Later today, I’ll have the privilege of speaking to students at UC Berkeley’s famous Wheeler Hall. It’s a place steeped in history, a venue where countless voices have called for change and inspired generations to rise to their potential. Among the most notable was Mario Savio, a leader of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s.
Mario Savio spoke at Wheeler Hall during a pivotal time in American history, when told students and other activists in the audience:
“There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part! You can’t even passively take part! And you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop!”
In his message about free speech, he urged students to take a stand and refuse to accept systems that perpetuate injustice or stifle progress. Today, his words remain as relevant as ever, particularly when we consider the state of America’s prison system.
A New Call to Action
When I step onto the Wheeler Hall stage later this afternoon, I’ll share my story—the years I spent in prison, the lessons I learned, and the hope I found in leaders like Savio, Viktor Frankl, and Nelson Mandela. I’ll tell the students how those lessons helped me turn 26 years of adversity into a platform for change.
But my story is just one example. Across America, millions of people are confined by a system that too often discourages growth and obliterates hope. Through our nonprofit, the Prison Professors Charitable Corporation, we work to change that narrative. We teach people how to overcome adversity and prepare for success.
Our mission goes beyond those who are incarcerated. It’s about showing the world that every person—no matter their circumstances—can rise to a higher potential when given the tools and the belief that change is possible.
Lessons from Leaders
Just as Mario Savio inspired a generation of students to demand free speech, I will invite UC Berkeley’s students to help spread a message that we can do better when it comes to our nation’s prison system. We can ask the system to do more, and we can do more ourselves.
I’ve learned from leaders who came from all walks of life. Besides learning from ancient philosophers, people who built great companies taught me a lot. Many of those leaders began in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their successes weren’t accidents. They were the result of clear vision, relentless effort, and a commitment to something bigger than themselves.
We can apply those same principles to America’s prison system. As I wrote in Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I urge the students to imagine a system that incentivizes excellence, where people earn freedom through merit—through education, contribution, and personal growth.
Such a system will go a long way toward helping people reach their highest potential, and ending intergenerational cycles of recidivism.
Spreading the Message
At Wheeler Hall, I’ll invite the students to join us in this effort. We need their energy, creativity, and passion to spread the message of hope and change–to show the world that something more is possible than keeping 1-people+ locked in jails and prisons. Whether through internships, volunteer work, or simply sharing our mission with their networks, they can play a critical role in creating a system that rewards growth and fosters redemption.
This era of rapid change offers unprecedented opportunities to make a difference. With the rise of digital platforms, AI, and innovative thinking, we can reach millions of people who need to hear this message. But we can’t do it alone.
A Challenge to the Audience
As Mario Savio challenged his peers to take action, I will challenge the students at Berkeley today:
- What do you stand for?
- How will you use your talents to make a difference?
- What will you do to ensure that your generation leaves a legacy of progress and hope?
We need people who believe in something bigger than themselves. We need people who are willing to spread ideas, to engage in thoughtful conversations, and to work toward a better future for everyone—especially those who’ve been left behind by society.
Building Bridges to a Better Future
When I speak today, I’ll remind the audience that change starts with a single step. It starts with believing that we can do better, then committing to the hard work of making it happen. I strive to live as an ambassador of this message, and I invite others to contribute. Whether university students, or other activists, all people can spread the message on how to navigate challenges. We’ll teach people how to:
- Define what they stand for, and define success.
- Create plans and prioritize.
- Build tools, tactics, and resources.
- Commit to growth and contribution.
- Take action every day, no matter how small, to move closer to the change we want to see.
Together, we can build a system that incentivizes excellence, fosters redemption, and shows the world that everyone has the capacity to rise to their highest potential.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- How can you use your talents, skills, and passions to create meaningful change in the world? What steps will you take today to move closer to that goal?