As we look back on URU’s programs and projects in 2021, we take stock of the incredible impact we have had in our communities of marginalized and often forgotten brothers and sisters who had been left to navigate this difficult time with little to no support or information. I am honored to share that we continued with our mission and doubled down to ensure that we were reaching those who needed it most over the last year.
I am humbled by our URU family that has continued to show up when it has been most difficult, to respond with the urgency this crisis demanded of us, and give gratitude to all of those who rallied tirelessly alongside us. Thank you for your commitment to equity and changing the narrative, it is through this collective impact that real, enduring change is possible.
Below is just a bit of all we accomplished to create greater equity and serve our communities.
January - March
● 30+ COVID-19 education sessions with community entities, pastors, and other community leaders
● 12 Virtual Community Town Halls in English and Spanish with medical doctors
● 15+ Culturally sensitive risk communication campaigns including
● 2 Virtual Building Bridges: The Power of the Sisterhood conference sessions with 200+ participants
● 12 Instagram Live conversations reaching thousands of viewers
April-June
● 30+ weekly COVID-19 education newsletters reaching hundreds with latest case counts, vaccination rates, and talking points about the virus
● 300+ Culturally sensitive risk communication assets (banners, flyers, signage) created, thousands of copies distributed in communities
● 15+ COVID-19 Education bus campaigns in Connecticut and New Mexico with millions of impressions
July-September
● Ongoing daily door to door canvassing activities since March to encourage New Haven residents to get vaccinated. Dozens of partnerships and community events throughout the spring to fall seasons.
● Launched the Virtual Courageous Conversations Series: Director 2 Director
● National Recognition of Virtual Reality Game, “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See.”
● Hosted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Qualifying Red Carpet Premiere of The Deadliest Disease in America in NYC
● Premiered Virtual Reality game on CBSOctober-December
● Produced drone photoshoot to demonstrate solidarity in resiliency of New Haven community against COVID-19
Over the last year, we have developed and strengthened relationships with community entities of all kinds including faith-based organizations, public health centers, community serving groups, and others. We give our humble thanks to the partners for their support and partnership in this work.
ALBUQUERQUE PARTNERS
Casa del Rey Ministries
South Valley MainStreet
United South Broadway Corporation
CONNECTICUT PARTNERS
A Kidd From New Haven
Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church
Casa De Oración Y Adoración
Community Action Agency of New Haven
Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center
Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
New Haven Fire Department
New London NAACP
NATIONAL PARTNERS
Alliance for Safety and Justice
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Black Public Media
The Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (Arizona State University)
Cheryl Duncan PR
Creatively Speaking
The Divas with Disabilities Project
Get Us PPE
National Urban League
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
New York Women’s Foundation
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (PAW)
Salud America!
I hope that you will take the time to learn about the impact we have had in 2021 and will feel inspired to join us in our mission of shifting perspectives on equity by shifting the narrative.
Namaskar,
Crystal Emery, Founder
URU, The Right to Be, Inc.
