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 limited series 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, journalist and author Dr. Janus Adams, activist Nupol Kiazolu and others.

In this final episode of the podcast series, journalist Mike Kelly and top experts in civil rights and law enforcement rejoin as speakers to share their insights on the impact of the Derek Chauvin conviction for the murder of George Floyd, the intended progress at the federal level for police reform with the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and what the past year has meant for American society as a culture and country as it finds a way to move forward. 

In honor of the podcast finale, listeners of this episode are encouraged to support Color of Change. Click here to learn more: https://colorofchange.org/ 

Visit the podcast website to listen to all episodes: https://www.upwardmediapartners.com/colorlinespodcastinterviewseries  

Time Stamps 

00:00 Introduction

2:18 Mike Kelly joins, shares perspective on the times 

4:36 Similarities between the cases of Phillip Pannell and George Floyd

5:51 Dr. Janus Adams on the choices America faces and the way forward

9:31 “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” -Dr. Janus Adams

11:09 UCLA law professor Joanna Schwartz details what qualified immunity means

12:33 Why qualified immunity makes prosecution of police difficult

15:21 Mike Walker shares the intricacies of working in law enforcement

17:17 Civil rights attorney Marsha Kazarosian on police accountability 

21:10 Congresswoman Karen Bass discusses the trial of Derek Chauvin

23:24 Civil rights attorney DeWitt Lacy on how the verdict changes future cases

27:32 Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig on the challenges of police accountability and the legal system going forward

34:57 Reverend Al Sharpton on joining the Floyd family for the verdict and continuing the fight

38:37 Thank you from Upward Media Partners and conclusion

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 limited series 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, activist Nupol Kiazolu and others.

In this episode, COLOR LINES author and local reporter Mike Kelly explores the implications of the shooting, how the case played out in court, and similarities that persist in court cases over thirty years later. Reverend Al Sharpton also joins to give insight on strengthening the laws for police accountability and reform. 

In honor of the podcast episode’s focus, listeners are encouraged to support NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.  Click here to learn more: https://www.naacpldf.org/. 

Visit the podcast website to listen to all episodes: https://www.upwardmediapartners.com/colorlinespodcastinterviewseries  

Time Stamps 

00:00 Introduction

02:28 Mike Kelly describes how Phillip Pannell was shot

06:35 The mindset of a police officer before shooting 

09:39 Reverend Al Sharpton discusses the need to strengthen police accountability laws

13:04 Similarities between court cases over 30 years later 

19:04 The impact of 1990s media coverage in Teaneck 

22:09 How defense was presented in the Pannell case 

22:51 Conclusion

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 limited series 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, activist Nupol Kiazolu and others.

In this episode, COLOR LINES author and local reporter Mike Kelly starts by examining the mystery of what happened in Teaneck and powerful perspectives from academic and activists’ voices join the discussion - from Nupol Kiazolu to Dr. John Murillo III and Dr. Janus Adams. 

In honor of the podcast episode focus on activism, listeners are encouraged to support Color of Change. Click here to learn more: https://colorofchange.org/. 

Visit the podcast website to listen to all episodes: https://www.upwardmediapartners.com/colorlinespodcastinterviewseries 

Time Stamps 

00:00 Introduction

02:34 Mike Kelly on the town of Teaneck 

05:29 Nupol Kiazolu on Trayvon Martin and her activism calling 

09:27 Dr. John Murillo III on Black culture and existence post-slavery

15:30 Mike Kelly discusses the similarities between Teaneck then and police shootings today

18:13 One woman shares her story of driving and being racially profiled

20:20 Reverend Al Sharpton talks about police accountability

22:34 Dr. Janus Adams examines the root causes of systematic racism 

26:12 One woman shares her story witnessing police brutality

28:08 Carrio Bennett discusses police misconduct and the link to urban areas

30:09 Nupol Kiazolu on why activism is essential today for younger generations 

31:37 Conclusion

Starting in Teaneck, New Jersey once again in this week’s episode, we explore the events leading up to the April 1990 shooting of a Black teenager by a white police officer. More than three decades later, the story is illustrative to America’s current moment, demonstrating both the intractability of racial justice in America and the prospect that lasting change may now be possible. 

“The killing of Phillip Pannell in 1990 by a white police officer in Teaneck, New Jersey was an American tragedy that continues to resonate today,” said Mike Kelly, Author, COLOR LINES: The Troubled Dreams of Racial Harmony in an American Town, which The Washington Post called “American journalism at its best.”

In this episode, troubling questions are raised on “Why do these kinds of police killings continue? What changes need to be made?” Guest interviews discuss what happened in Teaneck 30 years ago and what has not yet changed even in the present day -- from law enforcement policies to police accountability and how hiring decisions are made. What could lead to significant and long-term change with the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is also discussed.

Featuring voiceover by the Emmy-winning Keith David, this limited series 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, activist Nupol Kiazolu and others. 

In honor of the podcast episode’s discussion topic, listeners are encouraged to support The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). Learn more at https://m4bl.org/.

Time Stamps  

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Are police operating with accountability?

02:48 The danger of reactionary policing

04:00 Joanna C Schwartz discusses police accountability

06:22 Overcoming challenges in policing with Senator Cory Booker

11:54 Peter Harvey discusses the Phillip Pannell case

14:43 Anya Bidwell explains qualified immunity

17:29 What happens when warning signs are ignored

19:08 Dan Keashen on Camden’s community policing program

22:31 The difficulties of prosecuting police with Rachel Harmon

25:41 Peter Harvey on the failings of the legal system

32:33 Rev. Al Sharpton discusses how to protect the African-American community

34:37 Senator Cory Booker explains the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act

41:38 The future of police accountability with Congresswoman Karen Bass

47:17 Time for police reform

49:28 Conclusion

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

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.