Up First from NPR The Talk
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Jul 20, 2025 
Ryan Ross, CEO of the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, joins his son Gavin for a poignant discussion about the challenging conversations Black parents must have with their children regarding police encounters. They reflect on personal experiences, tackling fears rooted in societal issues like systemic racism. The importance of affirmations in fostering resilience and identity is emphasized, revealing how these talks can prepare the youth for an often harsh reality while sustaining hope for a safer future.
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Tamir Rice Impact on Gavin
- Gavin recalls learning about Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy killed by police while playing with a toy gun.
- This event instilled fear and awareness about the dangers Black boys face with police.
Complex Feelings Towards Police
- Ryan explains the conflicted feelings Black men have towards police: they can bring either safety or trauma.
- Every police encounter produces anxiety because the outcome could be life-changing or fatal.
Police Stop on Ride Home
- Ryan shares an incident where police stopped a white girl's car because he and other Black boys were inside.
- The officer treated them suspiciously and made the girl call her parents because of who was in the car.