On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Roland Font. Roland is a twenty-five year highly trained Law Enforcement professional. He currently works as a New York State Court Officer. Additionally, Roland works as a Disaster Response Volunteer and an Independent Security Contractor. Roland shares his story and explains how he ended up pursuing a career in law enforcement. They discuss how race informs the ways in which he carries out his responsibilities. Roland describes both the challenges and rewards that come along with his job. They briefly address the history of policing in America and how it impacts people today. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the nuances involving race, crime, and law enforcement.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani talk about the law of police encounters as it pertains to New York. Are the police allowed to approach you and ask for your ID? Are the police allowed to ask you for your name, where are you going, and where are you coming from? What happens if the police violate your rights? What should you do if the police engage with you in an unlawful manner? The answers to those questions are complicated and nuanced. Imani and Conrad provide surface level answers and guidance to these circumstances. The information provided in this episode is not legal advice. Rather, it’s an introduction to some of the laws that address police conduct. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of what the police are allowed to do, how you should respond, and how it plays out in court.

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Urooj Khan. Urooj shares her journey to becoming a public defender. She believes that public defenders must understand who they are at their core in order to do this work. They discuss the Scottsboro Boys and the role of communists and labor lawyers in the fight for against anti-Black racism. The talk about the importance of unions generally and also with respect to public defense. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the power that workers yield, the importance of unionizing, and have more insight into the nature and challenges of public defense.