COMMUNITY VOICES
Community Voices is a platform for listening and learning as community members ranging from residents to elected officials speak one on one regarding today’s toughest challenges and how to effectively navigate them. Airs as a special segment with a variable schedule.
Community Voices returns Tuesday, April 5th at 6:30 pm for a look at the vaccine in our community. Why do many Black people remain hesitant and even skeptical of the vaccine? What is real and what is fake news about the vaccine? Is there still a need to take it? We discuss all of this and more with our distinguished panel below.
-
Besa Gordon
Moderator
Besa is an influencer and on-air radio personality with IHeart radio in Seattle, JAM’N 107.5 in Portland, and B95 in Fresno California. She also hosts a bi-weekly pop-culture music interview show on Converge Media called the Rewind with Besa in which Besa discusses the biggest issues of the day in music, fashion, and lifestyle while also uplifting and interviewing recording artists from the Pacific Northwest.
-
Tiffany Ross
Treasured Community Member
Tiffany, 34, was hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to distrust of western medicine, and concern over infertility. With a history of asthma, miscarriage due to blood clots, endometriosis, and mental health issues, Tiffany talked with her obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) team about the vaccine. She had anxiety because the vaccine was new and there was no information about what the long-term effects could be. Ultimately, after prayer, research, and trusting her doctors, she felt it was safe to get her first vaccine shot in October 2021. While she has concerns that she will never be a mom, she is hopeful the vaccine will allow her the chance to be one.
-
Korey Strozier
Tacoma School Board Member
Korey is a Tacoma School Board elected official who also serves as the Program Manager of King County’s Youth Source program for GED and High School completion. See his Here For Us story here.
-
Dr. John Vassall
Foundation for Health Care Quality
Dr. Vassall is an internal medicine physician in Seattle, Washington. Born in Brooklyn, New York to immigrant parents from St. Elizabeth parish, Jamaica, he was educated entirely at public schools and universities. After high school graduation he enrolled in what is now Binghamton University where he was president of the Black Student Union. Black student activism at the University of Wisconsin drew him to Madison, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology. He enrolled in a Microbiology Ph.D. program at the University of Washington School of Medicine, completed the Master of Science degree and became a Doctor of Medicine in 1978. Dr. Vassall is CEO of the Foundation for Health Care Quality and serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University.
-
Pastor Lawrence Willis
Truevine of Holiness Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Willis has had a lifelong calling to serve. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Christian Education at United Theological Seminary. He entered the clergy in 1999 and has been Pastor of Truvine Church since 2001. He started the transitional program LOVETO that helps low-income people of color. He conducts counseling, is the president of the United Black Christian Clergy, and serves on the Women and Minority Business Council in Seattle.
