I Am Not A Number

Book Launch + Art Showcase Presented by Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP)

April 25th, Doors at 6pm, free with donations to YASP encouraged

The Youth Art & Self-empowerment Project (YASP) is a youth-led, intergenerational organization fighting to end direct file (the practice of automatically prosecuting young people in adult court) and youth incarceration as a whole. YASP believes in a holistic approach towards abolition and recognizes the importance of creative expression in imagining transformative responses to harm and violence. I Am Not A Number is an exhibition that celebrates the power and wisdom of the young people who have participated in creative arts workshops while in detention at several correctional facilities in the Philadelphia region.

Central to this exhibition is YASP’s self-published book I Am Not A Number which catalogs work by 42 artists created through visual art and writing programs facilitated by YASP in Philadelphia’s adult jails from 2006-2023. The culmination is 224 pages of honest, powerful, challenging and inspiring works compiled over the last 7 years. Accompanying the book are framed artworks of past and present workshop artists.

Additionally, this exhibition explores ways in which art is integrated into YASP’s broader campaign work. The opening will include a premiere screening of Fight Until We Decay, directed by Ami Glazer; poetry readings and performances by artists and authors; a memorial to loved ones YASP has lost to anchor the space; and musical playlists curated by current participants in workshops at JJSC and MOD3. Snacks and light refreshments will be provided. Copies of I Am Not A Number will be available to purchase.

To learn more about YASP, visit www.yasproject.com. Instagram: @yasprojectphilly

Writers and Artists featured in I Am Not A Number, in alphabetical order:

Kendall Anderson

Zachary Banks

William Bentley

Jetson Cruz

Prince Davis

Julian Dent

Tyquail Duffy

Azzim Dukes

Malik Dunmore

Joshua Glenn

Sean Gordine

Karim Grant

Karonn Greenwood

David Harrington

Thomas Harrington

Antonio Inostroza

Quamire Johnson

Vanesha Langley

My Le

Nasir Mcnamee

Jonathan Melendez

Tot Metz

Everett Munroe

Malik Parker

Andrea Powell

Ramir Raison

David Ramirez

Zaphir Reddy

Myleidi Rodriguez

Victor Saez

Kaleem Shelton

Brandon Smith

Ramon Smith

Tarell Spencer

Kinta Stanton

John Tarpeh

Francis Togba

Joshua Watson

Nabria Watson

Lamar Williams

Terrance “TA” Williams

Munir Young

Fight Until We Decay directed by Ami Glazer, co-edited byNatasha Cohen-Carroll

Readings from I Am Not A Number by authors and poets

Exhibition of artworks by current jail workshop participants at JJSC it and MOD3