Open Society Institute (OSI) Baltimore was recently awarded a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to pilot strategies to close the vaccination gaps among communities of color, which have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join this conversation with Scott Nolen, director of the Addiction and Health Equity program at OSI-Baltimore to discuss the Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, what we currently know about vaccine decision-making, and to talk about opportunities to leverage or pool our resources to ensure that every Baltimore resident has meaningful access to empirically accurate information and vaccination plan that suits their needs.  Jennifer White of the Horizon Foundation will present on findings from a national study on COVID vaccine decision making in communities of color including local findings from Howard County.

As the District reopens schools, Maryland is also experiencing its first-ever virtual legislative session. Legislation around digital equity, childcare, and the overturn of the veto for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future are critical for the future of Maryland’s children. Maryland Philanthropy Network is pleased to host Melissa Broome, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, for a conversation about City Schools’ legislative priorities for the 2021 state legislative session and the state plan around funding.