The “Don’t Let Your Phone Upgrade Before You Do” Half-Day Conference took place on Friday, January 26th, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Columbia, SC. Organized by Paulette Cunningham, CEO of Phenomenal Communications, the inaugural event aimed to prepare attendees for a more properous future. Paulette facilitated two engaging sessions, the first of which encouraged audience interaction and sharing of thoughts. Attendees gained valuable insights to help them plan for the future.
After lunch, the conference shifted gears as Paulette shared her personal journey and challenges faced. Despite obstacles, her success story inspired attendees to seize opportunities for growth. Overall, the conference provided a wealth of information and personal anecdotes, making it a must-attend event.
killed by police last year were in the throes of a mental health crisis. Address the needs of individuals experiencing mental health crisis is Pillar 4.
Campaign Zero, the criminal justice reform advocacy group that compiled the data, notes that at least 42 % of the incidents were captured on body-worn cameras, which police often don’t release to the general public. The footage “commonly” contradicts officers’ initial accounts of a fatal encounter. Mandate the use of dashboard and body-warn cameras and provide public access to the footage is Pillar 15.
Campaign Zero also noted that their research efforts are hampered by the fact that at least than half of police killings are not reported in official government data. Collection of data on police misconduct and use of force is Pillar 14.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, told USA Today that de-escalation training is proven to work, but too few departments have implemented it.
Strengthening police hiring standards and improving training to build integrity and trust is Pillar 20.
“Until that training changes, and until the culture with it changes, that number is going to be way too high,” Wexler said. “We can cut officer involved shootings with the right training.”
Marc H. Morial is President/CEO of the National Urban League.
Saxophonist Russell T. Perkins (right), founder of Russell T. Perkins and the Essence of Jazz, is pictured with his daughter Essence at the Top of Carolina. Essence was celebrating her birthday. (All photos by AC Jackson)
