On March 18th, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project hosted its annual Police and Youth Conference at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The event, held in partnership with the Miami Heat and Dedication 2 Community, brought together students from Miami-Dade and Broward County schools to engage in discussions with law enforcement officers from multiple agencies.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, emphasized the importance of the event.
“Year after year, this event has become a catalyst for dialogue, allowing our youth to exchange their thoughts, fears, visions, and concerns with law enforcement,” said Rep. Wilson in a press release. “And let’s be frank: On the news, we still see all too often cases of deadly encounters between police and our youth, and some of you may even have personal examples. But events like these play a pivotal role in reducing the number of deadly encounters between police and our youth.”
Wilson also noted that the conference was established after a Coral Gables police officer mistakenly shot a Role Model student. In response, she and a local school principal began working to build trust between law enforcement and youth.
Former Miami Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Glen Rice led a panel discussion featuring local police chiefs and Role Model students. Mourning emphasized the significance of such gatherings.
“The media should know about conferences like this, and that can have a positive influence on future police and youth interactions,” said Mourning in a press release.
Law enforcement officers conducted interactive sessions on handling police encounters, including a demonstration on traffic stops. Students received a pamphlet outlining best practices for engaging with officers. North Miami Police Chief Cherise G. Gause reinforced the importance of these initiatives.
“These conferences are super important and create impactful impressions on police and youth interactions,” Gause said in a press release. “I want to thank Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for continuing to pour into this community through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.”
Local officials in attendance included Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee, County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
Role Model student Semaj Gilliard of Coral Reef Senior High School stressed the need for more engagement programs.
“Education and familiarity is key to improving police and youth relations,” Gilliard said in a press release. “More police programs should be available for police and youth to interact more.”
M. Quentin Williams, founder and CEO of Dedication 2 Community, encouraged students to initiate positive interactions with officers.
“I implore youth to randomly walk up to an officer and thank him or her for their service and introduce yourself,” Williams said in a press release.
Students from more than 20 Miami-Dade and Broward County schools attended, along with officers from various municipal police departments. The conference continues the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project’s mission of mentorship and strengthening relationships between law enforcement and young men, particularly minority youth.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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