Jefferson County Youth Detention Center

“Radical Reversal has provided many of our marginalized and unheard youth with a voice all their own. The children have learned how to express themselves through prose and personification safely. The most profound result of the program is the unspoken ‘zone of neutrality.’ The residents have designated the music room as a sacred space.”

Monique Grier, Director of Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, Alabama

In May of 2022 Radical Reversal began its pilot program in collaboration with the Director of Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, Monique Grier, and Deputy Case Manager Walter Jackson to highlight the reformative abilities of the arts. Radical Reversal founders: Dr. Randall Horton and Devin Waldman have successfully installed a recording studio and creative space within the YDC. This collaboration has sparked hope and insight into rehabilitation and reform.

  • The Genesis of Studio Room 111

    We started with a blank slate or room and began to reimagine what that space would look like.

  • Installation Day at YDC

    After entering into a collaborative partnership with Jefferson County Youth Detention Center, and its Director Monique Grier, we were allowed to reimagine a space within the facility.

  • What Collaboration Looks Like

    It was an amazing experience to work hand in hand with the guards and staff to build the space out.

  • Working Together

    Working with the Jefferson County Maintenance Crew on set up!

  • Two Pearl Drum Kits for YDC!

    One drum kit for the creative space and one for performances in the chapel or outside.

  • Getting There

    MPC ONE on Deck. Syllabus on Deck.

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    Build it Out

    Radical Reversal Team Member, Travis Scott, working on the set up. The idea is to create a space where we can do poetry workshops/ seminars and recoding sessions where the students get a chance to reimagine their poems in audio while learning the basics of music production and recording.

  • A Radical Session

    Introducing the students to the space they will be creating in, 4 days a week, from 1-3:30 PM. This will be our first class. They each are required to submit an application as to why they want to be a part of this program and what they hope to accomplish.

  • Radical Reversal Studio

    Co-Creator of Radical Reversal, Devin Brahja Waldman, prepping for a recording session.

  • First Day of Poetry Instruction

    DR. Randall Horton goes over the Radical Reversal syllabus, which provides equal time for poetry workshop and music recording.

  • Rap Artist Talib Kweli visits the students at YDC

    Pictured from left to right: Travis Scott (Radical Reversal), Dez Wilson (Black Arts Academy), Dr. Randall Horton (Poet, Radical Reversal)), Dr. Martez (Black Arts Academy).

  • Mayor Randall Woodfin Visits

    Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, Randall Woodfin and delegation visits YDC.

  • New Podcast System

    Radical Reversal has entered a collaboration with Bother’s Let’s Talk to create and ongoing podcast. Students will create podcast to express themselves in order talk about the issues in their lives but to teach us, as well.

  • Thank you Poetry Foundation

    POETRY Magazine

    This podcasting system would not be possible without the generous support of the Poetry Foundation. Also, thanks to POETRY Magazine for sending books to the YDC.!

  • Meeting a new group of students

    Randall Horton and Devin Waldman welcomes a new cohort of students in December 2023

  • New Upgrades for YDC

    In December of 2023 we gave YDC some upgrades.

  • First podcast

    Taping first the video podcast of Sound OFF !!!

  • Sound Check

    Radical Reversal’s Project Manager Najaya Royal and Artistic Director Devein Waldman.

Minnesota-Faribault

  • Radical Reversal Studios Set Up and MN-Faribault

    Again, we started with a blank slate and began to reimagine what that space would look like. This is our largest space to date.

  • Pearl Drum Kit Front View

    After entering into a collaborative partnership with Minnesota-Faribault Department of Corrections, and Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, we were allowed to reimagine a space within the facility. This is a our most expansive space to date!

  • Pearl Drum kit Sideview

    Sideview of Drum kit. We were able to use the first day, recording drum solos.

  • Studio Booth B

    We worked in conjunction with MN-Faribault to have 4 recording booths! They ran the cable in a way to make it look nice and neat!

  • Studio Booths

    Another view of the Studio Booths!

  • Pro-rack Studio Desk

    We call this the epicenter, or the brain. This is where all the recoding and music production takes place.

  • Podcast Room

    Say hello to the new podcast Room in Studio C!

  • Radical Reversal's Collaborators Devin and Randall

    Co-Creator of Radical Reversal, Devin Brahja Waldman, prepping for a recording session.

  • Studio Booth C

    Another angle of Studio C!

Suffolk County

  • Radical Reversal Studios Set Up

    Again, we started with a blank slate and began to reimagine what that space would look like.

  • inside the Peace unit

    Another angle. Just outside this room is an area for instruction. We record in here.

  • Peak inside the peace unit: 18-22 year olds

    Sideview of Drum kit. We were able to use the first day, recording drum solos.

  • Radical Reversal Studio inside the PEACE UNIT

    Devin Brahja Waldman, Randall Horton and Cheryl Buchanan after a great recording session

  • Recording Session

    Student recording a poem after workshop.

  • SETTING UP TO RECORD

    Devin prepares the set up. Recording with Focusrite 18i8 with Pro Tools software.

Oak Creek OYA

  • Oak Creek OYA

    We started with a blank slate or room and began to reimagine what that space would look like.

  • Radical Reversal's 4th Interactive Creative Studio.

    A blank slate to our 4th Interactive Creative Studio. We are waiting on Oak Creek to install a tattoo removal parlor. This space will be split.

  • Opposite View

    This is the opposite view. of the Interactive Creative Space.

  • New Design for Oak Creek!

    We decided to go with brick acoustic panels and wall panels.

  • Recording Station

    We decide to use this corner to record. This space has terrific sound!

  • Opposite view update

    Remember this opposing view?

  • white podcast mics

    All new studious will have podcast capabilities.

  • New List Item

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