Episode 04: System Impacted Youth Bilal Al-Raed

What I Know Now
Written By The Delta Project
 

Episode Summary

🎙️ Welcome to the fourth episode of 'What I Know Now', a podcast brought to you by The Delta Project, where we dive deep into conversations about growth, change, and the wisdom gained through personal experience.

🔗 Episode 4 features an incredibly powerful story. Join hosts Cole and Joel as they sit down with Bilal, a former student, now an artist and poet who pivoted his life from the brink of juvenile life sentencing to the boundless realms of college and creativity.

📖 In this episode:

  • Witness the transformative journey of Bilal as he shares his experiences from spending time in Pennsylvania's juvenile system to his return to Grand Rapids and the subsequent enrollment in college.

  • Explore the crucial role of family support and mentorship in Bilal's life, with touching insights into his interactions with Cole as a young adolescent and again at 16.

  • Delve into the challenges of transitioning from juvenile detention to county jail and the harsh realities of incarceration.

  • Discover the inspirational power of poetry and education through Bilal's narrative, including his mentorship under Ms. B, Ms. Shonda, and of course, our own host, Cole.

  • Listen to Bilal's vivid discussions on the resonance of poets like Langston Hughes and an impactful reading from his own work about self-discovery and resilience.

  • Recognize the imperative need for community involvement in guiding at-risk youth, as profoundly articulated by Bilal through his lived experiences.

🌟 Don't miss Bilal's stirring exhortation to support our youth and his heartfelt gratitude for those who've helped pave his path to artistic expression. 🎧 Listen now to be moved, inspired, and called to action.

 
 
 
 
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Episode 05: Judge Kellen Dotson
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Episode 03: Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan