**Policy, Equity, & Data Analysis**

In August 2020, Governor Ralph Northam recognized Virginia’s first Racial Truth & Reconciliation Week through a proclamation and at the statewide townhall on racial equity and police reform. This was critical in recognizing the role Virginia leaders play in the acknowledgment of the truths and experiences of communities of color, and furthermore, intentionally dismantling systems and structures of oppression so that all community members have equitable access to positive health outcomes, culturally empowering environments, and connections, and are free from prejudice, and discrimination. Forty-seven percent of children in Virginia are children of color. The Commonwealth is growing increasingly diverse, racially, ethnically, and linguistically and represent different backgrounds and identities. Every person has a critical role to play in ensuring the truths and experiences of communities of color are reconciled. Furthermore, Virginians in a variety of roles, including state government, must actively work towards changing systems of oppression to ensure that a just future for children and families in Virginia is guaranteed. Hear remarks from Governor Ralph Northam and listen in on this conversation addressing the progress the state has made towards this goal and the work that is left to be done to advancing trauma-informed and equity-informed policies that promote justice.  Register here. 

Press Contact: Sheri Shannon, CEO, Shannon Strategies : sheri@shannonstrategies.com

Opening Remarks & Keynote Address: Governor Ralph Northam  

Panelists:

• Governor Ralph S. Northam, Keynote speaker
• C.C. Clark, Voices for Virginia’s Children Board Chair
• Chlo’e Edwards, Policy Analyst, Voices for Virginia’s Children
• Dr. Janice Underwood, Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, Office of the Governor of Virginia
• Chidimma Jenkins, Trauma-Informed Care & Resiliency Advisor, Office of the Governor of Virginia
• Cecilia Barbosa, PhD, MPH, MCP Member of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board and the Health Equity Workgroup
• Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director, Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights