ABA virtual program will cover the intersection of disasters and race

The American Bar Association will present the first of a five-part Virtual Disaster Symposium during September in recognition of National Preparedness Month.

The first program addresses the fact that while disasters do not discriminate, recovery does. Studies show that communities of color face particular struggles after natural disasters.

A panel of experts will discuss the policy considerations of recovery, the intersection of race and policy in disasters and how the confluence of COVID-19 and future disasters may impact this issue. Panelists include Curtis Brown, co-founder of the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management in Atlanta; Abre’ Conner, staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California; Junia Howell, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh; and Monica Sanders, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware and lecturer at Georgetown University Law Center.

ABA President Patricia Lee Refo will give opening remarks and former ABA president Paulette Brown, senior partner and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Locke Lorde, will moderate.

The program is co-sponsored by the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice and the ABA Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice.