My name is Kharon Benson. I am an alum of the Osborne Association’s Youth Advisory Board, where I successfully lobbied legislators in Albany to change New York State laws affecting children with incarcerated parents.
I am also a member of Echoes of Incarceration, a nonprofit organization that trains and empowers young people to tell their stories and advocate for change. Through Echoes of Incarceration, I have screened a film at the White House and have facilitated workshops in the Dominican Republic and Spain. I produced a film about my relationship with my father who is serving a 25-year sentence, and I am currently working on a sequel to that film since my father has just recently been denied parole.
Through Echoes I have had the opportunity to be a part of the AFSC family. Echoes and AFSC partners up to run a summer camp that goes on for five weeks, which consists of free camera workshops and the tools needed to advocate for issues that affect everyday people, whether it be incarceration, immigration, and even knowing your rights and being aware what and what not to do if you encounter law enforcement.
With great joy I have participated as a camp counselor and had the opportunity to interact with the youth that participate and have a passion for cameras and advocacy. I have been involved with the collaboration camp for three years and look forward to many more. Aside from all the advocacy work, I also do freelance work on the side with Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center where I run a two-camera shoot and have been doing that for the last five years.