NEWS, PUBLICATIONS, AND PRESENTATIONS

CEO Harkness has recently accepted a position as Deputy Chief of Case Management with the City of Rochester Police Accountability Board.

During this webinar, Serena White-Lake, HCS training facilitator provides a brief history of Juneteenth -- focusing on how African Americans fought in the Civil War and freed themselves by saving the Union and Dina will present on using restorative practice to address past and present harms of racism, intersectionality, and implicit bias.

This workshop seeks to challenge participants to understand the varied perspectives and approaches to work that members of different identity groups bring. It will use issues and examples of racial justice to help build a greater understanding about the impact of intersectionality and challenge participants to look inward, assess some of own their practices, and develop ideas about where to take their programs. 

Harkness interviews with Mark Fliedner, Director of PAIMI and PAIR at Disability Rights New York about the intersection of race, disablity and mental health. See remarks on pages: 17-18.

This joint effort between DRNY and John Jay College has formed the RAASIC Project (Research and Advocacy Addressing Systems in Crisis). This Project reviewed four recent cases in New York State, where people with mental illness died as a result of action taken by police officers responding to a 911 call. It also considered the impact of persistent stigma imposed upon people with mental illness, the disproportional impact of police response on
Black, Indigenous and other People of Color, and the impact on those whose identities must be viewed through an intersectional lens. 

Harkness interviews with Mark Daniels on Podcast Business News network about Harkness Consulting Solutions, LLC. 

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School is pleased to announce the appointment of Melody Harkness as Program Manager of the City of Albany Community Police Review Board (CPRB). 

 In Albany’s executive suites, the faces are mostly white and male. In this cover story, our president offers tips to groups seeking to advance DEAI initiatives. 

Harkness writes article published in the New York State Bar Association Pro Bono News titled "Remote Legal Help: How Legal Information for Families Today and Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York Are Using Technology to Connect Pro Se Litigants with Pro Bono Attorneys."(p. 16-17)

Harkness writes article published in the New York State Bar Association Pro Bono News, this article discusses the financial hardship of debt on low-income households and calls for the increased need for pro bono attorneys and executive leadership to "lead by example". (p.12-14)

Harkness writes article published in the New York State Bar Association Pro Bono News, this article shares an inspiring story about the importance of pro bono during the holiday season and how a little volunteer work can save someone's housing. (p.17)

Harkness writes article published in the New York State Bar Association Pro Bono News, this article highlights the collaborative efforts of the Closing the Gap program, a remote assistance platform developed to bridge the gap between rural residents and legal services.  

Harkness interviews City of Albany Chief Diversity Officer, Jellisa Joseph about her pro bono commitment.