December 14, 2020
To help you navigate these uncertain times, we’ve compiled timely news and resources related to small business, education and connectivity. We hope this provides both information and comfort as we continue to weather these challenges.
T.D. Jakes Foundation in Action
Today, in the United States, there are approximately 2.6 million Black-owned businesses—a number has risen by more than 30 percent in the past decade. Click here to visit the T.D. Jakes Foundation’s helpful resource guide to help those looking for ways to support Black-owned businesses.
Need additional resources around STEAM? The T.D. Jakes Foundation has compiled a list of STEAM resources for the arts, coding, and engineering and even resources specifically for kids and teachers. Check out our STEAM resources here.
Assistance for Dallas Families
Dallas ISD will continue offering free curbside meals to all children, ages one to 18, during the winter break. The pickup dates are Dec. 21 and Dec. 28 from 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or until supplies last. Each curbside meal contains a value of $80 worth of groceries. Read more on Dallas ISD for pickup locations.
Workforce News
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) is calling attention to how the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic crisis are having a disproportionate effect on women, and especially women of color, who have been forced out of many of the hardest-hit businesses — such as hotels, restaurants, retail, and other service-industry jobs. According to a report released Tuesday by Porter’s office citing an October survey from the Bipartisan Policy Center, about 22% — or over one in five — women in the U.S. have left the labor force since the start of the pandemic. Read more on Porter’s call to action via HuffPost.
Restaurant Relief
The National Restaurant Association is urging Congress to provide immediate relief to restaurants in desperate need of financial assistance as tens of thousands of businesses are shuttering permanently or closing for the long term. According to the latest Association research, approximately 17% of restaurants—more than 110,000 establishments—have completely closed, and approximately 10,000 restaurants have closed in the past three months alone. Read more on the stark statistics here.
Following a month-long spike in COVID-19 cases in New York City, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is closing indoor dining indefinitely. As the hospitality industry continues to suffer with little relief, many foundations across the United States are providing support for U.S. restaurants and their staff. See the list via Gotham Magazine of 14 foundations, which you can donate to now or turn to for relief.
Digital Divide
In 2020, the education landscape has completely shifted, with many educators teaching students in a hybrid model of in-person and virtual learning. However, many North Texas students continue to struggle with a lack of internet access—a persistent problem prior to 2020. As a result, community organizations are stepping up to close the digital divide through collaboration and ingenuity. Capital One spoke with a few local leaders about bridging the technology gap for those who need it most. See more on the conversation here via Dallas Innovates.
COVID-19 Relief
With no coronavirus relief legislation enacted since the spring, a bipartisan group of senators is expected to introduce a $908 billion coronavirus relief bill as soon as Monday, Dec. 14. The deal is expected to be split into two pieces, a $748 billion piece of coronavirus relief with less-controversial items like schools and health care; and another bill that marries $160 billion in money for local governments with a temporary liability shield. Splitting the bill could make it more likely that a relief package can be finalized before Congress leaves for the holidays — something deemed essential with 12 million Americans set to lose unemployment benefits in the coming weeks. Read more on the bill via POLTICO.
The first people in the U.S. are receiving vaccination shots against COVID-19 as U.S. health workers started administering the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, was the first person to receive the vaccine. Read more via NPR.
Together, we can and will get through this.
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