An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Readout of HHS Secretary Becerra’s Roundtable with SEIU Healthcare to Celebrate Black History Month
On Monday, February 28, 2022, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra participated in a roundtable discussion with members of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas. The union proudly touted its history of being organized and led by Black and Brown women. The focus of the conversation was to celebrate Black History Month, hear about the impact that home care and child care workers have in the care economy, and underscore both HHS’s and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting the care economy workforce.
Participants from SEIU included the moderator, Greg Kelley, who serves as the President of SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Missouri and Kansas, and several SEIU Executive Board Members who are also home care workers and child care providers.
In his opening remarks, Secretary Becerra congratulated the members of SEIU on the work they have done. He stated that “as the son of a union member – thank you for being part of an organized group that knows how to take care of each other.” Furthermore, the Secretary highlighted that “It’s time to elevate and appreciate those who do the toughest work, who provide the care and safety that our loved ones most need.”
Following testimonies from participants about how the COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to the importance of Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) providers, participants shared stories of the essential work they provide as caregivers. One participant emphasized that “we are building lives, building minds on young people.” Secretary Becerra reiterated the importance of the work child care and other HCBS providers do later in the discussion by noting “as Frederick Douglass said, ‘It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’”
In his closing remarks, Secretary Becerra thanked Greg Kelley for the discussion and stated “I hope everyone who has listened to these stories will remember these are the folks who make America work. Without them, families wouldn’t have elderly loved ones nearby, people couldn’t go to work due to lack of child care, and America would not work the same.” Greg Kelley closed the roundtable by reiterating that “Black history is American history,” and noted how important it is for working people to come together and share stories to help make this country even better.
For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.
Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed
Disclaimer Policy: Links with this icon () mean that you are leaving the HHS website.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot guarantee the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not mean that HHS or its employees endorse the sponsors, information, or products presented on the website. HHS links outside of itself to provide you with further information.
You will be bound by the destination website's privacy policy and/or terms of service when you follow the link.
HHS is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on private websites.
For more information on HHS's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.