Episode 3: Speaking Up, Singing Out

Join us in the healing power of song. In 2016, a group of songwriters came together while in prison. They have made a name for themselves sharing the powerful and moving music they wrote about love and loss, grief and resiliency while incarcerated, both around the Triangle and through two Conviction Concerts sponsored by IPMW in 2017 and 2018. This evening will feature Susannah Long, Loyane Propst, Luverta Gilchrist, Regina Bridges and Rebecca Johnson as they lead us through the creative process, showing how they respond to the fear and struggle of life in the pandemic with poetry, music, and hope for the future.


​Songwriting Tips
​for Troubled Times

by Susannah Long Conner
Songwriting Tips
File Size: 137 kb
File Type: pdf
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Luverta Gilchrist is grateful for her love for God and the people He placed in her path. She remains in Raleigh, NC and advocates in various reentry and social justice organizations. Her joy was the ability to take Duke Divinity classes and attend Shaw University, Chaplaincy Services and other activities that jumpstarted her destiny toward the mark on my life. Thank you IPMW for new dreams and work.
Rebecca Johnson is a married mother of 4 who lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband.  She enjoys writing movie scripts of a futuristic nature and has recently discovered a creative flow that includes art, gardening, and interior decorating castles on a dimestore budget...She is an avid Netflix binger and Pinterest scroller on the constant lookout for life hacks! Rebecca is also formerly known as property of the State of North Carolina, but will forever be known as a prison sister. ​
Susannah Long is a songwriter and performer based in Durham, North Carolina. When not working with the Conviction Band, she plays music with Hardworker. Thank you to the incredible women who have made this work possible.
Loyane Propst is a proud mother of three boys, Chris, James Jr. and Randy.  She was formerly incarcerated and because of programs like the songwriting class sponsored by IPMW, she made changes to better her life and her boys'. She also hopes that because of opportunities like this she can help others coming out of prison, or prevent other ladies not to go in. "Shout out to my future husband Dwayne who helps keep m e grounded."

MC: Frank Stasio, WUNC The State of Things Host

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