The program is hosted by Carl Lavender, chief equity officer at Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg (FHSP), and is one of many ways FHSP is addressing community needs and issues.

Karen Chassin, chief influence officer at FHSP, gratefully acknowledged WTMP’s general manager Howard Word for extending the half-hour slot for “Equity Now” on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

On May 16, Lavender was joined by data analyst and community builder Gypsy Gallardo and Rev. Watson Haynes of the Pinellas County Urban League (PCUL) to discuss the ongoing initiatives supporting post-COVID-19 recovery in St. Petersburg and the county.

Gallardo said the next two years will be critical in implementing initiatives to help black and brown communities recover from the crisis.

When Lavender asked how community leaders can hold government and banking systems accountable regarding dollars earmarked for black and brown, low-income communities, Gallardo referred to Frederick Douglass’ quote: “Power concedes nothing without a demand.

Lavender and Watson also discussed how black churches can use their influence in their banking relationships to encourage more business lending in the black community.