Fresno Voices

Watch: Fresno Voices — How the city failed its Black residents, and the path forward

By Dayana Jiselle

Watch a replay of the Fresno Voices forum in the video above. Thank you for joining the conversation.

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In Fresno, Black residents lag behind other races in all spheres of life — education, employment, economic participation, wealth, housing, health and even life expectancy. This is despite powerful efforts by individuals and community leaders.

Our Fresno Voices forum brings together people with diverse experiences and involvement — including representatives of government, neighborhood coalitions, health experts, educators and business leaders — to address the inequities and discuss home-grown solutions to racial disparity.

About Fresnoland: We’re a team of reporters based at The Fresno Bee focused on stories at the intersection of housing, water, neighborhoods, and inequality in the central San Joaquin Valley. Fresnoland relies on funders and donors to keep its stories free for all. Support this work and local journalists with a donation.

Here’s a look at our panelists:

Tara Lynn Gray, CEO of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce. Gray works to engage, educate and empower small businesses in California’s Central Valley. 
Tara Lynn Gray, CEO of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce. Gray works to engage, educate and empower small businesses in California’s Central Valley.  Courtesy photo

Tara Lynn Gray, CEO of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce. Gray works to engage, educate and empower small businesses in California’s Central Valley.

Windell Pascascio, president of Imperial Electric Service, a company he founded in 2016. Pascascio has lived in Fresno for over 20 years.
Windell Pascascio, president of Imperial Electric Service, a company he founded in 2016. Pascascio has lived in Fresno for over 20 years. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Windell Pascascio, president of Imperial Electric Service, a company he founded in 2016. Pascascio has lived in Fresno for over 20 years.

Fresno Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer talks about his plans for job creation in the Black community, unifying the city, and his plan to present efforts in they cityÕs workforce to end racism, during an interview, July 21, 2020.
Fresno Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer talks about his plans for job creation in the Black community, unifying the city, and his plan to present efforts in they cityÕs workforce to end racism, during an interview, July 21, 2020. JOHN WALKER Fresno Bee file

Jerry Dyer, mayor-elect of Fresno and former police chief.

Dr. Reshale Thomas, owner of Allay Psychological Services in Fresno
Dr. Reshale Thomas, owner of Allay Psychological Services in Fresno JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com

Dr. Reshale L. Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Allay Psychological Services in Fresno. Thomas’ areas of research include substance abuse; poverty; multicultural issues; spirituality and health; and integrated medical and behavioral health care.

Venise C. Curry, M.D., is a native of Fresno who has focused on health care access, education and the African American infant mortality rate. She is also working to increase voter engagement with the New California Education Fund.
Venise C. Curry, M.D., is a native of Fresno who has focused on health care access, education and the African American infant mortality rate. She is also working to increase voter engagement with the New California Education Fund. Courtesy photo

Venise C. Curry, M.D., is a native of Fresno who has focused on health care access, education and the African American infant mortality rate. She is also working to increase voter engagement with the New California Education Fund.

Angelia “Angie” Barfield has spent the past 15 years working with school-aged youths, and currently works for the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in the Student Intervention & Prevention Department, where her new focus is African American student excellence and community engagement.
Angelia “Angie” Barfield has spent the past 15 years working with school-aged youths, and currently works for the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in the Student Intervention & Prevention Department, where her new focus is African American student excellence and community engagement. Courtesy photo

Angelia “Angie” Barfield works for the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in the Student Intervention & Prevention Department, where her new focus is African American student excellence and community engagement.

Courtesy Fresno County Office of Education

Kathryn Catania, deputy superintendent of educational services for the Fresno County Office of Education. She has been in education for over 28 years.

Abigail Akande, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in Clovis. In her four years at Buchanan High, Akande was heavily involved in multiple groups on campus, including the Principal’s Advisory for Student Affairs and the Superintendent’s African American Student Advisory Cabinet. She now attends Dillard University.
Abigail Akande, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in Clovis. In her four years at Buchanan High, Akande was heavily involved in multiple groups on campus, including the Principal’s Advisory for Student Affairs and the Superintendent’s African American Student Advisory Cabinet. She now attends Dillard University. Courtesy photo

Abigail Akande, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in Clovis. In her four years at Buchanan High, Akande was involved with the Principal’s Advisory for Student Affairs and the Superintendent’s African American Student Advisory Cabinet. She now attends Dillard University.

Dayana Jiselle is the engagement reporter for the Fresnoland Lab.
Dayana Jiselle is the engagement reporter for the Fresnoland Lab. Victor Photography

Moderator: Dayana Jiselle

Engagement Reporter, Fresnoland

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 12:12 PM.

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