February 19, 2015
“Honor the Line” workshop and community forum event to be held at Triumph Church, East Campus; feature Detroit Police Chief James Craig as keynote speaker
Detroit, MI – The B.A.L.L. Foundation (Bridging Athletic, Learning and Life-Skills) is partnering with the Detroit Police Department (DPD) and WDIV-TV Local 4 to host Honor the Line, an event that will focus on bridging the gap between youth and law enforcement. The community forum event will feature Police Chief James Craig as the keynote speaker and will be held on Saturday, February 21, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Triumph Church, East Campus on 2241 E. Grand Boulevard in Detroit.
Honor the Line was created specifically for youth ages 12-17 to teach them the proper way to react when they are approached by law enforcement. Attendees will have small group sections to speak directly to police officers, attorneys, and other law enforcement officials. In addition, attendees will also hear from a judge and prosecutor in a panel discussion to learn how proper communication skills and body language can make a difference when making court appearances. The event is free and parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Lunch will also be served.
“Honor the Line is an event our organization is hosting as a way to discover solutions for improving the relationship between our city’s youth and police officers, said B.A.L.L. Foundation Founder and President Randy Henry. In wake of the tragedies that occurred last year with Mike Brown and Eric Garner, I wanted to do something to prevent similar situations from occurring in our city,” said B.A.L.L. Foundation Founder and President Randy Henry. “As a former teacher, I truly believe in the power of education and want to use that power to teach our children how to properly handle situations involving law enforcement so that we can prevent youth from being incarcerated or losing their lives at the hands of police. The B.A.L.L. Foundation plans on using discussions and outcomes from Honor the Line, in addition to brief surveys from youth participants, to provide our city’s law enforcement officials with suggestions for rebuilding trust within the community.”
Additional speakers for Honor the Line include:
- Saul Green – Senior Counsel, Law Firm of Miller Canfield
- Jeffrey Collins – Former Circuit Court Judge
- Harold Love – Former Police Captain, Michigan State Police
- Harlan Bivens – Co-Director, Better Detroit Youth Movement
- Raymond “Ray” Scott – Former NBA player and coach
- Eric Henry – U.S. Army Reserve
For more information or to register, contact Randy Henry at (888) 988-2339 or 42rhenry@gmail.com.
ABOUT B.A.L.L. FOUNDATION (BRIDGING ATHLETIC, LEARNING AND LIFE-SKILLS)
The B.A.L.L. Foundation’s mission is to create social and life-changing experiences for youth ages 7-17 by providing a learning environment that enhances life skills through the influence of basketball. Through basketball camps, lectures and training classes, children are equipped with essential life skills that are instrumental in addressing core problems by maintaining good health, education and self-esteem. We provide children with lessons in strengthening math and reading skills, as well as customized plans for diet, nutrition and exercise. We also address the problem of childhood obesity and enrich the lives of young individuals by providing a fun learning environment.
Cedric Brown 