Hot Topics Explore The Intersection of Race, Public Safety, and Public Policy
Mean Ole Lion Media, a content creation company focusing on stories and topics affecting Black and Brown communities, unveils a re-imagined “Black Arm of the Law” podcast hosted by Former Chief of Police in Charlottesville, Virginia, Dr. RaShall M. Brackney. Chief Brackney is a public safety and transitional leader with extensive experience in law enforcement. The revamped podcast debuts on July 20, 2023, during the 47th Annual NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives) conference.
Each week, the “Black Arm of the Law” podcast will hold candid discussions around the intersection of race, public safety, and public policy with lawyers, activists, scholars, politicians, as well as those within Black and Brown communities who have been impacted by the criminal legal system. Hot topics include racial inequities, police, and prison reform, police violence, community partnerships, the criminal legal system, stop and frisk, identifying best practices, the war on drugs and guns, the history of policing, over-criminalization in America, positive leadership, and other issues.
Research reveals the following startling insights:
- “About 61 percent of law enforcement officers were white, 21 percent Hispanic and 10 percent Black” (Source: Federal Law Enforcement Officers)
- “Only ten percent of federal judges on the lower federal court are African American. Seven percent of federal judges on the lower federal court are Hispanic. Â Three percent of federal judges on the lower federal court are Asian.” (Source: Center for American Progress)
- A report by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics report “shows low racial diversity among lawyers today. Of the total number of lawyers in the country, 5.4 percent are Black, 4.7 percent are Asian and 6.9 percent are Latinx.”
As a dedicated public servant, who also served as chief of police in Charlottesville, Virginia, during the deadly “Unite the Right”rally, Dr. RaShall M. Brackney brings a truly unique perspective about law enforcement to “Black Arm of The Law” podcast. Dr. Brackney also serves as a distinguished visiting professor at George Mason University and a professor at Carnegie-Mellon University’s Institute for Politics and Strategy, teaching courses focusing on the intersection of race, politics, and policy.
“We first met Chief Brackney as a guest on Black Arm of the Law.  After the recording, the production team was blown away by how well she communicated her detailed knowledge of the law, as well as her overall presence as a guest. And now we are impressed each week by her knowledge, insight, and command of the topics and opportunities,” says Ken Johnson, president and chief executive officer, Mean Ole Lion Media.
During the re-launch of the “Black Arm of the Law” podcast at the 47th annual NOBLE (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives), Dr. Brackney will interview several prominent Black law enforcement executives. NOBLE’s mission is “to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities and to serve as the conscience for law enforcement by being committed to justice by action.”
“I look forward to hosting the Black Arm of the Law podcast, where I’ll provide an insider’s analysis of the most pressing legal issues facing Black and Brown communities across the nation,” says Dr. Rashall M. Brackney.
Tune in to the “Black Arm of the Law” podcast on the Mean Ole Lion Media network, as well as on Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google Podcasts, Podchasers, and Spotify.
About Mean Ole Lions Media
Mean Ole Lions Media, where Black and Brown voices truly matter, is a megaphone for new and established voices in the Black and Brown communities. Â Its multifaceted content includes compelling conversations, credible stories and relevant information that entertains, informs, uplifts, and engages people of color.
The content creation company is the brainchild of Ken Johnson, president and chief executive officer. Â Mr. Johnson is a 30-year veteran with extensive experience overseeing multiple platforms in the urban area, from R&B, jazz, and hip hop. Â His business partner, Â Steve Tompkins, presently serves as the Sheriff of Suffolk County, MA, brings his first-hand experience in working in law enforcement to relaunch the “Black Arm of the Law” podcast. Â Prior to working in the legal system, Mr. Tompkins enjoyed a lengthy career as a television producer and director specializing in musical television, artists’ interviews, industrials, and commercial and political advertisements.
About Dr. Rashell M Brackney
Dr. RaShall M. Brackney is a public safety executive and translational leader with more than 37 years of experience as a devoted public servant. As an expert in procedural and restorative justice and harm reduction, Dr. Brackney’s experiences as an ethical leader have made her a public safety champion and agent for change.
SOURCE: Mean Ole Lion
