
RE-RELEASE: Mitchell Jackson
From Unglossy by Bun B, Tom Frank, Jeffrey Sledge
January 23, 2026 · 1h 12m · Season 6 · Episode 45
About this episode
Mitchell S. Jackson discusses his journey from street life to becoming a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and educator.
Originally released February 25, 2025 Tom, Mickey and Jeffrey are back for a new season of Unglossy. In this compelling episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson opens up about his remarkable journey from the tough streets of Portland, Oregon, to becoming a celebrated writer and educator. Mitchell shares intimate stories of balancing street life with academics, the transformative power of writing, and the challenges of teaching during a global pandemic. He reveals how his time in prison and the long, arduous process of writing his debut novel, The Residue Years, shaped his identity and artistic vision. Alongside reflections on winning the Pulitzer and the evolving role of public intellectuals, Mitchell dives into the unexpected intersections of music, NBA fashion, and cultural narratives in his latest book, Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, authenticity, and the enduring art of storytelling. Unglossy is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio and hosted by Merrick Chief Creative Officer, Tom Frank, hip hop artist and founder of Pendulum Ink, Mickey Factz, and music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge…
People in this episode
Hosts: Tom Frank, Mickey Factz, Jeffrey Sledge
Guest: Mitchell S. Jackson
Topics covered
- resilience
- storytelling
- writing
- education
- cultural narratives
- public intellectuals
Keywords
- Mitchell S. Jackson
- Pulitzer Prize
- writing
- education
- cultural narratives
- NBA fashion
- resilience
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Merrick Studio
Books & works: The Residue Years, Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion
More episodes of Unglossy
- Pete Rock: Crates, Classics, and Knicks · June 12, 2026 · 1h 8m
- Shawn Porter: Showtime, Sacrifice, and Sovereignty · May 29, 2026 · 1h 6m
- Jemele Hill: Detroit, Defiance, and the Uphill Climb · May 22, 2026 · 1h 27m
- Tim Frank: Playoffs, Ping Pong Balls, and the Future of the NBA · May 15, 2026 · 1h 4m
- Mark Isham: Scoring Life, Film, and Everything In Between · May 7, 2026 · 55 min
- Bomani Jones: Playoffs, Prince, and Perspective · April 30, 2026 · 1h 6m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Unglossy podcast page.