We the People’s Forum: How A Black Mom & A White Police Chief Built Trust

Janelle Burke is a mom and a community activist in Everett, Washington, with a labels-defying perspective: a Black conservative with serious concerns about police misconduct. After her daughter had a troubling encounter with a police officer several years ago, Janelle called Police Chief Dan Templeman. That started a years-long conversation between the two.

Join us for an intimate conversation between a Black mom and a White police chief as they tackle the difficult issues of race, policing, trust, and community safety that often divide our nation.

This conversation will be moderated by Angie Watson-Hajjem, a Blue and the Outreach Chair for the Braver Angels People of Color Caucus, and David Lapp, a Red and a co-founder of Braver Angels.

During Discussion, anyone with direct experience on this issue may weigh in, and anyone may ask a question.

Janelle Burke is the founder and editor of WakeUpSnoCo. She is also the co-founder of Embrace. Reclaim. Heal. – Because We Care, a community outreach organization dedicated to healing in the Black community and for U.S. Veterans. She lives in Everett, Washington.

Dan Templeman is the police chief of Everett, Washington, a city of 112,000 residents located 30 miles north of Seattle. He has been with the Everett Police Department for 29 years, the last 7 of those as police chief. He has worked in all of the major divisions within the department over his career and today is responsible for providing public safety services to his growing community.

Angie Watson-Hajjem is the Outreach Chair for the Braver Angels People of Color Caucus. She joined Braver Angels in the Spring of 2020 and has been active in her local Braver Angels Alameda Alliance and led her spiritual community to take part in the With Malice Toward None initiative last November after the election. She is the past chair of the Alameda All Faiths Coalition which works to build community and understanding between local faith communities.

David Lapp is a co-founder of Braver Angels and the director of the Working People’s Project at Braver Angels.

About We the People’s Forum

In this Braver Angels forum, everyday Americans get time at the podium. We hear from people who are often spoken of, but rarely spoken with. We tell our stories and share our perspectives on the issues of the day. We hear from people of all races, classes, places, and politics. Together, we’re exploring how We the People can build a more perfect union in a divided America.