former Roots member to host panel in support of ex-felons

In partnership with BMe (Black Male Engagement), Roots affiliate Dice Raw presents “M.I.A. Day (Mass Incarceration Awareness Day)” on Thursday, August 29, 2013, to be held in Philadelphia Mayor Nutter’s Reception Room, City Hall, Room 202.

The purpose of the event is to minimize the negative conversations about Black males and the prison system and to maximize the positive conversations about Black males who were in the prison system and are now dedicating their life in making a difference for the next generation. Panel organizers hope to help the community stop talking about issues and begin the conversation around existing solutions. There will also be a viewing of Dice Raw’s documentary, “Jimmy’s Back: The Men Behind The Music”, which has received wide online praise (http://youtu.be/EXByhg5iHAI).

CONFIRMED BMe PANEL DISCUSSION PARTICIPANTS

Mike Gross (Master of Ceremony)

Tayyib Smith (Moderator)

Shaka Singhor (Guest Speaker) Author, BMe Detroit Winner, Founder of The Atonement Project

Will Little (Guest Speaker) Poet, and Founder of Poetree N Motion

Dice Raw, Producer/Performer for the Grammy Award-winning Hip-Hop band, The Roots.

Joseph Douglass, Mentor, Employment Coordinator for Impact’s Ex-Offender and Parenting of Services Dept.

Aja Beech, Author & Board Member, Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Biz Porter, Marketing Guru & Hip-Hop Historian; Ex-Felon

Reuben Jones, Founder and President of Frontline Dads

KDot, Performing Artist; Ex-Felon

-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)