To Our NPEP Community
The sudden and tragic loss of our beloved, cherished, irreplaceable Michael Broadway is devastating for all of us in the Northwestern Prison Education Program (NPEP) community. Michael was so much to us—friend, classmate, mentor, role model, community member, student, listener, teaching fellow, author, graduate, peacemaker. He was a loving, other-centered, brilliant bright light who was guided by his moral compass in all that he did.
In the months since Michael’s death, I have been deeply moved, though not at all surprised, by the countless words that have been shared from every corner of the NPEP community about Michael’s generosity of spirit, compassion, wisdom, and talent. I have heard story after story of how he never offered an unkind word about anyone, how he comforted people in their loneliest moments, how his hope was a lifeline, how his writing was an inspiration, how his smile lit up even the darkest spaces, and how his love radically expanded what seemed possible.
I have so many of my own memories with Michael, but one of my favorites comes from our recent graduation. Right before the commencement began, we were standing in the back of the theater and he threw his arm around me, gestured toward everything that was about to unfold, and asked: “Is this everything you imagined it would be?” Without hesitation I said, “Absolutely not.” We both burst out laughing, but then I added, “This is so much more than I ever thought possible.” This is such a classic Michael Broadway moment: On a day that was about him and his accomplishments, he was thinking about what the experiences meant for me.
Michael’s academic talents were evident from his earliest days in NPEP. He was a close and careful reader, a charitable and constructive discussant, an astute and deep critic, and an insightful, nuanced thinker. But writing is where Michael really found his calling. The talent and experience he brought to his first book, One Foot In, made it a powerful and memorable experience for all of its readers. The NPEP community will always recall with tremendous pride and warmth the moment that acclaimed author Ta- Nehisi Coates held up his copy of Michael’s book at NPEP’s historic commencement.
As we move forward, there is no better way to honor and celebrate Michael than to channel our collective grief and love into the relentless pursuit of creating a world that is better than the one we inherited. And as we read the words in the coming pages, let’s sit together for a moment, remembering how beautiful and loving and remarkable Michael Broadway was.
With warmest wishes,
Jennifer Lackey
Director, Northwestern Prison Education Program
