Welcome to the latest Bloomberg Philanthropies Impact Newsletter — a roundup of news and updates from our programs and partners that are improving lives around the world.

In this edition: Through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Greenwood Initiative we team up again with the nation's four historically Black medical schools to expand equitable vaccine access and fight COVID-19; the 100th episode of our Follow the Data podcast; saving 35 million lives by 2030; a way to carry London's top cultural destinations around in your pocket; and much more.

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— Bloomberg Philanthropies

The health and economic impacts of COVID-19 have disproportionately affected the Black community — and a full recovery in the U.S. means ensuring that access to vaccines is equitable. Today, we announced the second investment of our Greenwood Initiative: Providing more than $6 million to the nation's four historically Black medical schools to expand their mobile unit COVID-19 vaccine operations and reach some of the most vulnerable in their local communities of Nashville, TN; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; and Los Angeles, CA.

Our investment will provide mobile medical unit upgrades, paid staffing for the units, and medical supplies. It will also increase outreach by trusted health care providers — to reach more people with both the vaccines and reliable information about them. The schools will work with long-time partners like churches and senior centers to set up temporary vaccination sites. This funding for the mobile vaccination units follows the $100 million gift in September made through our Greenwood Initiative to help ease the debt burden of 800 Black medical students at these four schools. (Photo credit: Howard University College of Medicine)

This is a very special edition of our Follow the Data podcast: Not only is it our 100th episode, but it also features Bloomberg Philanthropies CEO Patti Harris. Patti sat down for a socially distanced recording at Bloomberg's global headquarters in New York to discuss how Bloomberg Philanthropies worked to make the biggest impact possible during the COVID-19 crisis, how employees at Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies have supported communities in need, and what's keeping her hopeful right now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts:

Since 2007 we've been working on a program that will help save 35 million lives by 2030 — and help the world breathe a little easier. Here's how we’ll get it done:

Explore London Culture Without Leaving Home The Bloomberg Connects app gives you interactive digital access to more than 20 cultural institutions — including new destinations in London. Take a virtual backstage tour of the National Theatre, check out contemporary art from Whitechapel Gallery, explore video, audio, and archival content in the Black Cultural Archives, and more. Learn more →

How This Student Got Into His Dream College Logan was an honors student who didn't think he could afford college. Through Bloomberg Philanthropies' CollegePoint, he was matched with an advisor who helped with all of his college and financial aid planning and applications. Watch as Logan discovers he's been accepted to his dream school, the University of Notre Dame, with a full scholarship. Watch now →

Photo Spotlight

Last month the Bloomberg Associates social services team helped launch NEWARK Hope Village. The innovative project uses converted shipping containers to welcome and provide shelter for some of the city's most vulnerable. Bloomberg Associates works with city governments around the world to help them unlock their potential and improve residents' lives. Learn more about Bloomberg Associates →

More News

LISTEN: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health podcast "Public Health on Call: COVID-19 and the Arts Part 1: What Has Been Lost and What We Can Regain"