Charmel Gaulden—Vice President of Public Safety Grants with Baptist Community Ministries— moderates a panel discussion with Dr. Jerry Ward, Susannah Rosenthal Charm Barker and Sarah Omojola, sharing their experience as educators/professionals on the ground using literacy to work with incarcerated youth and adults. 

Dr. Jerry Ward is a poet, essayist, literary critique, and serves on the community advisory group with the Public Safety and Justice Initiative. 

Susannah Rosenthal Charm Barker serves on the Board of Directors for Louisiana's Books 2 Prisoners initiative. 

Sarah Omojola is the Director of the Welcoming Table with Travis Hill School. 

This is part 1 of the panel discussion. In part 2, panelists will join in a community conversation with folks in the audience. 

This programming was made possible by PEN America, a sponsor of the Black Joy & Justice track of the 2018 Words and Music Festival in New Orleans, LA. Words and Music was directed by One Book One New Orleans and the Black Joy & Justice track was curated by Kelly Harris.