Coffee & Conversation Virtual Dialogues
PCRC took stock of the resources and assistance we could provide to the community during the rapid and drastically evolving environment created by the pandemic. Through our wide-ranging contacts with partners who support sectors of our community, we were able to organize and live stream panel discussions on important and timely topics. The virtual dialogues explored the harsh realities of the pandemic’s effects on our communities while also offering glimmers of hope.
On April 9th we began our eight-part Coffee & Conversation Series: Recognizing the Power of Empathy and Respect. PCRC Executive Director Michelle Vilchez moderated each panel discussion, and Interim Director of Operations Patty Diaz directed the Zoom conference call, recording the session and simultaneously broadcasting it over Facebook Live. Audience members participated by submitting questions in advance or in the live chat. The first session focused on the community level response to the global pandemic. The current response and next steps from the perspectives of nonprofits, law enforcement, K-12 education and local government were shared.
As the pandemic wore on, its disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color became apparent. Our third session centered on race-based hate crimes and hurtful attitudes displayed toward Asian Americans. Panelists related examples of violence and verbal abuse experienced by Asian Americans as others blame them for the COVID-19 virus. Non-violent de-escalation tools to help combat public displays of racism were shared.
We spoke with leaders representing minority communities that are disproportionately suffering from health disparities during the pandemic. Our series took an in-depth look at Latino Immigrants, African Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders, each experiencing unique challenges and potential remedies. Through the dialogue sessions, we hear what’s behind the higher rates of COVID-19 case counts in these communities and what is and can be done to help protect them.
Our last session, “Philanthropy Addressing Racial Equity in the Time of COVID-19” took place June 4th and served as a platform to talk about racial equity in the wake of the recent killing of George Floyd and the ensuing protests. An audience of 96 viewers joined us live on Zoom and another 652 watched via Facebook Live or caught the broadcast playback at a later time. Representatives from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community, Grove Foundation, Latino Community Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation discussed how they are supporting and uplifting communities of color.
If you’re interested in finding out more about these topics, watch the playback of our Coffee & Conversation discussions here.