2022 Community Conversations
Raising Our Voices
Join United Way of Greater Cleveland for a virtual five-month long series of Community Conversations that provide a forum for information and dialogue on issues affecting members of our community. Our goal is to raise awareness and support of programs and initiatives that provide equitable opportunities for all members of our community.
The 2022 series builds upon our 2021 Consent Decree Series by addressing key issues and concerns raised by community members during the 2021 series that have impacted the Greater Cleveland area. These areas include guaranteeing equitable access to high quality education and health and mental health services, addressing systemic racism in the community, and ensuring community voices and needs are heard through voting and civic engagement.
This virtual series is free and open to the public.
Upcoming Session:
May 19, 2022 l 6:00 - 7:15pm
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Substance Use, Access to Care, and Treatment
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the mental health and well-being of communities across the country, including Ohio. Moreover, the pandemic exposed the preexisting disparities in access to behavioral health care services, especially in underserved communities, but also presented new opportunities in delivering behavioral health services, particularly with the expansion of telehealth regulations both at the federal and state levels.
A panel of experts will discuss COVID’s impact on community mental health and substance use, service delivery opportunities and barriers, and long-term programmatic and policy strategies at the local and state levels to adequately address the ongoing behavioral health needs of members of our communities.
Our May Conversation Leaders:
Moderator:
Marlene Harris-Taylor, Managing Producer, Health Team, WVIZ PBS & WKSU NPR
Panelists:
- Lovell Custard, President and CEO, Murtis Taylor Human Services System
- Archie Green, Founder and CEO, Peel Dem Layers Back
- Scott Osiecki, Chief Executive Officer, ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County
- Brittain Paul, Chief Operating Officer, Ravenwood Health
Previous Sessions
February 9, 2022
Our February conversation focused on the continued impact the ongoing pandemic is having on the education of children in Northeast Ohio. As new COVID-19 variants emerge, urban and rural communities still face challenges in providing adequate, accessible, and appropriate learning opportunities for students and their families.
Our panel of education experts discussed the challenges with remote learning, social isolation, hybrids, family stress, and workforce shortages that continue to impact children’s educational outcomes.
Moderator:
Jenny Hamel, Education Reporter, Ideastream Public Media
Panelists:
Jennifer Felker, Superintendent, Geauga & Lake Educational Service Centers
Eric Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Shari Obrenski, President, Cleveland Teachers Union
Andrea Pollock, Director, Chagrin Falls Park Community Center, Family and Community Services, Inc.
Thea Wilson, Ed.D., Vice President for Children and Families, Step Forward
March 31, 2022
Ohio legislators have introduced bills aimed at banning the teaching of critical race theory and divisive concepts focused on nationality, color, ethnicity, race, or sex, within primary, secondary, and higher education, state agencies, and political sub-divisions.
Our panelists discussed the potential implications of these bills within their own organizations and the communities they serve and the intended impact of these bills in the education and non-profit sectors.
Moderator:
Rick Jackson, Senior Host & Producer, WVIZ PBS & WCPN NPR
Panelists:
John Corlett, President & Executive Director, Center for Community Solutions
Blaine Griffin, Ward 6 Councilman & Council President, Cleveland City Council
Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Associate Professor of Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Meryl Johnson, District 11, Ohio State Board of Education
Thank You to our Signature Sponsor
