State Sen. Saud Anwar, D-South Windsor, says Connecticut should declare racism a public health crisis. Anwar proposed a bill to do just that, and he says his legislation would also create a statewide commission focused on undoing systemic racism.

Psychologist Lauren Ruth explains how students of color are disproportionately harmed when schools use zero-tolerance disciplinary policies. Ruth is director of research and policy with Connecticut Voices for Children, which published a report last year on the so-called school-to-prison pipeline

Iliana Pujols, policy director with the Connecticut Justice Alliance, talks about how strong disciplinary decisions led to her being arrested and, ultimately, expelled from high school. She now advocates for ending exclusionary discipline and zero-tolerance policies in school.

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Executive Director Joe DeLong explain why CCM is trying to get more people of color to run for municipal office. He details a new training program CCM launched earlier this year.

Bloomfield Mayor Suzette Debeatham-Brown talks about what it’s like to run for elected office as a person of color and why more minorities should considering seeking local office. Debeatham-Brown is the only person of color to hold her town’s top

Fran Pastore of the Connecticut Women’s Business Development Council explains why women have fallen behind economically in the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares some of the strategies to help them get back on their feet.

Business owner Tori Brown talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her business. The pandemic has been especially hard on women-owned businesses, and Brown’s Breakfast Belles catering service is no different.

Yvette Highsmith-Francis of Community Health Center discusses some of the strategies in place to improve access to the COVID-19 vaccine. CHC and other vaccine providers have made efforts to get the vaccine into cities around the state.

Takisha Everette, executive director of Health Equity Solutions, talks about disparities in who is getting the coronavirus vaccine. Everette is a member of the state’s vaccine allocation