About
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Shining in the Shadows is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization initiated by incarcerated people and devoted supporters of the incarcerated community. We believe when incarcerated people return to society with specific skills/training that they have acquired, their re-entry is more stable, they have more favorable chances of gaining employment and continuing a career path that supports a better quality of life.. ​​
THEORY OF CHANGE
Shining in the Shadows is the initiative of incarcerated people effecting change from the shadows of confinement. As it concerns the incarcerated, we believe that change is sustained through the willful devotion to serve others and initiate meaningful contributions to the community from the inside-out. We believe that productivity of incarcerated people is at the heart of transformative justice. If incarcerated people have a platform devoted to improving community relations, then he or she can effectively initiate meaningful contributions to society through collaborative projects inspired by their trials, tribulations, and journey of change.
​​​PATHWAYS TO HEALING​
Balancing Celebration and Compassion​
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We celebrate the contributions of all featured artists, musicians and change-makers and don’t believe it’s honoring to have them defined by the worst actions of their lives. However, we do express our deepest concern and care for the victims and their families. We don’t minimize any actions committed that caused harm to them, or how they’ve been affected. With our sincerest regards, we pray for true restoration and healing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Our
Story
Our Mission
Our mission is to uplift and empower the voices of incarcerated artists, musicians, and change-makers who inspire transformation.
We provide a dynamic platform for creative expression that showcases their talents and resilience while fostering community, facilitating social change, and promoting understanding, to bridge the gap between society and change agents behind bars.
Our Values
Integrity, Diversity, Community, and Creative Synergy are values indicative of the artists, musicians, and change-makers featured by SITS. Being your most authentic self, honoring the uniqueness in diversity, and building connections through creative expression, music, and community-driven initiatives is at the heart of what we stand for.
Our Vision
Incarcerated people are making the world a better place through the impact of their art, music, and accomplishments.
Art and music production is being produced in a mode that’s unprecedented, which enables incarcerated people to gain industrial skills relevant to these industries. They can use these skills for future career opportunities, further education, resources, and public connectedness.
Public connectedness is a significant component in transformative justice concerning incarcerated people for two significant reasons;
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1) It allows the public to participate in the intervention
of incarcerated people making meaningful contributions to the community through the impact
of their art, music, and accomplishments.
2) It provides an opportunity for incarcerated people to express humanity in a way that reduces idleness, improves vocational relationships between inmates and staff, as well as the communities they remain connected to.