Creator of The Iconoclast Dinner Experience (IDE) Executive Producer and host of The IDE Impolite Conversation Podcast, Lezli Levene Harvell and ON THE YARD’s co-host, her eldest daughter and Spelman College student student, Zuri Levene Harvell chat in Episode four 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 light on our food supply chain, its impact on culture, Black businesses and potentially the Black middle class. ON THE YARD explores topics through the lens of HBCU students and recent grads.

The fourth episode under the theme “Climate Change + COVID-19 + Communities of Color Lezli and Zuri chat about how the pandemic will impact Zuri’s senior year as well as Zuri’s concerns about the freshman and sophomore classes and their connection to Spelman. They share information on how HBCUs have developed the Black middle class and explore how the pandemic may possibly impact the future of the Black middle class. They discuss Spelman’s 40 million dollar gift from Netflix Co-Founder Reed Hastings and his Wife, Patty Quillin and the backlash from some of the alumni and current students of other HBCUs. They are later joined by Zuri’s classmate, Chantia Murphy ‘21. Chantia is an English Major with a 3.9 GPA, first generation American and college student with aspirations of working for a media outlet that focuses on telling Black stories. Chantia shares the financial impact of COVID-19 on her family and why she may not be able to return to Spelman for her senior year.  EPISODE TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING FAMILY

Chantia Murphy @nots0perf_

Spelman College @spelman_college

Relevant and Recommended Reads

• Can Colleges Survive Coronavirus If They Stay Closed In The Fall?
• Coronavirus Surge Is Changing Colleges' Fall Reopening Plans
• Howard University's President on Why America Needs HBCUs

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

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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) / Zuri Levene Harvell (Co-Host) / Danielle Pearman (Producer) / Justin Bates (Sound Engineer) 

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