WATCH: Leaders share how COVID-19 is shaping our work and our world
This week, we brought together some of our closest supporters and friends to discuss the impact of the Clinton Foundation — and the issues that are shaping our work and our world. Keep scrolling to watch reflections from our conversations with Dr. Janet Yellen, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, Ralph Smith, managing director for The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and Abbey Wemimo and Samir Goel, CGI University alums and co-founders of Esusu.
President Clinton kicked off the conversation, reflecting on the compounding challenges that we face — from the COVID-19 crisis to climate change.
“This year has been unlike any other. COVID-19 has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the United States alone, worsened existing challenges around food security, child care, substance use disorder, and more — and disproportionately impacted African Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, and low-income families who are already bearing the brunt of these challenges to begin with.”
Dr. Janet Yellen, former Chair of the Federal Reserve, spoke with President Bill Clinton about the disproportionate toll of the COVID-19 crisis.
“This pandemic is completely unfair in that it’s taking those who can least afford to deal with this problem and it’s putting the biggest burden on them.”
Ralph Smith, managing director for The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, spoke with Chelsea Clinton about the work of Too Small to Fail and how it’s expanding the notion of learning.
“This commitment to turning informal spaces and places into literacy rich environments is an important contribution to the future of education in this nation. The work that Too Small to Fail has done with its partners, with libraries and supermarkets and pediatric practices and playgrounds — but especially with laundromats — really is blazing a trail for the rest of us to follow. It’s opened the aperture about where learning can happen and who can be involved.”
Samir Goel, co-founder of Esusu, spoke with Chelsea Clinton about the organization’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and their work helping renters stay in their homes.
“We didn’t want to sit idly by in the greatest human health crisis the world has seen in over 100 years. Instead, learning from our CGI U experiences, we decided to create a Commitment to Action… to launch a rent relief fund.”
Abbey Wemimo, another Esusu co-founder, shares how President Clinton’s remarks during CGI University helped inspire his organization’s mission and ongoing work amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
“What we believe is hopelessness is the enemy of progress… That fundamental value stuck with us and the fact that we need to do everything we can and don’t relegate our hopes to saying nothing is going to get done.”
Chelsea Clinton shares that she’s grateful for our continuing work and our partners during this challenging time.
“There is so much, I believe, to be grateful for. And in this deeply challenging time, I could not be more proud of the work of the Clinton Foundation and our partners to support people through the multiple crises that have emerged and accelerated this year.”
