It is a well-established fact that Blacks and other minority groups in the U.S. experience far greater healthcare disparities than the white population. Ranging from the tragedy of higher rates of illness and premature deaths to simple basics like access to accurate information, a myriad of factors contributes to these inequalities. As the COVID pandemic has raged across our country and apprehension about the vaccine is high among certain populations, the situation is more dire than ever. This panel will explore the layers of complexity behind both the implicit and overt racism that is blocking access to the basic right of decent healthcare. Speakers will examine the long-standing socioeconomic factors that underpin the discrepancies around every aspect of our health system and discuss how this public reckoning can be the impetus for positive change.