I lived most of my life in Harlem, but now live in Rochester, NY. I have been keeping myself busy by making short documentaries about social issues that usually get overlooked by mainstream America. I have 11 years of experience as a documentary filmmaker and an M.F.A. in media arts production.

I am currently working on “Solutionz,” a one-hour program meant to remind communities that the incarceration of a parent has lasting negative effects on a child. My inspiration came from seeing my son who is currently incarcerated. I would leave the prison after a visit and see the kids break down when they got to the other side of the gate. It’s just heartbreaking to see. It really stuck in my mind, the faces of the kids and how they were the victims. What was their story? What did they do to deserve the heartbreak? It touched me as a filmmaker to find out what is going on with these kids.

I am looking to interview male children between the ages of 7 and 18 who have a parent incarcerated for my documentary. If you would like for your child to participate or if you’re a child who would like to participate, please fill out this form [this information will NOT be shared with anyone else]:

My plan is to screen “Solutionz” in prisons so that currently incarcerated parents can be more aware of (and thus more prepared for) the emotional and physical status of their children. I have three young women who I have already shot some footage with in Rochester, but no boys at all. I really need males between the ages of 7 and 18. I am also looking for non-profits to sponsor the film and developing a package proposal. I need to have a fundraiser in NYC and Rochester, so I know I need some space.

Well, I put my beans on the table of what I’m doing and why I’m doing what I do. Not for the money, that’s for sure. As an artist, I love filmmaking. I love it even when I’m broke because it makes me whole. Sharing rarely heard stories with others is priceless for me.

If you have any questions, please post them in the comments section below and I’ll get back to you.

I hope to hear from you. Thank you.

Photo by Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

Last evening, Makeba and I hosted another edition of Family Life Behind Bars radio.  I started things off by speaking to Bobby Blanchard, the Director of The Children’s Center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.  She spoke about the program, how it helps to sustain the relationship between the mother and child, and the obstacles presented by the prison system that both the mothers and their children face.

Next, we brought in Linda Moro, the Teen Director of the center to talk about the type of the issues that teens there face, and how the center goes about addressing them.

Johnathan Santiago, 22 talked about his personal experience with growing up with an incarcerated mother who’s serving a 25 year sentence at Bedford Hills.  Hear what he had to say about the center, how he’s been able to sustain a relationship with his mother, and how he refused to succumb to the same circumstances.

Please share your thoughts, comments, and suggestions in the comments section below.

Photo by Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

On Monday May 4th at 6:30 p.m., Makeba and I will be talking to Bobby Blanchard, the Director of The Children’s Center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.  Just an hour north of New York City, the maximum security women’s prison where the center is located, is home to mothers looking to maintain an active role in their children’s lives.

Founded over 25 years ago, The Children’s Center offers programs and services that helps the mother strengthen her role as a parent, improve family ties, and support and nurture the children.  The center is funded by an agency of Catholic Charities Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.

Blanchard, who has worked at the facility for 15 years and has been the director for four, will talk about the center, her experience working with both the mothers and children in the program, as well as what can be done to repair relationships that have been strained by separation.

We’ll also be talking to a young adult who utilized the center’s programs about their own experience with growing up with an incarcerated mother and how the program helped to sustain their relationship.

We anticipate a dynamic conversation so be sure to tune in on Monday, May 4th at 6:30 p.m.  You can listen online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/familylifebehindbars or by calling (347) 326-9981.  If you have a comment or question during the show,  press 1 on your phone, and wait to be patched in.  Keep in mind that the phone number is a New York number and your phone company will charge you for long distance calling.

We hope you listen live and call in to be a part of the conversation!  As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions for guests and/or topics for future programs so please share those in the comment section below.

Here’s another example that might help you see beyond stereotypes. This one appeared in the New Jersey’s Daily Record:

Democratic Assembly leader Bonnie Watson Coleman has long championed better services for New Jersey inmates and their families. Her advocacy is more impassioned now than ever following her personal experience with it.

“Originally, I was absolutely heartbroken. And hysterical,” said Watson Coleman, who talked publicly about her family’s ordeal for the first time to The Associated Press this week.

“Up until that instance, I never really had problems with my sons,” she continued. “They didn’t always do in school what they were supposed to. I always thought our argument was going to be over whether it was going to be Yale or Harvard, not whether it would be jail or freedom.”

The photo is courtesy of bonniewatsoncoleman.com

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Lives in Focus filmed a monthly support group meeting in Albany, New York, at which the mothers, sisters and wives of incarcerated family members sought support from among their peers.

They shared their daily tribulations and discussed long-terms concerns about their lives and relationships.

Last time we met Devon who described how having two imprisoned family members had both drawn her kin closer while also stirring tensions.

This week, we meet Lorraine who shares how she no longer wants to hide the fact that her son is in jail:

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What makes you decide to tell someone that you have a loved one in prison?

[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]

<a href="http://fs2.formsite.com/familylifebehindbars/form471433221/index.html">Click here to complete: 2008 Arts Competition</a>

Listen to this excellent collaboration that gives voice to 12-year-old Payton Smith during her two-year separation from her incarcerated mother. It is very powerful!

Lives in Focus is launching a new weekly video column by 23-year-old Makeba Lavan, a young woman whose mother was incarcerated until late 2005.

Makeba is a passionate public speaker and advocate for childrens’ rights. Using her personal experience as a child of an incarcerated parent and the experience of youth that she has come in contact with, she works to expose the current injustices of the legal system while also calling for reforming the U.S. penal system.

If you are a child of someone who is incarcerated and you have a question for Makeba, you have three options:

1) Post a question in the comments section below,

2) Send an email to questions@livesinfocus.org,

3) Call (646) 867-1891 to leave a message.

Makeba also welcomes questions from others who might simply be interested in knowing more about how the life of children is affected when a parent is incarcerated.

While Lives in Focus will produce Makeba’s columns and offer some editorial guidance, she is free to express her thoughts and sentiments unfettered by the bias of those of us who have not experienced what she has since childhood. But please keep in mind that Makeba’s views do not necessarily represent those of Lives in Focus. We have loaned a camera to Makeba bought using the generous funds raised earlier this year from our audience.

In her first column, Makeba introduces us to her mother as the two prepare to spend their first ever Mother’s Day together.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What was your experience spending Mother’s Day with your mother after she was released?

[Use the comments feature below or call (646) 867-1891 to leave an audio message.]