By Liz Oakes
The Cincinnati Enquirer

John Artis

EVANSTON - John Artis, who spent more than a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit, stood alone at center court at Cintas Center, surrounded by more than a thousand cheering teenagers, and spoke three words.

"Stay. In. School," Artis said, slowly emphasizing each word.

Then, just to make sure, he repeated it.

It was a message that the seventh- to 12th-graders - from 45 public and private schools in Greater Cincinnati and three other states, attending the Urban League's fourth annual Education Summit on Thursday at Xavier University - needed to hear, Artis said.

Jamaal Baskerville, 15, an eighth-grader at Rockdale Academy in Avondale, said he's always wanted to finish school, but he knows others don't.

"I thought it was good," Baskerville said of Artis' speech. "It inspired a lot of kids who want to quit school early."

Thirty-two of the schools at the summit belonged to the Cincinnati Public School district, which has struggled to improve graduation rates.

During the 2002-03 school year, about 60 percent of its students graduated, compared with a state average of nearly 84 percent, according to the annual Ohio schools report card. More than 62 percent of the district's students are considered economically disadvantaged.

"Education is money in your pocket," the Norfolk, Va., resident told his young audience. People can take away your shoes or your jewelry, Artis said. But "they can't take your education."

Artis gained national fame following his exoneration in 1981 after serving more than 13 years in prison. He was arrested with Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 1966 and convicted of triple homicide in a case that became the basis of the movie The Hurricane, starring Denzel Washington.

While in prison, Artis earned his college degree and taught other inmates how to read and write.

Today, Artis, 56, is executive director of Creating Youth Awareness, a group that counsels at-risk youth and young offenders.

"Take advantage of each resource," Artis urged the teens at the summit. "Don't let (this) be just a day out of school."

The Rev. Michael J. Graham, Xavier president, also spoke briefly.

Asked afterward about the importance of education for disadvantaged students, he replied quizzically, "What else is there? ... They're the hope (of the future), you know."

Unexpected reunion

At first, she appeared to be just another admirer who wanted to shake hands with John Artis on Thursday at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

But Sheila Copeland Jackson was much more.

He hadn't known it, but the Symmes Township woman had been admiring him since they sat across from each other in high school geometry class in Paterson, N.J., more than 30 years ago. They hadn't seen each other since.

Artis was nearly at a loss for words at the impromptu reunion.

"Oh, wow," he said, before the two hugged.

Jackson, who at age 55 is a year younger than her former classmate, works for Talbert House, counseling at-risk children.

"You didn't know me, but I knew you," Jackson told Artis. "He was quite the football star," she said. "All the girls loved him."

E-mail loakes@enquirer.com