(In case you missed it, here are a few “snippets” from the TEDx WilmingtonSalon entitled Second Chances held at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on Friday July 31.)
TEDx events are locally organized forums that explore “ideas worth spreading,” held under license from the world-renowned TED conference. On July 31, 50 guests joined 50 inmates to hear six outside speakers and six inside speakers speak on the topic of Second Chances. All talks will be available on or about Sept. 1, 2015, on the TED website, www.TED.com or at www.TEDXWilmington.com.
Here are some takeaway messages from the presentations:
1. Ami Temple, Baylor inmate. Instead of ostracizing former prisoners, one should consider that person may have worked very hard and changed while in prison.
2. Dr. Dan Gottlieb, host of Voices in the Family. To understand who we really are, we need to look at who we were – all born with loving hearts – and reclaim that.
3. LaToya McDuffie, Baylor inmate. Having already missed 10,950 meals with her kids, she is determined to use her culinary talents upon release in the most felony-friendly industry, food service and hospitality, and with her kids.
4. Sharon Kelly Hake, CEO of Great Dames. There is a leader inside each of us, and we can learn to access it by answering three powerful questions.
5. Amanda Lemon, Baylor inmate. When you give yourself a second chance, it allows you to give others a second chance.
6. Michael Kalmbach, creator of the Creative Vision Factory. There is an oasis of hope in downtown Wilmington where people in recovery or suffering from mental illness can find connections and expression through art.
7. Patricia Beebe, CEO of the Food Bank. Second chances should not be a privilege for the likes of celebrities. Prison in Delaware costs about $36,000/year per prisoner. Other approaches may be less costly and more effective.
8. Trudy Downs, Baylor inmate. Inmates need help in finding their second chances, but second chances, if used properly, lead to another and another.
9. Chris Darling. Mental illness needs to be more openly discussed as we would talk about other diseases such as cancer.
10. Joe Del Tufo, photographer. See how curiosity inspires his art.
