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** Become A SuperBill Champion: Teaming Up on New York State Legislative Priorities
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WE ACT has teamed up with the New York League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Advocates NY to announce our SuperBills for the 2026 New York State legislative session. Next week we will be reaching out to you with ways you can champion these bills:


Beauty Justice Act(S.2057A ([link removed]) /A.2054A ([link removed]) ): Protecting consumers from harmful chemicals in personal care and beauty products while advancing environmental justice.


Budget $1 Billion for the Sustainable Future Program: Continue support for New York’s signature clean energy and energy efficiency initiative through a $1 billion appropriation in the FY27 Final Budget.


Lead Pipe Replacement Act (S.6892 ([link removed]) /A.7878 ([link removed]) ): Accelerating the replacement of lead water service lines statewide, a critical step toward eliminating lead contamination in our drinking water.

Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464 ([link removed]) /A.1749 ([link removed]) ): A major waste reduction proposal to cut down on excessive packaging and strengthen recycling systems across New York.

Ban on PFAS in Consumer Products (S.9073 ([link removed]) /A.7738 ([link removed]) ): Phasing out “forever chemicals” from everyday items to protect New Yorkers from toxic exposure linked to serious health risks.

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** February Membership Meeting: Celebrate Black History Month & Learn About Upcoming Events
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Come celebrate Black History Month and learn how you can participate in the many events we have planned for the next couple of months. We will also have a special Valentine's Day activity! Our February Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 14th from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall, located at 454 West 155th Street. RSVP ([link removed])

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** Beauty Justice at Caucus Weekend: Safety, Culture, and Equity in the Beauty and Personal Care Industry
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Are you going to the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus Weekend in Albany next weekend? We are hosting a panel discussing beauty justice and how Black women and other women of color disproportionately experience the health, cultural, and economic burdens of unsafe beauty and personal care products.


In addition to highlighting lived experiences, research and policy efforts to ensure safer, more transparent products, this event will also focus on two New York State legislative priorities: the Beauty Justice Act ([link removed]) (S.2057A ([link removed]) /A.2054A ([link removed]) ), which restricts some of the most harmful chemicals - including PFAS - in personal care and cosmetic products, and the Natural Hair Care and Braiding Bill (S.8573 ([link removed]) /A.7924A ([link removed]) ), which will strengthen the existing Natural Hair Styling License and advance health, safety, and professional standards within the natural hair care industry.


Join us on Saturday, February 14th at the Legislative Office Building Mezzanine at 3:45 PM (time is subject to change, with the committee is still finalizing the schedule). The panel will include Ginger Cowles, Managing Editor, Home & Trends at Consumer Reports; Michele Holmes, Impacted Community Member from Harlem; Sophia Longsworth, Toxics Policy Director at Clean+Healthy; and Erin H. Maybin, Co-Founder of the Natural Hairstyle & Braid Coalition. Briana Carbajal, State Legislative Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, will moderate.

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** Beauty Justice Fair: Learn About the Dangers in Cosmetics & What You Can Do About It
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The beauty industry is largely unregulated, and everyday beauty products often contain harmful chemicals – especially the products marketed to people of color.

Come to WE ACT’s 2026 Beauty Justice Fair ([link removed]) and learn about the dangers, how you can help advocate for safer alternatives, and receive free non-toxic beauty items. You can also learn about colorism and racism in the beauty industry and the importance of passing the New York State Beauty Justice Act ([link removed]) (S.2057A ([link removed]) /A.2054A ([link removed]) ) while exploring hands-on activities, creative projects, and DIY stations. In addition, we will have local clean beauty businesses on-hand and offer free food, drinks, and merch!

Join us on Friday, March 6th from 5:00-8:00 PM in the NAC Ballroom at the City College of New York (160 Convent Ave.). Questions? Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) . RSVP ([link removed])

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** Mayor’s Office Seeking Community Input on Addressing Environmental Justice Issues: Webinars & Survey
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WE ACT was instrumental in passing the law requiring New York City to pass the EJNYC Report ([link removed]) , which identified environmental justice issues citywide. As part of that legislation we helped pass back in 2017, the City is now required to develop the EJNYC Plan ([link removed]) , which will be used to address all of these issues.


The Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice is leading the development of the EJNYC Plan and wants to hear directly from you! In addition to providing on online survey ([link removed]) , the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice has scheduled two webinars to preview the City's proposed commitments to address environmental justice concerns and gather input from community stakeholders:


Community Input Webinar on Tuesday, February 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM – RSVP ([link removed])

Community Input Webinar on Friday, February 20th from 1:00-3:00 PM – RSVP ([link removed])

Community Survey (until February 28th) – Take the Survey ([link removed])

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** Albany Advocacy Day: Join Us on March 10th to Fight for Beauty Justice
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Did you know that many of the cosmetics and other personal care products we use every day contain toxic chemicals that pose serious health risks? And that people of color are disproportionately exposed to these dangerous chemicals?

Join us in Albany on Tuesday, March 10th to meet with state legislators and explain why they should support the New York State Beauty Justice Act ([link removed]) (S.2057A ([link removed]) /A.2054A ([link removed]) ). This bill, which passed the Senate last year, will ban toxic chemicals in personal care products.

This trip is all-inclusive. We’ll transport you to and from Albany for the day (leaving from and returning to our office, from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM) and provide a free lunch. We’ll even be hosting a virtual prep session at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 9th so you have a clear understanding of this bill and how to make the most out of the time we spend with our state legislators. In the meantime, you can contact Liz Reyes at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) with questions. RSVP ([link removed])
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Our State Legislative Manager Briana Carbajal explains what it's like to attend one of our Albany Advocacy Days.

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Our staff are always out interacting with members of our community. Marciely Alvarado (above left) was sharing information with residents at the Polo Grounds on February 3rd.

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** Join Our Earth Day 5K Fun Run
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There are plenty of ways to celebrate Earth Day, but our 5K Fun Run is the best. You’ll have a chance to be active, enjoy one of the less-explored parks in Manhattan, and support WE ACT for Environmental Justice!

Our annual 5K is a fundraiser open to all ages. We have competitive runners, casual joggers, and leisurely walkers. You can enter as an individual or as a team. The important thing is being there, being a part of our community, and raising money for environmental justice. Register Today ([link removed])

Join us ([link removed]) on Saturday, April 25th, on Randall’s Island. Our staff will be there at 8:00 AM with pre-race snacks and drinks. Check-in starts at 8:30 AM, with the fun run starting at 9:00 AM. And once our last participants cross the finish line, we’ll hand out the medals, with awards for the top finishers and fundraisers!

Take advantage of early bird registration, which includes a free WE ACT membership ([link removed]) and a fashionable WE ACT Earth Day 5K t-shirt.

To register ([link removed]) for the race, read our FAQ, or get more information, please click here ([link removed]) . If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) .

All proceeds from the Earth Day 5K support WE ACT! If you can’t join us, please consider making a donation ([link removed]) to support our work.

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