February 22, 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
Last week, Chairman T.D. Jakes joined the Dr. Oz Show to discuss why he decided to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Click here to watch.
Despite all the challenges of 2020, the T.D. Jakes Foundation reached some major milestones toward accomplishing our goals. Take a look at our year in review!
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.
Texas Winter Weather Relief
Due to the recent circumstances caused by inclement weather, Dallas ISD schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 22 and 23, and there will be no virtual learning. On Monday, Feb. 22, curbside meal service is available from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Find out more here.
After many Texans recently suffered through freezing temperatures without electricity or heat, some residents are facing unusually high energy bills. Federal emergency funds meant to help Texans recover from severe weather will also be used to help some residents pay exorbitantly high energy bills. Find out more via CNN.
To support Texans recovering from the recent winter storm, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launched a fundraiser on Twitter to benefit five Texas emergency relief organizations. The New York congresswoman’s relief effort has raised more than $4 million dollars, with donations to be split among The Houston Food Bank, Feeding Texas, Family Eldercare, The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center and Ending Community Homeless Coalition (ECHO). Read the full story in KHOU 11.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that Texas residents living in 77 specified counties that suffered damage due to the recent storm can apply for disaster assistance. Visit WFAA for the list of counties that apply, in addition to the resources available.
STEAM News
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the historical, long-standing and still-current issues of systemic racism and social injustice in the US. Since the start of the pandemic, racial inequities have meant increased hospitalization and mortality rates for BIPOC. Within the field of chemistry, BIPOC and their allies spent 2020 vocalizing the problems that have long plagued the chemical enterprise. Visit Chemical & Engineering News for more on how we can begin to ignite change within STEM fields.
One hundred years ago today, America’s first museum of modern art opened in a private mansion in Washington, D.C., founded by Duncan Phillips. The museum has adapted to the 21st century with the help of Dorothy Kosinski, the director of the museum. Today, the museum includes pieces by women and people of color, along with new technology. For 100 years now, this intimate and welcoming museum has touched, animated and excited visitors with the power of art. Read more on this historical museum via NPR.
Following NASA’s Perseverance rover landing on Mars Thursday, we can now glimpse never-before-seen land footage on the red planet. The analysis of these images allows for a navigational path for the rover to continue exploring the planet. Read more on what’s next for Perseverance Rover via CNN.
Israeli authorities are trying to find the ship responsible for an oil spill that drenched much of its Mediterranean shoreline with tar, an environmental blow that will take months or years to clean up, officials said. Read more on the detrimental environmental disaster via The Guardian.
COVID-19 Developments
COVID-19 vaccines have reached consumers in record time. Though the process can typically take 10 to 15 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency authorization to vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna in less than a year. Many COVID-19 vaccines are still in development stages while others have surpassed phase three trials. Read the latest on COVID-19 vaccines via The National Geographic.
Together, we can and will get through this.
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