A night out at the bar after work turned into a confrontation. The confrontation turned into a fatal shooting. Listen to the turn of events that ended in Patrick Dorismond’s death.  He intervened to protect and remove his girlfriend from a bad situation. His intervention resulted in her broken ankle. Her broken ankle resulted in the arrival of paramedics and police. That arrival resulted in his death. Listen to the tragedy of Jamar Clark’s death. 

He complied with officers when they asked him to move. An altercation with a bouncer made officers return to the scene. The partner of the officer said he did not know why his partner opened fire. Listen to the story of Brendon Glenn’s untimely death. Officers say that he was hit by a train which ultimately led to his death. He told his family that he was assaulted by police. Medical records support his story, but contradicts the story of the NYPD. Listen to the controversy and mystery surrounding Deion Fludd’s death.

Corey Lamar Jones was a local drummer for a couple churches and a member of a band. After performing with his band, his car began having issues. Listen to how Corey Jones lost his life while awaiting roadside assistance. 

Chinedu was a college graduate, father of a little girl, and brother to Facebook’s public policy director for Africa. Deputies of San Mateo County police didn’t know any of that when they tased him multiple times. The end result was his death in October 2018. A city government employee of 29 years is startled when police raid the wrong apartment. Listen to how misinformation caused the death of Alberta Spruill.

A twin sister, a mother, and a friend. Yvette was being a peacekeeper when her life was tragically taken from her. Listen to the tragic story of Yvette Smith. A son, a brother, a football player. Jordan was doing what teenagers do -  partying with friends when his life was taken. Listen to how Jordan’s age and the number 15 take on a new meaning for his family.

A mother of four was executed while she slept, and an officer was to blame.  Listen to find out what happened to Dominique and the reasons behind her death.  Carlos, a husband and father of eight, was literally scared to death after police raided his home in the middle of the night looking for someone who wasn’t there.   

In part two of my interview with Dr. Kimya, she talks about Black mental health and why cops are often found not guilty at their trials.

Here is Dr. Kimya's call to action:

• I (Dr. Kimya) demand a 10-year process resulting in 95% reduction in police funds and 95% reduction in police officers. There must be annual financial audits and annual policies, practices, and behavioral assessments for the remaining 5% of police funds. The researchers conducting the assessment cannot be selected and hired by police officials, law enforcement agencies, and government entities. 
• Stop pretending police can be "reformed." Pretending reformation ignores or downplays the Emancipation Proclamation-based origins of USA police and ignores how Black people have demanded changes and reduction to police. 
• People need to understand that Black people needing police is based on millions of tax payer dollars invested in police departments, inadequate police trainings, and police military equipment rather than millions of tax payer dollars invested in preventive measures--improving school materials and reducing inequities in school tests and school accreditation requirements, improving community holistic-based mental health and physical health services (including health and suicide crisis lines that do not include police--police are NOT first responders), workforce development, family services, and funding and resources for non-wealthy community businesses and non-wealthy community non-profits. 
• Black communities, in particular, are intentionally forced to rely on the 2 Ps: Politicians and Police. This never changes if Black people keep trusting and relying on politicians, political parties, and police departments. We can vote, pay taxes, and demand things from these powerful people without relying on these powerful people for our lives and our resources. 
• It is important for Black people to realize centuries of white people (and token Black people and token non-Black people) punishing Black people when we are non-compliant. Examples include police intentionally not responding to crime incidents in an attempt to punish Black people for demanding defunding of police, etc. Police have never been defunded anywhere in USA. Crime data does not represent reduction in police funds or reduction in police presence (with exception to when police ignore calls for help)

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In part one of my interview with Dr. Kimya, she discusses her training background, why she no longer does equity training for police departments, and what 'defund the police REALLY means,' among a few other talking points.

About Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis:
Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis is an activist, sociologist and criminologist, educator, and researcher. As  founder of 365 Diversity, Dr. Dennis provides results-based services for decision makers in K-12  schools, colleges and universities, businesses, and for-profit and non-profit organizations.  

Emphasis is placed on supporting and protecting people’s underserved and minoritized identities  and experiences in personal lives and professional lives. A range of demographics and cultures  captured consist of religion, spirituality, race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status,  language and communication, mental health, physical health, self-harm and suicide, disability,  reproductive decisions, and sexuality.  

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Dennis lived in North Carolina for 17 years—8 years  in Raleigh to attain doctorate and 9 years in Winston-Salem as college faculty and university  staff. Dr. Dennis lives in Baltimore, Maryland and connects with local, national, and  international schools, businesses, and organizations.