GJU provides an intimate look at Scholars Behind Bars with Bro Dennis Boatwright

Dennis is a self-taught Detroit native who was incarcerated for 24 years straight. While in prison he educated himself in a similar manner as The Honor Malcolm X did, or as we say here at George Jackson University, he “Transformed the criminal mentality into the Revolutionary New Afrikan Mentality.” His academic area of interest is political science, especially its subfield, International Relations.   When he was finally released from prison just 25 months ago, he went on to become a successful business owner as well as a full-time honors college student. Not only that, in the spirit of Harriet Tubman, he did not forget about those still in bondage: He founded Scholars Behind Bars, a non-profit organization geared towards providing a college-equivalent education to inmates nationwide. Specifically, Scholars Behind Bars mail out actual college textbooks to inmates based upon their academic interests, rather it be psychology, engineering, sociology, business, political science, economics, etc. This is significant because back in 1993 they terminated funding education for prisoners trying to seek higher learning. Today, college textbooks are as high as $350.00 per book; there is no way a prisoner--making 17 cents an hour--can afford to purchase a textbook. Scholars Behind Bars mail out textbooks to prisoners free of charge upon request and an initial screening. Scholars Behind Bars have active college professors who will supply syllabus to those prisoners showing exceptional dedication. Scholars Behind Bars only ask that those who care send donations to help the organization pay for the postage cost of mailing out each book.  George Jackson University and Scholars Behind Bars are looking to work hand in hand as it is obviously necessary.  Please tune and find out more about the good work our brother is doing internationally.  He is also the founder of The Center for Pan-African Studies, which we will also discuss in detail.