January 25, 2021
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
Health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci—the nation’s top infectious disease official and now an adviser to President Biden—joined Chairman T.D. Jakes for a recent discussion on how to quell distrust about COVID-19 vaccines, especially within the Black community. Visit Dallas News for more on the panel.
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.
Are you a displaced worker looking for job opportunities? We’ve compiled job opportunities in essential sectors such as grocery and drug stores and restaurants, along with remote opportunities in technology. Find them here.
Owning a business is never easy, but it’s even more challenging now, with so many owners unable to meet overhead or pay salaries. Click here to learn more about the resources available to small-business owners.
COVID-19 Developments
Millions of Americans have received COVID-19 vaccines since the long-awaited inoculation campaign started on Dec. 14, with the Pfizer/BioNTech version of the shots. North Texas public health experts are here to help answer lingering questions about the vaccines and their rollout via Dallas News.
Due to a new highly transmissible COVID-19 strain found in South Africa, Moderna is accelerating its work on a COVID-19 booster shot to guard against the recently discovered variant. Read more on the booster’s developments via CNBC.
Presidential News
On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Many historical moments took place during the inauguration, from speeches to performances – NBC News has compiled a list of highlights from the momentous occasion.
Within his first three days in office, President Joe Biden has signed 30 executive actions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration policies, student loans and many other pressing issues. Visit CNN for more details on the executive orders, actions and memorandums.
Education
Dallas Independent School District leaders hosted a Mitigating Learning Loss TeleTown Hall meeting on January 25.. This meeting gave Dallas families more information of the district’s efforts to mitigate learning loss by adding learning time for students disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen to the simulcast here Dallas ISD.
The pandemic has and continues to leave an impactful mark on educational institutions across the country. Over the past year, some of the most dramatic changes include many college classes operating almost 100% online, institutions looking to sell their main campuses and hundreds of colleges dismissing admissions test requirements. Find out more on the pandemic’s impacts on higher education via POLITCO.
STEAM
According to a new MetLife survey, 58% of women say that the pandemic has already had a negative impact on their career, and 56% fear it will pose problems in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic has many women looking ahead to a new career path due to job instability. According to MetLife’s survey, four in 10 women are looking to transition to the historically male-dominated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field. Visit ThinkAdvisor for ways we encourage women to pursue careers in STEM, as well as retain female talent in the sector.
Together, we can and will get through this.
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