National Leadership Network: Policing and Protesting - American Traditions

This event will take place on Zoom. Approved attendees will be e-mailed the meeting link on the morning of the event.

Emceed by Mike Ritz, Executive Director of Leadership Rhode Island and Co-Founder of the National Leadership Network.

Policing and Protesting - American Traditions

Policing as an institution embodies the use of violent force under the color of law. Protesting as an institution embodies the use of civil disobedience to change the law, under the banner of human dignity and justice.

Our country has a long history with both, and today’s movement for police reform is one moment in time in this struggle to reconcile state power with citizen’s rights. Every generation brings a new perspective.

This conversation will bring individuals who have decades of experience with police use of force oversight and reform together with some of the young leaders who are demanding change. They will center their conversation around the following question. In the current context, what does it mean to defund, reform, reshape, or re-imagine, policing in this country?

Featuring Dr. Wally Siewert (MO), Director of Civic Engagement at FOCUS St Louis. Panel moderated by Donald King (OR), Creative Director of King Saint Germain.

• Trooper Krystal Carvalho (RI), Planning, Research & Accreditation Unit / Community, Diversity & Equity Unit at Rhode Island State Police.
• Rev. Gill Ford (MO), Principal at GSI Consulting, LLC. Former National Director of Unit Administration for the NAACP, and former Commissioner of the Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training Board, certified as an expert witness in the U.S. District Court for “arrest control” and use of force.
• Walter Katz (IL), Vice President of Criminal Justice at Arnold Ventures. Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety in the City of Chicago under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Former Independent Police Auditor at City of San Jose, California.
• Dewayna Marie Rose (NV), Senior and former Student Government Association President at Johnson & Wales University.
• Amanda "Brooklyn" Toussaint (RI), Youth Activist and Founder of P.R.O.V. X (Progressive Reform Overrides Violence)

What is the "Discussions That Matter" series?

Discussions That Matter provides an opportunity for graduates of Leadership Programs to engage with their peers from across the nation. A panel of seasoned professionals in the corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors will introduce and discuss relevant issues impacting our country. Following the panel attendees are placed in small groups to engage in meaningful discussions with their fellow leaders.