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.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) means billions of dollars to states, cities, and counties, with the aim of helping communities recover from the health and economic setbacks of the pandemic. Past experience has taught us that investment decisions are stronger and more effective when they involve community input. Join Census Legacies, Center For Social Innovation at UC Riverside, Independent Sector, Maryland Philanthropy Network, and other philanthropic partners for a conversation exploring how Community Investment Boards can ensure more effective and equitable allocation of American Rescue Plan dollars.