>> DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT IS RHODE ISLAND'S TOP DR., A PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE COVID CRISIS.

SHE SAYS HER COLLEAGUE'S HARD WORK KEEPS HER PUSHING THROUGH THE LONG DAYS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: THE AMOUNT OF STAMINA AND COMMITMENT NEEDED TO BE THIS FAR ALONG IN THE JOURNEY AND STILL GOING STRONG, STILL COMMITTED, IS REALLY WHAT INSPIRES ME EVERY DAYS.

MICHELLE: FOR MANY BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN RHODE ISLAND, THE PANDEMIC INTENSIFIED THE STRUGGLES THEY FACED RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> IF BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE GOING TO THRIVE, IF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE WHERE BLACK FOLKS ARE LIVING, YOU HAVE GOT TO GET ROBUST INVESTMENT.

♪ MICHELLE: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

PAMELA: I AM PAMELA WATTS.

RHODE ISLAND RANKS AMONG THE BEST STATES FR COVID VACCINATION RATES, BUT THE ROAD TO THE VACCINE WAS NOT EASY.

MORE THAN 127 RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS AND OTHERS HAVE GOTTEN SICK.

MICHELLE: DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT HAS LED THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID OUTBREAK.

AS WE FIRST REPORTED LAST MONTH, ALEXANDER-SCOTT BEGAN MAKING A NAME FOR HERSELF IN RHODE ISLAND YEARS AGO.

SHORTLY AFTER SHE ARRIVED IN THE STATE FOR AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE FELLOWSHIP AT BROWN UNIVERSITY, SHE HELPED PASS PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION.

ALEXANDER-SCOTT CONFRONTED THE SWINE FLU PANDEMIC 12 YEARS AGO, BUT THAT GAVE HER AND OTHER OFFICIALS LITTLE PREPARATION FOR THE COMING STORM IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PANDEMIC?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: PROBABLY ABOUT FEBRUARY OR SO.

WE HAD ALREADY ACTIVATED OUR COVID-19 TASK FORCE.

WE THEN MOVED ON TO OUR INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM AND BEGAN GEARING UP FOR WHAT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE EXPERIENCE FROM H1N1.

WE NOW SEE FOR SURE THAT IT HAS FAR SURPASSED ANYTHING WE WENT THROUGH IN 2009 BOTH IN TERMS OF THE DURATION AS WELL AS THE INTENSITY, BUT IT WAS THAT FEBRUARY TIME WHEN I BEGAN TO SORT OF BUCKLE UP.

OUR OVERALL GOAL IS TO STEER THIS SO THAT WE GET TO HAVE A GREAT SUMMER TOGETHER.

MICHELLE: FOR THE PAST YEAR, DR. NICOLE ALEXANDER-SCOTT HAS HELPED LEAD THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.

THIS IS NOT HER FIRST TIME TACKLING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

IN 2009, SHE WAS A CONSULTANT TO THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DURING THE H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: DURING THE H1N1 PANDEMIC, I SAW FIRSTHAND HOW WHAT I REFER TO AS MY SUPERHEROS PUT ON THEIR CAPES AND PUT IN 23 HOUR DAYS EARLY ON IN THAT PANDEMIC, SO I HAVE BEEN THANKFUL THAT IN THESE 10 YEARS PLUS WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT LEVEL BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS KNEW THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE AGAIN.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT LARGELY CREDITS HER HUSBAND FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR HER TO LEAD DURING THIS CRISIS.

THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED SINCE 2013 AND HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD SON.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: MY OWN HUSBAND IS TRULY ONE OF MY SUPERHEROES.

HE'S AN AMAZING COOK AND JUST DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY AND TO SUPPORT ME.

THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

MICHELLE: IN MANY WAYS, THE STATE'S TOP HEALTH OFFICIAL HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS MOMENT MOST OF HER LIFE.

SHE IS A SPECIALIST IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND HAS A MASTERS DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

SHE REMEMBERS WANTING TO BE A DOCTOR AT A YOUNG AGE WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP IN BROOKLYN'S PARK SLOPE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HER PARENTS AND OLDER BROTHER.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I LIKE SHARING THE STORY THAT MY FATHER, WHO HAD MOVED TO NEW YORK FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, USED TO SAY WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, SHE'S GOING TO BE A DOCTOR SOMEDAY.

I NEVER KNEW THAT.

HE SADLY PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS 11, SO I ACTUALLY FOUND OUT I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL -- IN MEDICAL SCHOOL THAT WAS SOMETHING HE USED TO SAY.

MICHELLE: YOU COULD SAY MEDICINE WAS IN HER BLOOD.

HER MOTHER RETIRED FROM NURSING AT A HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK CITY.

SHE SAID HER MOTHER TOLD HER SHE WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO BECOME A NURSE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HER SKIN.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: SO I GREW UP AROUND BOTH OF THEM AND WITH MY MOM IN A HOSPITAL SETTING WITH HER JOB.

BOTH OF THOSE WERE INFUSED IN ME AS A PATH THAT I WAS DESTINED FOR.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS HER PATH TO PUBLIC HEALTH WAS INSPIRED BY A BABY WHO WAS BORN HIV-POSITIVE BECAUSE HER MOM WASN'T TESTED DURING PREGNANCY.

THE INCIDENT INSPIRED HER TO PUSH FOR CHANGE.

IN 2007, SHE HELPED PASS A LAW THAT MADE HIV TESTING FOR PREGNANT WOMEN ROUTINE IN RHODE ISLAND.

A STUDY FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH FOUND THE LAW LED TO INCREASED RATES OF HIV TESTING DURING PREGNANCY FROM 52.8% IN 2005-2006 TO GREATER THAN 95% IN 2007.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: AND THAT TYPE OF POPULATION-LEVEL IMPACT REALLY INSPIRED ME, AND ONCE I LEARNED THAT'S PUBLIC HEALTH, I WAS HOOKED AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

MICHELLE: IN 2015, ALEXANDER-SCOTT BECAME THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR.

SHE'S THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT.

IT IS A POSITION THAT HAS DRAWN HER PRAISE AND, MORE RECENTLY, CRITICISM OVER THE STATE'S VACCINE DISTRIBUTION ROLLOUT.

WE SPOKE IN MID FEBRUARY, JUST FOR THE STATE OPENED ITS MASS VACCINATION SITES.

AT THE TIME, RHODE ISLAND HAD ONE OF THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: WE PURPOSELY CHOSE A VERY TARGETED APPROACH BECAUSE WE WANTED TO REALLY FOCUS ON HAVING A LIMITED SUPPLY, GET INTO THOSE INDIVIDUALS -- GET IT INTO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST AT RISK FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS OR DEATH.

WE KNEW WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO AND WE DID ACCOMPLISH THAT.

MICHELLE: AT THE TIME, THEN -LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE OF THE STATE -- DAN MCKEE WAS CRITICAL OF THE STATE'S VACCINE ROLLOUT.

THERE ARE NO EASY DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, THE DOCTOR SAYS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AT HIGHEST RISK OF GETTING HOSPITALIZED ARE VACCINATED FIRST.

AND WE ALL WANT TO EXPEDITE NOW AND GET BETTER AT OPENING UP TO THE PUBLIC, SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON.

MICHELLE: RHODE ISLAND HAS SIGNIFICANTLY RAMPED UP DISTRIBUTION IN A SHORT TIME PERIOD.

THE STATE HAS OPENED ASKED VACCINATION CENTERS AS MORE VACCINES HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE.

WHEN DO YOU EXPECT RHODE ISLAND WILL REACH HERD IMMUNITY?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I AM HOPEFUL THAT, BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, THE SUMMERTIME, I AM EAGER FOR RHODE ISLANDERS TO HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.

THAT IS WHAT OUR GOAL IS.

MICHELLE: WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME WHEN SCIENCE IS BEING CALLED INTO QUESTION.

DR. FAUCI HAS RECEIVED THREATS.

OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE 2.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY THREATS DURING THIS TIME?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: THANKFULLY NO.

I APPRECIATE THAT RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE UNDERSTOOD AND RECOGNIZED HOW CHALLENGING THIS TIME IS AND THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING IS.

MICHELLE: YOU HAVE NOT FELT HARASSED OR INTIMIDATING DURING THIS TIME AS DIRECTOR?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: YOU REALIZE THAT -- NO.

MICHELLE: YOU REALIZE THAT OTHER COLLEAGUES CANNOT SAY THAT?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: YEAH.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

MICHELLE: WE HAVE SEEN DURING THIS CRISIS HOW LIKELY YOU ARE TO GET INFECTED WITH COVID-19 HAS A LOT TO DO WITH YOUR ZIP CODE.

WHY IS THAT AND HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY DURING THIS TIME?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: COVID HAS FULLY EXPOSED THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE BEEN LASER FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING.

CURRENTLY, EVERYONE CAN LOOK AROUND, THERE ARE CERTAIN ZIP CODES THAT HAVE DIFFERENT QUALITY SCHOOLS, DIFFERENT ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, DIFFERENT MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION ACCESS, CLEANLINESS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, QUALITY HOUSING, SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE NOT IN PLACE BY ACCIDENT.

MICHELLE: BACK IN 2015, UNDER HER DIRECTION, SEVERAL HEALTH EQUITY ZONES IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE OCEAN STATE WERE LAUNCHED.

SHE SAYS THOSE HEALTH INITIATIVES WILL HELP ADDRESS THE DISPARITIES THAT COVID-19 HAS MADE MORE VISIBLE.

WHAT OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES ARE YOU SEEING EMERGING FROM THIS PANDEMIC?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: ONE IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

WHAT HAS REALLY BEEN MAGNIFIED BY COVID IS OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR SUBSTANCE USE CONCERNS.

THAT WAS A PANDEMIC UNTO ITS OWN THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

MICHELLE: WHILE DIFFICULT DECISIONS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS ABOUND, ONE OF THE TOUGHEST, ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS, WHERE THE VISITATION RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE IN HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, LEAVING MANY ELDERLY AND SICK RHODE ISLANDERS TO DIE ALONE.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: IT HAS TRULY BEEN HEARTBREAKING FOR ME TO SEE JUST THE IMPACT THAT THAT HAS ON FAMILIES, KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT FAMILY IS TO ME AS WELL, AND SO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH A LOVED ONE WHO HAS BEEN HOSPITALIZED OR IN ONE OF THOSE FACILITIES THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VISIT OR HAS LOST SOMEONE, I WOULD SAY BY FAR HAS BEEN THE MOST HEARTBREAKING DYNAMIC OF THIS RESPONSE TO ME.

MICHELLE: THE PANDEMIC HAS ALSO HIT HOME PERSONALLY FOR THE 45-YEAR-OLD.

SHE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS IN DECEMBER.

DID IT SURPRISE YOU THAT YOU GOT SICK?

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: IT WAS A SURPRISE, BUT IT WAS ALSO PART OF WHY I WAS TESTING, SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY AND NO -- KNOW.

I WAS VERY THANKFUL TO REMAIN A SYMPTOMATICALLY.

MICHELLE: ALEXANDER-SCOTT'S COLLEAGUES DESCRIBED HER AS UNFLAPPABLE AND PRAISE HER ABILITY TO STAY CALM DURING A CRISIS.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: I HAVE LEARNED EARLY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

THAT IS WHEN -- THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LOSE A PARENT AT AGE 11.

YOU DEVELOP A PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MATTERS, WHAT DESERVES YOU TAKING A BREATH AND DETERMINING WHAT IS NEXT TO DO.

MICHELLE: DESPITE THE LONG DAYS AND ENDLESS WORK, ALEXANDER-SCOTT SAYS SHE HAS FOUND TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY BEING A WIFE AND A MOM.

DR. ALEXANDER-SCOTT: YOUR WHOLE JOURNEY AS A MARATHON AND SO I THINK THAT TAUGHT ME, OVER TIME, YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE A BREATH, HOW TO SMELL THE ROSES, HOW TO REALLY BE PRESENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND ENJOY IT, GO FOR WALKS TOGETHER, GET ON THE FLOOR AND PLAY WITH MY 21 MONTH OLD TOGETHER, LOOK HIM IN THE EYE AND LAUGH AND SMILE, SO THOSE ARE MY TIMES TO ENJOY.

PAMELA: UP NEXT, MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER THE PANDEMIC UPENDED LIFE AS WE KNEW IT, THE END IS IN SIGHT, BUT IT EXPOSED INEQUITIES THAT PREDATED COVID, INCLUDING HOW BUSINESSES OPERATE.

HISTORICALLY, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE >> SS -- HAVE LESS ACCESS TO CAPITAL THAN WHITE OWNED BUSINESSES.

THEY HAVE SLIMMER MARGINS, WHICH LEFT THEM LESS TO LEAN ON WHEN THE PANDEMIC AT.

NEXT, A PROGRAM SET UP TO HELP COMPANIES THAT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY MINORITY BUSINESSES.

>> OUR WORK IN THE STORE IS ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE FEEL GOOD WHEN THEY LEAVE.

>> ANGIE AND FRANK OWN COPA MENSWEAR IN PROVIDENCE, A CLOTHING STORE THAT SELLS A VARIETY OF SUITS, SPORT COATS AND DRESS SHOES.

IN THEIR YEARS OF BUSINESS, THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SALES DRY UP LIKE THIS.

>> I WOULD SAY REVENUE IS DOWN BY 90 TO 95% IF YOU THINK ABOUT GRADUATIONS.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM WAS EITHER CANCELED OR LIMITED VIRTUALLY.

YOU TALK ABOUT WEDDINGS, PEOPLE HAVING WEDDING PARTIES WITH 200 PEOPLE, 300 PEOPLE.

THOSE ARE NOT HAPPENING.

TALKING ABOUT JUST GENERAL CELEBRATIONS, ANNIVERSARY PARTIES ALL OF THOSE OUR LIMITED -- ALL OF THOSE ARE LIMITED.

>> SHE RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM BUT SAYS IT DID NOT COVER EVEN ONE MONTH'S RENT.

SHE ALSO RECEIVED TWO OTHER GRANTS, INCLUDING ONE FROM RESTORE RHODE ISLAND.

WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS WITHOUT THAT GRANT MONEY?

>> NO.

>> BECAUSE?

>> WE SIBLEY DID NOT HAVE THE INCOME TO PAY THE RENT -- WE SIMPLY DID NOT HAVE THE INCOME TO PAY THE RENT, TO PAY THE UTILITIES, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE 12 OR 14 WEEKS OF SHUTDOWN.

EVERYBODY WAS READY TO GO OUTSIDE.

>> BEING AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE HAS ALSO HURT THEIR OTHER BUSINESS, COPA UNISEX SALON, A BARBERSHOP NEXT TO THEIR CLOTHING STORE ON RESERVOIR AVENUE.

FEWER CUSTOMERS ARE STOPPING BY DESPITE THE INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES.

>> YOU CAN SIGN IN, CHECKED HER TEMPERATURE.

WE ASK THEM QUESTIONS.

HAVE YOU LEFT THE STATE?

ANYTHING LIKE THAT WE ASK THEM.

>> THE BARBERSHOP IS LOCATED IN ONE OF THE AREAS HARDEST HIT BY COVID-19 IN RHODE ISLAND.

IT IS ADDED STRESS FOR BARBER ERIC YOUNG.

>> I SAY COME ON INTO MY SHOP.

"I WOULD RATHER NOT."

WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY KNOW WHAT I DO AND I KNOW WHAT THEY DO.

THEIR LIFE IS IN MY HANDS.

MICHELLE -- MICHELLE: LISA IS THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE RHODE ISLAND BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

SHE HAS SAID THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS HURT THE BLACK BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CONTRACTS, THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL, MOST OF THE BUSINESSES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR UNBANK, SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM THAT CAME FROM THE COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS, VERY FEW BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.

>> MANY BUSINESSES DID NOT QUALIFY FOR PPP LOANS BECAUSE THE PROGRAM WAS MOSTLY TAILORED TOWARD BUSINESSES WITH LARGE STAFFS.

THE MAJORITY OF BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE STATE ARE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS, MEANING THEY HAVE NO EMPLOYEES.

>> AND SO WHEN THE FORMULA IS BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES, UNINTENTIONALLY OR INTENTIONALLY, IT MAKES IT A BARRIER TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DOLLARS YOU CAN RECEIVE.

>> NATIONWIDE, LITTLE PPP FUNDING WENT TO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, PPP LOANS REACHED ONLY 20% OF ELIGIBLE FIRMS IN STATES WITH THE HIGHEST DENSITIES OF BLACK-OWNED FIRMS.

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES USUALLY HAVE WEAKER RELATIONSHIPS WITH BANKS THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

>> WE WERE FORTUNATE BECAUSE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED FOR THE BANK WAS ACTUALLY A CUSTOMER.

WE DID THEIR WEDDING SO IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE SOMEBODY YOU KNEW AND TRUSTED TO HELP YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

THAT IS HOW WE WERE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES.

>> NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AT WHAT THEY NEED TO DO NEXT TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.

>> HAS THE INVENTORY CHANGED?

PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING SUITS SO MUCH AS THEY ARE WEARING SWEATPANTS AND SWEATERS.

LET'S PIN IT TO THAT?

>> WE HAVE NOT CHANGE THE INVENTORY YET.

THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT IS MAINLY BECAUSE OF COST.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THAT INVENTORY, AND ALSO BEING ABLE TO CLEAR OUT THE EXISTING INVENTORY YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.

SO WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THAT PIVOT JUST YET BECAUSE OF THE CAPITAL NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE INVENTORY.

>> I THINK I FOUND MY FAVORITE.

>> MARIAH SALES QUICKLY HAD TO CHANGE HER BUSINESS, MARIAH PHOTOGRAPHY, LAST YEAR.

>> I WAS ON A RETREAT IN LOS ANGELES, A PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT.

I CAME HOME AND PHOTOGRAPHED TWO WEDDINGS, THEN THE WORLD STOPPED.

ALL MY WEDDINGS FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER JUST CANCELED.

>> 14 OF THE WEDDINGS SHE WAS SCHEDULED TO SHOOT LAST YEAR HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

SALES DECIDED TO START TAKING PORTRAITS OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR FREE.

SHE SAID SHE FELT SORRY THAT THEY WERE MISSING OUT ON SO MANY MILESTONES.

>> I DECIDED I COULD DO THIS.

I COULD DO SENIOR PORTRAITS.

I ENJOY IT.

>> YOU OPENED ANOTHER BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> YES.

>> DID YOU SAY TO YOURSELF, AM I CRAZY FOR DOING THIS?

>> YES.

AT THE TIME, I WAS BORED.

A LOT OF THINGS COME OUT OF BOREDOM.

I REALLY SHOULD BE SUPERVISED.

I REALLY SHOULD.

>> SALES CAN FIND THE HUMOR IN IT NOW.

SHE STARTED PHOTOGRAPHING FOOD DURING THE PANDEMIC TO KEEP HERSELF BUSY.

>> MY CAMERA WAS GATHERING DUST AND IT WAS DRIVING ME NUTS.

I PICKED UP STREET PHOTOGRAPHY.

I PICKED UP FOOD AND MICRO PHOTOGRAPHY, ANYTHING TO GET MYSELF CLICKING MY CAMERA AND WORKING MY IMAGES AGAIN.

>> BUSINESS IS SLOWLY STARTING TO PICK UP AS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS LOOSEN, BUT NEVER GETTING HER WAY THROUGH THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE CRISIS WAS DAUNTING FOR HER.

SHE SAYS SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR NOT PROPERLY SET UP.

>> I WAS NOT PAYING MYSELF.

LIKE, I DIDN'T HAVE A PAYROLL SERVICE THROUGH WHICH I WAS LISTED AS AN EMPLOYEE AND PAID TOWARDS IT.

WHEN ALL THE GRANTS AND FUNDS SORT OF ROLLED OUT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I REALIZED, TO MY COMPLETE DISMAY, THAT I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THOSE GRANTS, SO AS A RESULT OF THAT, I DID GET A BOOKKEEPER AND I AM TRYING TO WORK THAT OUT NOW.

>> RANGLIN OF THE BLACK BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAID MANY BUSINESSES DID NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP TO WITHSTAND THE PANDEMIC AND LACKED ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

>> BUSINESSES ARE RELIANT ON THEIR PERSONAL WEALTH, LACK THEREOF, OR THEIR PERSONAL PICO SCORE OR CREDIT WORTHINESS, AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HISTORICALLY BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE WITH CASH FLOW, CASH IN HAND, CASH IN THE BANK, BLACK BUSINESSES JUST DON'T HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH BANKS BECAUSE, TYPICALLY, THEY ARE SCRAPING BY TO MAKE ENDS MEETS.

>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

THAT'S A VERY GOOD ONE.

>> SALES SAYS SHE IS FORTUNATE THAT PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT HER MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME.

SHE IS ALSO A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.

SHE SAYS SHE DID SEE SOME INCREASE IN BUSINESS AS THE BY BLACK MOVEMENT GAINED MOMENT.

>> AND THEN GEORGE FLOYD HAPPENED AND THE MARCHES HAPPENED AND I THINK WHAT BEGAN TO HAPPEN IS PEOPLE SAID IS -- IS PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES TOOK A HARD LOOK.

I HAVE HAD COUPLES WHO COME TO ME AND HAVE SAID THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE WE ARE SPREADING OUR MONEYS AROUND.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE I AM BEING PATRONIZED.

I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING ACKNOWLEDGED, LIKE I AM ACTUALLY BEING SEEN.

ONE OF THE COUPLES THAT IS GETTING MARRIED THIS YEAR FOUND IT ME AND IT TO THAT ASPECT.

>> THAT SHE WANTED TO PUT HER MONEY WHERE HER MOUTH WAS, SUPPORTING BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES?

>> CORRECT.

>> RANGLIN SAYS THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEED TO DO BETTER AT INVESTING IN BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> WHEN JOBS ARE CREATED, THEY PUT REAL PEOPLE TO WORK.

WHAT WE WILL SEE WHEN THERE ARE STRONGER BUSINESSES IN THESE COMMUNITIES, A REDUCTION IN CRIME, AN INCREASE IN HOMEOWNERSHIP, WAGE INCREASES, UNEMPLOYMENT GOES DOWN, UNDEREMPLOYMENT GOES DOWN.

IT IS A WIN-WIN ACROSS-THE-BOARD FOR ALL OF US.

>> BACK AT THE MENSWEAR STORE, ANNE HOPES THAT WHEN THE PANDEMIC IS OVER, PEOPLE WILL CELEBRATE MUCH LIKE THEY DID DURING THE ROARING 20'S FOLLOWING THE 1918 FLU PANDEMIC.

>> I AM HOPING WE HAVE SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT WHERE EVERYBODY CANNOT WAIT TO GET OUTSIDE AND WE HAVE THE BIGGEST BALLS AND BASHES BECAUSE WE WILL BE READY AND PREPARED FOR EVERYONE WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

WE HAVE THE INVENTORY AND WE WILL BE READY AND STANDING BY FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME TOGETHER.

♪ >> ANGIE SAYS THAT BUSINESS HAS PICKED UP IN RECENT MONTHS DUE TO IN PERSON GRADUATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS LOOSENING ON WEDDINGS AND OTHER LARGE GATHERINGS.

AS FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER, SHE SAYS MORE CLIENTS ARE BOOKING HER FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AND PORTRAITS.

FINALLY TONIGHT, WE REVISIT A STORY WE FIRST REPORTED LAST APRIL AS CENTRAL FALLS CELEBRATES ITS 126TH YEAR, C. MORGAN GREFE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, EXPLAINS THE HISTORY OF THE OCEAN STATE'S SMALLEST CITY.

>> ON MARCH 18, 18 95, RHODE ISLAND WELCOMED THE SMALLEST CITY IN AMERICA.

THE CREATION OF CENTRAL FALLS IS A LONG AND WINDING ROAD.

WE GET TO THIS LANDSCAPE THAT WE KNOW TODAY AS THE SMALLEST, ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED CITIES IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO MANY PEOPLE REALLY KICKS OFF WITH SLATER MILL, AND IT SLATER MILL IS NOT VERY FAR AWAY, AS WE KNOW, FROM WHAT WE THINK OF AS THE HEART OF CENTRAL FALLS AT THIS MOMENT.

AS THESE SMALL MILLS ARE DEVELOPING IN THE 1810'S, THEY ARE DISRUPTED BY THE WAR OF 1812, BUT BY THE 1820'S, THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO STABILIZE AND THERE ARE MORE AND MORE INDUSTRIES COMING INTO THE BLACKSTONE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LEARNING HOW TO BEST HARNESS WATERPOWER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE THE BLACKSTONE THE SECOND HARDEST WORKING RIVER IN AMERICA.

THE NIAGARA IS CREATING A HUGE AMOUNT OF POWER.

SO IS THE BLACKSTONE.

SO CENTRAL FALLS IS REALLY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ITS LITTLE POSITION, AND IT IS AT A CELEBRATION OF THIS LITTLE EARLY MILLS WHERE A MAN SAYS HE BELIEVES THIS VILLAGE SHOULD BE CALLED CENTRAL FALLS, AND THAT IS WHEN THE NAME BEGINS AND CATCHES ON.

pSO BY THE 1880'S, THE POPULATIN OF THE VILLAGE OF CENTRAL FALLS IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

PEOPLE THINK ABOUT COTTON IN THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY BUT HERE IT IS WOOLENS, GLASS, JEWELRY, BRASS WORKS, EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE IS BEING MADE HERE IN THIS 1.29 SQUARE MILES.

ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRAL FALLS IS THAT IT HAS BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME A HIGHLY IMMIGRANT AND FIRST-GENERATION AMERICAN CITY.

WHEN CENTRAL FALLS BECOMES A CITY, IT IS ALREADY 40% IMMIGRANT AND ANOTHER 10% FIRST-GENERATION AMERICAN.

THAT TYPE OF STATISTIC CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE 20TH CENTURY.

IT IS JUST THAT THE NATION OF ORIGIN SHIFTS.

IN THE 19TH CENTURY, IT IS LARGELY FRENCH-CANADIAN, SCOTTISH AND IRISH, THEN WE BEGIN TO SEE WAVES OF POLISH, SYRIAN, PORTUGUESE, THEN WE SEE THE GROWTH OF THE LATINX COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT RHODE ISLAND, AND NOW, IN CENTRAL FALLS, THAT COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT SPEAK SPANISH IS A COMMUNITY THAT COMES FROM JUST ABOUT EVERY SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

WE ALSO HAVE CAPE VERDEAN IMMIGRANTS, DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FROM AFRICA.

IN 1900, 40% OF THE POPULATION WAS IMMIGRANT.

TODAY, THOSE NUMBERS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

THEY SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, TELL DIFFERENT STORIES, BUT THEY CAME TO RHODE ISLAND, TO CENTRAL FALLS, TO MAKE THEIR HOME, TO BUILD THEIR LIVES, AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN CENTRAL FALLS SINCE ARCH 18, 1895 -- SINCE MARCH 18, 1885.

IT IS AN AMERICAN STORY.

>> OUR THANKS TO C. MORGAN GREFE.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

>> I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

♪