Webinar: Anchor Institutions, Racial Justice, and Equity in the Era of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter – Dec 3

Posted by Anchor Institutuions Task Force on November 24, 2020

The year 2020 has been a most extraordinary period, characterized by a raging pandemic and a deep economic crisis as well as a necessary racial reckoning.  The inequities that have been laid so bare in recent months are manifested in place – neighborhoods, cities, and regions.  Anchor institutions have been playing a crucial role in helping local populations navigate a host of challenges.

The Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF) has been capturing and highlighting specific ways in which anchor institutions have been engaging in their communities in the current context, serving as a forum for ongoing learning exchange among representatives of anchor institutions, and developing a policy strategy to increase support for the vital role that anchor institutions can play in transforming the communities in which they reside.  AITF developed a strategic plan inspired by potential contributions anchor institutions can bring going forward. This plan, Anchor Institutions Task Force Strategic Plan Summer 2020 through Spring 2023, states that “AITF will refine and strengthen its role as a unique values-based movement organization and premier resource for learning, sharing, and providing a powerful voice for anchor institutions and their partners across sectors with increased urgency due to COVID 19, the growing racial justice movement, and their impacts.”

This webinar will address AITF’s work during this extraordinary year, and strategic steps to come. It will also highlight the ways in which various types of anchor institutions have been meeting pressing needs in their communities during 2020. Leaders from universities, hospitals, foundations and other anchor institutions will share their views and experience in addressing health issues, racial justice and equity in their local communities in this current context.

The Webinar will include a welcome from AITF Founding Chair, Ira Harkavy; an update from David Maurrasse, Founder & President, Marga Incorporated, and AITF Director; and remarks from Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark, and AITF Advisory Council Co-Chair; David Perlstein, President/CEO, SBH Health System, and AITF Advisory Council Co-Chair; Brenda Battle, Vice President for Care Delivery Innovation and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, University of Chicago Medicine, and AITF Advisory Council Member; Sheryl Davis, Executive Director, San Francisco Human Rights Commission, and AITF Advisory Council Member; and Tony Mestres, President and CEO, the Seattle Foundation.

Date and Time: December 3, 2020, 1:00-2:30 PM

Please join the upcoming webinar to learn more. Registration Link.

About AITF

The Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF) is an action-oriented learning community of nearly 1000 leaders at anchor institutions and other partners promoting the engagement of anchor institutions—including colleges, universities, hospitals, community foundations, libraries, arts institutions, and other anchors—in community and economic development. AITF is designed to develop and disseminate knowledge and function as an advocacy and movement building organization to create and advance democratic, mutually beneficial anchor institution-community partnerships. Read more.