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A Grand Gala!

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Gala on Thursday night! We had more than 250 supporters in attendance, and they gave generously to support the construction of our Urban Environmental Education Center. You can learn more about the new center here ([link removed]) , and make your own donation here ([link removed]) .

We also announced the Cecil Corbin-Mark Fellowship for Environmental Justice Leadership, which you can learn about and support here ([link removed]) . And Doreen Harris, President & CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), joined us to announce NYSERDA's Cecil Corbin-Mark Environmental Justice Fellowship, which you can learn more about here ([link removed]) .

We also had an engaging panel discussion about green job opportunities for communities of color with our honorees: Roxanne Brown, International Vice President at Large, United Steelworkers; Omar Freilla, Co-Founder and Director of Collective Diaspora; Davida Herzl, CEO and Founder of Aclima, Inc.; Aaron Mair, Director of Adirondack Wilderness Water and Jobs Coalition, Adirondack Council; and Solar Uptown Now Services. You can learn more about them by reading our Gala Journal ([link removed]) .

Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters, our attendees and donors, and our staff and others who helped make this event such a success!

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Vote Early Today in New York

Early voting began today in New York, and runs through October 31. Visit our Voter Information ([link removed]) page to learn everything you need to know. And watch the video ([link removed]) below to learn about the proposals on the ballot from experts like Pamela Stewart-Martinez.

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Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
Twitter Chat on October 26
Town Hall on October 28

Next week is National Lead-Poisoning Prevention Week. On Tuesday, October 26 at 3:00 PM EDT we will participate in a Twitter Chat ([link removed]) about lead poisoning prevention and on Thursday, October 28 at 12:00 PM EDT we will – as part of the Lead Free New York coalition – participate in a virtual Town Hall ([link removed]) to hear stories from activists, families, and others about lead poisoning. Even though lead poisoning is completely preventable, it remains a deadly threat to environmental justice, with studies ([link removed]) showing that Black children living below the poverty line are twice as likely to suffer from lead poisoning as poor white children.

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NYCHA Leaders Workshop
Tuesday, October 26

If you read Ashley James Op-Ed about the health inequities in NYCHA ([link removed]) , then you are surely interested in addressing these issues. We’re inviting NYCHA residents and others concerned about affordable housing to join us for our NYCHA Leaders Workshop at 6:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, October 26 to discuss the health inequities in NYCHA and how we can address them. RSVP ([link removed])

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Get Ready for Our Push for Public Power
Saturday, October 30

What is public power? And why is it an environmental justice issue? Get the answers to these questions and any others you may have at the Public Power NY coalition’s statewide orientation at 12:00 PM EDT on Saturday, October 30. WE ACT is part of this coalition, and we view public power as a key step in equitably addressing climate change. Come learn why public-owned utilities can help us achieve climate justice for all New Yorkers! RSVP ([link removed])

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Moving Toward Beauty Justice: Conversations for Change
Thursday, November 11

Join us, the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, and the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan for Moving Toward Beauty Justice: Conversations for Change on Thursday, November 11 at 3:00 PM. Come learn about toxics in beauty and personal care products and how to take action for change. RSVP ([link removed])

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Year-End Membership Meeting
Saturday, November 13

Join us on Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM for our final Membership Meeting of 2021. As is our tradition for the year-end meeting, we will look back on all that we were able to accomplish this year as well give you a preview of what we have planned for next year, including an overview of our key policy initiatives and programs as well as ways you can get more involved in our work. RSVP ([link removed])

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Raya Salter will participate in the Environmental Defense Fund’s Sloan Foundation Energy Fireside Chat on Tuesday, October 26, talking about energy transmission and distribution and a just transition.

Charles Callaway will speak on a solar industry MWBE panel at 1:45 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 27 as part of NYSEIA’s online workforce development webinar: The Solar Workforce Awakens: Promoting Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the New York Solar Industry. RSVP ([link removed])

Yuwa Vosper will participate in the Rocky Mountain Institute’s discussion of Decarbonizing Homes: Improving Health in Low-Income Communities through Beneficial Electrification at 1:00 PM EDT on Thursday, October 28. RSVP ([link removed])

Sonal Jessel will speak on a panel discussing how to ensure environmental justice communities are included in New York’s drive to carbon neutral buildings at NYSERDA’s Getting to Net Zero Forum at 2:30 PM EDT on Thursday, October 28. RSVP ([link removed])

Peggy Shepard will be among the honorees at the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Gala at 7:00 PM EDT on Thursday, October 28. RSVP ([link removed])

Anastasia Gordon will be on a panel discussing transportation emissions in New York as part of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York's fall conference on Thursday, October 28. RSVP ([link removed])

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Peggy Shepard was featured in an excerpt in Popular Science from Erica Cirino’s book, Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis, discussing the environmental and climate justice aspects of the plastics crisis. Read the Article ([link removed])

Dana Johnson co-authored an Op-Ed in the Hill with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Energy Justice Program Director & Senior Attorney Jean Su that called on President Biden and his Federal Energy Regulatory Commission nominee Willie Phillips to focus on environmental justice instead of fossil fuels. Read the Op-Ed ([link removed])

In a Vox article on the myth of climate moderates, Dana Johnson called for big, bold action to address climate change, explaining that it’s too late for a moderate approach to the crisis. Read the Article ([link removed])

Harlem World Magazine wrote about the letter that WE ACT and our colleagues sent New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, urging her to create jobs and mitigate the climate crisis with energy efficient, all-electric homes that are affordable and to end fossil fuel expansion with building codes and utility regulation. The article included quotes from Sonal Jessel and Maria Espada, who is participating in our Out of Gas project. Read the Article ([link removed])

Annie Carforo is featured in Mic’s in-depth look at climate justice, exploring the link between climate change and racism and what organizations like ours are doing to address it. Read the Article ([link removed])

Dana Johnson was interviewed by the Black News Channel about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan, and urged the administration to fulfill its promises of environmental justice instead of continuing to cater to the fossil fuel industry. Watch ([link removed])

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30th Anniversary of the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit

Sunday, October 24 marks the 30th anniversary of the first National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, which helped formalize the environmental justice movement and gave us the Principles of Environmental Justice ([link removed]) . Read ([link removed]) about the event or watch ([link removed]) the commemorative video.

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Clean & Healthy New York Gala
Wednesday, October 27

Our friends at Clean & Healthy New York are celebrating their 15th anniversary of doing incredible work! We encourage you attend their Gala at 7:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, October 27, honoring their former Executive Director Kathy Curtis, PUSH Buffalo’s Rahwa Ghirmatzion (receiving the inaugural Cecil Corbin-Mark Award!), & Hester Street’s Priya Mulgaonkaran. RSVP ([link removed])

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Take a Stand: A Concert for Climate Action
Saturday, October 30

The good folks at PROTESTRA ([link removed]) are presenting Take a Stand: A Concert for Climate Action on Saturday, October 30 at 7:00 PM EDT – with the proceeds going to WE ACT and the Environmental Defense Fund! Two types of tickets are available: in-person at the Broadway Presbyterian Church on West 114th Street in Harlem or streamed online via YouTube. Learn more & RSVP ([link removed])

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NYC Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has officially recognized racism a public health crisis, calling on the City to take “critical, concrete steps to advance an anti-racism public health agenda.” The CDC and other cities have made similar declarations, but New York City’s is one of the few tied to specific actions. Read the official resolution ([link removed]) (PDF) and read the New York Times Article ([link removed])

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Earn $125 Helping New York Better Understand Environmental Justice Issues

New York State is looking for residents of environmental justice communities (that’s you, Northern Manhattan!) to participate in a focus group to learn about your experiences, concerns, and ideas on issues such as clean or affordable energy, transportation, and climate change. Please fill out this survey and selected participants will receive a $125 gift card to compensate for their time. Help us help New York better understand these issues! Apply Here ([link removed])

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