Virtual Chat and Chew

During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the African American Medical Librarians Alliance (AAMLA) Caucus of the Medical Library Association formed a weekly virtual forum known as the “Chat & Chew.” The purpose of these weekly check-ins was to build community and provide support amidst a series of unprecedented health crises adversely affecting Black Americans, including the coronavirus pandemic and the long-standing issue of police killings and brutality. In coming together for these weekly check-ins, group participants benefited by actively practicing self-care and exchanging ideas and information with colleagues across the country. Each gathering incorporated various presentations and discussions, including topics related to self-care and wellness, microaggressions and stigmatization in the workplace, virtual technologies, plant care, book discussions, and opportunities to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion work. This chapter provides successes for member engagement and best practices that made the program sustainable throughout 2020 and beyond.