Art is Citational Ethics (Saidiya Hartman, 2017) by Ja’Tovia Gary via Jenny Wortham

Written by Jackson Bird

This week, we’re standing in solidarity with workers, calling for economic justice–––and also helping you find the best virtual events to add to your gCal.

What we’re checking out…

In honor of International Workers’ Day, here’s an on-going list of all strikes being held by food and delivery workers.

Relatedly, Chris Huges, co-founder of the Economic Security Project, wrote an excellent op-ed in The New York Times this morning about why we need a guaranteed income.

Lauren Sandler wrote for TIME about how we failed to mend social safety nets before it was too late and how people will suffer because of it.

A lot of businesses are stepping up to support their communities right now, even as they struggle to stay afloat themselves. As David Sax writes, this unique moment is showing us the entrepreneurs we should really be paying attention to.

One of the biggest non-pandemic news stories of the week was Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden. For some fresh takes, we recommend this double Twitter thread from Tarana Burke and this piece by Jessica Valenti.

If you keep scrolling, you’ll find 10+ phenomenal talks and conversations we recommend watching so, in lieu of a more serious reFRESHing Talk of the Week, this week please let your soul be cleansed by this video of a baby eating queso for the first time. You’re welcome.

What We’re Watching…

With so many events going virtual and therefore freeing us of geographic barriers, it seems like there are more enticing events to keep up with than ever before.

With that in mind, we’re debuting this new section to the reFRESH, which will spotlight some of our favorite virtual events featuring our speakers, FRESH friends, and other luminaries. Some of them are upcoming or on-going and others have already happened but are available to watch on-demand. All of them, however, will leave you feeling inspired, engaged, and refreshed.

Susan McPherson has launched the McPherson Memo Live, during which she chats with business leaders who are stepping up in this moment of crisis. You can tune in for free multiple times a week.

Shannon Watts is hosting a series called Demanding Women, presented by Everytown and Moms Demand Action. You can watch the first event with Stacey Abrams here and tune into Everytown’s Twitter or Facebook on Monday for a conversation with Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Mia Birdsong started an interview series called My Brilliant Friends: The COVID Season. Episode one with economist Nwamaka Agbo is live now. You can watch future installments on Mia’s Facebook.

Aisha Nyandoro and Mia Birdsong will both be appearing on panels presented by the Aspen Institute Financial Security program on May 13. Tune in here for discussions from experts on guaranteed income and financial security.

On May 5, Franklin Leonard will be appearing on Define American’s Black + Gold Forum to discuss creating solidarity and support for Black and Asian communities. Sign up here to get the watch link.

On the first installment of the Essential Workers Bill of Rights Town Hall, Ai-jen Poo spoke with Representative Ro Khanna and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Watch their conversation here.

On May 7, Whitney Kimball Coe’s organization Rural Assembly will be hosting a panel of journalists discussing the impact of COVID-19 on rural America. Sign up here to watch live.

Jamil Smith interviewed Senator Kamala Harris about her VoteSafe Act and the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on black Americans. Watch on Rolling Stone.

Have kids at home? Every weekday, FRESH friend Wendy Macnaughton hosts a live drawing class. Watch at 10 AM Pacific on Instagram or stream past lessons on YouTube.

And mark your calendars for May 20 when Ms. Foundation will be hosting an epic Feminist Block Party to raise money for nonprofits and community organizations run by women of color in the nation’s most impacted communities. RSVP here.

The latest from our speakers…

Aimee Allison and her nonprofit She The People were finalists on Fast Company’s 2020 World-Changing Ideas list!

Samhita Mukhopadhyay contributed to a new anthology called Catlady: A Love Letter to Women and Their Cats.

Simran Jeet Singh’s podcast Spirited was named a Webby Award honoree in their Diversity & Inclusion podcast category!

Both Aisha Nyandoro and Natalie Foster lent their expertise to this Mashable piece on guaranteed income.

Franklin Leonard’s The Black List has just announced a partnership with Hulu, who will offer script deals to two of the writers from the 2020 Latinx List.

Like what you see? Get the reFRESH in your inbox each week.