WASHINGTON (April 30, 2020) —  Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick M.D., MBA, will serve as co-chair of the Equity, Disparity Reduction, Vulnerable Populations Subcommittee for the newly created Reopen DC initiative.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser this week announced members of the ReOpen D.C. Advisory Group, which will create plans to open Washington, D.C. The task force is split into 11 committees tackling recovery plans for services like education, retail, transportation and recreation, and social services.

Dr. Frederick will help oversee the committee responsible for addressing equity and vulnerable populations. Committee members will focus on how the District's recovery efforts will right-size investments in communities hardest hit by the virus and find strategies to make the systems that have supported these inequities fair and more resilient.

“As a university president, a surgeon and a father, I hope to bring a range of experiences and perspectives to this role,” said Dr. Frederick. “I look forward to working with the committee and members of the DC community as we seek to expand opportunity to the most vulnerable in our community.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on significant inequities in America. African Americans have comprised more than 80 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in D.C., while making up 48 percent of the population. Public health officials and academics are pointing to underlying health conditions for the deadliness of the virus in vulnerable populations. COVID-19 has highlighted the need to focus on the building blocks of health, from a local and national perspective.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu

For media inquiries contact: Sholnn Freeman, sholnn.freeman@howard.edu