OCCE Conducts a Community Conversation on COVID-19
On September 10, the Office of Civic & Community Engagement at Wake Forest University, in partnership with the Race Inequality and Policy Initiative, Action 4 Equity, and Forsyth Futures hosted a Community Conversation on COVID-19. The webinar was free and open to the public.
Three different panels conducted of various community leaders discussed the state of Winston-Salem around three key focus areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic: food and health, education equity, and nonprofit funding.
In addition, members of the OCCE’s Summer Undergraduate Research Collaborative presented their research findings.
A Community Conversation on COVID-19: Food & Health
Members on the Food & Health panel assessed what food need and access have looked like since the outbreak of COVID-19, and explored the connections between food and health in the local community.
Moderated by Dr. Megan Regan (Visiting Associate Professor, WFU Economics Department), the panel included Eric Aft (Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC), Rev. Angela Brown (Community Health Coordinator, Faith Health NC), and Rachel Zimmer, DNP (Assistant Professor Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine).
The webinar also featured OCCE Summer Research presenters: Caroline Aey, Hannah Getachew, and Cecille Paquette.
A Community Conversation on COVID-19: Education Equity
Members of the Education Equity explored access to virtual education, discussing how the Winston-Salem community could work towards equity in supporting student learning.
Moderated by Kellie Easton (Executive Director, Action4Equity), the panel consisted of Micha James (Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools parent), Odette Sanchez (Executive Director, Latino Community Services), and Carrie Woods (Chief Executive Director, T.U.R.N. Inc.).
The webinar also featured OCCE Summer Research presenters: Precious McLaughlin, Olivia Field, Catherine Heindel, and Lilly Parker.
A Community Conversation on COVID-19: Nonprofit Funding
Since March, Winston-Salem has rallied together to raise over $4 million to support local nonprofits. Members of the nonprofit funding panel discussed how the funds were getting utilized and explored how to support community organizations moving forward.
Moderated by Amy Lytle (Executive Directors, HandsOn Northwest NC), the panel featured Charmaine Angino (Senior Director, Community Planning & Investment, United Way of Forsyth), Sandra Fishel-Booth (Program Officer: Inclusive Economy, Winston-Salem Foundation), Evan Raleigh (Assistant City Manager, City of Winston-Salem) and Shenell Thompson (Senior Program Officer: Local Impact in Forsyth County, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust)
The webinar also featured OCCE Summer Research presenters: Meilyn Norman, Ishani Kumbar, and Natalie Graham.