September 28, 2016

(Louisville, KY) Our country is experiencing a lot of unrest when it comes to violence in our communities. The Bridge Forum seeks solutions and best practices from top law enforcement professionals and will meet in Louisville, KY for their next scheduled forum. It will be held on Friday, October 28^th at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Louisville, 311 South 4^th Street from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Registration will begin at 7:30 am and the forum will start at 9:00 am for this invitation only event.

The Bridge Forum will be hosted by President Dr. Kevin W. Cosby of Simmons College, President/CEO David W. Tandy of the Kentucky Diversity Chamber of Commerce and Alan “AP” Powell of the Checkered Flag Run Foundation whose mission is “Investing in Education to Ensure Every Student & veteran Gets to Cross the Finish Line.”

Powell, one of the creators of The Bridge Forum is a Westend Louisville native and entrepreneur. He’s also the founder of the Checkered Flag Run Foundation which is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. He along with his executive team wanted to create a think tank to discuss best practices in community engagement which will be used as a foundation for increased understanding and improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they are supposed to protect and serve.

The Bridge Forum has become a model implemented by several cities where members of law enforcement, military, educators, political, business, civic and community leaders can come together and have open dialogue about the problems facing their inner-cities and the strain between law enforcement and the people that live in those communities. Powell says, “After having a conversation with childhood friend, Troy L. Gray, CFRF Board Member and Executive Director of PEAK Community Supports Inc. in Louisville, KY; I knew I had to bring this conversation back to the city I grew up in. To see my hometown make national news for violence was so disheartening. I knew I had to tap into my resources and take a stance by bridging the gap between community and law enforcement.”

Lamont Robinson, VP Supplier Diversity for Nielsen looks forward to working with the Bridge Forum. “I am excited to represent Nielsen at this very important event. It is the quintessential community experience connecting local elected officials with the stakeholders they represent and serve. My main focus is on the community and the small businesses that strengthen them. I come from an underserved community run by the same small businesses you can find in any disadvantaged community nationwide. Our small businesses can’t be successful if we destroy them in our anger; and my purpose is to educate people on the link between these very vital entities and to the economic growth of underserved communities whether local or national. As the voice of the people, at Nielsen we measure what consumers watch, buy and listen to; and through understanding these measurements it gives us the tools necessary to effectively communicate across a multitude of playing fields.”

Forum will consist of breakout sessions that seek solutions through six key topics:

• Media Relations: The relationship between police, community and media.
• Conflict Management: The time that an incident may occur through conflict.
• Crisis Management: How to handle the community’s reaction to negative events.
• Community Engagement: Responsibilities taken on by the community.
• Community Relations: Police professionalism towards the community.
• Multicultural Awareness: The racial biases between police and community.

As a result of the breakout sessions a book will be published. It will be used by colleges and universities to create community engagement and a course curriculum.

The Bridge Forum Louisville have confirmed the following for Friday, October 28^th:

• Moderated by Johnny C. Taylor Jr., American Lawyer, Author, Public Speaker, President & CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• Master of Ceremonies, David W. Tandy, President & CEO, Kentucky Diversity Chamber of Commerce, The 7^th and 10^th President of the Louisville Metro Council & Current 4^th District Councilman & Attorney, Bingham, Greenebaum & Doll, LLP.

• Chief of Police Steve Conrad, Louisville, KY
• Cedric L. Alexander, Past President of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Director of Public Safety for DeKalb County, Georgia and CNN Law Enforcement Analyst
• Chief of Police Regina J. Price, Darby-Township, Delaware County, PA
• Chief of Police Cecil E. Smith, Sanford, FL
• Assistant Chief of Police Mattie M. Provost, Houston, TX
• Deputy Chief of Police U. Renee’ Hall, Detroit, MI

Our upcoming Expected Event Date & Location

• Friday, October 28^th, 2016 @ 7:30 am – 4:00 pm – The Bridge Forum – Hyatt Regency Louisville Downtown, 311 South 4th Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (Media invited to attend forum with approved media credential request)

Registration starts at 7:30 am

Forum begins at 9:00 am

If you would like to setup a studio and/or phone interview or obtain media credentials for the October 28^th forum please contact Sherlene Shanklin, VIPP Communications at 502-582-7716 or by email sshanklin@vippcommunications.com.

To learn more about The Bridge Forum Louisville and its history go to http://www.thebridgeforum.com.

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