Commissioner Starks Hosts "Thriving While Black: The Role of the Media and Communications Technology in Addressing Black Mental Health"

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent protests for racial justice have further exacerbated stress and anxiety in Black communities across the nation. Media and communications technology offer new opportunities to elevate accurate narratives about Black mental health and new ways to access mental health services. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks hosted this virtual event at which panelists presented current research on Black mental health, highlighted the importance of authentic storytelling in the media, and discussed policy solutions for reliable and affordable broadband that assist marginalized groups in accessing vital telehealth services.

Opening Remarks

• Bonnie Watson Coleman – U.S. Representative (NJ-12)

Moderator

• A. Prince Albert III – Technology & Telecommunications Fellow, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Panelists

• Noopur Agarwal – Vice President of Social Impact, ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Group
• Dr. Kia Darling Hammond – Founder & CEO, Wise Chipmunk
• David Johns – Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition
• Dr. Michael A. Lindsey – Executive Director, NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research
• Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee – Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of Center of Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution

Related Materials

• Commissioner Starks Remarks at Black Mental Health Event
• Commissioner Starks Announces Panel on Black Mental Health