“We rose above poverty. Even though we’re in poverty, we rose above it--because of our love. Because of our commitment.”
--Yusef “Bunchy” Shakur

A founding member of Detroit’s “Zone 8” gang, Yusef Shakur found himself behind bars for nine years during which time he rehabilitated his attitude about himself, society and the future he wanted for both—he earned a college degree, developed his spirituality, and stepped up as a leader both in thought and action. Upon his release he went to work healing a deeply broken community; in his neighborhood 40% of households live below the poverty line. The murder risk is eight times the national average, and 31% of residents over the age of 25 did not complete high school. Now as an author and activist, Yusef publically speaks about the vicious cycle of crime and imprisonment that poverty creates and advocates for a change in the narrative about Detroit by changing the actions that fuel it.

Interested in seeing more on the state of the American Dream? Join us on 9/27 for a screening & panel discussion of Dream On at the Charles Wright Museum. 

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