Mental Health and Well-Being
A timely discussion for Black and Asian communities in light of police brutality and hate crimes/incidents.
Watch the recording of the June 30, 2021 community-based fireside chat with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The Wright Institute Clinical Program; Grace C. Niu, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, VP of Clinical Strategy & Operations, Neurotrack Technologies; Dr. Uche Ukuku, Licensed Psychologist; and moderated by Barristers Club Board Members, Ernest Hammond III, Twilio and Lindsey Mignano, Smith Shapourian Mignano.
Topics of discussion include:
- Individual and Community Trauma
- Best Practices to Keep Sane and Mentally Strong
- How to Talk with Children and Teens about Police Brutality and Hate Crimes/Incidents
- When to Escalate to a Professional
Click on the video to the right to watch the discussion.
A Town Hall on Police Accountability, Discipline & Oversight
Presented by the the Racial Justice Initiative of the Barristers Club
Watch the recording of the September 29, 2020 virtual town hall with Chesa Boudin, San Francisco District Attorney; Paul Henderson, Director of the Department of Police Accountability; Chief William "Bill" Scott, Chief of the San Francisco Police Department; Damali Taylor, Vice President, San Francisco Police Commission; and moderated by Yolanda Jackson, Executive Director and General Counsel, Bar Association of San Francisco. Click on the video to the right to watch the discussion.
SELECT MEDIA COVERAGE:
Police reform: Has the ‘moment’ passed us by?
Mission Local, 9/30
The Barristers Club launched the Racial Justice Initiative to educate the legal community and public about issues of racism, police brutality, criminal justice reform, and how to be an ally.
While systemic racism and police brutality are not new issues, the 2020 murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other African Americans have thrust these issues to the forefront—where they should be and should remain.
Beyond education, systemic change demands fundamental adjustments to the law, the courts, the criminal justice system, and even the legal profession. The Racial Justice Initiative will examine and advocate for these changes, bringing many voices to the table.
Furthermore, the Racial Justice Initiative will look internally as the legal profession is not exempt from these issues. According to the 2019 NALP Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms, only 1.97% of partners are Black or African American, and only 0.75% are Black or African American women. There is a similar lack of diversity from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color across all metrics. Racial justice includes representation at all levels of the legal profession and the active fight against explicit and implicit bias.
The goal of racial justice will take time but is within reach, and the Barristers Club is committed to working towards it. If you are interested in joining the Racial Justice Initiative efforts, please reach out and contact barristers@sfbar.org.
