Powerful Storytelling

Humans of San Quentin is a powerful storytelling platform that breaks down stereotypes and humanizes those people living behind bars. The group's work in this community has had the power to inspire, inform, and remind us of our shared humanity.

Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin and Belvedere neighbor, joined us in an engaging conversation with Rob McClellan, Sr. Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Diane explained why and how Humans of San Quentin elicits personal stories from incarcerated individuals and the profound ripple effects of this storytelling. These stories have ignited and catalyzed connections both inside and outside the prison. We met a previously incarcerated person from their team who shared his stories and healing journeys. A meaningful reception followed where Diane and her team answered questions.

To learn more about Humans of San Quentin click here: https://humansofsanquentin.org

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meant-for-it/id1036108112?i=1000599478579

Diane's Bio

Diane Kahn brings more than two decades of leadership and experience as a teacher and a social justice advocate to her work with HoSQ. For the past six years, Kahn has been teaching men inside San Quentin to attain their high school diplomas. She presently co-directs the prison’s Academic Peer Education Project (APEP) providing teacher training for incarcerated men to educate and mentor their peers. In 2017, she successfully helped drive the Rehabilitative Achievement Credit approval process in the state of California enabling participants of programs like APEP to earn time off their parole date. Diane holds an MA from the University of San Francisco’s School of Education (SOE), where she served as Women in Leadership and Philanthropy board member and SOE Dean’s Circle member. Diane currently serves as a volunteer board member for MarinHealth and the Parent TeacherStudent Association (PTSA) of Tamalpais Union High School District. Diane is continuously overwhelmed by the vulnerability and emotional intelligence the men bring to each class and reveal to each other. She feels compelled to share the stories and lives of those on the inside with the outside world.