDITS: Intro soundbite from Michael Penny of
the "We Are More" micro-doc series and outro soundbite from
Dyanna Winchester. Audio engineered by Kiera Battles. This series
is sponsored by the Illinois Prison Project.


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