House Democrats will be unveiling a stimulus plan with families receiving up to $3,600 per child as part of the enhanced Child Tax Credit. To discuss, we FEATURE Katie B. Garner. Garner focuses on culture of motherhood in US, childcare crisis, mother/nanny relationship, intersectional feminism, and labor equality. She has been executive director of International Association of Maternal Action and Scholarship since 2019. Her (in-progress) book, The Illusion of Choice, covers interviews with nearly 100 U.S. women and addresses inequalities of work, childcare, and motherhood. Media includes: Chicago Tribune, Authority Magazine, Fast Company, CBS.

Schools across the U.S. are beginning to reopen, many for hybrid learning, a mix of in-person and online instruction. To discuss, we FEATURE Emma Garcia. Garcia is an economist at the Economic Policy Institute. She specializes in the economics of education and education policy. Her areas of research include analysis of the production of education (cognitive and noncognitive skills); returns to education; evaluation of educational interventions (early childhood, K-12, and higher education); educational equity; human development; international comparative education; and cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis in education. Extensive media experience.

Grocery store workers have been left out of vaccine priority lists in many states, despite the number of people they are in contact with on a day-to-day basis. Many are also no longer receiving hazard pay. To discuss, we FEATURE Saru Jayaraman. Jayaraman is the Co-Founder and President of One Fair Wage, the co-founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United), and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. She has been fighting to raise wages and working conditions for restaurant and other service workers for nearly 20 years. Media includes: The New York Times, New York Magazine, CNN, NBC.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, humanitarian organizations, community activists, health experts and others have expressed concern are concerns about equitable access to the vaccine. To discuss, we FEATURE Dr. Lipi Roy. As Medical Director at Housing Works, Dr. Roy oversees medical services at COVID isolation and quarantine sites in New York City. She also serves as clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and has been a regular speaker on media for topics about COVID-19. Dr. Roy completed her medical and master’s in public health degrees at Tulane University, followed by residency training in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Roy is a strong advocate for public service and caring for incarcerated and homeless men and women. Media includes: The New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, Cooking Light, CBS, CNN.

South Africa has suspended the start of its AstraZeneca vaccine rollout after it was found that the vaccine provides minimal protection against the South African coronavirus strain. To discuss, we FEATURE Amy Finan. Finan was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Sabin Vaccine Institute on April 18, 2016. In her time as CEO, Finan has led the development and implementation of a strategic plan focusing Sabin on a mission to make vaccines more accessible, enable innovation and expand immunization across the globe. Extensive media experience.

The New York Times recently reported that the head of one of the largest homeless shelter operators in New York, Victor Rivera, has been accused of using his position of power to sexually assault and harass vulnerable women. Many of these women were threatened with eviction if they did not comply. To discuss, we FEATURE Elizabeth L. Jeglic. Jeglic is a Professor of Psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. She is an internationally renowned expert on criminal justice reform, sexual violence prevention, child abuse prevention, sexual offenders and sex offender legislation as well as suicide and suicide prevention. Media includes: The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Guardian.

President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti has refused to step down after his five-year term causing tension and unrest in the country. To discuss, we FEATURE Vanessa Leon. Leon is the Chief Executive Officer of Pinchina, an international urban planning firm she established in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. As a Haitian-American urban planner, her primary interests are in strengthening the physical, social, and economic wellbeing of vulnerable communities in Haiti, New York City and wherever else they may be. Media includes: The Root, Planning Magazine, BBC.

In reaction to Myanmar's military coup last week, there have been widespread demonstrations. The military allegedly shot two protestors and new restrictions on public gatherings – including a curfew – have been instituted. To discuss, we FEATURE Nina Hachigian. Between 2014 and 2017 Hachigian was United States Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations and before that Hachigian was a Senior Fellow at American Progress. Hachigian was appointed Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles with responsibility for international affairs in August 2017. Media includes: The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, South China Morning Post, BBC, CNN, NPR.

Republicans in Georgia have unveiled a new bill that would limit mail-in voting. To discuss, we FEATURE Maya Contreras. As a lifelong advocate, Contreras’s focus has been on Voting Rights because all paths to policy begin with access to the ballot box. On the road to equity, dominant political narratives that stem from domestic policy inhibit civic participation. One of Contreras’s voter outreach programs during the 2018 midterms was “Step up and Vote” which provided voter registration and voter education support to all 101 HBCUs. Contreras has given Voting Rights lectures at the Brennan Center for Justice, Clark University, and NYU. Media includes: Dame Magazine, France24, PBS.