Facing Forward

On February 17, 2022, the Gates Foundation Discovery Center and Civic Commons kicked off a new virtual series tied to the Discovery Center’s online exhibit Enduring COVID-19: Stories from our Transforming World. Facing Forward highlights stories of communities, individuals, and organizations coming together and moving forward to end the pandemic.

This virtual conversation brought together health leaders and scientists to discuss the connection between local and global efforts and how research, strategies, and systems are working together to end the pandemic.

The program was moderated by writer and storyteller Rosette Royale and included the following speakers:

Paula Houston, Chief Equity Officer for UW Medicine in the Office of Healthcare Equity

Pavitra Roychoudhury, Computational Biologist, University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Dr. Solomon Zewdu, Deputy Director, Africa office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The music from the event was part of a guest mix playlist by Portland-based DJ Black Daria that was commissioned by La Roxay Productions for Alimentando al Pueblo. The music video was by Tacoma Refugee Choir

Missed the program? Watch the event video

Take Action Resources

Check out the resources mentioned by our panelists below:

Paula Houston 

• depts.washington.edu/uwmedptn/strategies-programs/healthcare-equity/  
• civiccommons.org/webelonghere-podcast 

Pavitra Roychoudhury

• dlmp.uw.edu/research/centers  
• Comments on “Covid predictions:” NBC News

Dr. Solomon Zewdu  

• gatesfoundation.org/our-work/places/africa    
• africacdc.org 
• globalgoals.org
• gavi.org

Learn more about our incredible partners that worked on this event with us: 

• uwmedicine.org  
• fredhutch.org

This global crisis requires a shared global response: Collaboration is paramount to overcoming unprecedented challenges and consigning COVID-19 to the history books. Learn how COVID-19 is developing across the world, track COVID-19 cases globally, and stay up-to-date on COVAX’s global vaccine rollout.  

Learn more with the links below

• Washington State COVID-19 Updates 
• WA Vaccine Appointments 
• GO GIVE ONE Vaccine Campaign 
• CDC Updates 
• The Gates Foundation COVID-19 Response 
• COVID Resources for people with disabilities 
• King County Accessible COVID-19 Resources