<p>Halim Flowers shares his transformational journey while incarcerated for 22 years, helping audiences overcome their obstacles and find their purpose. </p><p>In 1997, Halim Flowers was arrested at the age of 16 and given two life sentences. His experiences were filmed in the Emmy award-winning documentary <em>Thug Life In DC</em>. During his incarceration, Halim discovered a love for literature and the arts, and began writing, painting, and freestyle-rapping. In 2005, he started his own publishing company, through which he published 11 books.</p><p>In 2019, Halim was released from prison after serving 22 years. Upon his release, Halim was awarded the Halcyon Arts Lab and Echoing Green fellowship awards. In 2020, he signed to be represented by DTR Modern Galleries as a visual artist. His visual art has been commissioned for the Queen of England Platinum Jubilee and Warner Brothers centennial celebration. He has done panel discussions with Milken Institute, Silicon Valley Bank, and Blackstone.</p>
Artist, writer and activist; subject of the Emmy-winning documentary, <i>Thug Life in DC</i>
<ul><li><strong>Leading with Love, Transcending Adversity, Finding Purpose</strong></li><li>After being sentenced to life in prison at the age of 16, Halim Flowers turned to creative expression—poetry, spoken word, painting and photography—to find some sense of peace in a hopeless place, and to feel connected to the outside world. Since his release, Halim’s purpose has been to live the love that he wants to see in the world, to inspire others to love radically beyond the superficial barriers that divide us. </li><li>In this keynote, Halim discusses the importance of practicing gratitude, showing grace and kindness in every interaction, and recognizing hidden opportunities in seemingly negative situations. Drawing on the transformational journey he experienced while incarcerated for 22 years—including periods of solitary confinement—he shares how the challenges he faced were lessons in disguise, teaching him invaluable life skills, and provides audiences strategies for transcending their boundaries and overcoming their greatest obstacles.</li></ul><p><br></p>