The past few months there’s been one to two people trickling into the workshops, mostly repeats. Today, I breathe out when more people file in than usual. Most of the campaign spikes come out of news stories away from here, but Jamal is local. He made the news. That’s big in Galveston County, even bigger in Crowning Heights.

I smile when I see Cuddy, Demarcus, and Todd from Jamal’s track team. Eight people total. All Black men, except for the man enjoying his free meal provided by the center.

I pass out my pamphlets, with a carefully folded Know Your Rights campaign crib sheet like the one I took to the police station. That’s the one most people are drawn to, so they each grab a couple.

Quincy arrives, taking a seat next to his younger brother, Malcolm. He gives me a nod. Quincy’s been through this session at least six or seven times. He always stays in the back with his headphones on, not fully covering his ears, leg stretched out, and usually outta here before I can say something to him. Today, though, his headphones are off while he reviews the pamphlet with Malcolm. Malcolm’s now thirteen, no longer a boy in the eyes of police or white America.

“Welcome, everyone,” I say. “Let’s go around the room and share why you’re here today.”

“Thought I’d come by and refresh my stuff,” Demarcus says.

“Yeah.” Todd flicks his finger in the air.

I go around the room to a few more people. Malcolm stands up when it’s his turn.

“My sister is a cop.”

Heads turn to him.

“Her and my brother said I should be learning my rights.”

“That’s wassup,” Demarcus says.

Quincy pulls his shoulder-length locs back, taking his time sitting up. I wait to see if he’s going to speak before I start my presentation. He watches me, and with Malcolm here I know he won’t play quiet in the back.

“And what are you here for?” I call him out.

“For you.”

Snickers in the front take over. My face feels hot. I hold back any reaction so they don’t think they can mess with me the entire presentation.

“Didn’t want you presenting to yourself,” Quincy says when the chuckles settle.

“Appreciate that.” I look around the room for anyone else, then begin.

“All right, let’s start with common scenarios.”

I go through the typical variety: being pulled over, walking on the street, coming to the house for questioning. Then I go over an actual stop scenario.