Honor Dan Scheidell's Poetry

Dan Scheidell, a Racine resident, was exonerated after spending 20 years in prison on a wrongful conviction. During his extraordinary ordeal, Dan led a poetry program called "Prose & Cons" which helped him and other incarcerated people process their trauma and tribulations. Dan used the gift of poetry as a tether to resilience and hope during a nightmare most could not imagine enduring.

He's the inspiration for our creation of a new award called "Perseverance Through Poetry." As Dan moves forward with his life after this trying time, the Kenosha-Racine Poets Laureate Program is pleased to bestow the award for the very first time to such a deserving recipient.

“If I can fly – I am free. If I am free – I can fly. I can write – of flying. I can write – of freedom. I am writing myself free!” - Daniel Scheidell

Please chip in here to help us put on an open-to-the-public award ceremony for him this fall/winter that is as extraordinary as Dan's resilience and resourcefulness! We're aiming a little higher than our budget for the event as we'd also like to include an honorarium to Dan as part of the award. Thank you for your help!