When Jamal was 13, he was shot on his way to school. Four years later, he was in prison. This is the story of how violence, survival, and faith intertwined to shape a new kind of transformative hope.

In this episode, Roslyn Hernández and Jamal take us inside his journey from incarceration to transformation. We hear how Jamal found hope inside prison, how neighbors and advocates fought for his release, and how he now mentors young people at The Firehouse Community Center for the Arts, in Lawndale, to break the cycles of violence that once trapped him. It’s a story of injustice, but also of gospel hope, the kind that’s lived, not just preached. It’s a reminder that even when systems fail us, community can be the place where restoration begins. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? In the episode Jamal Bakr SRA Graduation Speech, June 2022 Rev Alicia Reese & Jamal Bakr - Saving All of Me State of Illinois Prisoner Review Board 12/19/2024 Jamal Bakr The Firehouse Arts Center of Chicago Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Story Teller: Jamal Bakr A Chasing Justice Production Social links https://chasingjustice.com/ Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice || PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate