Thank You for Thinking of Me

On June 1st, 2020, Deyanna Davis’ drive home from a funeral ends in a near-death collision with a state trooper. Accused of acting with intent, Deyanna, a young Black mother, becomes a symbol of polarizing narratives surrounding racial justice and policing. Denied medical care for her life-threatening injuries, her case ignites protests and an occupation of Downtown Buffalo, New York.

Across four years, Deyanna’s family confronts the weight of generational trauma that surfaces in her trial. Her mother and her grandmother both faced similar battles against the justice system, underscoring a legacy of struggle that Deyanna must now contend with. Feeling disadvantaged by the odds stacked against her, Deyanna faces an impossible choice. Accepting a plea deal to avoid an uncertain trial, she is forced to surrender her voice to a system indifferent to the complexities of her life.

While imprisoned, she gives birth to her sixth child, Reighn. Reighn spends Deyanna's prison sentence with her, in her mother's care and the care of the correctional facility’s nursery while Deyanna completes her Master's program in Theology. For her Capstone project, Deyanna designed a transformative initiative to build community within the prison nursery program. The result was THE DIN—Through Help Everyone’s Doing It Now—a program rooted in womanist theology, the principles of Ubuntu, and Christian ethics.

THE DIN emphasizes communal healing, truth-telling, collective care in the face of trauma, and advocacy for justice-involved women. It is designed to create a space where incarcerated mothers can grow, heal, and begin to break cycles of generational incarceration.

Now re-entered into society, Deyanna is ready to bring her ministry to life. Every dollar donated supports her mission—touching the lives of women and their children during incarceration, after release, and through early intervention work that aims to stop generational imprisonment before it starts.

A note from Deyanna Davis: 

Imagine a place where laughter fills the room. Where smiles reflect off the windows and mothers work hand in hand to raise the children. Everyone is working towards that same goal. Being better for their children.  A place where we can let down our guards and instead of  finding faults in each other, women empower each other. A place of happiness and genuine love. This is what I am aiming to give to the nursery mothers in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. 

Although we have many programs run by staff, the hands-on approach coming from our peers is crucial. As Incarcerated Individuals, we are more open to help each other than being demanded to do things by officers. A common statement when coming to prison is "learn how to jail." Meaning learn the ways things work inside of prison. I would like to remove that narrative and instead "learn from jail, and learn how to stay home." This is where the hands-on mentorship program comes into play.

THE DIN (THROUGH HELP EVERYONE'S DOING IT NOW)

The origin of the name is rooted in the prison identification number but reclaimed as community. 

WHAT DOES THE DIN ENTAIL?

Establishing the Foundation through recruitment of mentors passionate about helping mothers flourish post incarceration.

Building a community of hope by creating connection circles. These circles with mentors and mentees will meet once a week. Mentors and mentees will also meet one-on-one to complete a 12-week curriculum. 

Fostering personal growth and empowerment through crafted plans made to foster the mentee's development. 

Transition and integration into society through networking opportunities to establish meaningful connections.

The 12-week curriculum highlights life skills, parenting, coping with trauma and healing, spiritual care, financial planning and re-entry.