Chi Psi Omega Chapter of AKA partnered to host youth forum
By Barbara Thomas
Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, IncorporatedĀ partnered with the brothers of Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated to host a youth forum, āKnow Your Rights- What to do When Encountered with Law Enforcementā, May 31, 2014 in Castle Hill Elementary cafeteria in Lauderhill, Fla.
Nearly 100 community participants were in attendance for this forum, a follow up from the āCivil Citationā forum.Ā Following registration, continental breakfast and a welcome, youths and their parents were instructed on participating in the sessions. The large group sessions began with two videos; demonstrating appropriate behavior when encountered by law enforcement. Specifics included the appropriate response to an officer requesting a search without a warrant and racial profiling concerns. The youth left the program armed with a wealth of knowledge about basic civil liberties.
Presenters and panelists for this forum included Honorable Kenneth Gillespie, 17th Judicial Circuit Court-Juvenile Division; Colonel Al Pollock of the Broward Sheriff Department; Allen E. Smith, Chief Investigator for the Public Defender and author of Under Contract; Charles Morrow, Investigator for Office of Public Defender; Barry Butin, Esq. of the ACLU and Legal Panel Chairman; Roderick McGowen, Investigator for Office of the Public Defender; Dominique Dormeus, Esq., Public Defender; Philip Arth, Esq., Public Defender; Bobby Bazan, Esq., Public Defender; Jeffrey Hilleman, Esq.; Nicole Devinette, Esq.; James K. Rubin, Esq. and Kandia Batchlor, Esq.
Presentations and remarks were provided Jarvis Peters, president, Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated and Veronica E. Phillips, president, Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.Ā Completed evaluations from participants, presenters, volunteers, fraternity brothers and chapter members evidenced a successful program. A light healthy lunch was provided.
Special thanks to Frances Fuce-Ollivierre, principal, Castle Hill for her assistance in ensuring the event.
Chapter members in attendance included Veronica Phillips, president, Josetta Patterson, chairman, Dione Trawick, Esq., co-chairman, Barbara J. Thomas, Alana DaSent, Andrea Bailey-Dowling, Malikh Franklin-Williams, Ann B. Lee, Michelle Green, Catrice Lee-Brown, Jerelene S. Franklin, Sabrina Colston-Leslie and Tanika Franklin-Francis.
Forums, such as this one, are conducted by the chapterās connection committee to keep the public aware of legislation and laws directly impacting or affecting them
