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The first event in the Atwood Talks series is scheduled for Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m. 

Atwood Talks, fashioned after the popular Ted Talks, will feature nationally renowned speakers from around the nation who will address a litany of COVID-19 pandemic related topics in an exciting and high-impact format.

Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of the Center for Justice Research and professor of justice administration at Texas Southern University, will present “COVID-19, Race and Reforming Criminal Justice.”

Henderson currently evaluates the Bureau of Justice Assistance and mental health collaboration program funded project with the Harris County mental health jail diversion program designed to implement and expand community-based services to individuals with behavioral health issues through information sharing between the criminal justice system and community service providers. Howard is also leading a research team in a large-scale evaluation of the Houston Police Department body camera program.

Atwood Talks will examine the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic on: the student achievement gap, digital divide, health disparities, wealth disparities, criminal sentencing and crime, food insecurity, commerce and small businesses, low-wage workforce and racism-related stress.

Each virtual presentation will last between 15-20 minutes.

Zoom ID: 417 824 5330 (https://kysu.zoom.us/j/4178245330)