NAACP Long Beach Hosted Dialogue for Youth of Color with Law Enforcement

The Long Beach Branch NAACP is pleased to announce the Youth of Color with Law Enforcement- Part II. This is a nationwide project that is replicated to promote positive interaction between youth of color and law enforcement. Eighty youth of color were invited to join the dialogue with law enforcement.  Law enforcement leaders for the project include Robert Luna, Long Beach Police Chief; Thomas W. Hickman, LBUSD Chief of Security; Fernando M. Solórzano, Chief of Police CSULB; Joseph Farrow, Commissioner of California Highway Patrol; and Jim McDonnell, Los Angeles County Sheriff. The youth will be selected from the following groups:CSULB NAACP Club, EOP and Guardian Scholars, LBUSD Male Academy, 100 Black Men of LB, LB Branch NAACP and Youth Council, National Council of Negro Women of Long Beach (NCNW), Deltas of Long Beach, AKA Sorority, Churches of Long Beach, NAACP High School and College Clubs, City of Long Beach, LBCC, Mental Health agencies, CCEJ, United Cambodian Center, South Coast Interfaith Council, civic groups, institutions, non-profits, and other groups and individuals sharing the NAACP’s goals and objectives. The event was in collaboration between the aforementioned organizations submitting and selecting participants.

This is the second part of the dialogue; participating law enforcement agencies will give input and leadership regarding the project’s planning. President Naomi Rainey States: The Long Beach Branch NAACP’s purpose of this event is to help provide better communication between law enforcement and people of color. Another goal is to debunk stereotypes and misunderstandings between participating parties. The primary goal is to seek proactive solutions and strategies that will enable law enforcement and communities of color to work together, develop trust, practice respect and effective communication, in order to create an inclusive, safe community.

“It is important to lead a dialogue like this in the Long Beach community,” said Giulia Triassi, public relations intern for the Long Beach Branch NAACP. “With everything going on in our nation today it is essential to feel inclusive with our local law enforcement and debunk stereotypes that are creating this divide.”

If you have any questions about this event, you may contact the Long Beach Branch NAACP www.lbcanaacp.org