NOMAD is a documentary by Managing Director of Light Theory Multimedia, LLC– Crystal Cebedo, and Research Analyst Georgia Cutter. It features the story of inmate Damon L. Cooke and his non-profit project - THE UNCUFFED PROJECT (TUP) - with Lisa Strong, primarily serving recently freed individuals from long term sentences. TUP delivers supplies, provides transitional housing, feeds the homeless, and more. The List of Damon L. Cooke’s accomplishments and accolades is a mile long, but let’s go back in time to 1991…
“Man who shot friend deserves parole, court says” was an article written by Bob Egelko that was published in the June 6, 2010 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. “A man who shot and wounded a friend in Berkeley in 1991 because he thought the man had stolen his money and a necklace should be released from prison, a federal appeals court has ruled in a rare repudiation of the state parole board”.
Damon L. Cooke – a former financial consultant with no prior criminal record before his conviction for attempted murder, was that man. Damon has been incarcerated ever since; has mentored countless other inmates and has done nothing to support the board’s conclusion in 2002 that he would be dangerous if released, said the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The documentary mentioned above tells his story.
I first met Damon in October 2013 when I started to volunteer as a mentor for a non-profit project called THE LAST MILE at San Quentin State Prison. TLM is the brainchild of venture capitalists Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti, and the six months program, which at the time was offered to a select group of approximately 20 inmates, was designed to provide the men with the rare opportunity to develop innovative business concepts.
On March 27, 2014 – DEMO DAY – the men presented their respective business proposals to an audience of 300 business executives, public safety officials and fellow inmates. No small feat! And, yes, I was there. What can I say, but I was Damon’s biggest cheerleader. It took a little while for Damon to get over his initial timidity, but when he did he just blossomed. His smile was as big and bright as his heart.
I encourage you to watch this important documentary and to help petition for Damon’s freedom.
Thank you, and God bless!
Leslie Lakes, Director
Photos:
Damon at a MaKahiki Festival with other members of the Indigenous Religious Group at San Quentin.
Last Mile Team and Supporters, Demo Day in 2014 (“San Quentin News”). I am the fourth person in front from the right (with my arms crossed).