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COVID-19 & Racial Justice: Responding to Dual Pandemics

Howard County Library System

Our country is in the midst of two simultaneous pandemics. COVID-19 continues to alter our daily lives, and for the past 400+ years, Black Americans have been facing the ongoing pandemic of Racial Injustice. Former Secretary of Education under President Obama John B. King Jr. and Sabina Taj, Education professional, discuss the dual crises and ask: how do we move forward, together?

John B. King Jr. is the president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps, from preschool through college. King served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet as the 10th U.S. Secretary of Education. In tapping him to lead the U.S. Department of Education, President Obama called King “an exceptionally talented educator,” citing his commitment to “preparing every child for success” and his lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, principal, and leader of schools and school systems.

Sabina Taj is a long-time Howard County resident and senior philanthropic leader supporting innovative K-12 educational initiatives. In 2018 she was elected to the Howard County Board of Education, running on a platform of representation and equity. Previously, she was Adjunct Professor at Howard Community College where she taught arts integration to future school teachers.  Ms. Taj has long been active in the community, which she first got to know in her role as Columbia Foundation program officer. She is a Leadership Howard County graduate, previously served on the board of the Little Patuxent Review, and was an advisory board member to the Columbia Housing Center. She also serves on the Howard County Arts Council. Sabina has two daughters and loves to paint when she has the time.

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