Help support artist/poet/organizer/father/husband Kakamia Imarisha (aka Jackie Henderson) as he transitions home from prison after 29 years.

He is also my adopted brother, and has taught me more about life and community and organizing and love than I could possibly say. His role in my life has been so impactful, I included him as one of the 3 stories I explore in my 2016 book Angels with Dirty Faces: Three Stories of Crime, Prison, and Redemption.

Kakamia/Jackie

The Need
Kakamia is finally being released from prison (I can barely believe it!). He will walk through the prison gates for the last time Wednesday, March 27th, into the arms of people who love him and have supported him for decades.

Folk being released from prison are offered almost no financial support from the system, which serves to create a much higher probability of being sent back to prison.

Kakamia's family and friends are organizing as much as possible to support him, but more resources are needed to ensure he has access to things many of us take as a given: a cell phone, a laptop/tablet, clothing (you are only given one outfit upon release), and all the countless little things needed to literally start a whole new life as an adult. 

After he is released from the halfway house, he and his wife Juanita and two daughters will be working to move into a home big enough for all of them - knowing they have money for first month's rent and a deposit will ensure this huge life transition will be less stressful on all of them.

Whatever we raise will be incredible, so if we surpass our goal that will help ensure an even smoother transition. All donations go directly to him and his wife.


This is part of the family Kakamia is coming home to. This was taken at his wedding, held in a prison visiting room.

History
Born in Brooklyn  and transplanted to California, Kakamia Imarisha (aka Jackie) is a poet, an artist, and, for the last 29 years, a prisoner. Arrested when he was 16, tried as an adult and sentenced to 15 years to life for conspiracy, he has spent the majority of his life in prison. He always says he grew up in prison, but he was not raised by prison, because he had a community network who loved him and helped him not just survive but transform under the brutally difficult conditions of incarceration. 

Kakamia at his junior prom, about a year before he was arrested.

Art and Transformation
During his incarceration, Kakamia has transformed himself, using the time to study, and hone his artwork and poetry. He released a chapbook of poetry, has his artwork featured in art shows across several states, and has had both art and writings published in numerous magazines, periodicals and anthologies.

The Pharaoh by Kakamia

Education and Organizing
Kakamia has worked hard to further his education, earning his GED as well as enrolling in college and vocational courses. Basically, if there was a course offered, he took it.

He also committed himself to working and organizing for the rights of everyone, inside and outside of the walls, and has began numerous programs, nonprofits and initiatives. His current project is focused on working with youth of color to provide the support they need so they don't enter into the correctional system.

He plans to be a positive force in the community upon his release.

Kakamia and me with his art work that served as the background for photos taken during visiting at that prison.