Dead SF Resident & SF Police Chief Resignation Signs OK's Promote Peace with Police Event Needed

HAYWARD, Calif. - May 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises~~~

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Jim Hill

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Unarmed San Francisco Woman's Death & Chief Greg Suhr's Resignation Underscore the Need for Actions Taken in Oakland via the OK Program's "KIC' IT In the Park '16" Community Celebration to Promote Peace with Police

In a spirit of "Know Police before you need them" & Community Policing, A Unity Celebration in one of Oakland's toughest neighborhoods will be held at Verdese Carter Park, Saturday, May 21, 2016 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

WHAT:          OK (Our Kids) Program is bringing a solution to the problem. KIC' IT In The Park '16 will provide opportunities for Oakland residents to get to know police officers, faith-based leaders, elected officials, community-based leaders as well as greet and interact with each other during the first ever KIC' IT In The Park unity celebration. Attendees also will enjoy a community picnic with free food and soft drinks, a host of fun games and activities for youth and families, a free food and clothes give-away, and a special performance by a number of Bay Area church choirs. Serving as the master of ceremonies for the event will be Petri Hawkins-Byrd, the bailiff on the popular Judge Judy television program.

WHY:          With recent unrest across the country between communities of color and local police departments, the OK (Our Kids) Program is working harder than ever to bridge the gap between police and African-American communities. The Program was founded in 1990 in Rancho Cordova, Calif. to develop leadership and critical thinking skills in African-American boys, to promote their academic excellence, and most importantly to reduce the high rates of incarceration and homicides that young black males were facing. Through mentoring and a strong partnership with the Oakland Police Department, OK Program boys and police officers develop a greater appreciation and respect for each other that leads to personal and community transformation. Television Bailiff Petri Hawkins-Byrd, a positive role model who strongly believes in the importance of African-American men mentoring their younger counterparts, is himself a mentor who believes in the importance of community partnerships and collaborations.

WHO:          Petri Hawkins-Byrd, the Bailiff of the Judge Judy television program, Donald Northcross, Founder & CEO of OK Program, Bishop Bob Jackson, ACTS Full Gospel Church and lead organizer for "KIC' IT in the Park, and African-American boys participating in the OK Program, will be available for interviews during the picnic celebration.

WHERE:          Verdese Carter Park at the corner of 98^th Avenue and Bancroft Avenue, in Oakland.

WHEN:          Saturday, May 21, 2016, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

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For additional information visit: http://www.okprogram.org or

http://www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=82219&columnid=2898

About "OK Program

In 1990, serving as a Deputy Sheriff with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, Donald Northcross was deeply troubled by the fate of too many young African-American males. Too many were being incarcerated or worse yet…were the victims of needless homicides. Northcross, determined to do something, was driven by a passion to reduce the high rates of homicide and incarceration that were impacting too many African-American boys' lives. Fortunately, his passion led to action and the founding of the OK (Our Kids) Program. Today - 25 years later - the OK Program is a national leadership development model that continues to impact the lives of African-American boys and the men who are their mentoring partners.
http://www.okprogram.org/#!history/akamb

About "Byrd" of Judge Judy TV Show
Petri Hawkins- Byrd affectionately known as "Byrd" the co-host on the Emmy award winning CBS network court drama, "Judge Judy". During his long-running performance as the Bailiff on the "Judge Judy" show, Petri (aka Byrd) has also gained attention as a viable actor. Performing in numerous motion pictures and television shows over the course of his illustrious career, Petri is a well-known talent throughout Hollywood and the world. Petri is also a VO Talent and Comedian having performed stand-up and provided voice over services for many commercials. While his stand-up is centered on observational humor, Byrd dazzles his audiences with a peppered impressionist display of celebrities throughout his monologue. He is a philanthropist and serves on several youth organizations providing his celebrity status to bring awareness to charitable causes through his participation in public speaking engagements and emcee services. (courtesy of IMDb & CMA Entertainment)