Keith's Accomplishments
“Pay less attention to what men say. Just watch what they do.”
––Andrew Carnegie
As Andrew Carnegie suggested, the way a person spends his/her time offers a strong indication of his/her actual character. The following timeline, spanning nearly two decades, indicates just some of the many positive ongoing activities to which Keith LaMar has dedicated these past years of his life, all while incarcerated in solitary confinement and living under the strain of a death sentence. It becomes abundantly clear that he is a man who commits his time and energy, as well as any resources he has, in service of building community bridges through literacy, music, and art. All this while suffering tremendously. Rather than consider only the state’s narrative of who he is/isn’t, we ask you to allow this record to reflect who Keith LaMar actually is:
1995
-
Sentenced to death and transferred to Mansfield Correctional Institute; he will continue to be held indefinitely in solitary confinement, which remains true at the Ohio Supermax in Youngstown, Ohio
Mansfield, OH – August 21, 1995
1997
-
After nearly 4 weeks on hunger strike in protest of unnecessary mistreatment, Keith along with others sends a letter to Warden Coyle, asking him to please provide needed medical treatment and to return seized any property that does not interfere with security concerns.
Mansfield, OH – July 14, 1997
Note: During the ensuing formative years, Keith teaches himself how to write, working alongside of older mentors who encourage him to study and take on a life of the mind, to which he devotes himself.
2009
-
Publishes “Hold the Applause” in Workers World
New York City, NY – January 23, 2009 -
Guest correspondent with students in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Fall semester
2010
-
Guest correspondent with students in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Spring semester -
Guest correspondent with students in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Fall semester
2011
-
Guest correspondent with students in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Spring semester -
Publishes “If We Must Die”
Youngstown, OH – January 5, 2011 -
Publishes “Power to the People: A Welcome Prison Victory in Ohio”
Youngstown, OH – January 23, 2011 -
Publishes “Letter of Support for the Hunger Strikers” at Pelican Bay State Prison
Youngstown, OH – July 3, 2011 -
Publishes “People Are Being Tortured Inside These Places”
Youngstown, OH – August 23, 2011 -
Publishes “Crime and Punishment”
Youngstown, OH – December 4, 2011
2012
-
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester
2013
-
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Spring semester -
Guest speaker “Layers of Injustice: The Lucasville, Ohio Prison Uprising 20 Years Later”
Youngtown State University, OH – April 3, 2013 -
Begins writing memoir, Condemned: The Whole Story
Ohio State Penitentiary, Youngstown, OH – April 22, 2013 -
Guest speaker on Fight Back! Radio
TalkTainmentRadio.com – May 18, 2013 -
Guest speaker at the “Re-examining Lucasville Prison Uprising Conference”
Columbus State Community College – April 20, 2013 -
Course co-instructor of “The Prison Experience”
Youngstown State University – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Eulogist at funeral of aunt, Harriet Brooks
Cleveland, OH – August 31, 2013
2014
-
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Spring semester -
Releases self-published memoir, Condemned: The Whole Story
Youngstown, OH – January 20, 2014 (Martin Luther King, Jr., Day) -
Guest on CKUT Radio with host Davida LeComte
Montreal, Québec, Canada – March 7, 2014 -
Speaks to and feeds hometown audience of 100+ at Cleveland book launch for Condemned
Cleveland State University, OH – April 27, 2014 -
Guest speaker at Columbus book launch for Condemned
Columbus, OH – May 10, 2014 -
Guest speaker at 1st Annual Cleveland Book Fair book launch for Condemned
Cleveland, OH – May 11, 2014 -
Guest speaker at Art Academy of Cincinnati book launch for Condemned
Cincinnati, OH – June 6, 2014 -
Guest speaker at Profiting from our Pain: The Epidemic of Mass Incarceration public talk
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Youngstown, OH – June 12, 2014 -
Participates in a Reddit Q & A with a live audience
Worlwide – June 13, 2014 -
Guest co-panelist with Dr. Denis O’Hearn at the 15th International Conference on Penal Abolition
Ottawa, Canada – June 16, 2014 -
Provides oral history for StoryCorps partnership project “Voices of the Valley,” aired on National Public Radio; permanently housed at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress; and archived as part of the Story Corps Griot initiative at the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.
Youngstown State University, OH – June 20, 2014 -
Oral history and partnership photo for “Voices of the Valley” and first-edition copy of memoir, Condemned, on exhibit at the McDonough Museum of Art
Youngstown, OH – June 24 through July 26, 2014 -
Co-teacher of a literacy project session at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center
Cleveland, OH - July 1, 2014 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University -
Participates on the filming day for Condemned: The Documentary
Youngstown, OH – September 17, 2014 -
Guest speaker at the West Portsmouth Community of Christ film premiere of Condemned
Portsmouth, OH – October 24, 2014 -
Guest speaker at the Cleveland State University film premiere of Condemned
Cleveland, OH – November 14, 2014 -
Guest speaker at the Denver Workspace film premiere of Condemned
Denver, CO – November 18, 2014 -
Guest speaker at the Freedom Hub Summit film premiere of Condemned
Columbus, OH – November 21, 2014 -
Guest speaker at the McDonough Museum of Art film premiere of Condemned
Youngstown, OH – November 22, 2014 -
Participates by phone with a day of activities for his oral arguments at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, including the bus ride from Cleveland, a rally and march with supporters to the Potter Stewart Courthouse, and a meal and vigil at the First Unitarian Church
Cincinnati, OH – December 2, 2014 -
Gives interview to Ohio NPR Radio Morning Edition with Karen Kasler, Statehouse Bureau Chief for Ohio Public Radio and TV
Columbus, OH – December 2, 2014 -
Gives interview to Prison Radio with Noelle Hanrahan, director and host
Philadelphia, PA – December 4, 2014
2015
-
Eulogist at the funeral of mother, Katherine LaMar
Cleveland, OH – January 3, 2015 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Denis O’Hearn’s Sociology course
Binghamton University, NY – Spring semester -
Publishes a Black History Month essay: “Richard Wright: A life lived through words”
Youngstown, OH – February 10, 2015 -
Collaborates with author Jack Shuler, who publishes “There’s So Much Life Here: A Death Row Prisoner Looks Back on Over 20 Years in Solitary Confinement” in Truthout
Granville, OH – March 7, 2015 -
Mentors five groups of young adults and older teenaged boys in juvenile detention and at universities
Cleveland, OH – Week of April 13, 2015 -
Calls in to discuss his case and share insights about organizing for local returning citizens at the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative
Youngstown, OH – May 6, 2015 -
Begins painting, which allows him to raise support to send books to at-risk youth
Youngstown State Penitentiary, OH – May, 2015 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course
Ohio University, OH – Fall semester -
Co-teaches weekly book club at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center
Cleveland, OH – September 25, 2015 -
Participates with the Walk to Stop Executions final leg and rally at Ohio’s State House
Columbus, OH – October 10, 2015 -
Provides meals for around 200 people, mostly to the unhoused
Columbus, OH – October 10, 2015 -
Begins a 10-day hunger strike to protest sudden and unjustified book and CD restrictions and gains access to the media kiosk for himself and others
Youngstown State Penitentiary, OH – November 8, 2015 -
Guest speaker at the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center film screening of Condemned
Cincinnati, OH – November 19, 2015​​​
2016
-
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester -
Launches Conversations from Death Row, a phone-in community dialogue series, hosted by Ben Turk. Topic: Tamir Rice (Note: Tamir Rice’s brother from Cleveland joins the call)
Tucson, Arizona – February 4, 2016 -
Launches Native Sons Literacy Project, a literacy program for at-risk youth
Youngstown, OH – February 7, 2016 -
Donates a large library of books to the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center
Cleveland, OH – February 11, 2016 -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row phone-in community dialogue series, hosted by Ben Turk. Topic
Tucson, Arizona – March 10, 2016 -
Donates a large library of books to the Summit County Juvenile Detention Center
Akron, OH – March 21, 2016 -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row in dialogue with Dr. Nandi Crosby. Topic: “The economics of incarceration”
Tucson, Arizona – April 11, 2016 -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row in dialogue with Dr. Denis O’Hearn. Topic: “The importance of writing and reading inspirational works in the context of relevant and current social issues”
Tucson, Arizona – May 10, 2016 -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row with author Jack Shuler. Topic: “What is it like to write about the world when your world is the size of a closet?”
Tucson, Arizona – July 12, 2016 -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row with oldest childhood friend and law enforcement officer Sherman Whaley. Topic: “The enduring power of friendship”
Tucson, Arizona – August 9, 2016 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Fall semester -
Participates in Conversations from Death Row with Dr. Paul Gordiejew. Topic: “Race and Place”
Tucson, Arizona – September 13, 2016
2017
-
Performs the Nazim Hikmet poem “On Living” and releases it as a video
Youngstown State Penitentiary, OH – January 10 2017 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester -
Panelist for film screening: “Thirteenth: Race, Education and Community” at Youngstown State University with professor Dr. Cryshanna Jackson-Leftwich, Ohio attorney Andrea Burton, and Youngstown Juvenile magistrate judge Carla Baldwin
Youngstown State University, OH – February 13, 2017 -
Speaks with and donates personal book bundles to 70 youth at MLK Career Campus High School, plus makes a large book donation to the school library
Cleveland, OH – May 11, 2017 -
Course co-instructor of “The Prison Experience”
Youngstown State University – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Fall semester -
Publishes “Resist!” online
Youngstown, OH – September 17, 2017
2018
-
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester
-
Native Sons Literacy Project wins $5,000 grant PBS Western Reserve “Great American Read” Grant
Kent, OH – August 8, 2018 -
Co-sponsors a school-wide and community Literacy Night using Native Sons Literacy Project’s grant money to purchase books, food, and literary prizes for participants
Taft Elementary School, Youngstown, OH – October 18, 2018 -
Goes on 4-day hunger strike in protest of arbitrary phone and email access restrictions
Youngstown State Penitentiary, OH – April 24, 2018 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Fall semester​
​
2019
-
Speech to the Racial Justice Summit at Union Project
Pittsburgh, PA – January 26, 2019 -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester
-
Dialogue with Sister Helen Prejean at the “Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing” Conference
Columbus, OH – October 11, 2019 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Fall semester
2020
-
Publishes “Awe Inspired” online
Youngstown, OH – January 1, 2020 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester
-
Guest speaker in Lisa Anzevino’s AP government class
Boardman High School, OH – March 10, 2020 -
Advises people on how to survive (Covid) lockdown in Mother Jones magazine article: “I’ve Spent 27 Years in Solitary Confinement. Here Are Some Tips on Making the Best Use of Time Alone.”
Worldwide – March 24, 2020 -
Does a public talk via Zoom about life in prison under Covid, including audience Q&A
Youngstown State Penitentiary, OH – April 3, 2020 -
Gives interview for Final Straw Radio
Asheville, NC – April 30, 2020 -
Reflects in Part 1: “Love, Persistence & Justice in the wake of George Floyd’s death” and Part 2: “Living your convictions, protesting as a tool & the value of your life” for Anemoia Productions
Portland, OR – May 31, 2020 -
Publishes inspirational writings on social media (IG/FB) @justiceforkeithlamar
Youngstown, OH – June 2, 2020 -
Reflects in Part 3: “The Importance of Knowing Your Story” for Anemoia Productions
Portland, OR – June 21, 2020 -
Publishes “Condolences” online
Youngstown, OH – June 25, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 1: Supreme Independence
Portland, OR – July 8, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 2: Native Songs
Portland, OR – July 15, 2020 -
Performs the Claude McKay poem “Baptism” and releases it as a video
Ohio State Penitentiary, OH – July 16, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 3: Soul Reparations
Portland, OR – July 23, 2020 -
Releases the spoken word poem “Greatness in a Time of Covid” by Tayo Aluko
Liverpool, UK – July 25, 2020 -
Releases the spoken word poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley
Youngstown, OH – August 6, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 4: Forget…Improvise
Portland, OR – August 15, 2020 -
Curates a concert set list for Musicians United for the first-ever Freedom First concert
Brooklyn, NY – August 16, 2020 -
Joins 30 professional performers as co-emcee for the first-ever Freedom First concert at Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn NY – August 23, 2020 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Fall semester -
Guest on The 730 Podcast with Wali White, Episode 20: Love is the Only Freedom
Brooklyn, NY – September 2, 2020 -
Poetry collaboration with New York City poet, Roy Nathanson “No Man’s Land”
Brooklyn, NY – September 10, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 5: Laptop Agency
Portland, OR – September 18, 2020 -
Participates in March for Peace outdoor concert with host Wali White
Brooklyn, NY – September 20, 2020 -
Co-panelist for LOCKS: BlackFest Digital Community Discussion
Liverpool, UK – September 21, 2020 -
Publishes a student Q&A on social media
@justiceforkeithlamar on IG/FB – October 19, 2020 -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 6: “Parachute? Insist!”
Portland, OR – October 22, 2020 -
Performs poetry with Freedom First at Tompkins Square Park
Manhattan, NY – October 25, 2020 -
Call in to Justice for Keith LaMar 5K Walk/Bike/Run
Youngstown, OH & Brooklyn, NYC – November 15, 2020 -
Guest on Open Hands Podcast with Sarah Nickerson: “Keep the Light On”
New York City, NY – November 27, 2020 -
Publishes article: “Keith LaMar: A Love Supreme” in the SF BayView newspaper
San Francisco, CA – December 5, 2020 -
Guest on The 730 Podcast with Wali White, Episode 25: Passing the Baton
Brooklyn, NY – December 13, 2020 on The 730 Podcast -
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 7: Part 1 Season Finale “Standard Bearer”
Portland, OR – December 30, 2020
2021
-
Co-hosts Pieces of a Man podcast with Brian Jackson, Episode 8: Part 2 Season Finale “Math/Book”
Portland, OR – January 3, 2022 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at Aiken High School
Cincinnati, Ohio – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Rebecca Collins’ Criminology course at Ohio University
Athens, OH – Spring semester -
Panelist on Death Penalty Action’s Talk: “Five Wrongfully Convicted Black Men”
Columbus, OH – January 13, 2021 -
Guest speaker for Zoom talk-in with Northwestern University Prison Education Program
Evanston, IL – January 19, 2021 -
Contributes to Authorize Black, Inc. blog: “The Death Penalty: Keith LaMar and a Broken System”
Youngstown, OH – February 9, 2021 -
Edits the memoir of co-teacher, Wali White, for a grant submission
Brooklyn, NY – March 2021 -
Recording session for two songs on the Freedom First album
Girona, Catalonia, Spain – February 21, 2021 -
Joins Dr. Vijay Iyer’s Harvard University Music 188 course with musical guest Esperanza Spalding
Boston, MA – March 9, 2021 -
Releases the music video for the song “On Living” with Albert Marquès and Freedom First
Brooklyn, NY – March 13, 2021 -
Joins Dr. Vijay Iyer’s Harvard University Music 188 course with musical guest Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Boston, MA – March 30, 2021 -
Guest speaker for Zoom talk-in with Wheaton College’s Graduate Student Life
Wheaton, IL – April 13, 2021 -
Performs spoken word poetry for the recording session of the first-ever album by a death row prisoner in solitary confinement, Freedom First
Brooklyn, NY – May 8, 2021 -
Guest speaker for Zoom talk-in with DePaul University Stearns Center for Community-Based Service Learning
Chicago, IL – May 21, 2021 -
Guest speaker for “Human Like You, Virtual Story Event” with Unreeling Storytelling
Charlotte, NC – May 29, 2021 -
Co-writes and releases the song “Unintentional Vignettes” with trumpeter Adam O’Farrill
Brooklyn, NY – June 8, 2021 -
Participates in the book club student-led East River Park Ampitheater Benefit Concert
Manhattan, NY – June 11, 2021 -
Speaker at the Teach the Truth Rally and Day of Action at the Youngstown Northside Pool
Youngstown, OH – June 12, 2021 -
Releases the music video for the song “Tell ‘Em the Truth”
Brooklyn, NY – June 18, 2021 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn NY – June 27, 2021 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project with Boardman High School students
Boardman, OH – June and July, 2021 -
Guest speaker for Zoom talk-in with Hope University’s Black & Global Majority Student Network
Liverpool, UK – July 3, 2021 -
Writes and publishes a haiku poem for the 50 Years of Pieces of a Man NFT project and is a special guest on the Clubhouse App to discuss the collaboration
New York City, NY – July 6, 2021 -
Highlighted in the New York Times article, “The Music Scene in This Brooklyn Neighborhood is Here to Stay”
New York City, NY – July 22, 2021 -
Guest speaker on the NTheos Podcast
Sacramento, CA – August 5, 2021 -
Releases music video for the song “Unintentional Vignettes” with Adam O’Farrill
Brooklyn, NY – August 25, 2021 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at Aiken High School
Cincinnati, Ohio – Fall semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at Youngstown Chaney High School
Youngstown, Ohio – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Releases music video for the song “Be Free” with Albert Marquès and Freedom First
Brooklyn, NY – August 25, 2021 -
WCPO.com publishes news story (print and television): “Aiken High School book club offers life lessons from death row inmate
Cincinnati, OH – September 14, 2021 -
Black Catholic Messenger publishes Part 1 of 3-part interview series: “It can be devasting, if you stop moving”
San Antonio, TX – October 13, 2021 -
Black Catholic Messenger publishes Part 2 of 3-part interview series: “There was a plan set in motion to re-enslave”
San Antonio, TX – October 18, 2021 -
Black Catholic Messenger publishes Part 3 of 3-part interview series: “We’re engaged in a battle”
San Antonio, TX – October 23, 2021 -
Co-panelist for Mining Books’ public event discussing Eddie Glaude Jr.’s “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and its Urgent Lessons for Our Own” at University of Texas
El Paso, TX – October 26, 2021 -
Guest panelist for Northwestern University’s community dialogue Re-envisioning Justice: Jazz, Protest & Organizing
Evanston, IL – November 12, 2021 -
Calls in for the Justice for Keith LaMar 5K Walk/Bike/Run
Chicago, IL – November 13, 2021 -
Performs poetry at the first-ever indoors Freedom First concert at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL – November 13, 2021
​
2022
-
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Participates remotely in recording session for Freedom First jazz album
Brooklyn, NY – January 2, 2022 -
Featured in The New York Times article: “Jazz Freed Keith LaMar’s Soul. Can it Help Him Get Off Death Row?”
Manhattan, NY – February 11, 2022 -
Dr. Cornel West posts public support for Keith LaMar on his social media pages
Worldwide – February 13, 2022 -
Guest speaker for Zoom talk-in with Dr. Bettina Love’s Education students at the University of Georgia
Athens, GA – February 15, 2022 -
Invited guest for WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show episode: ”Jazz from Death Row”
(Note: Keith was temporarily blocked from participating by the warden at OSP 5 minutes before the show was set to begin. The warden cited being unfamiliar with the media policy that clearly allowed this kind of phone call. He threated Keith with “the hole” if he would have made the phone call to the show, thus Keith briefed his campaign manager to stand in for him instead. The warden reversed his decision after the broadcast concluded, conceding it indeed was permissible.)
Manhattan, NY – February 24, 2022 -
Releases Freedom First album
Worldwide – February 25, 2022 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Granollers Jazz Festival
Catalonia, Spain – February 25, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry for student collaboration at the Institute for Collaborative Education jazz concert
Manhattan, NY – March 10, 2022 -
Co-speaker for the session “I'm Still Breathing: The Fight for Keith LaMar's Life from Death Row” at the 23rd Conference on White Privilege
Charlotte, NC – March 11, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at DROM jazz club, including with students
Manhattan, NY – March 20, 2022 -
Contributing artist (voice and written work, including Condemned) on exhibit as part of The Healing Project at the Yerba Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA – March 24 through September 4, 2022 -
Guest speaker for the virtual community event: Envisioning Justice, Imagining Freedom for The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Education
Urbana, IL – April 13, 2022 -
Guest speaker for The Healing Project’s artist’s talk at the Yerba Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA – May 11, 2022 -
Highlighted in The New York Times article: “Samora Pinderhughes Explored Incarceration in Song. The Result is ‘Grief.’”
Manhattan, NY – May 19, 2022 -
Highlighted in The New York Times article: “Brian Jackson, a Key Gil Scott-Heron Collaborator, Reintroduces Himself”
Manhattan, NY – May 26, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at The Jazz Gallery
Manhattan, NY – May 20, 2022 -
Guest speaker: “Transformation, Music and Healing: A Virtual Conversation” hosted by Samora Pinderhughes
San Francisco, CA – May 31, 2022 -
Selected by Marking Time author Nicole R. Fleetwood for inclusion in the For Freedoms billboard campaign
Cincinnati, OH – June 1, 2022 -
Guest speaker for the University of Illinois Education Program
Urbana, IL – June 9, 2022 -
Panelist for community discussion at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA – June 11, 2022 -
Talks with 7th grade social studies class at the Institute for Collaborative Education with senior Native Sons Literacy Project book club mentors
Manhattan, NY – June 15, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at Soapbox Gallery
Brooklyn, NY – June 20, 2022 -
Featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer article: “You should know the truth.' Was Keith LaMar a scapegoat or the leader of a 'death squad'?”
Cincinnati, OH – June 28, 2022 -
Co-panelist for Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Cincinnati, OH – July 15, 2022 -
Eulogist at the funeral of cousin, Kevin Lowery
Cleveland, OH – July 17, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at Vadart Festival
Girona, Spain – July 24, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at Mas I Mas Jamboree Jazz Festival
Barcelona, Spain – July 30, 2022 -
Embarks on a 3-day hunger strike related to interrupted communications
Youngstown, OH – August 8, 2022 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Highlighted in The New York Times article: “Brown University acquires the Papers of Mumia Abu Jamal”
Manhattan, NY – August 24, 2022 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at Chaney High School
Youngstown, OH – Fall semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Guest speaker through Native Sons Literacy Project at the Lower East Side Girls Club
Manhattan, NY – September 7, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at Joe’s Pub, including with students
Manhattan, NY – September 10, 2022 -
Collaborates with the Vera Institute for Justice for a blog
Brooklyn, NY – September 12, 2022 -
Releases Freedom First vinyl album for Europe
Barcelona, Spain – October 19, 2022 -
Participates in a round table discussion hosted by the Centre Iridia for the Defense of Human Rights with the former president of UNESCO
Barcelona, Spain – October 19, 2022 -
Performs spoken poetry with Freedom First at club Sowieso
Berlin, Germany – November 17, 2022 -
Participates in filming documentary at the Global Village as part of the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty
Berlin, Germany – November 17-19, 2022 -
Speaks to and performs spoken word poetry for 400+ world diplomats at the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty at the Rote Rathaus (city hall)
Berlin Germany – November 18, 2022 -
Awarded the 8th World Congress’ “Innovation in Activism” Award
Berlin, Germany – November 18, 2022 -
Featured in a Newsweek article about the Native Sons Literacy Project book club at Aiken High School: “My friend on death row taught me a valuable life lesson”
Cincinnati, OH – November 21, 2022 -
Featured in Jazz Speaks article: “Collecting Her Selves: Caroline Davis Speaks”
Brooklyn, NY – November 29, 2022 -
Eulogist at the funeral of historian and friend, Staughton Lynd
Youngstown, OH – December 4, 2022 -
Leads Kenyon College Winter Break reading group through the Native Sons Literacy Project
Gambier, OH – beginning of December 2022 through end of January 2023 -
Inspires artists at the World Congress Against the Death Penalty to paint a 150-foot long by 15-feet tall mural dedicated to “Justice for Keith LaMar” on a section of the Berlin Wall
Berlin, Germany – December 7, 2022 -
Performs at NUBLU jazz club with special guests William Parker (bass) and New York Institute for Collaborative Education public high school jazz students
Manhattan, NY – December 11, 2022
2023
-
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at Youngstown Chaney High School
Youngstown, OH – Spring semester -
Co-teaches a course “The Prison Experience”
Youngstown State University – Spring semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Paul Gordiejew’s Anthropology courses
Youngstown State University, OH – Spring semester -
Hosts a Public Online Monthly reading group
Youngstown, OH – February through August 2023 -
Publishes Condemned in Spanish as Condenado
Barcelona, Spain – January 16, 2023 -
Guest on Part 1 of KPFK 90.7. FM Los Angeles’ “Voices from the Frontlines
Los Angeles, CA – January 24, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Black Music Festival
Girona, Spain – February 1, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Iridia Festival
Barcelona, Spain – February 2, 2023 -
Participates in the 11-week series The Real Killer Podcast (season 2) on iHeart Radio
Youngstown, OH – February 16, 2023 -
Featured performer in The Healing Project concert at Carnegie Hall
Manhattan, NY – February 9, 2023 -
Receives The Healing Project’s Transformative Impact award through the Andrew Mellon Foundation
Harlem, NY – February 13, 2023 -
Leads a book club session through Native Sons Literacy Project at Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program
Evanston, IL – February 21, 2023 -
Embarks on a 9-day hunger strike over constant and ongoing visiting room harassment and staff’s arbitrary non-compliance with the agreed-upon privileges and rules
Youngstown, OH – February 21, 2023 -
Guest on Part 2 of KPFK 90.7. FM Los Angeles’ “Voices from the Frontlines”
Los Angeles, CA – February 22, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Circulo Bellas Artes
Madrid, Spain – February 24, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Teatre Auditori
Granollers, Catalonia, Spain – March 1, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Casino Teatre
St. Feliu de Llobregat, Spain – March 3, 2023 -
Holds a Q&A with Journalism students at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL – March 3, 2023 -
Works with workshop students at Dimensions Dance Theatre
Miami, FL – March 3 through 5, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Recoleta Mapocho Festival
Santiago, Chile – March 11, 2023 -
Exhibits Digest, a sculpture created in collaboration with artist Mia Pearlman, at the Broad Museum at Michigan State University (Lansing City Pulse)
Lansing Michigan – March through July, 2023 -
Publishes Condemned publish in German as Verurteilt
Berlin, Germany – March 2023 -
Holds a Q&A with talk with Kenyon College students
Gambier, OH – March 30, 2023 -
Audience engagement at the Michigan Peace Council’s play “Paul Robeson: The Giant – In a Nutshell”
Detroit, Michigan – April 8, 2023 -
Panelist for an artist talk-in for Digest at Broad Museum of Art at Michigan State University
Lansing, MI – April 10, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI – April 10, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Kenyon College, including with students
Gambier, OH – April 12, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at BluJazz
Akron, OH – April 13, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Bop Stop @ The Music Settlement
Cleveland, OH – April 14, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL – April 15, 2023 -
Publishes Condemned in French as Condamné
Paris, France – April 20, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at The New School
Manhattan, NY – April 25, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at NYU’s Gallatin School
Manhattan, NY – April 26, 2023 -
Highlighted in the Miami University Commencement Speech given by artist/curator and author Nicole Fleetwood
Oxford, OH – May 13, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with FREEDOM FIRST at Duck Creek Arts Center
The Hamptons, NY – June 17, 2023 -
Speaks live on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA – June 20, 2023 -
Featured guest on Graves to Gardens Podcast, Season 3, Episode 14: “Until We’re All Free”
New York City, NY – June 20, 2023 -
Calls in to speak at Funkadelic One Nation Under. A Groove at the Outer Limits Lounge
Detroit, MI – June 24, 2023 -
Publishes the video: “Beyond the Walls: Keith LaMar and Samora Pinderhughes in Conversation”
Harlem, NY – June 27, 2023 -
Artwork featured at Oxford University Art Exhibition
Oxford, UK – June 30, 2023 -
Native Sons Literacy Project announces the Annual Keith LaMar Power and Potential Scholarship, awarded to college-bound high school graduates
Youngstown, OH – July 12, 2023 -
Featured guest on the Wrongful Conviction Podcast, Episode 379 (Part 1) and Episode 380 (Part 2)
New York City, NY – July 20, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with FREEDOM FIRST at the Victoria Eugenia Theater as part of Jazzaldia Festival ‘23
San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain – July 24 and 25, 2023 -
Featured in Harper’s Bazaar article: “Art As a Radical Tool for Realizing Abolition”
New York City, NY – August 17, 2023 -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Native Sons Literacy Project grants college-bound high school graduates a Keith LaMar Power and Potential Scholarship
Youngstown, OH – September 1, 2023 -
Records LIVE from Death Row album at ShapeShifter Lab
Brooklyn, NY – September 10, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Nuyorican Poets Café
Manhattan, NY – September 16, 2023 -
Featured in a KQED article: “Live from Death Row, Keith LaMar Performs Freedom Songs in SF”
San Francisco, CA – September 25, 2023 -
Featured in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Performing Arts Series: “Freedom First: Keith LaMar and Albert Marquès”
Cleveland, OH – September 28 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Mr. Tipple’s Jazz Club
San Francisco, CA – October 4, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Community Strategy and Soul Center
Los Angeles, CA – October 5, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music
Los Angeles, CA – October 6, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra
Los Angeles, CA – October 6, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Pomona College’s Lyman Music Hall
Claremont, CA – October 7, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the US Embassy to France, co-hosted by the US Embassy to Spain
Washington, DC – October 10, 2023 -
Dr. Martin Luther King III posts public support on social media pages
Worlwide – October 21, 2023 -
Eulogist at funeral of 16-year-old cousin, Keshaun LaMar
Euclid, OH – October 12, 2023 -
TimeOut Magazine names Keith LaMar and Albert Marquès (Freedom First) the 2023 Innovation Award Recipient
Barcelona, Spain – October 16, 2023 -
Featured in Clevescene.com article: “An interview with Keith LaMar, Jazz Poet on Ohio Death Row, on Music the Healing Power of Art”
Cleveland, OH – November 2, 2023 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Guzzetta Hall
University of Akron, OH – November 11, 2023 -
Releases the music single for song “The Journey”
Worldwide– November 16, 2023 (initial execution date) -
Publishes reflection on the day of his first would-be execution in Scalawag magazine: “A Death Row Reprieve: One man's bittersweet reflection On his original execution date, a wrongfully convicted man ponders the weight of knowing his death day.”
Durham, NC – November 16, 2023 -
Has his painting of TuPac Shakur featured at the Pérez Art Museum and discussed by special guest Desmond Howard
Miami, FL – November 17, 2023 -
Featured in Truthout article: “From Death Row Keith LaMar Has Built a Movement for Love, Art and Abolition”
Riverside, CA – November 16, 2023 -
Featured in Downbeat Magazine article: “Caroline Davis’ Alula Soars High Above Prison Wall”
Brooklyn, NY – December 17, 2023
​
2024
-
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
World Premiere of the film “Keith LaMar: SWEET” by The Healing Project
Harlem, NY – February 20, 2024 -
Guest lecturer and student workshop leader at NYU in Roy Nathanson’s poetry course
Manhattan, NY – February 26, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at La Model (former prison)
Barcelona, Spain – March 6, 2024 -
Begins weekly reading club through Native Sons Literacy Program at Amherst College
Amherst, MA – April/May, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Pleasant Street Books
Woodstock, VT – April 6, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Amherst College
Amherst, MA – April 7, 2024 -
Poetry reading at the Art & Flea Fundraiser organized by the Native Sons Literacy Project book club kids from the Institute for Collaborative Education
Fort Greene, NY - April 9, 2024 -
Guest lecturer at The New School’s Socially Engaged Artistry class
Manhattan, NY – April 23, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry at Plaza Nova’s House of Ayza Jazz Concert
Barcelona, Spain – June 8, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry at New York Society for Ethical Culture’s Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee
Manhattan, NY – June 15, 2024 -
Leads educational session through Native Sons Literacy Project for Sojourn to the Past’s Freedom Summer School
Youngstown, OH – June 17, 2024 -
Invited Commencement Keynote Speaker at for Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – June 28, 2024 -
Releases music video for the song “The Journey”
Worldwide – June 19, 2024 -
Begins a multi-continent art collaboration with Ghanian sculptor Kwame Akoto-Bamfo
Nuhalenya-Ada, Accra, Ghana – July 9, 2024 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Native Sons Literacy Project grants college-bound high school graduates a Keith LaMar Power and Potential Scholarship
Youngstown, OH – September 1, 2024 -
Featured in the documentary “Beyond Borders: Killing in the name of Justice, the Last Gasp for Ohio’s Death Penalty”
London, UK – September 26, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA – October 3, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Open Tone Compass Christian Church
Akron, OH – October 4, 2024 -
Makes a 140+ book donation on behalf of the Native Sons Literacy Project to the youth held at Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center
Youngstown, OH – October 23, 2024 -
Guest panelist at the Case Western Reserve University’s Social Justice Institute Summit
Cleveland, OH – October 26, 2024 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Old Bailey Grand Hall (Criminal Court of England)
London, UK – November 12, 2024 -
Guest lecturer at The New School’s Socially Engaged Artistry class
Manhattan, NY – December 1, 2024 -
Performs the Claude McKay poem “If We Must Die” and releases the music video with Catalan drummer Marc Ayza
Barcelona, Spain – December 4, 2024 -
Featured in The Healing Project’s song “Am I Human?” released for the #EndTheException campaign
Harlem, NY – December 6, 2024 -
Publishes “Keith LaMar in conversation with Samora Pinderhughes”
Youngstown, OH – December 20, 2024
2025
-
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
Eulogist at the funeral of uncle, Dwight LaMar
Cleveland, OH – January 11, 2025 -
Writes, narrates, and releases the short-film animation, “The Injustice of Justice”
Worldwide – January 13, 2025 -
Film premiere of “The Injustice of Justice” at the TCL Chinese Theatres
Hollywood, CA – February 16, 2025 -
Wins Grand Prize Best Animated Short Film at the Golden State Film Festival
Hollywood, CA – February 22, 2025 -
Featured guest on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now! televised news broadcast
Manhattan, NY – February 24, 2025 -
Public talk and music videos/short film screening at the IFC Movie Theater
Manhattan, NY – February 26, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Northwestern University
Evanston, IL – March 16, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Sala Torin
Olot, Catalonia, Spain – March 20, 2025 -
Guest speaker at Creative Beyond Incarceration at the Brooklyn Artery
Brooklyn, NY – March 20, 2025 -
Guest lecturer and student workshop leader at NYU in Roy Nathanson’s poetry course
Manhattan, NY – March 31, 2025 -
Guest panelist at Rhodes College discussing music and activism
Memphis, TN – April 10, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Rhodes College
Memphis, TN – April 10 and 11, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Harvey Mudd College’s Poetry Slam
Claremont, CA – April 17, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Scripps College
Claremont, CA – April 18, 2025 -
Guest lecturer at The New School Class Socially Engaged Artistry
Manhattan, NY – April 22, 2025 -
Guest lecturer for The New School Class Socially Engaged Artistry
Manhattan, NY – April 29, 2025 -
Featured for extended holiday special on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now! televised news broadcast
Manhattan, NY – May 26, 2025 -
Releases LIVE from Death Row double album to rave international reviews
Worldwide – May 31, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Joe’s Pub album release concert for LIVE from Death Row
Manhattan, NY – May 31, 2025 -
Winner of Paris Short Film Festival-Best Animated Short for “The Injustice of Justice”
Paris, France – June 10, 2025 -
Leads educational session through Native Sons Literacy Project for Sojourn to the Past’s Freedom Summer School
Youngstown, OH – June 25, 2025 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester -
Guest lecturer in Dr. Nandi Crosby’s Sociology course
Chico State University, CA – Fall semester -
Native Sons Literacy Project grants college-bound high school graduates a Keith LaMar Power and Potential Scholarship
Youngstown, OH – September 1, 2025 -
Featured focus of Truer Crime Podcast, Season 3
Minneapolis, MN – September 1, 2025 -
Co-Instructor for the Scholars Program through Case Western University’s Social Justice Institute
Cleveland, OH – September 5, 2025 -
Participant in New York University Intro to Performance Studies 15-week course with Dr. Fred Moten
Manhattan, NY – September through December, 2025 -
Co-Instructor for the Scholars Program through Case Western University’s Social Justice Institute
Cleveland, OH – September 19, 2025 -
Ohio Film Premiere of The Injustice of Justice at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
Cleveland, OH – September 22, 2025 -
Wins Outstanding Documentary Short for The Injustice of Justice at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
Cleveland, OH – September 29, 2025 -
Engages with students at the Collège Stendhal school through Native Sons Literacy Project
Fosses, France – October 2, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Théâtre de la Concorde for the 25th anniversary of the death penalty abolitionist organization ECPM
Paris, France – October 3, 2025 -
Co-Instructor for the Scholars Program through Case Western University’s Social Justice Institute
Cleveland, OH – October 3, 2025 -
LIVE from Death Row goes up for Grammy Consideration, backed by support from Elvis Costello; Jazzwise Review’s Kevin Le Gendre; Afro Punk; and The New York Times, among others.
Manhattan, NY – October 11, 2025 -
Featured in Billboard Magazine’s Grammy Awards Preview edition with a full-page spread about LIVE from Death Row
Manhattan, NY – October 13, 2025 -
Featured guest on NTS Radio (UK-Based) in conversation with host Samuel Strang for Don’t Assume Day, with proceeds benefitting the UN World Food Program.
London, UK – October 18, 2025 -
Finalist and selected for screening of “The Injustice of Justice” at the 2nd annual San Quentin Film Festival
San Quentin, CA – October 23, 2025 -
Guest lecturer at The New School Class Socially Engaged Artistry
Manhattan, NY – November 17, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Case Western Reserve University’s Social Justice in the Arts Program
Cleveland, OH – October 25, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Antioch College
Yellow Springs, OH – October 26, 2025 -
Co-Instructor for the Scholars Program through Case Western University’s Social Justice Institute
Cleveland, OH – October 31, 2025 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute as part of the Earshot Seattle Jazz Fest
Seattle, WA – November 2, 2025 -
Co-Instructor for the Scholars Program through Case Western University’s Social Justice Institute
Cleveland, OH – November 14, 2025 -
Guest lecturer at The New School’s Socially Engaged Artistry class
Manhattan, NY – December 2, 2025
​
2026
-
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Spring semester -
Nominated by over 100 humanities professors and current and former students for a Nobel Peace Prize
Oslo, Norway – January 26, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Sala Baluarte
Pamplona, Spain – March 7, 2026 -
Teams up with childhood friend (Heisman Trophy winner/NFL Super Bowl MVP/ESPN broadcaster) Desmond Howard to present “Two the Hard Way”–a conversation about choosing a clear pathway and staying on it–to Shaker Heights School District middle and high school student athletes
Shaker Heights, OH – March 31, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First and a panel discussion at Pomona College
Claremont, CA – April 10, 2026 -
Holds a Q&A with Talk with Kenyon College students
Gambier, OH – April 14, 2026 -
Guest lecturer at The New School’s Socially Engaged Artistry class
Manhattan, NY – April 21, 27, and 28, 2026 -
Participates in a community dialogue at the IFC Theatre
Manhattan, NY – April 22, 2026 -
Featured guest in a workshop hosted by 8-time Grammy-Award winning chair of The New School’s Jazz program, Arturo O’Farrill
Manhattan, NY – April 28, 2026 -
Kim Kardashian posts public support for Keith LaMar on her social media pages
Worldwide – May 19, 2026 -
Releases the song “In Advance” (Performing the Dorianne Laux poem In “Any Event”) with flautist Elsa Nilsson
Brooklyn, NY – May 31, 2026 -
Participates at the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty hosted by ECPM
Paris, France – July 1, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Jamboree with the Marc Ayza Trio
Barcelona, Spain – July 27, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First in Crisálda
Camporrells, Spain – August 1, 2026 -
Featured guest on the Wrongful Conviction Podcast, Episode 585
New York City, NY – August 6, 2026 -
Featured guest on Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now! televised news broadcast
Worldwide – August 10, 2026 -
Featured in a Columbus Dispatch front page story
Columbus, OH – August 15, 2026 -
Leads weekly book club through Native Sons Literacy Project at the NY Institute for Collaborative Education
Manhattan, NY – Fall semester (currently) -
Native Sons Literacy Project grants college-bound high school graduates a Keith LaMar Power and Potential Scholarship
Youngstown, OH – September 1, 2026 -
Featured in the Oberlin Review newspaper article: “After Decades on Death Row, Keith LaMar Still Writes for His Freedom”
Oberlin, OH – September 4, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First to close out Ohio Nonviolence Week at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Youngstown, OH – October 9, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Sindicat Jazz Festival
Torre de Fontaubella, Spain – October 11, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Centre Penitencier Mas Enric
Tarragona, Spain – October 16, 2026 -
Performs spoken word poetry with Freedom First at Sala Villanos Jazz Festival
Madrid, Spain – October 17, 2026
Read the other documents supporting Keith for a pardon delivered to the governor at the Riffe Center in Columbus: