L.O.V.E. Is The Answer - Syracuse
Event Information
Description
A DAY-LONG CONFERENCE TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS
The documentary film “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” bridges the gap between police and the rest of the community. L.O.V.E. stands for Learning about your community, Opening your heart to the people in it, Volunteering to be part of the solution and Empowering others to do the same. The film is just one of many powerful aspects of the “LOVE Is The Answer Conference,” the first in a series of 120 conference events taking place in 100 cities throughout the U.S. in 2017 and 2018.
We are excited about bringing L.O.V.E. to the great city of Syracuse on Saturday, October 21, 2017! The L.O.V.E. Is The Answer - Syracuse event will take place at The Gathering Place at NSBC, Presented by Driver's Village and sponsored by Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety and Office of Community Engagement, Serve Syracuse and SpokeHub.
Event Highlights:
Screening of the film “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer.”
Workshops by world-class facilitators, including:
- A.J. Ali, Director & Producer, WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer. Creator of the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer Principles (www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com)
- Marla Byrnes & Steven Comer, NAMI Syracuse (www.namisyracuse.org)
- Cheryl Dorsey, CNN Contributor, Author, Retired LAPD Sergeant (www.sgtcheryldorsey.com)
- Neill Franklin, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Action Partnership (www.lawenforcementactionpartnership.org)
- Amy Jordan, Choreographer, Motivational Speaker & Trauma Advocate (www.amyjordanspeaks.com)
- Bobby F. Kimbrough, Former DOJ Special Agent, Security Expert, Author (www.bobbykimbrough.com)
- Dr. George D. Miller, III, Senior Pastor, The Gathering Place at NSBC (www.tgponline.org)
- Omar Neal, President & CEO, You Got The Power Enterprises (www.yougotthepower.com)
- Larry Taylor, Associate Pastor, The Gathering Place at NSBC (www.tgponline.org)
- Clif Wright, Social Worker and Community Organizer
- And more!
Music and Spoken Word performances
Promotion of L.O.V.E. Is The Answer 5-Minute Film Competition: A nationwide short film competition showcasing 5-minute films promoting L.O.V.E. being put in action in communities throughout the United States. Winning teams on state and national levels to receive prizes to be determined, with national prizes valued at more than $5,000.
Event Day Itinerary
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8 am Registration, sponsor displays open (throughout the day) and networking
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9:30 am Official welcome by Dr. Rochelle L. Ford, APR, Professor and Chair of the Public Relations Department at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Introduction of Dr. George D. Miller, III, L.O.V.E. Is The Answer - Syracuse Local Chairman and Senior Pastor, The Gathering Place at NSBC. Introductory remarks by filmmakers A.J. Ali and Errol Webber.
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9:45 am “WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer” film (FREE and open to the public -- no conference ticket required)
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11:20 am Q&A with the filmmakers A.J. Ali and Errol Webber, along with Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler. (FREE and open to the public -- no conference ticket required)
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12 pm Roundtable Lunch, casual discussion and networking
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1:15 pm General session #1: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer Principles workshop by A.J. Ali, Errol Webber and Dr. George D. Miller, III
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2 pm Networking and informal small-group discussions about putting L.O.V.E. into action
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2:30 pm Breakout workshops (3 25-minute sessions, 9 total workshops to choose from)
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4 pm General session #2: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer 5-Minute Film Contest Discussion -- Why should people participate in this action step and what will this contest meet to the Syracuse community and beyond?
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4:45 pm Closing remarks by Dr. George D. Miller, III
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5 pm Networking, informal small-group discussions about action steps and team formation/coaching for the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer 5-Minute Film Contest
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6pm End
Organizer A.J. Ali
Organizer of L.O.V.E. Is The Answer - Syracuse
A.J. Ali is an award-winning producer, director, writer, actor and TV host with more than 30 years of expertise in media and event production. A U.S. Air Force service disabled veteran, his commitment to peace and love informs everything he does personally and professionally. His commitment to community has resulted in more than $25 million raised for charities nationwide through events, media and consulting.
In June 2012, he was racially profiled and harassed by police in Howard County, MD. When he reported the incident, he and his wife became targets for harassment by a dozen members of that department for an entire year. Knowing he had to do something, he chose to rely on his faith, his military training as a peacekeeper and his journalism background to make a film that would shine a light on the problem while offering transformative solutions.
As the Director and Producer of the highly-acclaimed feature length documentary film, "WALKING WHILE BLACK: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer," he guided the creative process for 4 1/2 years through completion of production in February 2017 and is now leading the efforts of the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer Movement birthed by the film, putting the principles of L.O.V.E. he created into action through workshops, conferences and other programs and products. He has become a sought after speaker and trainer of the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer principles, leading more than 26,000 people through sessions as of March 2019. The Howard County Police Department is one of dozens of law enforcement agencies throughout the country that have licensed the film to use in training their officers on better ways to engage with the communities they serve. See the film at www.walkingwhileblackthemovie.com and join the movement at http://loveistheanswermovement.com/.
In his other current media role as Host & Producer of the Wellness 101 game show, he invites consumers and wellness experts to interact with each other, keeping the wellness discussion flowing in fun and meaningful ways. https://www.facebook.com/wellness101life
Ali's credits include co-authoring the "True Champion's 30-Day Challenge" book, authoring two business golf books, creating and starring in the "Good Fellas of Baltimore" TV show on Fox, producing the Hollywood FAME Award winning "Survivor Celebration" music CD, producing the "Positive Choice" documentary film, creating and owning two professional soccer teams, and many other credits during his 30+ years in sports and media. He and his wife Jane have been married for 25 years and they are both active in their church and community in Santa Monica, CA.
To learn more, visit www.OnTheTeeWithAJAli.com.
