Giovanni's Accomplishments
Education
2005 - Present Music Theory Course – SCI at Graterford
2005 - Present American Bible Academy
2005 - Present Montgomery County Community College
2005 - Present Advanced Paralegal Course – Blackstone School of Law
2005 National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) – Workplace Readiness Certification in Institutional Cooking/Culinary Arts
2004 - Present Pan-African Studies, Community Education Program – Temple University
2004 - Present Culinary Arts Courses – SCI at Graterford
1998 - Present 36 credit hours toward Bachelor's Degree - Villanova University
2004 Journeyman’s License – Culinary Arts, Institutional Cooking
2004 Certification - Serv-Safe
1999 Paralegal Degree - Blackstone School of Law
1995 Attended class on Cultural Awareness – Early Africa
1994 Earned General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.)
Seminars/Workshops
2002 Citizenship and Character Development Program. – Attendee
This program focused on the skills necessary for re-entry into society.
2001 Health Department – Attendee
Sponsored issues included, but were not limited to Asthma, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Nutrition and Tuberculosis.
2000 GlaxoSmithKline Presentation - Attendee
HIV/AIDS in the community.
Organizations/Affiliations
2004 - Present Public Safety Initiative – Member, Probagation Committee
2004 - Present Writers Group for books and screenplays
2004 Pennsylvania Prison, Run-A-Thon Fundraiser - The Byron Story Foundation
Programs and Activities
2002 Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program – Participant
Local area university students came inside the prison walls to engage us on various topics, such as: criminal behavior, the role of the criminal justice system as well as the role of society.
2001 Project Life Line – Participant
I along with fellow inmates talked face to face with at-risk youth about the realities of prison life.
2000 Prison Dialogue: Message to Our Youth Video – Producer
Produced and developed with other inmates, this video features us sharing our experiences on the realities of prison life. The Philadelphia Public Schools as well as the Philadelphia Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau have used this video as a teaching aide for at-risk youth.
1999 Intergenerational Dialogue Project – Participant
I along with fellow inmates helped to forge an understanding between the younger and older residents at the facility. Through regular dialogue, we were able to come to the realization that all of us faced the same challenges and thus were able to minimize conflict.
1996 Youth Awareness Program – Participant
Fellow inmates and I were taught conflict resolution skills and techniques. The program focused on moral and spiritual growth.
1995 Youth/ Peer Encounter Group – Participant
Fellow inmates and I facilitated discussion groups with youth focusing on the various problems in society and within the correctional institutions and the possible solutions to these problems.
1995 Horticulture Program – Greenthumb
Was one of a selected few to assist with the construction of the facility’s first greenhouse, which is now independently owned and operated.
1995 Think First. Video – Assistant Creator/Producer
The informative video targets at-risk youth and teaches them about the
consequences of succumbing to negative peer pressure. The video was
distributed to schools throughout the Philadelphia area.
Giovanni shortly before his arrest (1991) to now (2005).