On September 2, the presidents of Dillard and Xavier Universities in New Orleans wrote a letter to the students, staff, and faculty of their schools informing them that they are enrolled in a national vaccine trial with pharmaceutical company Pfizer being administered locally by the Ochsner Medical System.

Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough and Dr. C. Reynold Verret spoke with health reporter Philip Kiefer about their decision and the letter in which they encouraged the HBCU community to consider participation as well. It is of particular note because communities of color have been disproportionately affected by COVID 19 and there is a history of distrust of the medical system due to historic racist practices.

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Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic...