As we work to recover and rebuild, we must seize the opportunity to address and dismantle racial inequities that limit opportunity and worsen outcomes for communities of color.
The year 2020 brought forth a global health pandemic and economic crisis that drove millions into poverty, and laid bare the impact on Black and Latino/x communities. Our country also mourned and reckoned with the violence against Black lives, and called out the legacy of structural racism embedded in our systems and institutions.
As we work to recover and rebuild, we must seize the opportunity to address and dismantle racial inequities that limit opportunity and worsen outcomes for communities of color. Join the Shriver Center on Poverty Law for a three-part virtual gala series to explore these issues while raising vital funds to support the Shriver Center’s work for economic and racial justice.
Illustration by Alvin Black III / fig media.
The awakening of consciousness around racial disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and violence against Black lives is an opportunity to move our nation into action. Relief and recovery efforts must protect and support the Black, Indigenous, and communities of color hit worst by this crisis. This webinar will spotlight advocacy to ensure equity as we rebuild from the pandemic and move our country toward long overdue systemic change.
We are excited to announce that the first $23,500 in donations to this event will be matched dollar for dollar! Thanks to Conlon Public Strategies and Mark and Linda Diamond Shapiro, David Long and Starane Shepherd, JP and Kiki Singh, Verizon, Weinberg/Newton Family Foundation, and Lauren Worsek and Paul Varnado for this generous matching gift.
A renowned expert on the American economy, Heather McGhee is one of the most brilliant and influential thinkers exploring inequality today. Both her viral TED talk and her instant New York Times bestseller The Sum of Us reveal the devastating true cost of racism–not just for people of color, but for everyone. Deeply stirring, intelligent, and compassionate, McGhee’s talks offer an actionable roadmap during one of the most critical–and most troubled–periods in history.
Racism is the major driver of inequities embedded in our health system. Everyone deserves access to affordable, comprehensive health care, no matter their income, race, gender, or where they are from. This webinar highlighted the lasting impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the health of Black and Latino/a/x people and strategies to improve outcomes for these communities. Panelists will discuss how to create vaccine access, eliminate racial bias in health care, and prioritize health equity as we rebuild structures and systems after the pandemic.
Janice Blanchard MD MPH PhD is currently an Adjunct Affiliate Researcher in Health at RAND and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Her research interests include access to health care for vulnerable populations and the impact of policy changes on health and health care access.
Marielena Hincapié is executive director of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the NILC Immigrant Justice Fund. Hincapié has more than two decades of experience in the movement for immigrant justice and has litigated key cases in defense of immigrant workers. Recognized as a seasoned strategist and bridge-builder, Hincapié has led national policy campaigns, including the creation and successful implementation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Under Hincapié’s leadership, NILC has been at the legal forefront of the fight to stop President Trump’s attempt to end DACA, with a June 2020 Supreme Court victory. Hincapié was appointed cochair of the Biden-Sanders Unity Taskforce on Immigration.
Amy Meek currently serves as Civil Rights Bureau Chief at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, where she works to strengthen and enforce civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination and supervises investigations of complaints of patterns and practices of discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment, and financial matters. Previously, she was Senior Counsel at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, where she led education equity work. Prior, she was Senior Attorney at ACLU of Illinois. Meek earned a Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College and a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School.
Systemic inequities and structural racism make it nearly impossible for many people to achieve financial stability on their own. The economic collapse caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these ills and driven millions into poverty. As we continue to shift toward a gig economy, workers and their families face greater harms and risks, including reduced compensation and benefits, uncertain schedules, and the denial of important employment protections. Everyone should be able to meet their basic needs. This webinar highlighted strategies for ensuring economic justice for all. Topics included guaranteed income, fair pay, and workplace protections for low-wage workers.
Michael D. Tubbs is the former mayor of Stockton, CA, and Founder, Chair of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. At the age of 26, Tubbs became the youngest mayor of any major city in American history. Under his stewardship, Stockton was named an “All-America City” in 2017 and 2018, saw a 40% drop in homicides in 2018 and 2019, led the State of California in the decline of officer-involved shootings in 2019, was named the second most fiscally healthy city in California and one of the top most fiscally healthy cities in the nation and was featured in an HBO documentary film, Stockton on My Mind. Tubbs has been named a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics and The MIT Media Lab, a member of Fortune’s Top 40 under 40, a Forbes 30 under 30 All-star Alumni, the “Most Valuable Mayor” by The Nation, the 2021 Civic Leadership Award winner from The King Center, and 2019 New Frontier Award Winner from the JFK Library. Tubbs currently serves as the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility.
Ai-jen Poo is an award-winning organizer, author, and a leading voice in the women’s movement. She is the Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Director of Caring Across Generations, Co-Founder of SuperMajority, Co-Host of Sunstorm podcast and a Trustee of the Ford Foundation. Ai-jen is a nationally recognized expert on elder and family care, the future of work, and what’s at stake for women of color. She is the author of the celebrated book, The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America.
Roberto Jesus Clack is the Executive Director of Warehouse Workers for Justice, a worker center dedicated to fighting for stable, living wage jobs in the hundreds of thousands of warehouse jobs in the Chicagoland region. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Warehouse Workers for Justice has provided emergency support for the second most infected workforce in the state through workplace organizing, free legal resources and helping workers access other emergency services. Roberto and WWJ have also been at the forefront of fighting discriminatory practices in the industry, through workplace organizing and partnering with groups like the Raise The Floor Alliance and National Legal Advocacy Network on strategic litigation. Roberto is the president of the Raise the Floor Alliance and also serves on the boards of the Illinois Green New Deal Network and the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Harleen Singh at 312.368.1098.
67 East Madison Street, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60603
phone: 312.263.3830
Now more than ever, your investment is crucial for changing rules that change lives. To build a future free from poverty and racism, join our movement today.
