In the Press
Training 4 Transformation’s community conscious model and leadership has been featured in publications, radio, on podcasts. Learn more about about how our groundbreaking work has impacted cities across the United States.
Press Highlights By Year
This media archive features selected interviews, articles, and press mentions about Training 4 Transformation since 2015. These pieces are an important part of the T4T history and are included here for continuity and recognition. Please note: References to Shenmiakhu Pernebsati may appear under a previous name Brandon Lee.
2022
May 2022
Gin & Justice w/Brandon Lee: Training for Transformation
Shenmiakhu Pernebsati speaks with Justine and Amanda on the Gin & Justice podcast. He discusses Training for Transformation and his book Community Conscious Policing. Shenmiakhu shares ideas on reforming policing in communities, his own experience growing up in Oakland and his encounter with police brutality. Shenmiakhu also talks about the miracle of being able to facilitate an open and honest conversation between law enforcement and victims of police brutality and how this holds the key to reform and the beginning of change. He shares how he's built upon the ideas passed down from his ancestors and why it is important to take on that lens in order to move forward as a society. Listen on Gin & Justice Podcast.
February 2022
Builders By Nature
Shenmiakhu Pernebsati is interviewed by Jonathan Dumas on his podcast Real Talk with Dumas. Shenmiakhu talks about his knowledge and first-hand experience on community-based solutions for unnecessary police violence. Shenmiakhu also discusses his case studies in his book Community Conscious Policing: A Guide for People’s Justice and Law Enforcement Solutions. He outlines the 33 recommendations to help find accountability, heal the trauma of police brutality, and strategize solutions for your community’s future. Check out Episode 35 | Jonathan Dumas.
2021
December 2021
Kemet, Surviving Police & Community Conscious Policing: Brandon Lee
Shenmiakhu talks about his book and conscious policing work on Get On Code. He discusses how the community can heal from police trauma and how indigenous principles can reform a broken law enforcement system. Watch Get On Code on Youtube.
November 2021
Minneapolis Votes on Dismantling Police Department
T4T’s crisis coach is interviewed by TMZ on what a reimagined public safety department would look like in Minneapolis. Via TMZ Live.
June 2021
Community Conscious Leadership with Brandon Lee
Shenmiakhu Pernebsati joins Chris and Marcus on the Corrections Community Podcast to discuss equity, race, trauma, and other impactful topics. In the episode, Shenmiakhu provides a historical perspective and shares his own lived experience. Check out the Corrections Community podcast on Apple | Spotify.
2021
Courageous Conversations with Brandon Lee
In a LinkedIn live broadcast, Shenmiakhu Pernebsati talks with Jonathan Mahan for an uncomfortable conversation about the good, the bad, and the complicated in the U.S. police system. He responds to questions on power dynamics. On LinkedIn.
2020
August 2020
Black Lives Matter with Brandon Lee
In this episode on The Daria Hamrah Podcast, Shenmiakhu discusses various topics: How to Survive a Police Stop, Trauma and Healing, Black Founders of the United States of America, and Community Conscious Policing. Visit The Daria Hamrah Podcast.
February 2020
From #BlackLivesMatter to Lasting Police Reform in Oregon
In a Q&A article for the Portland Underground Graduate School (PUGS), Shenmiakhu Pernebsati talks about police reform and bias training in Oregon. At the time he was an instructor for a spring course on Best Practices in Community Conscious Policing. Via Portland Underground Graduate School.
2019
September 2019
Diversity Trainings Usually Fail — Here’s What You Can Do To Create Lasting Changes
A CBS News Investigation revealed that many police departments are struggling to overcome racial bias. Shenmiakhu Pernebsati is interviewed about the evolution of diversity and inclusion training at companies. Shenmiakhu talks about the challenges and shortcomings, highlighting that many are outdated or fail to lead to long-term change. He discusses ways to foster a culture of healing and understanding in ways that lead to meaningful impact. Read on Forbes.
July 2019
Turning Darkness into Light with Brandon Lee
In this episode, Shenmiakhu Pernebsati discusses the workshops that he and his wife Hun have designed to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Shenmiakhu discusses his racial profiling experiences with the police, and how he’s found a way to turn that painful history into something that gives him purpose and makes a real difference. Visit Ignited with Meaning Podcast.
2018
April 2018
Portland Hires 2 Firms to Develop New Community Policing Group
The city of Portland hires Training 4 Transformation as one of two firms that will help, among other requirements, establish an equitable process for recruiting and selecting committee members for a new community committee that will improve police engagement in the city. Training 4 Transformation will also establish group cohesion and lead public meetings to enhance the community-police collaboration. Read it on The Oregonian.
2017
November 2017
Letter: Bringing community conscious policing to Vermont
In a letter to the editor, the writer mentions discusses their experience at a Training 4 Transformation Community Conscious Policing meeting, including the following comment: “It was extremely eye opening and a breath of fresh air. There were 20 people there from all walks of life. There were correctional officers, Family First employees, racial justice activists, politicians, victims of police brutality, Brattleboro Police Department officers and deputies from the Windham County Sheriff’s Department, etc. You get the idea. I had no idea how this was going to go.” Visit Brattleboro Reformer.
April 2017
Trauma Informed Equity Work: Healing through Reconnection
Host Jo Ann Hardesty speaks with T4T’s Hun Taing on Voices From the Edge to discuss Taing’s work as a Cambodian genocide survivor, union and community organizer, immigrant rights advocate, trauma informed equity specialist, Buddhist mindfulness practitioner and co-founder of Training 4 Transformation. Listen on KBOO Radio 90.7 FM Portland.
2016
November 2016
SIT alumni push “community conscious policing”
The School for International Training (SIT) features Shenmiakhu Pernebsati in an article for vtdigger, a nonprofit news organization based in Vermont. The article discusses how Training 4 Transformation’s workshops are designed with the goal of discovering a “shared humanity” and why this approach fosters mutual understanding and better working relationships. Read vtdigger.
May 2016
Best Practices in Community Conscious Policing
Host Jo Ann Hardesty (The first Woman of Color to be elected on the Portland City Council) speaks with Shenmiakhu Pernebsati, Co-founder and Principal of Training 4 Transformation, about his book and educational resource, Best Practices in Community Conscious Policing: A Reflection on Law Enforcement Community Building Workshops. Listen on KBOO Radio 90.7 FM Portland.
2015
May 2015
FBI National Academy Associates & Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
At the request of the FBI National Academy Associates, Training 4 Transformation implemented their innovative model to moderate key discussions between law enforcement and community members throughout the day. Attendees discussed a wide range of issues and concerns, including the role of law enforcement in creating strong and trusting partnerships with the community. Comment: “I was pleased with the open engagement and personal interaction between law enforcement and community members. The training provided an opportunity for participants to have honest and meaningful dialogue about issues that impact human interactions,” said Chief David Henslee of the Klamath Falls Police Department. View E-Flyer (Link).
January 2015
Crossing the color line: Police, citizens talk through tough issues
The article discusses Training 4 Transformation’s facilitated workshops at a forum in Corvallis, Oregon. The forum helped bridge the gap between the police force and the community by fostering mutual understanding and improving communication. Topics also included transparency, accountability, and building trust. One participant stated," “On behalf of all the men and women of the City of Corvallis Police Department, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for facilitating the recent “Training 4 Transformation” workshops. The time and effort you put into the training and the months of preparation, collaboration and research, resulted in a meaningful training experience for all that attended. The structure of the workshop exercises were both enjoyable and informative, and created a safe and healthy environment for all of the participants to better understand the importance of communication and mutual understanding in improving community-based policing relationships in Corvallis.” Via Gazette Times.
