The Impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans

The Impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans event featuring Dr. Christopher King, Kaya Henderson, L. Toni Lewis, Charlene Tarver, and Soyica Diggs Colbert.

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A recent study found that disproportionately Black counties, a 22% share of the population, account for over half of the COVID-19 cases in the United States and almost 60% of the deaths. The pandemic’s exposure of deep gaps in overall health and health care access for Black Americans, as well as the disparate impact of the historic economic fallout, has led to increased focus on the intersections of race, class, and gender inequalities within the U.S.

In this conversation, hosted by the Black Alumni of Georgetown and the Georgetown University Alumni Association, faculty and alumni experts explored the impact of COVID-19 on Black communities and examined how communities can be rebuilt and better protected.

The panelists included:

  • Kaya Henderson (F’92, EML’07, H’12), Head of Community Impact at Teach For All, Kaya Henderson Consulting, Former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools;
  • Dr. Christopher King, Ph.D., FACHE, Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Health Systems Administration, School of Nursing & Health Studies, Georgetown University;
  • L. Toni Lewis, M.D. (C’93, Med’04), Founder and President, Liberation Health Strategies;
  • Charlene Tarver, J.D., LL.M., CEBS (L’03), Founder & Executive Director, The Women’s Economic Institute, Inc, and Convener, Black AZ COVID-19 Task Force; and
  • Soyica Diggs Colbert (C’01), Vice Dean of Faculty and Director of Arts Initiatives & Professor of African American Studies and Performing Arts, who moderated the discussion.

Watch the recording: