The Valentine’s free “Controversy/History” series continues on February 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a discussion focused on the city’s history with disease and racial disparities in treatment.

Valentine Director Bill Martin and Coffee with Strangers host Kelli Lemon will present a back-and-forth focused on racial disparities in treatment during the 1918 Flu Pandemic as well as the use of African American bodies for medical experimentation. This will be followed by presentations from Rodney Lofton, the Deputy Director of Diversity Richmond and a representative from Health Brigade, who will discuss race, illness and continuing disparities that exist today.

Dialectix Founder Matthew Freeman will facilitate group discussion. We are excited to align our event topics with The Capital Region Collaborative priority areas and to continue our partnership with Richmond magazine and new radio sponsor WCVE.