By Zack Frink, Elevate Dayton Dayton Children’s Hospital has broken ground on its new $110 million behavioral health building, addressing the mental health crisis of this generation with a significant expansion in available space for patients by 2025, reports the Dayton Daily News. The big picture: The new behavioral health building comes as a response to a critical need for pediatric mental health resources in the region. The facility will receive $25 million from the American Rescue Plan and a $2 million donation from CareSource, marking a transformative investment in the hospital campus. By the numbers: More than 7,000 children were treated for a behavioral health crisis at Dayton Children's last year. In March 2023, a record 211 children waited for a bed to become available in the behavioral health unit, a 31% increase from the previous year. Zoom in: Personal stories shared during the groundbreaking ceremony underscored the severity of mental health issues among children, with speakers highlighting the experiences of patients and students helped through Kettering Fairmont High School’s Hope Squad. What we're hearing: Dr. Kelly Blankenship, Dayton Children's associate chief medical officer for behavioral health, revealed that the number one reason for child admissions to the hospital is suicidal ideation. The lack of community-based outpatient services and intensive therapy is so severe that one in 12 patients will return within 30 days for re-admission. Why it matters: The new facility will help close gaps in pediatric mental health care, providing much-needed resources and support for children in the region. This commitment to mental health care aligns with the Ohio governor's push for a proposed state budget that includes funds for mental health services. What's next: Construction and design teams Danis Construction, Cannon Design/FKP, and Champlin Architecture are set to build the new behavioral health hospital, which is expected to double the available space for patients by 2025. This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.

By Zack Frink, Elevate Dayton A report by the Ohio Department of Education is revealing a need for teachers in Southwest Ohio, with low initial pay, childcare requirements and lack of respect for educators cited as hindrances, reported by the Dayton Daily News. The big picture: the ODE report reveals troubling trends. A growing percentage of teachers instruct outside their certification scope. Around 20% of teachers have less than five years of experience. An increasing number of certified teachers are shifting towards administrative roles or leaving the profession entirely. Driving the news: Teacher shortages are being observed across the board, not only in traditionally affected urban and rural areas. The problem persists even in affluent districts that offer high salaries and benefits. By the numbers: In 2022, there were 216,442 credentialed teachers in Ohio. But only 138,186 were working in schools, and 110,147 credentialed teachers were actively teaching. What we're hearing: The lack of childcare is a significant factor contributing to the teacher shortage. A trend has been noted where one parent, often a woman, opts to stay home with young children due to childcare costs. This is significant as women comprise about 75% of teachers, according to ODE. Between the lines: The teacher to student ratios in public schools are at historic lows, largely due to reduced student enrollments in public schools and a declining birth rate in Ohio since 2015. Key follow up: ODE staffers believe there is more data to be explored, such as the reasons why those with active licenses aren't currently working. The bottom line: The teacher shortage in Ohio, particularly Southwest Ohio, is a multifaceted issue that will require comprehensive solutions addressing teachers' pay, childcare, and professional respect. This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.

By Nate Dillard, Elevate Dayton The Big Picture: The rise of AI in the workplace has sparked concerns about job security and ethics. It is poised to make sweeping changes in various sectors, from healthcare and education to agriculture and the military. Some experts like Philip Torr, a professor at the University of Oxford, argue that AI’s fallibility makes the presence of humans in the workplace still essential, according to The Guardian. Catch up Quickly: Nobel laureate Herbert Simon predicted in 1965 that machines would be capable of doing any work a man can do within 20 years. As we enter the fourth industrial revolution, similar fears are ignited with the proliferation of AI. This fear has been reflected in recent events such as striking members of the Writers Guild of America warning executives about AI replacing jobs, and Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of AI", resigning from Google due to AI's impact on the job market. Zoom In: AI could bring efficiencies in healthcare, with large language models (LLMs) simplifying patient admissions and follow-ups. In education, the concern is not to over-rely on AI and compromise on human interaction, especially in the case of less privileged students. Emotional AI could potentially revolutionize call centers, helping to manage customer and worker emotions, though concerns about surveillance and misuse of data persist. Agriculture and military are two sectors where AI’s potential has yet to be fully realized due to technical and ethical challenges. Between the Lines: While many experts propose a future where humans coexist with AI, others caution against a darker future where workers are appraised by algorithms and potentially replaced by automation. AI's impact on jobs will not be uniform, and there is a danger that those in lower-income groups or in certain industries may be disproportionately affected. What's Next: The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence Act from the European Parliament is expected to label AI's use in education, law enforcement, and worker management as "high risk", reflecting the growing concern about AI's impact on jobs and society. Why it Matters: A significant transformation of industries due to AI could have substantial social and economic implications, affecting job markets and potentially exacerbating income inequality. The Bottom Line: AI will undoubtedly change the workplace. However, the extent to which it will replace or augment human labor is still a contentious issue. Go Deeper: While AI may cause job displacement in the short term, it could also open up new career paths and opportunities in the long run. The Community Angle: For BIPOC & underrepresented communities in Dayton, Ohio, the rise of AI in the workplace may present both challenges and opportunities. It underscores the need for these communities to gain access to education and training in AI and related technologies, which would help them remain competitive in an increasingly digital job market. Conversely, without intervention, these shifts risk further exacerbating socio-economic disparities if marginalized communities are left behind in this transition. This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.

Adulting 101 programs for teens in grades 7-12 Dayton Metro Library’s Burkhardt Branch is offering a series of Adulting 101 programs for teens in grades 7-12 on topics ranging from nutrition to budgeting. Each program is free. Advanced registration is not required. Adulting 101: Part 2: Digital Skill Certificate Thursday, June 15, 4:30-5:30 pm Explore DML’s NorthStar database to learn about in-demand skill sets for career paths, including the basics of using Microsoft Office, email, and Google Docs. Adulting 101: Part 3: Resumes and Interviews Thursday, June 22, 4:30-5:30 pm Teens will focus on the basics of writing a resume and learning interviewing tips. Mock interviews will be conducted on a voluntary basis as well. Adulting 101: Part 4: Balling on a Budget Thursday, June 29, 4:30-5:30 pm Dedra Porter of Leaving a Legacy Always will discuss financial education that focuses on budgeting and understand a paycheck. Each participant will receive a budgeting journal and useful tips. The Burkhardt Branch is located at 4704 Burkhardt Avenue, Dayton. For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665. DML is committed to providing access to all of our events. Please contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request accommodations for sign language interpretation, audio amplification, and/ or language translation. Additional accommodations may be available upon request. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

By: Geniyah Smith To coincide with “Gun Violence Awareness Month”, on June 1, 2023 Young Ladies Aspiring Greatness (YLAG) launched their campaign against teen gun violence called “Don’t Fuel The Fire”. Billboards are placed strategically throughout Dayton with a PSA airing on cable networks throughout the month of June. Anika Vukasnovich, YLAG member, states “We chose to spread awareness against gun violence because we believe teens need to stick together in a world that constantly tries to divide us. Despite the dramatization we see in the media there are much better ways of conflict resolution to maintain peace within our communities & society.” Gun violence seems to have become the norm. Society doesn’t seem surprised when hearing about another mass shooting. Most of the violence amongst teens are connected to rumors and instigation which unfortunately at times leads to gun violence with unnecessary death. Per Kassidy Potter, YLAG member, “Our campaign is vital to today’s youth because gun violence is leading cause of death of young people. Through our message of “Don’t Fuel The Fire”, we want to bring awareness and reach the younger crowd.” Kennedi Robinson adds, “ I’m very excited about this campaign. Gun violence is an extremely devasting and repetitive thing that happens in our society and we call all advocates for changes within our own community. I really hope our campaign inspires others to do the same.” Y-LAG is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower and inspire young ladies of color to go beyond their perceived limitations and give them the tools needed to achieve greatness through community involvement.

A concerning shortfall in blood donations last month could stress the American Red Cross blood supply. The Red Cross collected over 26,000 fewer blood donations than needed in May to meet the needs of patients. The need for blood is constant, with someone needing a blood transfusion in the U.S. every two seconds. Platelet donors are especially needed at this time. The public can help ensure continuity for patients by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now and in the weeks ahead. World Blood Donor Day, Gifts for Donors June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply and to recognize volunteer blood donors. This is the perfect time to give, especially for those who haven’t given in a while, or who have never given before. In thanks for taking time to help, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Those who come to give throughout June will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package. Details for both offers can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June. Help the Red Cross celebrate World Blood Donor Day and meet the critical needs of patients. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767) to schedule a time to give now. Upcoming blood donation opportunities, June 8-30: Champaign Saint Paris 6/12/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Evans-Purk Building, 115 S. Church St. Urbana 6/14/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Urbana Champaign County Senior Center, 150 Patrick Ave Clark Springfield 6/22/2023: 1 p.m.7 p.m., Lawrenceville Church of God, 3131 Fox Hollow Rd Greene Beavercreek 6/21/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fairfield Commons, 2727 Fairfield Commons Dayton 6/22/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Be Hope Church, 1850 North Fairfield Road Xenia 6/25/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Xenia Church of Christ, 444 Country Club Drive Logan Belle Center 6/19/2023: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Belle Center United Methodist Church, 101 S. Center St. Bellefontaine 6/13/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 201 Main N Miami Troy 6/27/2023: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Miami County YMCA-Robinson Branch, 3060 South County Road 25A Montgomery Dayton 6/27/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Dayton Office, 370 W First Street How to donate blood To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Amplify your impact − volunteer! Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience. Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

After 36 years of dedicated service to Montgomery County, including 32 years with the county sheriff’s office, Chief Deputy Daryl Wilson is retiring. A retirement celebration was held Wednesday afternoon honoring Wilson and the years he has served the community. Wilson said he believes it is his time to step aside. While he has no definite plans for the future, he said he believes he still has plenty to give. “I have a lot more to do,” Wilson said. “I have a lot more to offer. I think I have a lot to leave, and here’s the thing. I’m still teachable. So therefore, why not step out when I have those things going for me so I can be a better person.” Wilson’s family and colleagues were at the ceremony. He thanked them for all of their support throughout his career. “I’m walking in faith,” Wilson added. “And I believe it’s time to turn the chapter.”

The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Board of Directors has named Phyllis Brzozowska as their new Executive Director. Ms. Brzozowska, was recently brought on as interim replacement for retiring CEO RoNita Hawes-Saunders. Phyllis Brzozowska A national search firm was simultaneously engaged to locate candidates for the position. However, after 5 months on the job as interim Ms. Brzozowska decided to throw her hat into the ring. The board, seeing that all requirements for the position were being met by the interim, discontinued the search and offered Ms. Brzozowska the position of Executive Director, an offer she most graciously accepted. This decision was made even easier due to the fact that Ms. Brzozowska has 4 decades of arts management. This included founding Artistic Director of CITYFOLK and a prior stint as Executive Director of DCDC. She also brings years of passion for dance, evident in her work for DCDC, Luna Negra Dance Theatre in Chicago, and numerous other dance companies during her tenure at CITYFOLK, most prominently with Rhythm in Shoes. When she was hired 23 years ago as Executive Director, Ms. Brzozowska provided staff leadership that resulted in a turnaround for DCDC and she is uniquely and ideally suited to do it again. In her time as interim she has developed a strong, trusting rapport with the current artistic and administrative staff. Ms. Brzozowska is a seasoned fundraiser with considerable skills in marketing, and financial management. Her knowledge of touring will steer the company back into this profitable arena that was a significant revenue stream in the past. Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs says: “I am extremely excited to be in this co- leadership model with Phyllis. Having her step back into the space with her knowledge of the dance sector and her intimate knowledge of DCDC is exactly what we need to launch us into our 55th season. ”Acting Board Chair Charlotte Harris states, “we are pleased to formally select interim Executive Director Phyllis Brzozowska as the new Executive Director”. DCDC was founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for African American dancers. Fifty-five years later, it remains rooted in the African American experience, committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage. DCDC is known for its extraordinary artistic expression, precision, and athleticism. Having the world’s largest repertoire of classic works by African American choreographers, this Dayton, Ohio company continues to be celebrated at home and around the world. For Additional Information, Contact: Kevin Ward, Senior Artistic Associate 937.228.3232 kevin@ dcdc.org

By now I am sure that you have seen the video of Clifford Owensby, a paraplegic man being yanked from his car by his hair last Thursday afternoon and then dragged to the patrol car during a traffic stop. Officers stopped Clifford Owensby in a Dayton Neighborhood on September 30th after his vehicle was seen leaving a suspected illegal drug house, police said last Friday. The police took Owensby’s identification and a drug K-9 inspected the vehicle in which his three year old son was also a passenger. Because of his drug and weapons history, officers asked Owensby to step out of the car. Owensby explained to the officers that he was a paraplegic and could not exit the car. The officers insisted that Owensby exit the vehicle. At that point Owensby requested that the officers call a supervisor. The officer appeared to call someone on his phone but afterwards things continued to escalate. The viral video that has been shared thousands of times across social media sites shows at least two officers pulling Owensby out of the vehicle and to the ground shortly after, with one officer gripping him by his hair. Once he was on the ground the officers can be seen with their knee on his back before hauling Owensby off to a nearby patrol vehicle with his shoeless feet dragging along the pavement behind him. The police report accuses Owensby of obstructing official business and resisting arrest. He was ultimately cited in a municipal court for traffic citations, failure to restrain a child in the backseat, and for tinted glass. Mr. Owensby stated in a press conference on Sunday at the NAACP headquarters that he doesn’t see where he did anything wrong. “I don’t even feel like they respected me as a citizen. I am at a loss for words for what they did to me. It was total humiliation, it was hatred.” During the vehicle search, officers recovered a large bag of cash totaling $22,450 inside the car. At the time of the press conference at the NAACP headquarters that money had not been returned. Owensby also stated that there was definitely over $24,000 in the car. Owensby has meanwhile filed a complaint against the police department with Dayton’s NAACP for profiling him, unlawful arrest, illegal search and seizure of his vehicle, and for officers’ failure to read him his Miranda Rights before he was taken into custody and transported to a jail, the NAACP’s local chapter’s president, Derrick Foward said Sunday. Reactions to the traffic stop came quickly. Donald Dominick, Chief Consultant for the New Black Panther Party stated, “We in the Black Panther Party condemn the actions of the two officers and believe they should be terminated immediately. Especially in the light of recent police reforms that we participated in. The fact that some officers continue to violate the trust of the citizens in Dayton seriously undermines the ability to build lasting relationships to improve conditions in the city”. Jerome Dix, President of the Dayton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #44 told the Dayton Daily News that the officers followed the law, their training and the departmental policies and procedures. “Sometimes the arrest of noncompliant individuals is not pretty but is a necessary part of law enforcement to maintain public safety, which is one of the fundamental ideologies of our society.” When asked how she felt about the treatment of Owensby, Daj’za Demmings, Founder of the Dayton Young Black Professionals said, “What happened to Clifford Owensby is not a political issue, it’s a basic human rights issue. We should not seek to further our personal agendas by using his story or the stories of so many other black and brown victims. Saying Black Lives Matter is one thing, but to show up and demand that they matter is another. I have always stressed the importance of our West Side residents. Clifford is one of those residents. Politics and social justice are vital to our community, and we cannot provide for ourselves when those in charge of our protection use unjustified force. The People condemn the actions of local law enforcement, and we ask that community members meet us at City Hall on 13 October at 830am to protest the inhuman treatment of Clifford Owensby and the bigger issue of the disregard of humanity for Dayton residents in the hands of Dayton Police. Who will police the police? We must press this issue, we need answers. We need transparency, we need accountability. We need to get elected officials that truly are here for THE PEOPLE. If not us, then WHO? If not now, then WHEN?” Erica Fields, Executive Director of the City of Dayton Human Relations Council said, “The recent interaction involving a Dayton resident and the Dayton Police Department (DPD) reminds us of all of the ongoing challenges we face towards improve community police relations. Policing must be carried out in conformity with utmost respect for the human rights of all people regardless of the color of their skin, race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. That did not happen here. We all have a right to feel safe. The HRC shares a commitment to support a fair, open, and transparent process in understanding and review of this incident”. Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, who is preparing for a Gubernatorial bid released her own statement Friday, stating that the video was “concerning.”

The local PBS station produced documentary is set to premiere on CET, ThinkTV16 and the PBS Video App at 9pm on Thursday, February 24, 2022 DAYTON, OH - CET and ThinkTV – Cincinnati and Dayton’s PBS stations – are pleased to announce the premiere of their new documentary, Redlining: Mapping Inequality in Dayton & Springfield . The one-hour film will premiere Thursday, February 24, at 9pm on CET, ThinkTV16, the PBS Video App and YouTube. Redlining: Mapping Inequality in Dayton & Springfield tells the national and local story of redlining, a practice which embedded racial segregation and inequality into the development of American cities and suburbs. Redlining maps, introduced in the 1930’s, delineated risk areas for federally backed mortgages and home-ownership programs. Risk was determined almost entirely by race. Neighborhoods where no loans would be made were outlined in red, or literally “redlined.” “We wanted to tell this story because it goes to the heart of so many persistent problems in in our region. When you look at disparities in wealth, mobility, education, health outcomes and even life expectancy, you’re looking at the legacy of redlining. We need to understand this history if we are to move forward and find remedies. We just feel fortunate that in telling this story we have been able to draw upon the expertise and life experiences of so many in our community,” CET and ThinkTV Chief Education Officer Gloria Skurski said. The documentary is being produced by Emmy Award-Winning Producer Richard Wonderling with Associate Producer Selena Burks-Rentschler. The film explores the stories of local families who were impacted by redlining, and the lasting effects of federal housing policies on our region. It also makes some surprising discoveries about the roots of redlining that trace back to our region, and some larger-than-life personalities who have been all but forgotten. “Knowledge is power. It's essential to unpack the legacy redlining has had on the Miami Valley region because what happened here has happened in every major city across America. This documentary lays bare the government's role in mapping our segregated cities and suburbs, which left many people of color, specifically Black Americans, with little to no options on ways to access the American Dream,” Burks-Rentschler said. Before the premiere, CET and ThinkTV will host a virtual screening and discussion on Tuesday, February 22, at 7pm. Guests for the discussion are Burks-Rentschler; Future Stars of Dayton CEO Jonathan Cain; Sinclair Community College Chief Diversity Officer Michael E. Carter; and University of Dayton Professor of Sociology Dr. Leslie H. Picca. Hosting the discussion is Dayton Early College Academy Superintendent and CEO David Taylor In addition to the film, CET and ThinkTV are assembling resources to help build community awareness, including suggested reading, a discussion guide, PBS LearningMedia assets for classrooms and more. The film will continue to be available to stream on the PBS Video App and YouTube following the premiere. “This documentary gives voice to members of our community who have been impacted the most. As a local PBS station, we are thankful for the opportunity to tell this challenging story, and hope it contributes to conversation about our region’s future,” CET & ThinkTV President and CEO Kitty Lensman said. To learn more about the film, RSVP for the screening and watch a trailer, visit www.thinktv.org/redlining or www.CETconnect.org/redlining . About Public Media Connect (ThinkTV/Dayton; CET/Cincinnati; SOITA) Public Media Connect is the regional partnership of CET in Cincinnati and ThinkTV in Dayton that was formed in 2008. Comprised of three Community licensed Public Television stations (WPTD, WPTO and WCET) offering 13 channels, Public Media Connect continues to pursue a local distinctive educational, cultural and informational mission in both communities. Public Media Connect, which also includes the Southern Ohio Instructional Technology Association, serves a regional population of more than 3.5 million people. For Immediate Release For more information, please contact: Kellie May Manager of Communications & Digital Initiatives 513-345-6511 (o) or 513-379-3185 (m) kmay@cetconnect.org

From L to R (Top Row) Darren D. Dickerson, BIPOCXChange COO; David Morgan, MMCA founder, Dr. Jose E. Romero, Director of CDC National Center For Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; (Second Row) Hannah Kim, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary; Georgeta Dragoiu, HHS; Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General; Alvaro Gurdian National Association of Hispanic Publishers; Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., National Newspaper Publishers Association CEO; and Levi Rickert, Native News Online. Photo Credit: BIPOCXChange Top U.S. health officials leverage the power of BIPOC media to inform and engage communities about the proven benefits of COVID vaccines and treatments and to combat misinformation as they work to save lives and head off a winter surge of the virus. By Linda Miller WASHINGTON (BIPOCXChange Media Wire) – Federal health officials are looking to news outlets to boost awareness and uptake of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines as the weather turns colder and COVID infection rates begin their predictable rise. And judging from an online news conference held last week, multicultural media are ready to take up the challenge. The hour-long briefing with top health officials was co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association using MMCA’s BIPOCXChange, a new digital platform created to connect multicultural media stakeholders with each other and with entities wanting to invest, engage and do business with them. It drew nearly 80 journalists and other media professionals, most of them representing Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American communities that have disproportionately borne the brunt of COVID-19. Addressing inequities was a central theme of the multicultural media briefing as well as the focus of the Biden-Harris Administration’s pandemic response and its “We Can Do This” vaccine public education initiative. Over the course of the vaccination rollout, Black and Hispanic people have been less likely than their White counterparts to receive a vaccine, but these disparities have narrowed over time and reversed for Hispanic people. “COVID’s not done with us yet, but we’ve got more resources and tools than ever before, between the vaccines, the masks that we can get to all communities, the availability of tests, and the availability of treatments that can save your life or keep you out of the hospital,” said Dr. Cameron Webb, White House senior policy advisor for COVID-19 equity. “We’ve got to make sure that we are getting these to the people who need them most.” (To view the multicultural media press conference, click here.) In late August, the Food and Drug Administration approved new, updated COVID-19 vaccines that target both the new omicron variants and the original strain of the virus. The bivalent boosters are now authorized for use by those ages 5 and older who are at least two months out from their last shot, and administration officials believe they are a critical step to pushing the U.S. out of the pandemic. “When we look at the data, what we see is that the vast majority who are dying from COVID right now are people who tend to be either unvaccinated or undervaccinated, meaning that they are not up-to-date with their vaccines, or they are people who have not actually received treatments like Paxlovid when they’ve gotten ill,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told reporters. “This is such an important moment for us as we go into the winter to make sure we are taking all the right steps to protect people from the worst outcomes of COVID, and anything you can do to help get the word out will help us save lives and prevent people from ending up in the hospital.” So far, Americans have been slow to get the new vaccine. As of Oct. 27, 22.8 million people or 7.3% of those eligible to receive the new shots have gotten them, according to just released CDC data. One reason could be that not enough people know about the shots or are confident that they qualify. A national Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted in late September found only modest awareness of the updated vaccine, with half of adults surveyed saying they had heard “a lot” (17%) or “some” (33%) about the updated booster, 31% saying they had heard “a little,” and one in five saying they had heard “nothing at all” about the new vaccine doses. Among adults who are fully vaccinated, 40% said they were unsure if the updated COVID-19 booster dose is recommended for them, with Black (47%) and Hispanic (51%) respondents even more uncertain. Webb noted that partnerships with community-based organizations were key to closing racial gaps both in primary vaccinations and the first rounds of booster shots, and he said they will be critical this time around, too. “We know there is a path to making sure equity is centered in the vaccination effort and it starts with respecting and acknowledging that people from the community really are going to be the key to our success, and recognizing that there are resources that are necessary to help support those organizations in their outreach and their work.” Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the “We Can Do This” campaign has partnered with more than 1,000 organizations, the majority of which work with minority or rural communities, reaching over 26 million people and resulting in tens of thousands of vaccinations, said Georgeta Dragoiu, an HHS public affairs official who works on the campaign. Officials also have engaged ad agencies to co-create culturally relevant and in-language content, and campaign materials have been translated into more than 17 languages, including English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese, she said. And just this week, the campaign launched new national and local TV, radio and print ads in English and Spanish, geared at reaching Black and Latino audiences in more than 30 markets, including Miami, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Columbia, S.C. CDC also has created a variety of culturally relevant materials and worked closely with partners such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants to offer additional resources including factsheets, videos, toolkits and conversation guides, noted Dr. Jose Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, where he leads CDC’s efforts to detect, prevent and respond to vaccine-preventable and respiratory infectious disease threats. “The CDC has worked to eliminate racial and ethnic inequities by addressing barriers to vaccination in structural and social conditions that give rise to them, such as lack of access to healthcare and insurance, missed opportunities to vaccinate, as well as misinformation and distrust,” Romero said. “We have focused efforts on vaccine supply, provider access, as well as recipient education.” Several media representatives expressed appreciation for those and other efforts and asked what more they could be doing to inform and protect their communities. Alvaro Gurdián, president of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), wanted suggestions on how to use in-language and other materials to reach and engage their audiences. “We have ideas. This is what we do. But I’d also like to get your input on that.” Preston Ng, development and programs associate for the Asian American Journalists Association, noted that AAJA has been at the forefront of ensuring that newsrooms are not exacerbating the stigmatization and racism that has been aimed at Asian American Pacific Islander communities due to COVID. “How can journalists continue to report on COVID and not perpetuate this stigma?” he asked. David Morgan, president and CEO of the MMCA, inquired how equitable media organizations could better collaborate with one another and with HHS to “really deepen and make sure there is a consistent message, and that there is community voice and community engagement not only around COVID-19 but about health equity issues in general?” And Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association/Black Press of America, asked what administration officials are doing to dispel misinformation about vaccines and how multicultural media organizations might help. Surgeon General Murthy urged media professionals to shine a light on those trusted voices in communities that are sharing accurate information. “When we looked at people who changed their mind about getting vaccinated between January 2021 and the summer of ‘21, it turned out a big reason that folks decided to get vaccinated was because they talked to a family member, a friend or their healthcare provider,” Murthy said. “So the bottom line is there’s a lot that you can do to help lift up the right message and accurate, scientifically-based advice, but also to lift up the right messengers in communities.” He added that churches and other civic organizations, beauty salons and barber shops, have “played a vital role in providing space and places where people can come and get vaccinated, and they often did this in partnership with local pharmacies. And of course, local doctors and nurses have been vital in this effort to get people vaccinated.” Amplifying the voices of those trusted community messengers can also help counteract misinformation, he said. “Accurate information is essential for us to make sure people get the vaccines and life-saving treatments they deserve. And unfortunately, we have seen an avalanche of misinformation during the last couple of years that I believe has actually cost us lives because it has turned people away from measures that could have protected them from the worst outcomes of COVID-19.” In July of 2021, Murthy issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory on misinformation to combat the profound impact it was having on health, including tools and tips of what individuals can do to help make a difference. Levi Rickert, founder, editor and publisher of Native News Online, noted that at one point, among People of Color, Native Americans led the way in terms of vaccination rates. “However, the data that we have is over a year old. How can we get that updated so we can do better reporting among our community?” he asked. Webb acknowledged that there is room for improvement in data collection and dissemination, especially when it comes to disaggregating data within different communities of color, and he encouraged journalists to keep pushing public health officials to do better. Accurate data, he added, “is really going to right our path in so many ways.” “We know that COVID has had disproportionate impacts. And we want to make sure we are leaning into moments like this, at the start of this fall, as we head toward this holiday season, to say we’ve seen the data of what happens in the winter, we’ve seen what happens if you’re not protected and we have high levels of infection of COVID, and we know that it hurts communities of color the most,” Webb said. “We know these data are true. And so what stands to reason is that we need to take this moment to do everything we can to get those resources—the masks, the tests, the vaccines and the treatments—to communities to make sure they are ready.” Disclosures: The MMCA is an investor for Elevate Dayton. Nate Dillard, publisher of Elevate Dayton, is a partial owner of the BIPOCXChange. Linda Miller, editorial advisor to Elevate Dayton, is director of the Equitable Media and Economies Initiative, which is a joint project of MMCA and RJI.

By Malik Keith, Elevate Dayton Reporter Dayton Mayor Jeffery Mims Jr. is continuing to carry out his decades-long interest in public service and mentorship. He held the first half-day-long Teen Youth Summit at Sinclair College at the end of October. The event is the first of what Mims hopes will be part of what keeps young people contributing to local communities in Dayton. The summit focused on helping high school students in Dayton prepare for many real-world challenges and help build a strong foundation for their futures. Josh Copeland — a former Fairborn High School athlete and founder of Learning 2 Cope, a foundation dedicated to providing mental health resources — was the keynote speaker. Additional speakers included State Rep. Willis Blackshear; Jane McEwen, a project manager at the Mentoring Collaborative; Lavar Glover, the business inclusion manager for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce; and Shawnieka Pope, a clinical professor at Miami University. The summit’s organizers strategically crafted the event to be more than a lecture or simple meet and greet. The students in attendance participated in breakout sessions that covered several topics, including mental health, finding their purpose, cultural barriers and self-care. They also had the opportunity to network with each other and engage directly with Mims to inform his work. He felt the Teen Youth Summit was something that needed to be done. “It is a natural element for me as a former teacher and coach,” said Mims. “The youth are 20% of our population, but they are 100% of our future.” He has decades of experience in helping shape the futures of local youth from various walks of life and interests. Some notable local names Mims has impacted include attorney Michael Wright of Wright & Schulte and two-time NBA champion Norris Cole. He stressed the importance of young people having positive influences to learn from and emulate. “I want all the youth and young people involved in that process to understand that our young people have value,” said Mims. “When they understand they have value they order their steps differently. They have different priorities.” Part of the mission behind the summit is to expose local youth to opportunities in STEM fields. According to a study by the National Science Foundation, African Americans only account for 9% of all STEM workers, despite being 12% of the United States population. Mims said high-quality careers exist in some students’ interests; they need to be shown how to view them differently. He added that it is common for young people to want to be professional athletes, but more students need to think about careers that focus on the training and technology that goes into professional sports. “It says that even though I am playing sports, there are related fields that don’t require me to be a top-caliber athlete,” said Mims. “They might find some interests and talents in areas they did not know they had.” He hopes the Teen Youth Summit continues as an ongoing program that helps steer students in Dayton toward the right path. When asked what Mims would say to someone considering being a mentor, he said it is an opportunity that benefits multiple generations over time. “It makes your heart smile,” he said. “I can’t continue to tell you the joy when I come into contact with young people who have been in that program and see how they have given back.” This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.