Since the COVID-19 pandemic started late last year, discrimination against Asian Americans has dramatically increased. To raise awareness of the issue and to support Asian Americans, the Institute’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) partnered with the MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness and the Let’s Talk! Conference at Harvard Graduate School of Education on the webinar series, called “Let’s Talk! Supporting Asian and Asian American Students through COVID-19”.

This five-part series launched with a bang on April 21, with more than 400 participants in the inaugural webinar. A second successful webinar was held later in the month, and three more webinars are slated for May, covering topics including predictable parenting for unpredictable times and the challenges international students face during COVID-19. 

“Anti-Asian racism increased across the country as a result of political rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Boston is not immune to this,” said Dr. K imberly Truong, Executive Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Institute. “This collaboration allowed the Institute to partner with two leaders in the field to offer support to members of the IHP community at a time when Asian Americans are feeling particularly vulnerable.”

Three more webinars are planned for May, and the DEI Office plans to offer additional programming in the coming months.