Hello. Literary director of the library of Congress Welcome to the National Book festival this is a very special program for me the only one at the festival that doesnt necessarily have an author or a book we are discussing we are discussing festivals themselves in the way we have had to reinvent them in these very interesting days throughout the world on a global stage in which we are reinventing a lot of things in a virtual mode this is something everybody on the panel is doing or has done and i thought it would be fun to talk about the ways in which we can and cannot do it the ways that are frightening and pleasing and in some ways redemptive for audiences who have grown larger and better able to join us and with us today i have a tremendously Wonderful Group of colleagues, friends from around the world we have christine who is the International Executive director. Welcome. We have lois kim executive director of the texas book festival. Welcome. Great to have you from austin texas a
My wife and i, 31 years ago, began our business. Honestly, over all of these years, we had faced some adversity and challenges, but to be honest, nothing like we are today. We have literally had to reinvent our business several times since the beginning of the year just to stay afloat. We our revenue, for example, is off about 40 . We have half of the employees that we had precovid. And our customers are a little scared, our employees are sometimes afraid to come to work because of the covid. And to be honest with you, i am just frustrated. I dont understand how we got here. We are the greatest nation in the world. And it just seems to me that, maybe if we just came together on this one issue alone, maybe , as americans and being united, we can overcome it. Yeah. Thank you, scott, for sharing your story. I am sure many Small Business owners feel the same way that you are feeling now. We wish you the best for your business and, of course, for your family. Now i would like to turn to mar
We are praying for president campbell and his family members. Now i would like to knowledge our host today. Region one director, franks doing frank staulin. Assistant director james harris and our region one members. We welcome you here today. I would also like to welcome our members at the Uaw International executive board. Vice president cindy estrada. Carrine. Ident gerald director steve dobbs. And laura dickerson, assistant director of region one a. We are also honored to host here today our michigan governor, gretchen whitmer. Seven. Ted states senator president ron bieber. And also the members and staff of region one. [applause] we are so proud to have you here today, is the Vice President. The uaw was one of the first to back you you ran for the United States senate and you have been a loan friend. I would like to share a short story about joe biden and his commit and to autoworkers. You see, there is a plant here in flint, michigan that to this day flourishes because of your wo
Americans affected by andd19, the economy, Racial Discrimination address the 2020 Democratic National convention. This 40 minute portion includes remarks by Small Business owners, Domestic Violence survivors, climate activists, and gun violence prevention advocates. Many of you know, Small Businesses employ half of all u. S. Workers. Tonight, we have scott. Scott, you are a Small Business owner from pennsylvania. Small businesses have been hit so hard in this crisis. So many Small Businesses. How are you doing . How are you managing . Well, its been rough. Rough is the nice word to say it. My wife and i, 31 years ago, began our business, and quite honestly, over all of these years, we had faced some adversity and challenges, but to be honest, nothing like we are today. We have literally had to reinvent our business several times since the beginning of the year. Just to stay afloat. And we our revenue, for example, is off about 40 . We have half of the employees that we had precovid. An
It has been rough. Rough is a nice way to say it. My wife and i 30 years ago began our business and quite honestly, over all these years, we have faced adversity and challenges, but to be honest, nothing like we are today. We have literally had to reinvent our business several times since the beginning of the year just to stay afloat. Our revenue, for example, is off about 40 . Employees thate we had precovid and our customers are a little scared, our employees are sometimes afraid to come to work because of the covid, and, to be honest with you, i am frustrated. I dont understand how we got here. We are the greatest nation in the world and it just seems to me maybe if we just came alone,r, this one issue may be as americans and being united, we can overcome. Thank you for sharing your story. Im sure many Small Business owners feel the same way you are feeling now. We wish you the best for your family. Now i would like to turn to marley diaz, who is 15 years old, a literary activist an