THE COLOR OF COVID-19 | Disparate Impact, Inequitable Response | A Town Hall Meeting

Don Gips introduces a convening to address global challenges, emphasizing the inequities revealed by COVID-19, especially in racial disparities. He acknowledges partners and highlights the importance of collective action. A poet, Darius Simpson, sets the tone with a piece on systemic inequities exacerbated by the pandemic.

Cheryl Dorsey of Echoing Green outlines the Racial Equity Fund's mission to dismantle structural racism and highlights partnerships for inclusive economies. She emphasizes indigenous land acknowledgment and collaboration with New Profit and Indian Collective to promote equity and justice.

Tulane Montgomery from New Profit stresses the importance of love and action in philanthropy to tackle serious challenges. Nick Tilson from Indian Collective discusses systemic issues unveiled by the pandemic and the need to build indigenous power and collective liberation. They both emphasize the present crisis and the need for transformative action.

Cheryl Dorsey reflects on the rising COVID-19 cases and mortality. Historical references frame the discussion on systemic racism and its impact on pandemic disparities. Dr. Mary Bassett delves into racial disparities in health, emphasizing the structural origins of these inequities and advocating for structural solutions.

Dr. Mary Bassett highlights the early emergence of racial disparities in COVID deaths, criticizing the lack of federal data. She stresses the need for policy changes addressing structural racism and calls for systemic solutions involving the private sector. Collaboration with Reverend Dr. William Barber underscores the moral urgency of addressing these inequities.

Dr. Eric Broat shares insights from indigenous communities, noting how systemic policies have historically marginalized tribal health. He emphasizes indigenous wisdom's power to address challenges, advocating for increased indigenous healthcare workforce and addressing data and staffing shortages in tribal health systems.

Dr. Broat highlights pandemics as part of indigenous history, underscoring resilience and continuity in traditional practices. He emphasizes the need for realistic workforce assessments to address shortages. The importance of intersecting historical trauma with current health crises is stressed.

Sonia Perez of UnidosUS discusses COVID-19's disproportionate impact on Latinos, highlighting children and youth as critical demographics for the nation's future. Community-based networks play vital roles in public health messaging, emergency relief, and economic support, facilitating advocacy rooted in lived local experiences.

UnidosUS adapts its approaches based on community-identified needs during the pandemic, exemplifying innovative local partnerships to address digital divides and health access issues. There's an emphasis on structural inequities across various domains like health, housing, education, and employment, with organized advocacy crucial for systemic change.

Cynthia Choi talks about anti-Asian racism and community response efforts through Stop API Hate, acknowledging the multifaceted pressures of the pandemic. These efforts emphasize community-based solutions prioritizing safety without criminalization, representing a broader anti-racist, solidarity-driven framework among diverse groups.

Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice response recommendations focus on safety, transparency, and data in corrections systems. It highlights gaps in federal and local implementations, exploring reform opportunities to reduce COVID's impact within the justice system.

Efforts in the criminal justice system spotlight de-incarceration trends prompted by grassroots advocacy. The focus is on solutions to systemic issues revealed by the pandemic, promoting alignment of criminal justice with public health goals. The importance of data transparency is reiterated.

Nathaniel Smith discusses systemic flaws in current economic and justice systems, urging alternative community-centered solutions. Emphasis is placed on acknowledging foundational racial injustices and creating equitable economic models. Includes focus on an emergent Southern narrative for equity-led development.

Ernest Boykin shares personal insights as a formerly incarcerated individual adapting to systemic failures exacerbated by COVID. He exposes systemic inadequacies in societal reintegration processes heightened by the pandemic, emphasizing the need for holistic reform centered on inclusivity and opportunity.

Dr. Olajide Williams of Hip Hop Public Health stresses culturally relevant behavior change strategies addressing cognitive and emotional barriers to health in Black communities. He identifies a rising trauma epidemic linked to long-standing social disparities and emphasizes culturally tailored health messaging.

Monique Tula highlights the harm reduction movement's challenges amid COVID-19, focusing on systemic erasure within public health emergency strategies. She stresses the ongoing harms of the war on drugs and the persistent need for harm reduction services, pointing to structural racism and social advocacy as focal points.