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