This is Charley Hughes, better known as Sheik Bilal Abdul Salaam-Salaam-Bey, currently housed at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. This piece is the second part of the issue, issue number two of Conscious Outlook newsletter; Which is a newsletter to which I am the newsletter editor. This is the first page.
Greetings, everyone. This is the second issue of the newsletter for the Conscious Initiative Callout. Since the first issue, we as a collective have done some amazing things. Open mic-night was was a success. We were able to see some brothers step outside of their comfort zone and share their talents and testimonies with us. I applaud all of you brothers who got on the stage. It showed us we have earned your trust, and you have a deep sense of respect for us.
Since I’ve been a mentor, I have seen tremendous change in a lot of you, just to name a few: Costan Ada(?) cellhouse D2; cell 211, Gabriel Stovall, Jesse Dahl, Rico Moore, Eric McFadden, as well as others. You guys have taken your sobriety seriously and are taking the proper steps to become the man that your family and friends are proud of and happy to be around no matter how hard the road gets, just remember to push forward until you reach the victory lap. In memory of one of my favorite rappers, Nipsey Hussle, the marathon continues. Our vision is to see people developing the tools to think righteously and thoroughly, functioning in an authentic manner with unity in a diverse world. Our mission statement is influencing a productive culture by encouraging personal growth in order for individuals to successfully reintegrate into society and lower recidivism, mentally, physically, spiritually and vocationally.
Page two. My name is Charlie Hughes. I’m the newsletter editor for the Conscious Outlook. I’m a very intellectual man who values knowledge and cherishes education. I have been enrolled in Hustle 2.0 for about two years now. Hustle 2.0 is a rehabilitation program that was started by prisoners in Pelican Bay SHU program for prisoners. It touches bases on topics such as: entrepreneurship, healthy relationships, employment, leadership and management, reentry, trauma, victim awareness, learning styles and disabilities, just to name a few. The books we study from are called Hustle Guides. I completed The Preseason Book One and Book Two with honors. Once I completed Book Two, I got a college certificate from Southern Utah University. My major was leadership and management. I received three college credits, which goes towards my bachelor’s degree, once I’m released. Use the time you have wisely, choose to leave prison a better man than you were when you came in. It’s never too late. Take the initiative to consciously plan your future. Do you want to leave behind a legacy or an early grave? We are the great architects of our lives. However, we need love and support along the way. Don’t be too prideful to ask for help along the way. We are winners. So let’s strive for greatness. Want for your brother what you want for yourself.
Thank you all for your time, effort and energy. Anyone wishing to reach me concerning this piece may do so by writing, Charley Hughes #96576, Hutchinson Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 1568 Hutchison, Kansas 67504 or by going to Prisonradio.org; click on “Correspondents”; look for Sheik: S-H-E-I-K, Bilal: B-I-L-A-L, Abdul: A-B-D-U-L, Salam-Bey:S-A-L-A-A-M, hyphen, B-E-Y.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
