This month is Black History Month , a month where we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and their role in our country ’ s history . This past year will be one for the history books for many reasons , one of which is the many accomplishments of the Black Americans in the Black Lives Matter movement . News media often focuses on protests — what does not seem to get as much attention is the progress that has been made as a result of the protests . Therefore , I am taking this opportunity to mention a few meaningful positive accomplishments that have come from the movement that we might not otherwise notice amidst the flurry of chaotic news .
Positive reforms to policing departments and policies were made across the country in many cities . There are too many to recite here , so I will cite one example — Minneapolis , where George Floyd was killed . Activists sought to replace the city ’ s police department with a community-based public safety model . Although this goal was not achieved , the city did shift almost $ 8 million in police funding to expand services such as violence prevention and fund mental health crisis response teams . In addition , the city banned chokeholds and implemented a reformed use-of-force policy . Mr . Floyd was killed by a police officer who forced his knee onto his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds for using a
YLD PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Sara Castro , Esq . Farr , Farr , Emerich , Hackett , Carr , & Holmes , P . A .
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
Reflecting on BLM ’ s achievements during Black History Month
OFFICERS
President Sara Castro
President-Elect Patrick McArdle
Secretary Caroleen Brej
Treasurer Natasha Selvaraj
Imm . Past President Brian Goodrich
YLD Board of Directors 2020 – 2021 DIRECTORS
Warren Chin Jade Davis Alisa Heedy Pamela Hernandez Mallory Moretti Robert Young Frank Malatesta , South County Rep . counterfeit $ 20 bill . Therefore , the reformed use of force policy and ban on chokeholds is an especially relevant important and life-saving achievement . The city also now requires police officers to intervene anytime they see unauthorized use of force by another officer — also relevant as three officers looked on while Mr . Floyd cried out to his late mother with his dying breaths . Other places that have passed police reforms include ( but are not limited to ) California , Philadelphia , Seattle , Connecticut , New York , Phoenix , Austin , Houston , Dallas , Iowa , Washington D . C ., and Colorado . Therefore , real , concrete and positive changes have been achieved this year as a result of the Black Lives Matter Movement , something that will surely become part of the achievements honored during Black History Month .
Black-owned businesses have gained new recognition and support . Locally , a Facebook group with 11,800 members has been created for this purpose , aptly named Support Sarasota-Manatee Black- Owned Businesses . As a result of the page , I personally discovered Happy Soul , a wonderful vegan and gluten free bakery that makes cakes my husband never thought he would be able to eat again ( for example , an amazing strawberry shortbread cake that mimics the classic Good Humor bars ). Uber Eats has created a Blackowned category to make it easier to
COMMITTEES
Social / Events Warren Chin , Chair
Health & Wellness Yuliya Swaim , Chair
Charitable Jade Davis , Chair
Diversity Jill Bowen , Chair
Education Patrick McArdle , Chair
Technology / Membership Frank Malatesta , Chair
This past year will be one for the history books for many reasons , one of which is the many accomplishments of the Black Americans in the Black Lives Matter movement .
support Black-owned businesses . These are just a few of the changes that make it easier to support Blackowned business with our patronage .
As we return to normal this year ,
I hope to see you all soon in person at a SCBA event . In the meantime , please join us virtually at some of our upcoming events . The Virtual Wine Tasting with Michael ’ s On East last November was an exceptionally fun virtual event — what was said at the wine tasting will stay at the wine tasting . Hopefully that intrigues you enough to attend our next evening social this spring . In addition , on a healthier note , we will have a presentation by nutritionist Sandy King at noon on February 24 , so you can learn some useful health tips while you eat your lunch . As always , thank you for staying involved and I wish you all a healthy and happy 2021 .
SCBA NEWS
PRESIDENT
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Lastly , a quick shout out to our Docket editors who have been able to put together monthly issues on a variety of topics , despite a fairly quiet SCBA . What do you talk about when there ’ s not a lot to talk about ? How do you solicit Docket articles when people are already trying to juggle so much on their plates ? Kudos to Jill Bowen and Pamela
Hernandez for all their great work , despite these obstacles .
The Docket · February 2021 7