YWCAs and Children’s Minnesota Host Informational COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar
April 14, 2021
For Immediate Release
YWCAs and Children’s Minnesota Host Informational COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Centering Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian American Communities
Minneapolis, MN – Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. And these communities don’t necessarily see their concerns, interests and needs reflected in the vaccine distribution plan and communications efforts.YWCA Minneapolis, YWCA St. Paul and Children’s Minnesota are joining together for a special event to help communities learn more about the vaccine.
Participants will hear about the history of medical mistrust in communities of color, listen to candid personal stories about panelists’ choice on taking the vaccine, and learn science-based information to help you make an informed decision on whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine.“Vaccine hesitancy among communities of color is often due to historical and current racism that exists within our health care system. Our hope is that by validating these experiences while providing science-based information, we can help people decide what is best for themselves and their families,” says Jacqueline Lloyd Cunningham, vice president of marketing and communications with YWCA Minneapolis.“An equitable response and recovery from this global pandemic means that our communities of color – who have suffered disproportionately – must not only have access to the vaccine but also to the information they need to make an informed decision about getting it,” said Gaye Adams Massey, CEO of YWCA St. Paul. “The best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community is to get the vaccine when it is available to you.”“Children’s Minnesota has an excellent reputation for quality and outcomes, but we have an obligation to do more to address the barriers that cause health disparities both within our walls and in our community,” says James Burroughs II, vice president, chief equity and inclusion officer, Children’s MN. “This candid, grounded-in-facts, led-by-science conversation allows panelists to give input on topics including risk vs. benefit, the importance of diversity in clinical trials and the value of protecting ourselves, our families and our community against COVID-19.”The diverse panel will include health care experts and community leaders from Children’s Minnesota, YWCA Minneapolis and YWCA St. Paul. The event is free and will take place Wednesday, April 20, 2021, 4:00 – 5:00 pm via Zoom and will be streamed live on YWCA Minneapolis’ and YWCA St. Paul’s Facebook pages. Click here to register.
About YWCA Minneapolis
YWCA Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. For 130 years, YWCA has worked to create opportunities to overcome social injustice, particularly in matters of gender and race. Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people in our community through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness. Learn more at ywcampls.org.
About YWCA St. Paul
YWCA St. Paul is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We break down barriers and build up communities through education and advocacy on issues of racial justice and gender equity, and through programs that help individuals & families overcome barriers in areas of significant racial & gender disparity – housing, employment, youth empowerment and health & wellness. Learn more at ywcastpaul.org.