In 1990, the town of Teaneck, New Jersey - a community renowned as a model of national unity and peace - became embroiled in a confrontation over race, dignity and fairness after a white police officer shot and killed a Black teenager.

Riots broke out. The town engaged in an examination over its racial policies, from the police department to the school system. Were the efforts of Teaneck New Jersey dating back to the 1950s to build racial harmony real? Why didn’t those efforts prevent another tragedy of police killing an African-American under questionable circumstances?

Featuring voiceover by the Emmy-winning Keith David, this podcast limited series premiere episode explores the American tragedy of race, police shootings and the search for justice. The series features firsthand accounts, insights, and perspectives from the most prominent voices in civil rights and police reform -- from U.S. Senator Cory Booker to Congresswoman Karen Bass to the Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights attorney DeWitt Lacy, and others.

In this episode, COLOR LINES author and local reporter Mike Kelly discusses his town and the day that everything changed in Teaneck.

In honor of the podcast launch, listeners of this episode are encouraged to support Color of Change. Learn more at colorofchange.org.

Time Stamps 

00:00 Introduction

02:26 Mike Kelly joins

05:19 Senator Cory Booker shares experience growing up in northern New Jersey 

08:07 Reverend Al Sharpton’s recollections of Teaneck

10:05 A picture of Teaneck at the time

12:00 Why was Phillip Pannell shot?

15:17 Walter Fields on the community impact

20:35 Reverend Al Sharpton discusses rising tensions in Teaneck

25:47 Civil rights progress with DeWitt Lacy

30:37 Senator Cory Booker remembers the Rodney King march

32:50 Conclusion

Visit https://www.upwardmediapartners.com/colorlinespodcastinterviewseries to learn more.