Or’Zaria Slaton had a difficult childhood—she says she was raised by gangsters, and spent time in custody of lots of different adults, in and out of group homes and foster care.
Ultimately, she says it left her an angry and self-protective person.
Here’s a story about her time growing up with a very controlling male family member. Warning: this story contains descriptions of child abuse and animal abuse.
Women’s Voices at Dayton Correctional Institution is a series of stories based on “WYSO’s Community Voices class at the prison on the west side. WYSO selected 10 incarcerated women through a competitive application process, and taught them interviewing, storytelling and recording skills. The series is produced and mixed by managing editor Lewis Wallace and Community Voices producer Renee Wilde, with volunteer support from Community Voices graduate Dr. Venita Kelley and editorial input from general manager Neenah Ellis. Our incarcerated students were Shannon Evans, Alisha Federici, LaShae Landry, Diana Linz, Tyra Patterson, Or'Zaria Slaton, Nikkia Sullivan, Lana Williams, Melody Williams and Aimee Wissman.