In this episode, I talked with Rahim Buford. Rahim was paroled in 2015 after 26 consecutive years of confinement. A native Nashvillian, Rahim has seen and felt how poverty negatively impacts people in the criminal legal system. Arrested at age 18, he lived more than half of his life within seven different prisons across Tennessee. During that time, he completed course work for Lipscomb University, Ohio University, and Vanderbilt Divinity School. Rahim was a co-founder of Salt (Schools for Alternative Learning and Transformation), an inclusive undergraduate program that provides a safe learning space for non-traditional students at Riverbend Prison. While incarcerated, he also self-published his own book, Save Your Own Life. Upon his release from prison, Rahim received a Presidential Scholarship to American Baptist College, and worked part time as an organizer for Children’s Defense Fund Nashville. In 2017, he founded Unheard Voices Outreach to assist currently and formerly incarcerated navigate reentry. Rahim graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership in 2019. He managed the Nashville Community Bail Fund from 2018 to 2021. Rahim uses his voice to advocate for decarceration and transformative justice.

Connect with Rahim Buford:

IG @rahim_buford & @unheardvoicesoutreach

Twitter @Rahimbuford & @OutreachVoices

Facebook - facebook.com/rahimbuford & facebook.com/unheardvoicesoutreach 

Website: unheardvoicesoutreach.org

Resources Mentioned:

Rahim Buford on Rumors of Grace podcast

How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smith

The music for this episode was created by Joshua Pappas, my oldest child. We worked together using the Chrome Music Lab: Song Maker and had so much fun. I want to thank Danielle Bolin for creating the episode graphic. If you like what you heard in this episode, share it with a friend and on social media. I really think that little by little, person by person, we can broaden the narrative. In addition, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Then, rate and review to help others find the show.

Connect with Nicki Pappas:

Click here to order As Familiar as Family

Website nickipappas.com

IG @broadeningthenarrative

Twitter @broadnarrative

Facebook - facebook.com/groups/broadeningthenarrative

Broadening the Narrative blog

Episode Transcripts: broadeningthenarrative.blogspot.com (transcripts can be found here as they become available)