Ink From Honey Presents: More than an Underclass, We are Poets

Ink From Honey Presents: More than an Underclass, We are Poets; Community Outreach: The Resource to Freedom is Through You & I. $10 The fourth installment of our incarcerated poets project, where the cold, silent steel of prison bars melts against the raw warmth of human voice. Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated poets pour their heartbreaks and triumphs onto the stage, demanding that we feel the heavy, hollow ache of their absence from our streets.

Their words remind us that society bleeds from a fractured rib cage as long as our neighbors are locked away in solitary shadow. This unforgettable night shatters the distance between us, proving that true liberation cannot grow in isolation—our only resource to freedom is the living, breathing bridge built between You and I .

Poets’ bios: Artem Vaskanyan Hello, my name is Artem Vaskanyan. I am an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan.

During the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, my family and I, at age six, migrated to the Russian parts of the former Soviet Union, and years later, in 1993, we migrated to the United States. At age twenty, in the year 2000, I was arrested and imprisoned.

During my years of incarceration, my life set me on the path of spiritual and intellectual growth. Because of my drive to persevere, I was able to graduate from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts in 2020, become an activist, a writer & Poet, and a published author of three books.

Thank you for listening. Yours truly, -Artem Amos Don My name is Amos Don, and I am a dedicated scholar, creative author, and community advocate currently enrolled in the Emerson Prison Initiative of Emerson College.

Despite serving a life sentence for a wrongful conviction, I channel my resilience into civic engagement, literature, and leadership. I am a published poet, children’s book author, and the Head of Community Outreach for the African American Coalition Committee (AACC).

Alongside my wife, Joanna Don, I am the Co-Founder of DonofCreation/Ink from Honey LLC, using the power of words and community action to inspire change, foster connection, and create impactful events. Oasis Pritchett My name is Oasis Pritchett.

I am a young, black, and gifted aboriginal man. I am currently incarcerated and in my last year as a student of Emerson College.

I’ve been in a track meet for three years chasing down that elusive bachelor’s degree; and through my journey’s, I found life and happiness, but not by living for myself, but by living for and in communion with others. But what I would like to know… would you live for me?

Peter Bin My name is Peter Bin. I am an alumnus (‘25) of the Emerson Prison Initiative of Emerson College.

I am an advocate for the AAPI Community. I am the Chairman of the Asian Pacific Culture Alliance (APICA).

And I believe our voices should always be amplified, no matter the conditions we are in. I’m the Chairman of the Asian Pacific Culture Alliance for more information on APICA, visit Facebook.com/support APICA or Instagram/WeAreAPICA.

On my free time, I write poetry, perform and play music. Elijah “Just-I-Cee Allah” Charles My name is Just.I.Cee Allah and I am currently incarcerated at MCI-Norfolk for a manslaughter.

I am a righteous teacher and sincere adherent of the Nation of Gods and Earths and a poet closely associated with Ink From Honey in whom aids and assisted publishing my first book “The Jewel That Lit The Barren Attic”, which is out on Amazon now and soon I am set to publish my second book “9,000 Miles Away From Home”. I am a mentor and advocate for mental health and one of the Head board members for the African American Coalition Committee.

Lucnalie Jironvil My name is Lucnalie Jironvil. I’m a hard worker, independent young woman.

After my mother’s death when I was 13. I had made it my mission to become somebody she would be proud of.

I have learned over 4 languages and traveled over the world. My goal is to inspire others through writing and poetry.

If you take nothing from my poetry I hope to leave you with this,”they say fake it till you make it” I say no, face it till you make it. Because facing myself and whatever comes my way with God’s help, is what help me to continue my daily improvement to the person you are meeting today.

It’s just getting starting. Jonas Francisque My name is Jonas Francisque, and I am an innocent man currently serving a second-degree life sentence.

I channel my resilience into my education as a student in the Emerson Prison Initiative of Emerson College. As a dedicated community leader and visual storyteller, I serve as the Chairman of the Father’s Group and the head photographer for the Photography Prison Program, blending advocacy with art.

I am deeply committed to family unification and bring a unique, powerful philosophy to my work: a visit is not just a visit—it’s an event. Wade Drayton My bio would not be complete if I didn’t tell you all that my name is Wade Grant, and I did 37 years in prison under the name Wayne Grant.

I didn’t even get the dignity of accomplishing the things I accomplished under my name. But I took this as a motivational tool, and it drove me to become the person I am today.

A college grad, a certified paralegal, certified in culinary arts, a licensed barber, a certified welder, an amateur carpenter, a college teaching fellow, and a number of other things. I say this today to say, “that when it’s most dark remember you’re the light”