Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and pandemics disproportionately affect vulnerable communities—people of color, low-income families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. These groups are often the slowest to receive relief or recover. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CSUITEMUSIC partnered with Listos California, a $50 million initiative by Governor Gavin Newsom, to address these disparities and amplify the voices of those most affected.

We produced a groundbreaking series of short documentary films titled What Happens to Us, which highlighted the unique challenges faced by underserved communities during emergencies. By featuring trusted community members, the films explored what government can do better to address inequities in disaster preparedness and response. These stories emphasized the intersection of community, culture, and power, creating a meaningful dialogue about systemic change.

Our team collaborated with leaders from African-American, LatinX, Asian-American, senior, disabled, and homeless communities across California to ensure authentic representation. The short films became a key part of statewide virtual meetings with local emergency managers led by Listos California and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. These discussions tackled racial and cultural biases in emergency strategies, while also providing a platform for communities to voice the barriers they face in disaster readiness.

The impact was significant. Our collaboration helped Listos California surpass its goal of reaching over 1 million vulnerable community members with accessible and culturally relevant content. Through these efforts, we highlighted the importance of inclusive disaster preparedness and the power of storytelling to inspire systemic change.