Lifting the Veil on Incarceration: Write-in & Resources Fair presented by LAB^4

In collaboration with LAB^4 Community Curators at the Arts + Literature Laboratory, join us for a write-in and resources fair focused on platforming the voices of those directly impacted by the carceral state on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

A write-in is, in this case, a gathering of community members (some who identify as writers and others who may not) who come together to write in response to/in conversation with the work of those currently and formerly incarcerated. This event will build upon eight weeks of LAB^4 programming under the theme, "The Places We Make."

Kevin Mullen

Kevin Mullen is an Assistant Professor of Continuing Studies and the Director of Adult Education for the UW Odyssey Project. His work focuses on expanding access to higher education for low-income adult students from marginalized communities, especially the role that writing plays in creating a stronger sense of self-efficacy, voice, and community. In addition to the core Odyssey class, he has taught English 100 (Introduction to College Writing) courses for Odyssey alumni and incarcerated students in the Odyssey Beyond Bars program. He also oversees the Odyssey Family Learning Center, where past and present students can come with their children to work on homework with a team of tutors.

Roderick "Rudy" Bankston

Roderick “Rudy” Bankston is an educator, entrepreneur, author, and music producer. His powerful story describes his experience as a survivor of the school-to-prison pipeline and surfaces and explores intersecting themes of identity, justice, trauma and resiliency. Wrongly convicted and sentenced to life at 19 years old, Rudy spent 20 years in prison before winning back his freedom on appeal.

After his release in 2015, Rudy began working for the Madison School District, first serving as a Community Liaison at Memorial High School. Soon after he added a second position at Restore, the district’s expulsion abeyance program. The following school year, he transitioned into a Central Office position as a Restorative Justice Coach. Since leaving MMSD in 2019, Rudy founded i Am We Coaching & Mentoring, LLC. and i... Read More

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Arts + Literature Laboratory is located at 111 S. Livingston Street #100, Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.

Our galleries are open Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday noon to 5pm, and other programs take place throughout the week. Please check the events calendar and education section for details.

CALENDAR

Lifting the Veil on Incarceration: Write-in & Resources Fair presented by LAB^4

Kevin Mullen

Roderick "Rudy" Bankston

PLAN YOUR VISIT

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