Newsletter JULY 2024
Remembering Michael Broadway & Eric Caine Michael Broadway This tribute was written by the Northwestern Prison Education Project: It’s with a very heavy heart that we announce the sudden and tragic loss of beloved NPEP graduate Michael Broadway. Michael was a loving, other-centered, and brilliant bright light. A son, brother, father, grandfather, partner, friend, classmate, mentor, role model, scholar, creative, author, teaching assistant, and peacemaker, he was known for his generosity of spirit and signature smile that lit up the room. Michael was guided by his moral compass and exuded wisdom and thoughtfulness in all that he did. He approached every barrier with grace, with his determination and resilience on full display when he didn’t let the loss of a close family member and a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis stop him from earning his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in November of 2023, making history as one of the first incarcerated students in the United States to graduate from a top-ten university. His joy and passion for writing were contagious. His debut novel One Foot In served as the inspiration for an article in the student-written magazine the Northwestern Insider and was famously celebrated by acclaimed writer Ta-Nehisi Coates at NPEP’s November commencement. Michael was at work on his second book. Upon his release, Michael was planning to create the RichSoil program, a nonprofit dedicated to planting seeds of encouragement for atrisk youth through art, sports, music, and STEM. Michael’s funeral was held on Friday, July 5th at the House of Hope. NPEP hosted a memorial for Michael on what would have been his 52nd birthday, July 15th, at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
Eric Caine Our community mourns the loss of Eric Caine. While what happened to Eric back in 1986 made an indelible mark on his life forever, Eric’s life was more than the torture and the years of incarceration he endured. Eric was an intellectual and well-versed on a variety of topics. He was also a natural story-teller. He was very proud of the work he did inside prison to help free numerous people, researching their cases and writing legal briefs. He shared that he was not bitter when he watched these people leave prison, rather, he was happy for them and knew that if they were free, one day he would be too.
To my Cousin Eric, You were my cousin by blood but my pen pal by choice. As I write my last letter to you I only pray that your soul is at peace. Words cannot express how much of a blessing you were to me! You have completed your story and now it's time to rest.
This past year, Eric became active in the work of CTJMF, attending celebrations, fundraisers, and design retreats to help make collective decisions about the design of the Burge Torture Justice Memorial. He was keen on ensuring the memorial came to fruition and that it was a place of healing for survivors. He consistently expressed gratitude for being a part of this community and being able to contribute to the work of reparations for police torture survivors in Chicago.
Rest Well love.
Coming together with other survivors and our community of supporters was a source of joy for Eric. We will forever miss him.
Your favorite cousin, Tuneshia
Eric’s celebration of life was on July 20th at Leak and Sons Funeral Home. 6337 S. WOODLAWN AVENUE CHICAGO IL 60637 CHICAGOTORTUREJUSTICE.ORG