Celebrating Our First In-Person Earth Day 5K Fundraiser
Beginning on Earth Day, we had people across the city running to raise money for WE ACT as part of our virtual Earth Day 5K fundraiser, which we have only been able to hold virtually for the past two years due to the pandemic. And on Sunday, May 1, we had a great turnout for our first in-person Earth Day 5K fundraiser on Randall’s Island. You can see some of the photos here.
Congratulations to our top Earth Day 5K in-person runners: Bram Peterson and Brian Cabezas from NYSERDA’s Runs for Renewables team finished first and second, and Michael Rodgers from the Nature Conservancy finished third. Pictured above (L-R): Michael Rodgers, Bram Peterson, Charles Callaway, and Brian Cabezas.
And congratulations to Jonathan Smith from Earthjustice, pictured above, who had the fastest time in our virtual race.
FRIDAY DEADLINE: Run for Our Membership Planning Committee
Our Membership Planning Committee serves a leadership role in our membership and does a lot of the work planning and preparing for our Membership Meetings and other events. The committee also works toward more effective communication between the membership body and staff and helps set goals for membership participation. We are holding elections for this volunteer committee and encourage any member interested in becoming a candidate to please complete this form by Friday, May 6. Questions? Reach out to Bailey at [email protected].
Lead-Free Kids Virtual Advocacy Day Help Us End Childhood Lead Poisoning in NY
Join us for the Lead-Free Kids NY virtual advocacy day on Tuesday, May 10. There is a childhood lead poisoning crisis in New York State, which has more children with elevated blood-lead levels than any other state in the nation. And Black children are nearly three times more likely to have highly elevated blood-lead levels. From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (though you do not have to join us for the entire time), we will be meeting online with elected officials in Albany to advocate for legislation to address this environmental injustice. Help us put an end to childhood lead poisoning in New York State! RSVP here.
Candidates Forum New York State Lt. Governor
Join us for our Candidates Forum for the New York State Lieutenant Governor race on Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 PM. We’re inviting all of the candidates for this race to attend, introduce themselves, and answer questions from our staff and members about key environmental issues impacting our community. Please submit your questions for the candidates here before Thursday, May 12. This was rescheduled from April 29. You can watch our earlier forums here. RSVP for this forum here.
May Membership Meeting New York State Governor Candidates Forum
For our May Membership Meeting, we will host a Candidates Forum for the New York State Governor race on Saturday, May 14 at 10:00 AM. We’re inviting all of the candidates for this race to attend, introduce themselves, and answer questions from our staff and members about key environmental issues impacting our community. Please submit your questions for the candidates here before Thursday, May 12. This was rescheduled from April 29. You can watch our earlier forums here. RSVP for this forum here.
New Yorkers Getting More HEAP to Handle the Heat
We thank New York State Governor Kathy Hochul for expanding the eligibility for and accessibility to cooling assistance through Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which is something we’ve been advocating for over the past couple of years. Extreme heat is the deadliest impact of climate change, and people of color are far more likely to be harmed by it. Read the Governor's announcement here.
Peggy Shepard to Talk About Climate Justice at City College
Peggy Shepard will be a guest speaker at the City College of New York’s Environmental Justice Working Group’s Virtual Summit at 12:30 PM on Thursday, May 12, exploring how City College can get more involved in the climate justice movement. RSVP here.
Peggy Shepard to Speak at Columbia Climate School's Inaugural Commencement
Peggy Shepard will deliver the keynote address at the Columbia Climate School’s inaugural Class Day ceremony on Friday, May 13 at 11:00 AM. You can watch via the livestream here.
Peggy Shepard to be Honored at Futures Ignite Gala
Peggy Shepard will be honored at SUPERCHARGED, Futures Ignite’s spring gala on Wednesday, May 18 at 6:00 PM in support of advancing its whole-school model of programming, counseling, and advocacy that equip BIPOC students to direct their college and career futures. One of the schools Futures Ignite works with is the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS), where we have been providing youth Environmental Health & Justice Leadership Training. Learn more here.
A Moral Call for Peace & Climate Justice
Join us for Dayenu’s free interfaith event at 5:00 PM on Sunday, May 22 at the Marble Collegiate Church (Fifth Avenue & West 29th Street) to urge our leaders to pursue peace, good jobs, justice, and a rapid and equitable transition to clean energy for all. It will be livestreamed on their Facebook and Twitter channels. Learn more and reserve your spot here.
Take the Sanitation Survey
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has launched an online survey asking for resident feedback on sanitation services. The survey is open to anyone in New York City. Take the survey here.
Environmental Racism Gains Attention
In case you missed it, Last Week Tonight looked at the issue of environmental racism. The popular television program uses humor to lure viewers in while helping them understand issues often overlooked by mainstream media. We hope that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul tuned in, as it would have surely helped her better understand why signing our cumulative impacts legislation is so urgent, to protect our communities from becoming sacrifice zones. Watch the video here.
Arts & Jazzfest NYC Returns!
Mark your calendar for the return of Arts & Jazzfest NYC this summer. Head to Governor’s Island on Saturdays June 4, July 23, and August 13 from 1:00-6:00 PM. Artist, educator, and Arts & Jazzfest NYC Founder (and WE ACT member) Gwen Black is the force behind this annual festival, celebrating its 19th year. And on Friday, June 10, she is hosting the 6th annual Visual Arts Jazz Day, which is an intergenerational celebration of music and art. That will be at the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park at 145th Street from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Learn more here.
