This book examines the criminalization of Black men and the need for penal system reform that allows for their mental, physical, financial, and emotional rehabilitation. Told through the lens of a former US Air Force veteran facing a history of trauma throughout childhood and into adulthood, it portrays widespread experiences Black males face as early as preschool, including unwarranted criminalization, psychiatric hospitalizations, and eventual incarceration. Ideal for practitioners working with Black men in schools, detention facilities, and within social advocacy groups, this book provides recommendations on how to change the narrative of incarcerated Black males in America to help them survive and thrive outside of prison.

Autorentext

April J. Lisbon, Ed.D. was born in the Bronx and raised in St. Croix, USVI. She is a 20+ year veteran psychologist in public education. She has worked with individuals ages 3-22 years old. Dr. Lisbon's academic scholarship focuses on working with African-American males with emotional disabilities, twice exceptional learners, and the overidentification of African-Americans in special education. She has been featured in several academic books and journals and serves as a reviewer for several national and international peer-reviewed journals.

Charemi A. Jones, Ph.D. is a 28 year, sworn police officer. Dr. Jones has worked with citizens experiencing mental health crises, utilizing her skills as a Crisis Intervention Team member, and has presented at several conferences with Crisis Intervention Team International focusing on law enforcement response to persons in crisis. She is a certified Master Law Enforcement Instructor with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and helped to develop curriculum for police supervisory response to mental health related calls for service. Dr. Jones is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Xavier University, in Chicago, IL.

Richard Williams, MAT is an Applied Compassion and Mindfulness Coach, psycho-educator, author, and consultant. He is an agent of change using his personal experiences, studying, and research to reimagine and create a more compassionate and equitable world. He is a scholar-practitioner of education and compassion, psychology, Buddhism, mindfulness, altruism, and meditation. He is the author and editor of several publications on identity and emotions in education. After serving over a decade as a special education teacher, district administrator, and higher education instructor, Richard now offers a variety of services to individuals, organizations, and communities.