Thriving While Black: The Role of the Media and Communications Technology in Addressing Black Mental Health

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will host this hour-long virtual event which will be livestreamed at www.fcc.gov/live.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent protests for racial justice have further exacerbated stress and anxiety in Black communities across the nation. Media and communications technology offer new opportunities to elevate accurate narratives about Black mental health and new ways to access mental health services. At the event, panelists will present current research on Black mental health, highlight the importance of authentic storytelling in the media, and discuss policy solutions for reliable and affordable broadband that assist marginalized groups in accessing vital telehealth services.

Opening Remarks

• Bonnie Watson Coleman – U.S. Representative (NJ-12)

Moderator

• A. Prince Albert III – Technology & Telecommunications Fellow, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Panelists

• Noopur Agarwal – Vice President of Social Impact, ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Group
• Dr. Kia Darling Hammond – Founder & CEO, Wise Chipmunk
• David Johns – Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
• Dr. Michael A. Lindsey – Executive Director, NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research
• Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee – Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of Center of Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution