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The artwork displayed here was created and submitted by participants of the Incarcerated Scholars Conference. We are honored to share these creative works publicly to celebrate the talent, voice, and vision of the artists.

All works remain the intellectual property of their respective creators. The images, names, and likenesses of the artists are shared solely for the purpose of viewing and appreciating their work.

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Incarcerated Scholars Conference Art Gallery 2025

My Story

Anonymous

Pennsylvania

If I told you my story
Would you listen
Because I been thru pain just like everybody else
If I wrote a book about my life
Would you read it
Or let it collect dust by putting it on a shelf

They say life is what you make it
Well my life feels like it was premeditated
Because as a kid
I had dreams of telling my mama
LOOK MAMA I MADE IT
But the devil came knocking
And I answered the door
He came in snatched my soul
And took me away from the Lord He handed me baggies filled with white rocks

‍

Told me if I sell this on the block
I will struggle no more
See I know what it's like to
Live in a single parent house
and to be poor
Government cheese and powdered milk

‍

If I told you my story
Would you listen
Because I been thru pain just like everybody else
If I wrote a book about my life
Would you read it
Or let it collect dust by putting it on a shelf

I been in the system since I was 8
there was times when I couldn't wait
wait to be back with my mom
wait to see my brothers
wait to be home
because at times I felt alone

‍

Even though I had someone to talk to
I would always say leave me alone So if I told you my story
Would you listen
Because I been thru pain just like everybody else
If I wrote a book about my life
Would you read it
Or let it collect dust by putting it on a shelf

‍

Because life is what you make it
And I feel like mine was premeditated
But, Hey now I can say
LOOK MAMA I MADE IT

Artist Statement

The inspiration of the poem “My Story” is from the story of my life. I am the middle of 7 boys and grew up with a single mother who struggled to provide for us. I was placed into foster care when I was 8 years old and that is where I grew up. I bounced around New York City for 6 years until I was finally placed in a residential treatment center in Dobbs Ferry, NY. The place was called Children's Village but the way it was ran you might well have called it hell on earth. I was discharged and placed in my mom's custody when I was 16. Life wasn't easy growing up and it's still not easy. So if I told you my story would you listen. If I wrote a book about my life would you read it.

If you are the artist of an artwork featured in this gallery and want it removed, please reach out to alliance@higheredinprison.org

Welcome to the ISC Art Gallery!

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My Story

My Story

Anonymous

Pennsylvania

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