Episode 79, Part 2: Rahsaan “New York” Thomas
- 33:15
- March 31, 2025
From a Life Sentence To Advocacy Through Art with Rahsaan “New York” Thomas
Rahsaan Thomas is the Executive Director of Empowerment Avenue, a groundbreaking organization dedicated to helping incarcerated writers and artists overcome barriers to publication and build successful careers. He is also a co-producer and former co-host of the acclaimed podcast Ear Hustle, which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and DuPont Award winner during his tenure. While incarcerated, Rahsaan produced two award-winning films, Friendly Signs and What These Walls Won’t Hold, which earned recognition at the San Francisco International Film Festival. With the support of the Mellon Foundation, Empowerment Avenue was funded with $600,000 while Rahsaan was still incarcerated, allowing him to step into a leadership role immediately upon his release.
“We created the San Quentin Film Festival to change Hollywood’s narrative about incarcerated people and provide real opportunities for those with talent and stories to tell. Too often, the stories told about us are written by people who’ve never been inside, who only see us through a lens of crime and punishment. But there’s so much more to who we are. There’s creativity, there’s resilience, there’s brilliance. And it’s time the world saw that. The San Quentin Film Festival was about reclaiming our own narratives, giving people who have lived these experiences a platform to share their truth. And beyond that, it was about creating real industry opportunities. Connecting filmmakers to producers, to grants, to networks that can help them build careers. It’s about proving that our talent doesn’t end at the prison gate. It’s just waiting to be discovered.”
In this interview, Rahsaan details his journey from serving a 55-to-life sentence to becoming a prominent advocate and creative leader. He discusses the importance of changing one’s mindset, developing skills, and building a network before release. Rahsaan describes his challenges adjusting to life on parole and the barriers he continues to face as a formerly incarcerated person. He highlights his ongoing projects, including Empowerment Avenue, which connects incarcerated creators directly to publishers and media outlets to eliminate gatekeeping and foster authentic storytelling. Rahsaan also speaks about the San Quentin Film Festival, which serves as a pipeline for formerly incarcerated filmmakers to showcase their work and gain industry opportunities. His story is a testament to resilience, community-building, and the transformative power of creativity.
Episode Outline
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:00) Rahsaan Thomas Discusses His Release and Return to San Quentin
(00:02:00) Adjusting to Life Outside and Navigating Parole
(00:03:00) Overcoming the Illusion of Freedom While on Parole
(00:05:00) The Long Road to Commutation and Parole Board Experience
(00:07:00) Finding Purpose Through Writing and Creativity
(00:09:00) Joining Ear Hustle and Achieving Recognition
(00:11:00) Creating Empowerment Avenue for Incarcerated Writers
(00:14:00) Producing Award-Winning Films While Incarcerated
(00:17:00) Developing the San Quentin Film Festival
(00:19:00) Launching the Returning Filmmaker Fund and Fellowship
(00:21:00) Building Community and Career After Release
(00:23:00) Navigating Parole Restrictions While Working
(00:25:00) Using Art and Media to Challenge Misconceptions
(00:27:00) The Last Mile Program’s Impact
(00:29:00) Message to Justice-Impacted Individuals
(00:31:00) Conclusion
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