Project Rebound Director Jason Bell

When It Comes to Doughnuts, I Can't Get Enough

Jason Bell is the director of Project Rebound at San Francisco State University, which helps formerly incarcerated people earn college degrees. Before participating in a discussion of how redefining felonies will change California, he talked about his weakness for doughnuts, his fondness for washing cars, and the most important year of his life in the Zócalo green room.

Q:

What dessert do you find impossible to resist?


A:

You know, I’m a big fan of doughnuts for some reason. I can’t get enough of doughnuts.


Q:

Whom or what do you root for?


A:

I’m not big on the cheerleading thing, but as far as sports go, I like boxing.


Q:

What was the most important year of your life?


A:

2001. That was the year that I paroled from prison.


Q:

What’s your favorite household chore?


A:

I like washing the cars.


Q:

If you could play any musical instrument, which would you choose?


A:

I think I’d like to play the piano.


Q:

What word or phrase do you use most often?


A:

I’ve been using “in a nutshell” a lot.


Q:

Where would we find you at 9 p.m. on a typical Friday night?


A:

Probably at home, playing with my kids.


Q:

How do you decompress?


A:

Exercise—working out.


Q:

What do you wake up to?


A:

A shower.


Q:

What was the last thing that inspired by you?


A:

Watching the students I work with graduate.


*Photo by Aaron Salcido.