JUNETEENTH 2021: Social Justice, Reform and Community

#WeAreJuneteenth is Cultivating Relationships

Join Emancipation Park Conservancy for a highly anticipated panel discussion surrounding policing in minority communities and how to improve relationships, especially in African American neighborhoods. The panelists will include Chief Troy Finner, Houston Police Department; Dr. Melanye Price, inaugural director of The Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice at Prairie View University; Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University; Dr. Dameion Crook, founding principal of Mickey Leland College Preparatory for Young Men; and moderator, KPRC 2 News Anchor, Khambrel Marshall.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Virtual - Online via Zoom
6:30 PM CDT - 7:30 PM CDT

Your confirmation email will include the Zoom link to join.

KPRC 2 News Anchor, Khambrel Marshall is a journalist, meteorologist, community leader and volunteer. He arrived in the Houston area (Sugar Land) in 1999. He received his undergraduate degree in Broadcasting from Arizona State University, and his Broadcast Meteorology Certification from Mississippi State University. Per charitable causes, he is committed to improving the lives of children and women as a highest priority. Learn more here.

Dr. Dameion J. Crook is an educator with over 17 years of experience working on behalf of students in the Houston community. Dr. Crook is the founding principal of Mickey Leland College Preparatory for Young Men (Leland Prep) which began serving young men in 2011.  Under Dr. Crook’s leadership, Leland Prep works to develop the full potential of young men by fostering an educational environment that encourages critical thinking, inspires confidence, and promotes the social development necessary to create productive citizens and successful leaders.  Leland prep is nationally ranked as the 38th most challenging high schools in the nation. Learn more. 

Houston Police Department newly appointed Chief Troy Finner began his law enforcement career in 1990.  He is a 31-year veteran of serving the citizens of Houston at the Office of Public Affairs, Southwest Division, South Gessner Division, and the Internal Investigation Command. He is both committed and dedicated to relational policing wherein each contact with a citizen is an opportunity to improve relationships and a means by which to build trust. He was born in 5th ward and raised in Hiram Clarke. Chief Finner is especially committed to youth mentoring programs that aid in bridging the gaps in trust and communication with the police. Learn more.

Dr. Melanye Price is Endowed Professor of Political Science at Prairie View A&M University and principle investigator for their African American Studies Initiative, which is funded by grants and gifts from the Mellon Foundation. Her research/teaching interests include black politics, public opinion, political rhetoric, and social movements. Dr. Price is currently the inaugural director of The Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice at Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Price was aappointed by PVAMU president Dr. Ruth Simmons. Learn more.

Dr. Howard Henderson is the founding director of the Center for Justice Research and professor of Justice Administration in the Barbara Jordan - Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Howard is an expert on culturally responsive criminal justice research, program evaluation and predictive bias. An equity-focused criminologist, Howard’s research takes a systems-based approach to understanding policy and program effects. Utilizing a translational research model, Howard’s research has demonstrated the inability of current policy and programming to remain race-neutral, in effect, negatively impacting historically disenfranchised communities. His research has provided approaches to reducing disparities in the criminal justice system and within its risk assessment instruments. Learn more.