Life, death and redemption in an american prison convergent books, 2016, is an example of a persons recovery, a mans. The man who wrote those words is shaka senghor, the formerly incarcerated author of writing my wrongs. 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. Author shaka senghor to speak at southfield public library the. Through years of selfreflection, he transformed himself from an uncaring thug into a. Shaka senghors terrific and inspiring book affirms that we are all more than the worst thing weve ever done. Jailed for second degree murder, that could very well have been the end of the story. Anyone can say theyre redeemed, but actions truly speak louder than words and in his latest book, writing my wrongs. His interview with oprah winfrey, who called her conversation with him one of the best she has ever had, aired earlier this month. Today, he lectures at many universities, is a leading voice on criminal justice reform, and an inspiration to thousands.
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. Writing my wrongs by shaka senghor overdrive rakuten. Today im honored to have with us shaka senghor, who is the author of a wonderful book called writing my wrongs. While serving his sentence for seconddegree murder, he discovered redemption and responsibility through literature starting with the autobiography of malcolm x.
Bibliography includes bibliographical references pages 267268. Shaka senghor was raised in a middle class neighborhood on detroits east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Shaka senghor is a leading voice in criminal justice reform and a senior fellow with the dream corps. Instead, it was the beginning of a yearslong journey to redemption, one with humbling and sobering lessons for us all. The night shaka senghor, a man convicted of second degree.
Shaka senghor is the author of writing my wrongs 4. Winfreys super soul sunday show, and will be signing his book on monday at. Mar 08, 2016 the night shaka senghor, a man convicted of second degree murder, changed my life. Writing my wrongs 20 tells the story of a man growing up during detroits 1980s crack epidemic. Convicted of seconddegree murder at age 19, he went to prison angry and bitter. Shaka is a 2016 ebony magazine power 100 honoree for his leadership and positive impact on the black community.
Writing my wrongs shaka senghor s memoir, writing my wrongs, exemplifies an emotional expose, riddled with confessions that enlighten the audience and gives a human face to the incarcerated. 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. But, books saved himthey freed his mind long before he walked out of prison. Shaka senghor on writing a bestseller and prison reform.
Shaka senghor is a mentor, writer and ted speaker who spent 19 years in prison for murder. Jun 08, 2017 new york times bestselling author shaka senghor joined dj vlad to speak about coming of age in detroit at the height of the crack epidemic. 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. Mar 11, 2016 undoubtedly, shakas madefortvmovie ready life is the kind of story that we love to hear. 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. Shaka describes how he got caught up in street culture. Detroiter rebuilds his life as a writer after 19 years in. The daily show with trevor noah shaka senghor tv episode. He discovered his love for words while serving 19 years in prison. Ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor on writing his wrongs. Shaka senghor the spiritual breakthrough that saved me from. I refuse to allow that to define me for the rest of my ife. Mar 08, 2016 shaka senghor is grateful hes not the man he once was. That was the moment when i decided that i would never go back to the darkness, shaka says, and that i.
These blinks take you on a journey from his happy childhood to a life of drugs, gangs, murder and a 19year prison sentence and how he came to find hope and redemption through writing. Shaka senghor is an executive director for the antirecidivism coalition arc with two videos in the cspan video library. Shaka senghor is a writer, mentor, motivational speaker, and former honor roll studentwho was incarcerated 19 years for murder. Today, he is a lecturer at the university of michigan, a leading voice on criminal justice reform, and an inspiration to thousands. He will be reading, discussing and signing his new book. New york times bestseller member of oprahs supersoul 100 one of world economic forums most recommended books of 2016 now in paperback. While serving his sentence for seconddegree murder, senghor discovered redemption and responsibility through literature starting with the autobiography of. Author shaka senghor sits down with trevor to discuss his new book writing my wrongs. The onetime drug dealer, who was shot at age 17 and sentenced. He also has a popular ted talk and mentors young kids. Shaka senghors story of redemption new york amsterdam. I spent my time reading and writing, using books to free my mind and expand my thinking. He is far from his detroit home, and in the middle of an intense book promotion tour.
Free of prison, shaka senghor looks back on a life of. Ben horowitz is a cofounder and general partner at the venture capital firm andreessen horowitz. Today im honored to have with us shaka senghor, who is the author of a. When he was just 17 years old, shaka senghor was convicted of seconddegree murder, and he went on to spend 19 years in prison.
The most important letter i ever received in my life came from my son jay, while i was serving a 19yearlong prison sentence. Subscribe to the live your best life newsletter sign up for the live your best life newsletter get more stories like this delivered to your inbox get updates on your favorite shows, the latest from oprahs world and more. Shaka senghor generally travels from detroit, mi, usa and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other. Shaka senghor is the author of writing my wrongs and three other books. The letter dramatically shifted his perspective, leading to an awakening within him to rethink his life. It wasnt long before he was sent to solitary confinement for lashing out. His calendar is filled with events, book signings and talks for people clamoring to be inspired. I was sent to prison at the age of 19 for seconddegree murder. Shaka senghor is the presidentcreative director of shaka senghor, inc. Life, death, and redemption in an american prison published.
Im a human being who grew up in some unfortunate circumstances and made some poor decisions. Shaka senghor the spiritual breakthrough that saved me. See all books authored by shaka senghor, including writing my wrongs. Senghor is a former mit media lab directors fellow, and a former fellow in the inaugural class of the w. Shaka arrived in prison seething with anger and resentment, refusing to take responsibility for his actions. Life, death, and redemption in an american prison, proves that seeking a second chance takes perseverance and crazy, unwavering faith. Author shaka senghor at the southfield library feb. Shaka senghor on incarceration, identity, and the gift of literacy ep.
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 on why your worst deeds dont define you. Shaka senghor on incarceration, identity, and the gift of. Shaka shares with oprah the lifechanging epiphany he experienced reading his sons words. Wright museum of african american history, where he signed. Shaka senghor is a writer, mentor and founding ceo of drop a gem publishing, llc, a company he founded while serving nineteen year in prison. We are pleased to annouce the appearance of the new york times bestselling author shaka senghor, who will appear at the southfield public library, 26300 evergreen in southfield, on thursday, february 15th at 6. Shaka senghor is directors fellow of the mit media lab, college lecturer, author, and was convicted of murder in american courts. Life, death, and redemption in an american prison, and crack vol. Senghor was a drug dealer in detroit, and one night, he shot and killed a man who showed up on his doorstep. This is an incredible book that every one should read once in their lives.
That skill set transfers to any entrepreneur endeavor, and a lot of. Why your worst deeds dont define you was nineteen, he shot and killed a man and was sentenced to spend the second nineteen years of his life in jail. Shaka senghor details life transformation in new book. I thought i was contributing and helping enough till i read your book shaka, there is so much more i can do and this pushed me to find non profit that helps women to teach them what i teach i am a coach for women, i teach women how to boost selfesteem and.
Check out our editors picks to get the lowdown on the movies and shows were looking forward to this month. Summary in 1991, shaka senghor was sent to prison for seconddegree murder. Jan 27, 2017 today, shaka senghor is a motivational speaker, a mentor, an mit media fellow alum, one of oprah winfreys super soul sunday guests and the new york times bestselling author of writing my wrongs. After 19 years behind bars, shaka senghor crafts change, inside. Shaka senghor on writing a bestseller and prison reform full. An unforgettable tale of forgiveness and second chances, writing my wrongs reminds us. 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. Now, the author and activist is coming back to detroit, with a talk and book signing on thursday at southfield public library. Shaka senghor books list of books by author shaka senghor. Seven years ago, however, senghor was still an inmate serving a 40year sentence for seconddegree. In 1991, shaka senghor was sent to prison for second. Mar 30, 2016 shaka senghor, 43, has just become a new york times bestseller. Shaka senghor, a member of oprahs supersoul 100, is a writer, mentor, and motivational speaker whose story of redemption has inspired thousands. At first, senghor sat in his cold cell and rationalized his worst deeds.
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. While serving 19 years in prison, senghor discovered redemption and responsibility through literature, his own writing, and the kindness of others. He was a drug dealer in detroit, and one night, he shot and killed a man who showed up on his doorstep. Shaka senghor speakers bureau and booking agent info.
Shaka senghors redemption in an american prison time. Shaka senghor president shaka senghor inc linkedin. What i was expecting was another book of distorted and. Detroit native shaka senghor is a rare voice in the fight against mass incarceration and extreme violence in many black communities. Shaka senghhor is a detroit native and author of the bestselling memoir. Jan 30, 2018 we are pleased to annouce the appearance of the new york times bestselling author shaka senghor, who will appear at the southfield public library, 26300 evergreen in southfield, on thursday, february 15th at 6. While serving 19 years in prison, senghor discovered his love for writing. I just refuse to allow that to dictate what i can and cannot do. Refusing to allow his circumstances to define who he was or what he was capable of, shaka spent his incarceration studying and preparing for life after prison. At the age of 19, shaka senghor went to prison fuming with anger and despair.
Ny times bestselling writer shaka senghor on writing. At 14, shaka senghor turned to the streets to escape his troubled. Bestselling author lived hyperviolence that so frequently. Senghor also recently wrapped a book signing event in detroit at the charles h. He was, he says, a drug dealer with a quick temper and a semiautomatic pistol. Detroiter rebuilds his life as a writer after 19 years in prison. Jay was around 11 at the time, and i was nearly three years into a fourandahalfyear stretch in solitary confinement. He is the author of the new york times bestseller, the hard thing about hard things, and the upcoming harper business book, what you do is who you are, available october 29, 2019. Shaka senghor is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. Join facebook to connect with shaka senghor and others you may know. His memoir, writing my wrongs, was published in march 2016.