Celebrate Earth Day with Cecil Corbin-Mark Way Cecil's Street Naming Ceremony This Saturday
Join us on Saturday, April 20th from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM at the intersection of Convent Avenue and West 143rd Street for a special outdoor ceremony unveiling the Cecil Corbin-Mark Way street sign. RSVP
Cecil Corbin-Mark was the Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT for Environmental Justice when he passed away on October 15, 2020 at the age of 51. He helped develop and pass numerous environmental health related bills in New York City and New York State, provided overall policy guidance to WE ACT’s New York program staff, managed WE ACT’s Federal Policy Office in Washington, DC and served as an informal mentor to aspiring environmental justice advocates across the country – a legacy which is celebrated today by the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership program.
Cecil was 25 years-old when he joined WE ACT, becoming the first paid staff person hired by the Harlem-based volunteer group when it became a formal nonprofit organization. Over the following 26 years, Cecil grew to be one of the leading figures in the environmental justice movement – both well-known and highly respected. Listen to Peggy Shepard talk about Cecil and those early years on the latest episode of our Uptown Chats podcast.
He was also a life-long resident of Hamilton Heights in Harlem, New York, where his family has lived for six decades. That is why we have worked with New York City Council Member Shaun Abreu to have the street near his home named in his honor. And many thanks to Council Member Abreu, who has been instrumental in making this happen.
Please be sure to RSVP. And reach out to [email protected] with any questions you may have.
TAKE ACTION: Environmental Justice Asks for NYC Budget
The climate crisis and other environmental hazards have proven tremendously costly for New York City, in terms of lives and livelihoods as well as damage to infrastructure and the communities where we live. There is an urgent need to make substantial, strategic investments in climate and environmental issues across New York City agencies to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis and prevent environmental racism.
We are asking that the City Council and Mayor Adams include the following in the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Budget:
$1 million to the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ)
$7 million per year in funding for community composting operations
1% of the total city operating budget to the Department of Parks and Recreation to make parks – which not only offer opportunities for recreation but also serve a vital role in address the impacts of extreme heat – safer, cleaner, and more resilient
$600 million to do deep retrofits and electrify 500 school buildings by 2030 and achieve a net zero emissions school district by 2040.
$7 million investment and increased enforcement to transition our buildings and homes off of fossil fuels
Click here to see if you are eligible for financial support to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan in your home. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so act today because funding for this program has run out in July the last two years! Apply Today
Free Screening of Cooked: Survival by Zip Code Documentary About Extreme Heat & Environmental Racism
Join us on Friday, April 26th for a free screening of Cooked: Survival by Zip Code, a documentary on the deadly 1995 Chicago heatwave by filmmaker Judith Helfand. We have partnered with the Climate Film Festival for this special event, which will feature a panel discussion with Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson; South Bronx Unite’s Clean Air Project Organizer Leslie Vasquez; and Columbia Mailman Professor & NRDC Senior Scientist Kim Knowlton, Ph.D. This will be at the Maysles Documentary Center, located at 343 Malcolm X Boulevard (between West 127th & 128th Streets). It will kick-off with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by the film at 7:00 PM, and then the panel. Seating is limited so be sure to RSVP!
Help Us Survey Northern Manhattan for Community Land Trust Opportunities
We are supporting the growth and expansion of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) in Northern Manhattan. CLTs are nonprofit organizations governed by community residents that provide lasting community assets like commercial spaces for local businesses, affordable rental and cooperative housing, and urban green spaces for the benefit of all. To achieve this, we need to know what opportunities exist. Join WE ACT as we survey every block uptown for lots that could be acquired and developed by a CLT. Volunteers will receive training and stipends for their time. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
