The latest episode of “A Different Lens” features a conversation about love and struggle with artist, illustrator, community leader, and author Vernon T. Batman and the Liberation Center’s Organizational Relations Director, Derek Ford. The episode comes as Vernon’s struggle picks up steam after Congressman André D. Carson’s recent letter in support of Clemency for Vernon. The letter, which you can read here, also notes how the IDOC’s “punitively strict probation restrictions” against Vernon “severely limit his ability to work and make positive contributions to our community.” Sign and share the petition to exonerate Vernon at FreeVernon.org!
The bi-monthly podcast is hosted by Devon Bowers, a Founding and Contributing Editor of the Hampton Institute:
“In the first episode of 2025, we chat with Vernon T. Bateman and our Education Chair Dr. Derek Ford about Vernon’s fight against his being wrongly incarcerated and his fight for justice and how, amongst that, he and Derek have forged a strong bond of friendship.”
Watch “Friendship and freedom”
Listen to more episodes of the podcast and learn about the Hampton Institute at their website here. Find out more about Vernon T. Bateman here and sign the petition for his exoneration here.