Michael D. McCarty
Director of Carceral Programs & Workshop Development
Michael D. McCarty is a master storyteller, cultural griot, and nationally respected educator whose life embodies transformation, resilience, and the healing power of narrative. For more than three decades, he has shared stories rooted in African and African‑American traditions, multicultural folklore, and his own lived experience—bringing humor, wisdom, and connection to audiences across the country.
A former member of the Black Panther Party and a U.S. Army veteran, McCarty’s path has taken him from activism to martial arts instruction, from acupuncture to international storytelling. Since 2014, he has been a key educator in California’s Arts in Corrections movement, teaching incarcerated individuals to reclaim voice, process trauma, and build emotional resilience through narrative. His life and impact are featured in the award‑winning documentary Belonging in the USA: The Story of Michael D. McCarty, which chronicles his journey from political organizing to becoming one of the nation’s most beloved storytellers.
As Director of Carceral Programs & Workshop Development at Ben Free, McCarty designs and leads trauma‑informed workshops that center dignity, creativity, and personal transformation. His programs help system‑impacted individuals discover the power of their own stories—turning lived experience into a source of strength, healing, and possibility. His work strengthens Ben Free’s mission by ensuring that narrative‑based programming inside carceral settings is rooted in humanity, cultural tradition, and the belief that every person has a story worth telling.