Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic CEP has developed several initiatives to support Queer Caribbean communities.
Masks By Mail
A COVID-19 Caribbean LGBTQ+ Wellness Program
The safety and wellness of the Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in NYC is our top priority. We are proud to announce the launch of our COVID-19 "Masks By Mail" wellness program. In 2020, New York State Governor, Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio mandated that ALL NEW YORKERS wear masks in public. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC, the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP) expanded its resource mobilization efforts to meet the emerging needs of the Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in NYC. This included the FREE COVID-19 "Masks By Mail" Wellness Program.
Why wear a face covering?
Wearing a face covering when outside of your home helps stop the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
What is a face covering?
A face covering is any well-secured paper or cloth (like a bandana or scarf) that covers your nose and mouth.
Who should wear a face covering?
All New Yorkers should wear a face covering when they need to be outside of their home, and may not be able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.
If you live in a facility that has shared kitchens, bathrooms, or other common spaces, wear a face-covering when you leave your apartment or room.
People who are sick should wear a face covering while at home, especially if they cannot maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others.
People who are sick and who need to leave their home—such as to get essential medical care and supplies—should always wear a face covering.
Mental Health Services
Providing mutual aid, healing, and building Caribbean LGBTQ+ community power in NYC during COVID-19.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC, the Caribbean Equality Project expanded its healing justice work to meet the emotional needs of the Caribbean LGBTQ+ community in NYC. This included offering FREE culturally competent remote mental health services. Our vulnerable community members have always been essential/frontline workers and documented and undocumented black and brown LGBTQ+ folks work in the restaurants, grocery stores, nightlife industries, and abor-intensive jobs that were impacted by the shelter-in-place order.
These workers are the backbone of New York City, and experience a disproportionately higher level of emotional and financial stress. Many were confined alone in isolation, trapped at home with abusive family members, and some did not even have the means to stay home during the state of national emergency.
The Coronavirus impacts all aspects of our lives, including our physical and mental health. We acknowledge how stressful the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was and we showed up to listen. Counseling was offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11am to 4pm through video conferencing, and via phone by licensed clinical psychotherapist, Shane M. Tull.
Black Brooklyn Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccine
People have good reasons to be skeptical about the vaccine. Medical racism ain't new. But as a community we can decide whether or not to take the vaccine.
The Caribbean Equality Project, Brooklyn Movement Center, community partners, and a virtual panel of central Brooklyn leaders hosted a discussion on March 15, 2021 focused on vaccine access and addressing questions related to the health and safety of the Black community, LGBTQ+ people, Caribbean immigrants, and HIV-impacted people in New York City.
Cara Page: Panelist
Founding Director, Changing Frequencies
Dr. Uché Blackstock: Panelist
Founder and CEO, Advancing Health Equity
Dr. Torian Easterling: Panelist
First Deputy Commissioner, Chief Equity Officer, NYC Department of Health & Mental Health
Co-Sponsors: Alliance for Quality Education, Audre Lorde Project, BK Reader, Black Latinx Asian Charter Collaborative (BLACC), Black Women’s Blueprint, Black VegFest, Bridge Street Development Corporation, Brooklyn NAACP, Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College, Churches United for Fair Housing, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated - East Kings County Alumnae Chapter, Ember Charter School for Mindful Education, Innovation and Transformation, Equality for Flatbush, Freedom Agenda, Grandchamps, Haiti Cultural Exchange, Harriet’s Apothecary, Little Sun People, Inc, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, NYC Coalition for Educational Justice
Community Conversation on COVID-19 Vaccines
The Caribbean Equality Project and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene held a virtual Community Conversation on COVID-19 Vaccines on Monday, March 8th 2021, at 6pm. The discussion focused on vaccine access and addressing questions related to the health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community, Caribbean immigrants, and HIV-impacted people in New York City. The conversation also delved into what vaccines were available, their side effects, who was eligible to be vaccinated, and where to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There was a designated time for questions and answers to help people make an informed decision about vaccination
Dr. Julian Watkins (he/him): Speaker
City Medical Specialist at the NYC Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene and Lead of the Staff Immunization Justice Workgroup—A group tasked with staff engagement and education around the COVID-19 vaccines.
Sai Ali (she/her): Co-Moderator
An Indo-Caribbean trans rights activist and lesbian-identified woman of trans experience. As a community builder, Sai's advocacy centers on the mobilization of LGBTQ+ immigrants of both Caribbean and South Asian descent.
Kadeem Robinson (they/them): Co-Moderator
A Jamaican immigrant, writer, and public servant. Robinson developed a passion for social justice and advocacy upon witnessing violence against women and homophobia growing up in rural Jamaica.
Co-Sponsors: DBGM, The Men of Faith Group, United Madrassi Association, GLITS, Inc, NAACP-Jamaica Chapter, Brooklyn Coalition to Prevent Substance Misuse in LGBTQ Youth, CAMBA’s Young Men’s Health Project, South Queens Women's March, Brooklyn Pride, Queer Detainee Empowerment Project, and Brooklyn Pride Community Center