"Justice, Art, and Redemption: A Conversation with Leon Benson"

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Leon Benson—also known by his stage name, EL BENTLY 448—to explore his extraordinary journey from wrongful conviction to artistic liberation. At just 23, Leon was sentenced to 61 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. After spending 25 years behind bars, including a decade in solitary confinement, he was exonerated in March 2023 through the efforts of the University of San Francisco's Racial Justice Clinic and attorney Lara Bazelon.Now a free man, Leon channels his experiences into music, using his art to process trauma and advocate for justice. His debut EP, Innocent Born Guilty, Leon combines poetry, philosophy, and raw emotion to tell his story and shed light on systemic injustices.Join us as Leon shares insights into his time in prison, the challenges of reintegration, and how creativity became his path to healing and activism. This conversation offers a profound look at the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art. Leon BensonExoneree, Artist and Advocateaka: EL BENTLY 448Debut EP, "Innocent Born Guilty"
***Turning A Moment Into A Movement Podcast MISSION:To bring awareness, organize, and create content that will be a resource that will aide families, communities, and those seeking Justice for WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS and Injustice. ...and advocating for Justice & Exoneration for GERARD HAYCRAFT. change.org/Justice4GerardTurning A Moment Ino A Moment Team:-Jay Love Host: Founder and Creator of Turning A Moment Into A Movement, The Justice for Gerard Movement, to learn more about The Justice for Gerard Movement go to: ⁠www.change.org/Justice4Gerard⁠Executive Board member of Michigan Coalition of Human Rights, G100 Prison Reforms & Reintegration Global Advisory Council Member-Rev. Tia Littlejohn: Behavioral Therapist, Founder of the Choice Zone, G100 Global Chair G100 Prison Reforms & Reintegration, Co-Chair & Executive Board member of Michigan Coalition of Human Rights, Author, www.thechoicezone.com-Trische' Duckworth: Executive Director/Founder of Survivors Speak, Founder/ Lead Consultant of Value Black Lives, Social Worker, Justice Advocate, Board member of Michigan Coalition of Human Rights,https://www.survivorsspeak.info-Leslie McGraw: Poet, Writer, and Social Media and Voting Rights ActivistOwner, Les Go Social Media Marketing & Training (Les Go Social MM&T) Founder, Elbert Williams Voting Corner, Board Member and VOTE Caucus Leader, Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) Communications Lead, Protectors of Equality in Government (PEG), Member, Allies of Mental Health of Washtenaw County www.elbertwilliamsvotingcorner.com-Marcus Kelly: The Founder of Change Up, an organization led by the formerly incarcerated to end the big business and dehumanize policies of the prison industry. A victim of wrongful conviction Marcus spent nearly 9 years in prison. While incarcerated, he used his voice to fight for the civil rights of prisoners and successfully organized a hunger strike which led to the cancellation of Aramark’s contract due to them serving food spoiled with maggots to inmates. He also successfully fought for education and job training and filed a successful prisoner civil rights complaint against the MDOC. https://www.thechangeup.orgI do not own the rights to the music.No copyright infringement intended. Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer (Fair Use) under section 107 Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes.