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Video: Grand Challenges: Presidential Distinguished Forum Featuring Reginald Dwayne Betts '09

President Pines was joined by Reginald Dwayne Betts '09, a critically acclaimed writer, public speaker and advocate for incarcerated people. Born and raised in Maryland, Betts' remarkable path took him from prison to poetry, spending nine years in prison for his role in a carjacking at age 16. During his incarceration he discovered a passion for poetry and literature, and after his release, he pursued a B.A., M.F.A, J.D., and now a Ph.D. in Law at Yale Law School. As a Liman Fellow, he spent a year representing clients in the New Haven Public Defender's Office. His most recent book, "Felon: Poems," received the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry.

President Pines was joined by Reginald Dwayne Betts '09, a critically acclaimed writer, public speaker and advocate for incarcerated people. Born and raised in Maryland, Betts' remarkable path took him from prison to poetry, spending nine years in prison for his role in a carjacking at age 16. During his incarceration he discovered a passion for poetry and literature, and after his release, he pursued a B.A., M.F.A, J.D., and now a Ph.D. in Law at Yale Law School. As a Liman Fellow, he spent a year representing clients in the New Haven Public Defender's Office. His most recent book, "Felon: Poems," received the 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in Poetry.

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