An Afternoon with Gary Tyler

An afternoon of conversation and reflection unfolds at the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum as Gary Tyler discusses Stitching Freedom, his memoir of survival, community and the long fight against injustice.

Taking place December 7, An Afternoon with Gary Tyler is presented by Books & Books and features Tyler in conversation with museum director Terrence Cribbs-Lorrant. The discussion explores his wrongful conviction as a teenager, the decades he spent on death row at Angola prison and the profound mentorship, artistry and resilience that shaped his life behind bars. Tyler also reflects on the individuals who guided him, the movement that formed around his case and the creative practices, most notably quilting, that helped him reclaim a sense of purpose.

Stitching Freedom traces his story with clarity and courage, offering both a historical record and a testament to collective care within the U.S. criminal legal system. The memoir situates Tyler’s experience alongside the work of figures like Albert Woodfox and Angela Davis, underscoring how systemic inequality operates and how community can transform even the harshest conditions.

This program offers audiences the chance to engage directly with an artist, advocate and symbol of enduring perseverance whose story continues to resonate nationally.