CGABlog
More Meaningful Experiences – A Student Reflection
As is common with the Common Good Atlanta curriculum, the students participating in the program are being introduced to another discipline in the humanities, which offers them not only course instruction but also an exploration of rich history and inspirational life experiences. This July, the Common Good Atlanta students who are on pace to graduate…
Read MoreAlumni Spotlight: Dominique Harris by Michael Clark
It is hard to describe prisons and incarceration with one universally agreed-upon word or description. It is a peculiar place to say the least. Multiple forms of media, such as movies and podcasts, attempt to capture life therein as something foreign and altogether violently alien to the rest of society. As an entity so far…
Read MoreBridging Campuses and Classrooms: Clemson Students Join Phillips State Prison through Common Good Atlanta
At 6:00 a.m., six Clemson University students departed South Carolina to arrive by 8:00 a.m. at Phillips State Prison—ready to dive into deep conversation and shared learning with students in the Common Good Atlanta classroom. Maddalyn Knaack, Kristie Alianiello, Sophie Roehrborn, Emily Buchholz, Maggie Stack, and Asheton Holden are part of Dr. Nancy Paxton-Wilson’s Creative…
Read MoreThe Girl Who Always Smiles – Interview by Michael Clark
I first met Janine three years ago amid COVID protocol, when CGA was hosting classes virtually. Her reputation was well known among CGA alumni for serving as a board member and for having recently become a published poet through the Poetry Foundation with her poem, “Forgotten Portraits.” It was not until several months after the…
Read MoreNew Chapters: Stories of Freedom – Interview with Michael Clark
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL CLARK What was your first day out like? I got home on December 29th, 2019, from Atlanta TC. I remember it was a sunny day, slightly cold given the time of year. My parents came to pick me up that morning. It probably wasn’t as glamorous as most people would expect, only…
Read MoreMy CGA Journey – By West
My journey at Common Good Atlanta (CGA) kicked off with my desire as a 3rd year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student in the Fall of 2021. It all started when I enrolled in the Social Welfare institution and had the privilege of being taught by Dr. Elizabeth Beck, a highly inspirational professor. And my…
Read MoreReason to Celebrate by Michael Clark
The end of the year. We are finally here! The time when all the holidays fall in sequence as family gatherings, parties, soirees, and more seem to be never-ending. We cheer with people we haven’t seen the year before and keep our spirits merry and warm. Let’s not forget any family tradition we uphold from…
Read MoreA letter to a friend coming home by Michael Clark
I recently wrote a letter to a friend’s daughter who was incarcerated. When I wrote her, she had just got her time and was still in the throws of understanding what her future looked like. I felt it was necessary to write her to discuss some things I knew she was soon to encounter, something…
Read MoreFirst Date by Michael Clark
I gained a humble dose of wisdom after one of the first dates I went on when I got home. I had been on a few prior to this, but this woman, who I will call Cara (not her real name), was different. We had met during a New Year’s Eve party and had hit…
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