Eastern Michigan University to host virtual town hall, ‘Empowering Communities in Responding to the Challenges with COVID-19’

Event to include opening remarks from EMU President James Smith, plus expert panelist insight on anti-Asian racism, economic impact, community and mental health, and opening up Michigan

YPSILANTI — The Eastern Michigan University Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies (CHDIS) will host a virtual town hall event on Saturday, June 13, titled “Empowering Communities in Responding to the Challenges with COVID-19.”  The event will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Beginning with opening remarks from EMU’s president, James Smith, the event will include discussions focusing anti-Asian racism, economic impact and community and mental health and the process of opening up the state of Michigan.  

“Our mission as the Center for Health Disparities Innovation and Studies is to improve lives by reducing health disparities in underserved populations and communities through services, education, research and training,” said Tsu-Yin Wu, professor and Ph.D. Nursing program director at EMU. “This virtual town hall is just one example of how we strive to provide resources to those in our communities that need them the most. We hope that you’ll join us for this educational and insightful conversation with some of our state’s most prominent experts.”

Panelists for the “Anti-Asian Racism” discussion include:

  • State senators Stephanie Chang and James Runestad
  • State representative Padma Kuppa
  • University of Michigan American Culture assistant professor, Melissa Borja.

Speakers on the “Economic Impact & Opening Up MI” panel include:

  • Regional Director for Senator Gary Peters, Chris Matus
  • Executive Director for the State of Michigan Office of Global Michigan, Fayrouz Saad
  • Vice President of Global Entrepreneurship and STEM Talent for Global Detroit, Millie Chu
  • Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce board chair, Bing Goei
  • Miindia.com Founder, Anand Kumar
  • Citizens Bank licensed banker, Stephen Zannetti

The Community & Mental Health panelists include:

  • Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist
  • State Senator Michael MacDonald
  • Manager of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
    Office of Equity and Minority Health, Brenda J. Jegede, Manager
  • Burma Center Executive Director, Tha Par

To tune into the Virtual Town Hall event, register through the ZOOM Meeting Registration page. For more information, or to submit questions to panelists, contact Meriam Caboral-Stevens at emu_chdis@emich.edu or (917) 757-7646.

To learn more about the Eastern Michigan University Center for Health Disparities Innovations and Studies, visit the website.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

June 10, 2020

Written by:
Morgan Mark

Media Contact:
Morgan Mark
mmark@emich.edu
734-487-4402