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Artists, Executives, and Advocates Visit Youth Detention Center to Inspire and Teach Ohio Teens

May 1, 2025
A new Campaign Zero speaker series brought artists, executives, activists and civic leaders to the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center recently to inspire and support the young people being held at the Cleveland facility.

Speaker Series at Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center Emphasizes Importance of Investing in Young People and their Futures

Campaign Zero: Spring Break

 

APRIL 2025 - A new Campaign Zero speaker series brought artists, executives, activists and civic leaders to the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center recently to inspire and support the young people being held at the Cleveland facility.

The four-day speaker series took place during the facility’s Spring Break from school, bringing in well-known entertainers and accomplished leaders in their field to provide unique and personal skills-based programming to the teenagers at the center. The young people were met with lesson plans, hands-on workshops, and skills-based programming from guests that included:

  • Comedian Hasan Minhaj spoke to the students about using comedy in life to process their experiences, tell their stories, and find hope in life’s hardest moments.
  • Photographers Noémie Tshinanga and Christopher "CJ" Hart led sessions on using the creative process and photography to build self-worth and share their stories.
  • Actress and Founder of gourmet popcorn brand Cheerie Lane, Kate Greer on home cooking, different popcorn flavors and pitching their popcorn flavor ideas based on creativity, storytelling, and personal identity
  • Jessica Nabongo, the first Black woman to visit all 195 countries, explored the power of experiencing nature, history, and diverse cultures through travel.
  • Crystal Carson, former head of communications to First Lady Michelle Obama, encouraged youth to tell their personal narratives as a means of education, connection, and empowerment.
  • Activist and Campaign Zero’s head of advocacy, Kelly Davis, reinforced the importance of creativity and self-sufficiency by teaching teens how to make mozzarella sticks and apple tarts using simple ingredients.
  • Oscar-winning filmmaker and writer Travon Free shared his experiences and photographs from Black Lives Matter protests and other events to encourage the teens to explore their own creative outlets as a way for healing and personal growth.

 

The speaker series, the first of its kind for the Cleveland juvenile court system, grew out of a partnership with Campaign Zero that emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment for the 112 teenagers (11 girls, 101 boys) who are currently held at the center pending the resolution of their cases.

Campaign Zero’s executive director, DeRay Mckesson, initially visited the center last year to speak with teens about the organization’s mission to end mass incarceration and police violence. He was so inspired by the center’s work with the young people that he returned in December with a small group of speakers and then coordinated the larger event last week.

“Other facilities don’t have the same commitment to programming that invests in young people and their futures,” said Mckesson. “Research shows that rehabilitation plays a critical role in reducing recidivism and helping young people break out of the cycle of incarceration. The work being done here demonstrates that when we invest in young people and provide them with the right tools, they can build meaningful futures. Campaign Zero is excited to build on this partnership and continue supporting efforts that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.”

The speaker series took place during the week of March 24th.  Below is a list of the speakers and the sessions they led during the full series: 

  • Trier Bryant:  Investor, entrepreneur and diversity and inclusion executive, co-founder of Just Work, and former leader at major tech firms. (Social Styles: Flexing for Effective Communication)
  • Brandon Breaux: Chicago-based artist, creative director and designer. (Change the Narrative: Art & the Power of Image)
  • Felton Brown: Creative director and brand strategist. (Designing the Culture: Hip-Hop, Social Art & Visual Storytelling)
  • Sharhonda Bossier:  CEO & Founder of EdLoC (Education Leaders of Color) and equity advocate. (Education Power Hour: Writing Cursive)
  • Crystal Carson: Former head of communications for Michelle Obama, strategic messaging expert and media executive. (The Greatest Story Ever Told: You!)
  • Angelina Darrisaw: Entrepreneur, career coach and CEO of C-Suite Coach, helping professionals of color advance in leadership. (Be Your Own Coach (& Others!): Emotional Regulation & Leadership)
  • Kelly Davis: Activist, advocacy leader and entrepreneur, known for her work fighting for justice for her husband, Keith Davis Jr. (Cooking with Kelly: Culinary Art Skills)
  • Bobak Emamian: Entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of Debut Capital, supporting underrepresented founders. (Start-Up Power Hour: Build Your Idea!)
  • Akio Evans:  Fine shoe muralist, creative director and filmmaker. (Wearable Stories: Our Pain, Power & Memory in Art)
  • Travon Free: Photographer, writer, producer and Oscar-winning filmmaker known for his work on social justice and comedy. (Truth Without Words – The Power of the Lens)
  • Kate Greer: Founder of gourmet popcorn brand Cheerie Lane, artist, and creative entrepreneur. (Popcorn, Passion, & Pitching: Building Your Own Flavor Story)
  • Angel Gregorio: Entrepreneur, activist, chef and owner of The Spice Suite, a spice shop and culinary hub in Washington, D.C. (Boss of Your Flavor: Building Your Signature Dish & Brand)
  • Christopher "CJ" Hart: Artist, photographer, model, poet and founder of Hartbreakradio, a platform celebrating art, culture, and storytelling. (Finding Your Voice: Storytelling Through Photography)
  • Hasan Minhaj: Peabody-award winning comedian, actor, producer and political commentator. (Your Story Matters: The Power of Comedy in Your Narrative)
  • Myesha Evon: Photographer, director and visual storyteller. (What Would be Your Magazine Cover?)
  • Nekesa Moody: Writer, reporter, editor, and media executive.  (Interviewing Those Around Us + Headlines Of Our Lives)
  • Jessica Nabongo: Author, global explorer and the first Black woman to visit every country in the world. (Experiencing The World From Where We Are)
  • Noemie Tshinanga: Creative director, photographer, editor and stylist. (Photography as Storytelling: Seeing Yourself in the Frame)
  • Kashmir Thompson: Visual artist, creative director and activist.  (Dream Collab: Creating Your Own Collaboration)
  • Jade Verette: Chef, podcaster and wellness advocate.  (Podcasting DIY)
  • Jerrie Johnson:  Actress and storyteller (Behind the Scenes: An Actor’s Journey & Yours)

 

About Campaign Zero
Campaign Zero is a data-driven organization focused on ending police violence and mass incarceration. With a focus on evidence-based solutions, Campaign Zero equips communities with the tools necessary to create lasting change. www.CampaignZero.org.

For more information or to request an interview with one of the speakers, please contact: press@campaignzero.org