Listen to Queens of the Penstroke on ‘Live At The Writers House’

Queens of the Penstroke are a collective of women and non-binary people who use writing to express and share their experiences with the carceral system. An event in the Writers House saw them share excerpts from their collection of work, including themes of struggle, oppression, stigmatization, and a reclaiming of power, with a guest feature from a hip-hop artivist.

Listen to the episode, taped in November of 2023, in the player above, and read more about the participants below.

Featuring:

Lisa Servon – Organizer Lisa Servon is the Kevin and Erica Penn Presidential Professor and Chair of the City and Regional Planning Department at the Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania.

Jamila Harris – Jamila W. Harris is a published author, a co-editor of Prison Health News, and a certified peer specialist for others impacted by the justice system with mental health and/or recovery challenges.

Tinika Hogan – Tinika Hogan is the Community Care Coordinator at Sankofa Healing Studio and a member of the Still We Rise Freedom Coalition

Veronica Rex – Veronica Rex is the Supports Coordinator for the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and Sankofa Healing Studio.

Valerie Todd – Valerie Todd is a follower of Jesus, lover of people, proud mother of 4, author of 3 books, founder of Inviting and Exciting New pathway that is taught in the Philadelphia prisons. She was formerly incarcerated.

…and musician Blak Rapp Madusa – Madusa Carter aka Blak Rapp Madusa is the lead organizer of the Still We Rise Freedom Coalition and an international Hip Hop activist.