Ronnie Herndon gets things done. The Portland civil rights activist is known for community engagement, especially when it comes to educational opportunities. From leading the effort to keep Harriet Tubman Middle School open to serving as teacher at Albina Youth Opportunity School, Herndon’s dedication to his community is evident. Herndon demonstrated that dedication once again by getting his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At Albina Head Start, where Herndon serves as director, COVID-19 has affected 50 people he works with. In this clip, he explains why getting the vaccine is important, especially for communities of color.

Watch the full video below.

This article first appeared in the Feb. 4, 2021 issue of Oregon Coronavirus Update.