California’s Affirmative Action Ban Shutdown Analysis of Racial and Gender Disparities in the State

Thomas Saenz, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund says the passage of Prop. 16 will reopen discussions on race and gender disparities in California, which were shutdown by the 1996 ban on affirmative action (Proposition 209).

Businesses Owned by People of Color and Women Lose Billions as a Result of Affirmative Action Ban

Eva Paterson, President and Founder of The Equal Justice Society, says systemic racism has undermined the political and economic power of people of color. She says reinstating affirmative action will help in “very concrete ways,” including providing more educational opportunities for girls and students of color. Paterson notes that affirmative action policies based on class and poverty fail to desegregate our communities.

Race and Gender Conscious Programs Allow Us to Address Discrimination

Vincent Pan, Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, discusses barriers face by the Asian American community and says affirmative action is about equal pay and representation for women and people of color. He also notes that many small, Asian-owned businesses were left out of the Paycheck Protection Program and says that affirmative actions measures would have allowed the government to more specifically tailor programs to make sure all business owners were able access the support they were entitled to.

Affirmative Action – Can It Reduce Racial & Ethnic Inequities?

24 years ago California voters passed Proposition 209 banning racial preferences in admission to public universities, inspiring similar changes in nearly a dozen states. This November, affirmative action is again on the ballot in California (Proposition 16) at a time of growing protests over racial injustice. Meanwhile, opponents of affirmative action have challenged race-based preferences in the Supreme Court and last month the Department of Justice accused Yale of illegal admissions discrimination against white and Asian American students. A panel of veteran civil rights leaders makes the case for affirmative action as a tool for improving racial opportunity gaps in higher education, the work place and the culture.

COMING EVENTS

GOVERNOR’S RECALL ELECTION – SECRETARY OF STATE SHIRLEY WEBER EXPLAINS THE NUTS AND BOLTS

WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 11:30 am to 12:15 pm

WHY: California will hold a recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom on September 14th and potentially select a new governor on the same day from a list of 46 candidates. Secretary of State Shirley Webber, in this first ethnic media briefing since she took office on January 29th, 2021, will give the details we need to inform our audiences: from when to expect mailin ballots, to the number of candidates, to when the polls will open and close and the impact of turnout. She will also answer questions from reporters.

STAYING HOUSED IN LA COUNTY – ACCESSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTING EVICTION

WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 6:00 – 6:30 pm

WHY: At this briefing LA County experts and partners will provide information on how immigrant residents can access rental assistance, help to prevent evictions, and more. This month’s community cohost is the Pars Equality Center’s LA district director Peyman Malaz.

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RECENT EVENTS

AS FOOD INSECURITY RISES, MAKING SURE NO ONE GOES HUNGRY IN LA COUNTY

WHEN: Monday, July 26, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

WHY: The good news is that it’s never been easier to get food support; the bad news is that of 3 million people eligible for that support, fewer than half have signed up. Amidst rising food insecurity, it’s vital to get information out about what benefits are available, how to access them, and the expanding eligibility requirements.  The panel will also address the recent relaxing of public-charge rules, which have restricted many immigrants from accessing food support and other government benefits.

HMOMG HUNGER STRIKER PREPARED TO DIE TO GET JUSTICE FOR COMMUNITY

WHEN: Friday, July 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm PT

WHY: The Asian American community reached a new flashpoint in possible bias-motivated crime as Hmong farmer Soobleej Hawj was fatally shot by police in Siskiyou County. Siskiyou County law enforcement have released no information about the incident, and failed to release Mr. Hawj’s name until last week. Community activist Zurg Xiong, on the 18th day of a hunger strike, says he is prepared to die to obtain justice for his community. Speakers at the news briefing will discuss the deep divide between the Hmong community and other residents in Siskiyou County; law enforcement bias against the community, especially relating to water transportation; and attempts to get the Justice Department to investigate the shooting. Speakers will also discuss the broader impact for the AAPI community.

TRAPPED BY THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: DEMANDING UNIVERSAL BROADBAND AS A BASIC RIGHT

WHEN: Friday, July 23, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CT| 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

WHY: The pandemic highlighted how crucial it is to be connected to the Internet for education, healthcare, work, and even public safety. The digitally disenfranchised, typically low income, vulnerable communities in rural and urban areas, end up falling behind in almost every respect. Many of the challenges our society faces, including restoring economic mobility and retraining the workforce, remain out of reach if large numbers of low-income families lack access to home broadband. The briefing will discuss pending federal and state legislation as well as private sector initiatives to close the digital divide, and the push to hold internet service providers accountable in what has become a new struggle for digital equity rights.

CDC UPDATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATION

WHEN: Friday, July 16, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

WHY: CDC’s latest data on U.S. infections, fatalities and vaccination rates: what groups are still at highest risk? / Next steps for U.S.—are we narrowing the gap on health disparities? / Danger posed by new variants from India and Latin America / Fighting disinformation through social media apps.

TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK – THAT IS THE QUESTION

WHEN: Friday, July 9, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

WHY: As economies re-open across the U.S., residents are confused as to whether or not they should Continue to wear a mask. The Centers for Disease Control says vaccinated people can forgo a mask, while the World Health Organization suggests that even vaccinated people should continue to wear their masks. Meanwhile, states and counties are issuing their own guidelines. Experts this week will discuss masking options – especially in view of the rapid spread of the Delta variant – and provide information for individuals to make informed decisions. This week’s briefing will be a panel discussion with lots of time for questions from reporters.

THE REDISTRICTING BATTLE IN HARRIS COUNTY – HOW LINES GET DRAWN DETERMINES WHETHER A COMMUNITY’S VOICE IS HEARD

WHEN: Wednesday, June 30. 11 am – 12 noon CT (9 am – 10 am PT / 12 noon – 1 pm ET)

WHY: Texas is ground zero in the national struggle to secure voting rights, but how district lines get drawn in Harris County will determine whether voters can elect leaders who represent their interests. The briefing will explore the impact of redistricting on communities traditionally excluded from having a political voice and what activists are doing to engage more people in drawing maps.

NEWLY ELECTED REPUBLICANS SHARE VIEWS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE GOP AND ETHNIC AMERICA

WHEN: Friday, June 25, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT | 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

WHY: Some political observers and even former Republican elected officials argue that the Republican Party is out of touch with diverse metropolitan areas. This briefing invites newly elected GOP members to share their views about the future of the Republican Party and why they think it offers the best representation for ethnic Americans.

LEARN ABOUT TAX CREDITS AND STIMULUS PAYMENTS TO HELP YOUR FAMILY

WHEN: Thursday, June 24, 6:00 – 6:30 PM PT

WHY: This 30 minute briefing will help you produce a “news you can use” segment for your audiences on how to access tax credits and stimulus payments they may qualify for but know little or nothing about.

CALIFORNIA’S HOUSING GAP WIDENS — POLICY MAKERS TACKLE EVICTIONS, MOUNTING DEBTS, RURAL SHORTAGES

WHEN: Thursday, June 24, 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM PT

WHY: New data from Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies documents a widening gap in the nation’s housing, and nowhere is this more acute than California.  This special briefing explores housing in post-pandemic California as moratoriums expire, renters and landlords alike face mounting debts, and rural areas become the new hotbed for building mansions rather than low income housing.

GLOBAL WARMING MAKES LIFE HARDER FOR US AND WORLDWIDE – NEED FOR AN EQUITY APPROACH

WHEN: Friday, June 18, 11 am – 12 pm PT

WHY: Wildfires are bigger, heat waves more frequent, seas are warmer — climate change is speeding up, according to the EPA, making life harder for Americans. This briefing will feature speakers who provide their own and others’ research data tracking the indicators and impact of climate change on the U.S. and worldwide, and the need for an equity lens in policies that address it.

VOTER RIGHTS OR VOTER SUPPRESSION – WHICH WAY FORWARD?

WHEN: Friday, June 11, 11 am – 12 pm PDT

WHY: Is this a “now-or-never-moment” for American democracy, as one Texas legislator said after walking out of the legislature to block passage of a new bill to restrict voting? Advocates of voting rights from Texas, Arizona and New York provide an update on what’s happening amidst a surge of new laws to make voting harder and the For The People Act appears to be floundering.

VACCINATING THE MOST AT RISK AND HARDEST TO REACH

WHEN: Tuesday, June 8, 9 am – 10 am PDT

WHY: Many older adults and people with disabilities have experienced substantial challenges accessing COVID-19 vaccination. They are at greater risk of getting COVID as they face barriers getting vaccinated, especially if they live alone, lack technology, or speak languages other than English. In California, one-quarter of people 65 years and
older are not vaccinated. This briefing is a call to action to support community-based efforts to reach this population – whether through phone trees, door to door knocks, mobile vaccine units, other outreach. Older Adults in assisted living or long-term care facilities represent one out of three of fatalities due to COVID. As California moves towards reopening, it is important for us to work together to reach this population.

WHEN: Friday, May 28, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST

WHY: The U.S. economy is greatly bolstered by 32 million small businesses, who contribute almost half of the nation’s annual GDP, and create 1.5 million jobs per year. The U.S. is home to more than four million minority-owned companies in the United States, with annual sales totaling close to $700 billion.  As the Covid-19 pandemic hit, many small enterprises had to rapidly reshuffle their business models. 200,000 businesses permanently shut down.  Speakers will discuss how mom-and-pop Main Street America can emerge from this crisis. Will small businesses catch the wave of the expected economic boom, or continue to tread water to stay afloat?

SPOTTING AND PREVENTING PANDEMIC SCAMS AND OTHER FRAUD IN CHICAGO AND THE MIDWEST

WHEN: Wednesday, May 26, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm CDT

WHY: Scammers thrive on catastrophes and hardships. Across Chicago and the Midwest, scammers prey on people struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. In this briefing with ethnic and community media, the FTC joins with local legal experts, law enforcement professionals and community service providers to explore the landscape of consumer fraud as it is impacting diverse communities. Information is an effective antidote to scams that promote fake cures, bogus test sites, get-rich-quick schemes, business and government impostors, fake love affairs and more.

VACCINATING KIDS – HOW YOUNG? WHY? WHAT PARENTS THINK

WHEN: Friday, May 21, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PDT

WHY: COVID-19 now ranks among the top ten causes of death for young people. Vaccinating 12-17 year olds has become the next major milestone in gaining control of the pandemic. What special risks do children and teens have from the virus, what are some of the barriers they face to getting vaccinated, and why do some parents hesitate?

DANGEROUS MYTHS AND LIES ABOUT VACCINES — LEARN THE FACTS

WHEN: Thursday, May 20, 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm PDT

WHY: Social media posts are full of rumors and lies about COVID-19 vaccines. Learn how to spot and counter these lies and get an update on where LA County’s vaccine count is from LA County Department of Public Health’s expert Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez.

CAN AMERICA’S BUBBLE STAY INTACT WHILE THE WORLD GRAPPLES WITH COVID?

WHEN: Friday, May 14, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST | 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST

WHY: The U.S. is experiencing a drop in new daily infection rates and deaths from Covid, even as the nation is unlikely to reach herd immunity. Can it maintain its protective bubble even as much of the world experiences surges in Covid infections and deaths? Speakers will discuss the necessity for vaccinating the world, why it is in America’s best interests to do so, and the challenges of this enormous undertaking.

CAN COMMUNITIES TRULY HEAL POST-PANDEMIC?

WHEN: Friday, May 7, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST | 2:00 – 3:00 pm EST

WHY: Even if the United States reaches the elusive “herd-immunity,” which is not a given due to vaccine resistance, many communities face crises exacerbated by the pandemic – health care and educational disparities, lack of affordable housing, racism, police abuse, loss of jobs. We invited two experts to discuss their vision for healing post pandemic and what will be required to close the growing inequity gaps separating low-income communities of color from the rest of America.

INDIA BATTLES COVID CATACLYSM

WHEN: Wednesday, May 5, 9:00 am PST | 12:00 pm EST

WHY: India is currently battling the worst COVID crisis across the globe. Official numbers put the daily death toll at 2,000, but public health experts say that number is five times higher, with 10,000 people dying each day, and 1 million new infections. Hospitals are running out of supplies, most critically, oxygen. Speakers will describe the crisis in India, how the U.S. is contributing to relief efforts, and long-term strategies to mitigate the catastrophe.

FIGHT TO SECURE THE FREEDOM TO VOTE HEATS UP–TWO KEY BILLS BEFORE THE SENATE

WHEN: Friday, April 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT / 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET

WHY: Two key bills being considered in Congress — For the People Act or S.1, and the John L. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — would set national standards for voting access in America and strengthen protections against racial discrimination at the ballot box. At the same time, lawmakers in 47 states have introduced hundreds of bills that will create barriers to voting for people of color, seniors, and young people. As voting battles rage, leading civil rights experts and advocates explain what’s at stake for ethnic voters and what the chances of passage are.

COMBATTING RISE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – CAN FAMILIES HEAL?

WHEN: Friday, April 23, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST

WHY: One out of four women and one out of 10 men face abuse from an intimate partner or spouse, the New England Journal of Medicine reported last year. Anecdotal reports point to a dramatic rise in domestic violence since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts discuss prevention and reconciliation programs that engage abusers as well as survivors, children in abusive households, and immigrant families.

LA COUNTY TOWN HALL: WAGE AND WORKER’S RIGHTS FOR IMMIGRANTS

WHEN: Thursday, April 22, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM PST

WHY: Learn about the new LA County Hero Pay for essential workers and anti-retaliation protections. Experts will also address issues concerning wage theft and immigrant worker’s rights.

SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA’S SMALL BUSINESSES – WHAT’S AVAILABLE, WHO QUALIFIES, HOW TO APPLY?

WHEN: Wednesday, April 21, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST

WHY: The sixth and final round of the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program opens for applications on April 28 and ends on May 4. Grants range from $5000 to $25,000. This is one of several programs aimed to support small businesses (including nonprofits) clobbered by the pandemic. Speakers include the director of Lendistry which administers the fund, successful applicants and small business advocates.

SENATOR ALEX PADILLA (D-CA): EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ETHNIC MEDIA

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 16, 2021, 11:00 am – 11:45 am

WHY: On January 20th, Alex Padilla was sworn in as California’s Junior Senator, the first Latino in that position in the state’s history. In his maiden speech on the Senate floor, he spoke with pride about being the son of Mexican immigrants. Today, he is the Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety and his first bill calls for the legalization of more than 5 million essential workers, just like his parents were. Senator Padilla will update us on the progress of immigration reform measures and the role of the filibuster, among other issues.

EMS & LA COUNTY’S JOINT INFORMATION CENTER ON COVID INVITE YOU: ADDRESSING LA COUNTY’S HOUSING CRISIS WITH SUPERVISOR SHEILA KUEHL

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 12, 2021, 1 pm – 2 pm

WHY: In this sixth in a series of special briefings for ethnic/community media sponsored by LA County’s Joint Information Center on COVID, the focus is on housing. Speakers will provide crucial information to residents across LA County about their housing/tenant rights, available rent stabilization programs and the “Stay Housed LA” initiative.

HOUSE PASSES SWEEPING BILLS TO LEGALIZE MILLIONS: WILL SENATE QUASH REFORMS?

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 9, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm

WHY: On March 18, the House passed HR 6, the American Promise and Dream Act, which aims to provide relief from deportation to DACA recipients, TPS holders, and DALCA children, dependents of highly-skilled foreign workers, who age out of their status once they turn 18.  The House also passed HR 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would permit farm workers, and their spouses and children, to earn legal status.  Speakers will unpack both bills and offer perspectives on whether the bills will pass the Senate, along with possible compromises and strategies.

NEWS BRIEFING WITH THE IRS — NEW DEADLINE FOR FILING TAX RETURNS AND OTHER TAX TOPICS

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 2, 2021, 11 am – 11:45 am

WHY: Most people don’t realize the IRS has extended the April 15 deadline for filing tax returns. IRS speakers will discuss this plus related tax issues — how provisions in the American Rescue Plan might affect your taxes, new provisions in the Earned Income Tax Credit, etc. Session will include Q&A.

REDISTRICTING: HOW THE DRAWING OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS CAN MAKE OR BREAK OUR COMMUNITIES’ FUTURE

WHEN: Friday, March. 26, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm

WHY:Following the 2020 Census, the upcoming redistricting cycle is a critical moment to ensure political representation for our communities, impacting resources for education, health care, the environment, and other needs over the next ten years. The unfair manipulation of districts to dilute the voting power of minority communities it´s seen by many as another type of voter suppression. Experts explain the process, the law and why it is important for communities to voice their views and prevent inequities.

SPOTTING AND PREVENTING PANDEMIC-RELATED SCAMS AND OTHER FRAUD IN MONTANA/THE MOUNTAIN WEST

WHEN: Wednesday, March. 24, 2021, 10 am – 11:30 am

WHY: Scammers thrive on catastrophes. Across Montana and the mountain West, scammers prey on people struggling to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout. In this briefing with ethnic and community media, the FTC joins with local legal experts, law enforcement professionals, nonprofits like the AARP and the BBB, and community service providers to explore the landscape of consumer fraud as it is impacting Montana’s communities — tribal, rural, low income, immigrant, refugees. Information is an effective antidote to scams that promote fake cures, bogus test sites, get-rich-quick schemes, fake love affairs and more.

MUTANT VARIANTS VS. VACCINES – WHICH WILL PREVAIL IN THE PANDEMIC RACE?

WHEN: Friday, March. 19, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm

WHY: President Joe Biden announced March 11 that all tiers of vaccine distribution would be lifted, enabling anyone over the age of 18 in the U.S. to get. vaccinated. But vaccine distribution has continued to run into bottlenecks — from shortages of supply to lack of access to vaccine hesitancy. Meanwhile, a mutant variant known as the B117 UK variant–more contagious and virulent than its predecessor–could become the dominant strain by summer. Can the U.S. achieve herd immunity before the B117 prevails?

COVID MUST KNOWS FOR IMMIGRANTS

WHEN: Thursday, March. 18, 2021, 6 pm – 7 pm

WHY: Learn about COVID vaccine availability, safety and avoiding vaccination scams. Experts will also address immigrants concerns about Public Charge and the continued availability of COVID testing.

MOM-AND-POP LANDLORDS STRUGGLE TO STAY AFLOAT-KEY TO LOW-RENT APARTMENT SUPPLY

WHEN: Tuesday, March. 16, 2021, 11 am – 12 noon

WHY: The COVID-19 pandemic has hit renters hard nationwide with data showing that millions of renters have missed payments or lack confidence in their ability to pay future rents. But there is little public information about how this country’s 8 million independent landlords are managing, 77% of whom are small mom-and-pop landlords whose multi-plex apartment units provide much of the low-rental housing market. In the Bay Area, small landlords of color are struggling to pay their mortgages with Asian, Latinx, and Black homeowners facing elevated rates of mortgage delinquency. Speakers will address why struggling landlords need additional policies to alleviate their financial burdens.

VACCINES AND THE COMMUNITY – FLEXING YOUR DEFENSE AGAINST COVID-19

WHEN: Monday, March. 15, 2021, 12 pm – 1 pm

WHY: Questions about vaccines now dominate news briefings on the pandemic – everything from where to go and how to get vaccinated to when the newest J&J vaccine will be available, how it will impact the supply of vaccines, how the county is targeting underserved and hardest hit communities, what challenges lie ahead. Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez will also provide her regular updates on the County’s fight to contain COVID 19.

THE $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL: WHO WINS, WHO LOSES?

WHEN: Friday, March. 12, 2021, 11 am – 12 noon

WHY: A $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, is a sweeping piece of legislation intended to get the U.S. and its residents back on their feet after a year-long shut-down of much of the economy. The proposal includes a new round of stimulus checks, added unemployment benefits, $125 billion to help schools reopen, $350 billion for state and local governments, and $250 billion to support vaccination efforts. Speakers this week will unpack the bill, as well as its shortcomings.

BACK TO SCHOOL BEGINNINGS AND COVID-19

WHEN: Thursday, March. 11, 2021, 2 pm – 3 pm

WHY: LA County’s COVID Joint Information Center continues a ground breaking initiative for ethnic media about the county’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic. This week’s briefing is hosted by LA County Board of Supervisor Kathryn Barger and focuses on the re-opening of elementary schools with Superintendent Debra Duardo. Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez will provide an update on COVID 19 and the vaccine rollout.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY’S FIGHT TO CONTROL COVID-19 — AN OVERVIEW BY HEALTH CARE EXPERTS AND REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINES

WHEN: Wednesday, March. 10, 2021, 2 pm – 3 pm

WHY:A year into the pandemic speakers will update reporters and stakeholders on where Sacramento County is in the struggle to contain COVID-19 and roll out the vaccine; and the challenges facing leaders of nonprofit agencies serving groups hardest hit by the pandemic. The briefing will provide time for Q&A about the present and the future.

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT DROPS, STUDENT DEBT GROWS: WILL DEBT CANCELLATION HELP?

WHEN: Friday, March. 5, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm

WHY:First-time college enrollment has fallen during the pandemic, highlighting the impact of the economic downturn as well as the crushing weight of $1.7 trillion in loan debt held by more than 43 million student borrowers. Advocates argue that cancelling $50,000 per student would leave 75 percent of borrowers free of debt, helping the economy. President Biden recently made waves by saying he would not support this approach. We will hear from students, policy makers and experts on the subject.

EMS & LA COUNTY’S JOINT INFORMATION CENTER ON COVID: NEWS BRIEFING WITH LA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR HILD L. SOLIS & LA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR BARBARA FERRER

WHEN: Thursday, March. 4, 2021, 2 pm – 3 pm

WHY:LA County’s COVID Joint Information Center continues a groundbreaking initiative to inform ethnic news media on the county’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout. In addition to updates on health indicators, this briefing will bring eye witness accounts from the frontlines through community health workers (“promatoras”).

PANDEMIC FALLOUT GLOBAL FAMINE ON THE HORIZON

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, 11 am – 12 noon

WHY: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated hunger and food insecurity around the world, with starvation rates spiking from 135 million to 270 million as the pandemic unfolds. “Famine is literally on the horizon,” says David Beasley, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger.

Ethnic Media Services is honored to partner with the United Nations World Food Programme for a special briefing on the looming famine. Speakers will discuss food insecurity in some of the hardest-hit countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and how the pandemic has exacerbated existing crises. Speakers will also offer insights as to how relief efforts and local communities are attempting to circumvent the disaster.

BI-WEEKLY UPDATE ON COVID & VACCINE ROLLOUT LA COUNTY COMBATS HUNGER IN PANDEMIC

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, 2 pm – 3 pm

WHY: Receive a bi-weekly update from Dr. Gonzalez on LA County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get the latest information on food insecurity in LA County and the County’s multi-pronged response, including CalFresh (the new name for Food Stamps) and how to apply. Hear eyewitness account of what food insecurity looks like at the street level.

COMMUNITIES UNITE TO COMBAT ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, 11 am – 12 noon

WHY: A rash of brutal crimes targeting Asian Americans, especially elders, highlights an epidemic of anti-Asian violence and the need for communities to work together to counter racial and ethnic divisions and stereotypes. Speakers provide data on the spike in anti-Asian hate crimes and efforts to forge cross-ethnic coalitions to combat the divisive politics of the Trump years.

COVID DEATH RATES SPOTLIGHT HEALTH EQUITY ISSUES 

WHEN: Friday, February 12, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST / 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST

WHY: In California, 55 percent of COVID deaths are LatinX people, according to data recently released by the Department of Public Health. In New York, South Asians have the highest rates of positivity and hospitalization among Asians, second only to Hispanics for positivity and Blacks for hospitalization. Chinese patients had the highest mortality rate of all groups and were nearly 1.5 times more likely to die than Whites. Across the U.S., Black people account for 39 percent of COVID deaths, and the Native American community has almost double the mortality rates of Whites, according to CDC data. COVID death rates spotlight the gaping inequities in COVID health care and hospitalizations. Moreover, at-risk ethnicities have not been prioritized for vaccine distribution. Speakers will discuss the gaps in health equity amid the pandemic.

LA COUNTY TOWN HALL: IMMIGRATION REFORMS – WHAT’S CHANGED NOW, WHAT COULD CHANGE?

WHEN: Thursday, February 11, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

WHY: President Biden’s proposed immigration reforms and new executive orders have raised expectations among immigrants across LA County. What changes can we expect in terms of the proposed moratorium on deportations, Temporary Protective Status, Public Charge and a path to citizenship? Hear from experts and have a chance to ask questions.

TRACKING COVID-19: A BIWEEKLY BRIEFING FOR ETHNIC & COMMUNITY MEDIA

WHEN: Thursday, February 11, 2:00 – 3:00 PM (and every other week following)

WHY: Receive bi-weekly updates from the people leading Los Angeles County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You will hear from Public Health experts, elected officials and frontline providers working to help our diverse communities keep themselves and their families safe. Learn more about Los Angeles County’s programs to assist residents with information about vaccinations, free food assistance and important programs around relief for renters and small business owners. Ask the questions you need to know to inform your audience.

WHEN CAN WE REOPEN SCHOOLS?– SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND ON DIVISIVE ISSUE

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 5, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST

WHY: Across the country the question of when to reopen public schools has become a deeply divisive issue. The stakes are highest for students of color in major urban districts whom studies show are losing ground the longer they are out of the classroom and who have the least confidence in the safety of their schools and the responsiveness of their school officials. There’s no single blueprint–we need solutions customized to local needs, education experts advise. EMS’s panel offers a range of perspectives on the struggle to get children back to the classroom.

PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BOLD IMMIGRATION PLAN: WHAT CAN IMMIGRANTS EXPECT?

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29, 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM PST

WHY: On the eve of his inauguration,President Joe Biden released a bold immigration plan, re-instating DACA, rolling back the Trump administration’s changes to asylum process, stopping work on the border wall, and extending temporary protected status, among other policy changes. Biden has also stated his support for expanding business immigration, and cutting through the green card backlog.

Q-ANON, DOMESTIC TERRORISM AND THE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 22, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST

WHY: Experts dissect the conspiracies, disinformation and extremist groups that were behind the insurrection against the U.S. government and how religion plays a part in the dangerous radicalization of some Americans, including minority ethnic groups.

THE CHALLENGES OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST

WHY: 20 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were expected to be in people’s arms by the end of 2020, but thus far, only 4.5 million people have received a single dose of the two dose vaccine. This roundtable discussion will discuss the challenges of vaccine distribution, vaccine hesitancy, and possible alternatives to the two-dose regimen so that more people can get an initial dose of the vaccine. We will also discuss priorities for vaccinations: should ethnicities with higher populations of deaths from COVID jump to the front of the line?

HOW SAFE IS YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE? 

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 8, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST

WHY: Voting is the most basic right in American democracy but many are surprised to learn it’s not enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Despite unprecedented voter turnout on Nov. 3 and in the Jan. 5 Georgia Senate runoffs, voting barriers persist and public distrust of election outcomes is at historic levels. What are key proposals for rebuilding trust and reforming the electoral system?

Stay tuned for our exclusive event coverage on these events.