In the premiere episode, Creator of The Iconoclast Dinner Experience (IDE), Executive Producer and host of The IDE Impolite Conversation Podcast, Lezli Levene Harvell begins her first episode introducing the podcast and episode one of a five part series of conversations beginning at the height of the coronavirus, reflecting a timely perspective on the global pandemic how it shines a lights on our food supply chain, its impact on culture, Black businesses and potentially the Black middle class.

The first episode under the theme “Climate Change + COVID-19 + Communities of Color, Lezli is joined by Jim Robbins, Montana based free-lance journalist for the New York Times, covering climate change and the environment, as well as Mary I. Williams, assistant director of community and student engagement at the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in New Orleans, LA . The conversation between the three examines how climate change influenced an environmental shift where the coronavirus could not only survive, but thrive. Lezli also examines the cross section of environmental, economic, and social-cultural factors that contribute to how communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and how Black and Brown communities have been historically impacted by climate change over time and unequally protected during recovery efforts.

Jim Robbins @jimrobbins19

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice @dscej

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING FAMILY

Relevant and Recommended Reads: 

• The Ecology of Disease - By Jim Robbins 
• Air pollution may be ‘key contributor’ to Covid-19 deaths – study  
• People of Color Are on the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis 

CALL TO ACTION

Breonna Taylor Was Killed In Her Home on March 13, 2020 by Louisville Police Officers Sgt. Jon Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove, and Brett Hankison. The Officers Have Yet To Be Arrested. Here are some of the ways you can help.

• Sign the official petition calling for justice in Breonna Taylor's case. It only takes a minute
• Donate directly to Breonna’s Family using the GoFundMe Link
• Flood social media with the hashtag #JusticeforBre 
• Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund to support protestors on the ground

🎧 Listen 🎧 on #applepodcasts , #spotify , or wherever you get podcasts

Have thoughts on this episode? Share them on social media using the hashtag #IDEimpoliteconversation Also follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter @icondinner and email press@iconoclastdinner.com with feedback or questions! You can support by rating and reviewing us.

Podcast Team = Lezli Levene Harvell (Host & Executive Producer) / Hayley Vaughn (Producer) / Justin Bates (Sound Engineer) 

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