Suave Gonzalez is the first formerly incarcerated person in the United States to ever win a Pulitzer Prize Award and International Documentary Award for his podcast "Suave." The seven-part podcast series focuses on the criminal justice system that sentences juveniles to life in prison - particularly young men of color - and what happens when, decades later, they're suddenly granted one more chance at freedom. The story follows Gonzalez from boy to man and explores incarceration, redemption, and the often unusual relationship between a journalist and a source.
While serving a life sentence in the sixth largest prison in America, Graterford State prison in Pennsylvania, Suave committed to becoming the voice for the voiceless - he earned a BA from Villanova University and worked as president of LACEO, a latin organization that has given away 110 scholarships funded by inmates from their own wages. In 2008 Suave created the Education Over Incarceration scholarship with his own prison wage. Suave continued this community based work after his release. He worked as a case manager for the 25th Police District, assisting low level offenders avoid prison. He was also the Director of a resource center in the heart of North Philadelphia.
A self-taught street muralist and artist, Suave inventively reimagines pop style portraiture and highly political work that visually speak to issues of human struggle and justice. Through his colorfully confrontational works he proves the political power of art. Suave Gonzalez was born to inspire and his drive to do so is boundless.
Special Guests:
Larry Krasner - Philadelphia District Attorney
Robert "Saleem" Holbrook - Executive Director of Abolitionist Law Center
“A true master of storytelling, Suave has a unique ability to make you laugh, cry and think all at the same time.” – Entertainment Weekly
“one of the most talented and original voices in the podcasting world.” – The New York Times
“Suave’s insights into the human condition are both profound and hilarious” – The Guardian