On September 1, 1944, the Miami Police Department hired "The First Five" black police officers (then called patrolmen) in order to bring some level of equality to policing in the black communities. Considering the overt racism and discrimination of our country at that time, this was a historic moment and these men paved the road for those that would come after them. By 1950, there was 41 black officers on the force and a police precinct and courtroom was established in which to adjudicate black defendants. The building was unique as there was no other known structure in the nation that was designed, devoted to and operated as a separate station house and municipal court for blacks. Today, the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum in Overtown stands as a reminder of the struggles and accomplishments of black police officers in Miami.
We sat down with Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, museum Executive Director and retired Police Lieutenant Archie McKay, who served from 1955 until his retirement in 1980 as a Detective. Lt. McKay is 92 years young and offers an insightful and invaluable perspective on what it was like to be a police officer before and after the segregation era. Terrance provides a unique perspective in his own right as his mother was a stenographer and because he grew up with police officers always being around him. This unique experience has shaped how he views the plight of the modern day police officer as well as what it's like to be a black man in an America where confrontations with the police often turn violent and deadly.
This interview is unlike anything we've featured before, tackling difficult and sensitive subjects as well as discussing the museum's role in the community and the current state of policing and police brutality.
We hope you enjoy the conversation,
Alex and Jeanette
For behind the scenes photos, show notes and more visit www.plantedinmiami.com
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What do you do when you get your dream job in fashion, have amazing friends, live in one of the most popular cities in America but somehow feel like something is off in your life? This is where Colleen Coughlin found herself a few years back trying to discover what it was about her job that wasn't fulfilling her. The revelation came during a trash day at work when tons of scraps, samples and more were being thrown away and/or burned. It was the waste and disregard for sustainability that didn't sit well with Colleen. Shortly after, she quit her job, moved to Miami and created The Full Edit, a zero waste consulting and closet editing brand. Her goal is to make the apparel industry more sustainable by lessening the need to "buy more" by investing in quality, conscious, classic pieces that last and keep excessive fabric out of the waste stream. The Full Edit has upcycled 4,062 pounds of fabric and counting.
Colleen now holds a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Design Entrepreneurship from FIT and is the Eco Fashion Show Coordinator at Debris Free Oceans where she educates on sustainable fashion design. Colleen is a trailblazer in Miami promoting sustainable practices not only in fashion but in life. We applaud her for spearheading this movement in South Florida that is just beginning to latch on to the collective consciousness here and around the world.
We hope you enjoy the conversation,
Alex and Jeanette
For behind the scenes photos, show notes and more visit www.plantedinmiami.com
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube @plantedinmiami