Join our October Membership Meeting TOMORROW, Saturday, October 8th at 10 am on Zoom. We'll be talking about everything on the ballot this November as well as NYC's new citizen-led participatory budgeting program. WE ACT member Donna Gill will give a presentation on her role as the Participatory Budgeting Co-Chair, and Anthony Carrion will present the importance of Participatory Budgeting and how members can use it to advocate for projects in their communities.
Environmental Justice Leadership Forum Convenes in DC
WE ACT convened with environmental justice organizations from around the country for the 2022 Environmental Justice Leadership Forum over 4 days last week in Washington, DC. This annual conference brings together organizations and leaders to celebrate, brainstorm, educate, organize, and lobby for environmental justice as a united movement. It was so powerful to be reunited with incredible activists from across the country all fighting for an end to the harmful effects of redlining, environmental racism, and policies that turn our communities into sacrifice zones.
Throughout the week, we learned about the diverse work that organizations throughout the country are accomplishing for environmental justice, learned more about the political and policy landscape at this moment, and ways that we can be more effective and engaged. We also had hard hitting discussions with officials from the US Interior, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, White House Council on Environmental Quality, Energy Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, White House Office of Management and Budget, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about ways that the Biden Administration is working for environmental justice, especially through the Justice40 initiative, an effort to steer 40% of federal environmental and climate funding to marginalized communities.
Wednesday was Lobby Day at the Capitol! Forum members, led by WE ACT staff, broke into teams and met with House Representative's and Senator's offices. We thanked those Congress members who were ready to vote against Manchin's Dirty Deal, thanked those who are already co-sponsors of the Environmental Justice for All Act, and lobbied for increased support for the Environmental Justice for All Act with everyone.
Advancing Environmental Justice through the Inflation Reduction Act
While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is not perfect, frontline communities can use the IRA to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their homes, businesses and communities. Many of the provisions have a finite amount of funding. Join us October 12th at 12 pm for a panel discussion to learn how you can access all of the benefits of the IRA!
Make Utility Intervenor Funding Bill Law: Briana Carbajal was quoted in a Harlem World article urging New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Intervenor Funding bill to protect the environmental health and economic wellbeing of our members by giving them a stronger voice in utility rate hikes:
Vernice Miller-Travis Continues Fight Against Environmental Racism: New York Amsterdam News profiled WE ACT Co-Founder Vernice Miller-Travis, who will be featured on National Newspaper Publishers Association President & CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr.'s PBS show the Chavis Chronicles.
Transportation Group Kicks Off! Join Oct 17!
If you want to become an advocate for cleaner, greener transportation that is affordable and accessible to all, join our Transportation Working Group. We meet at 6 pm on the third Monday of each month to share ideas, develop recommendations, and advocate for improved transportation for our community. We will meet at 6 pm on the third Monday of each month to share ideas, develop recommendations, and advocate for improved transportation for our community. Join our upcoming meeting Monday, October 17th at 6pm.
Dana Johnson, Senior Director of Strategy and Federal Policy at WE ACT's DC office, was awarded at the Vestige Strategies 10th Annual Green Room Reception on September 29th. Held during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, this year's event recognized champions of color pushing for climate change and environmental justice within our communities and in Congress. Dana, who was nominated by and received the award from the Environmental Defense Fund, has been a leading voice in shaping a national environmental justice agenda and narrative since joining WE ACT in 2019. Congratulations Dana!
5K for UN Day: Portion of Proceeds Go to WE ACT
Run, bike, or walk with United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NYC) to celebrate the UN’s anniversary and recognize its tireless efforts to create a world in which everyone thrives in peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet.
The event is virtual, which means you may complete it at any time between October 16th and October 29th, anywhere in the world. You can choose between two distances: 5K and 10K. We are excited to announce that a portion of the proceeds for this year's race will go to WE ACT!
Charles Calloway Nominated for Energy Justice Award
Charles Calloway, WE ACT's Director of Workforce Development, has been nominated for Vote Solar's Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award! The nomination is in recognition of Charles' years of tireless work for energy justice.
At WE ACT, he has recruited and trained more than 2,000 people in 30 hours of OSHA and 32 hours of asbestos handling classes, along with over 100 certified solar installers. As a result, more than 200 now have jobs, including 138 community members working in construction and 78 in the solar industry. Charles has also been instrumental in developing a solar workers cooperative, SUNS: Solar Uptown Now Services, with his solar trainees, and they have installed 14 megawatts of solar power to date. Charles previously served as WE ACT’s Director of Organizing, pivotal in organizing residents. He worked with Harlem residents on the Columbia University expansion and 125th Street rezoning. Charles also worked with the Mother Clara Hale Community Taskforce and the MTA to build Harlem's first green bus depot. Congratulations Charles!
Award winners will be decided by popular vote! You can vote for Charles by following the link below!
Join WE ACT and the Energy Democracy Alliance on October 25th, 6-7 pm to learn about statewide campaigns that are building a future where energy is affordable, clean and community owned. Meet Energy Democracy Alliance coalition members from across the state and gain a better understanding of how we plan to revolutionize our energy grid, bring down utility bills and transition to renewable energy.
The important midterm elections are happening on November 8th. If you are not already registered to vote in New York, register by October 14th to vote in this year's elections!
DIY Beauty Night
Join WE ACT, Youth Council members from Columbia's Centre for Children's Environmental Health and 8th graders from MS 331 in the Bronx for a DIY Beauty Night! Participants will create their own beauty products, and learn about the ingredients in the products they use on a daily basis.
Bring your friends, family, and some of your favorite beauty products from home. Make sure to arrive early - the first 50 people to arrive will be entered into a raffle for some fantastic beauty-related prizes! Join Friday, October 28th, 3:30-6 pm online or in-person at Hess Commons, 722 W 168th St, New York City.
Have you bought your Gala tickets yet? Join us from 6 - 9 pm at International House on Thursday, October 27th to celebrate all of this year’s achievements! After two years of zoom Galas, this will be a special in-person one that you don't want to miss. We’ll be honoring Dr. Beverly L. Wright, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; Jessica Ottney Mahar, New York Director of Policy & Strategy at The Nature Conservancy; and Mychal Johnson, Co-Founder of South Bronx Unite.
Assembly Member O'Donnell has heard from a great many local residents about the importance of building elevators at 125th St 1 Station, and the Assembly Member is dedicated to improving the lives of the many seniors, public housing residents, people with disabilities or limited mobility who live and work in close proximity to this subway station. She is calling in Columbia University to work with the MTA to finally make the station more accessible. Sign the petition below and share with your networks!
City Strategies to Turn Good Intentions Into New Miles of Lead Free Water
Lead service line replacement (LSLR) replacement often brings to mind torn up streets and traffic jams. Even so, there are effective strategies to obtain consent for LSLR and prioritize LSLR at childcare centers (and other locations with young children).
Yuwa Vosper will speak at this event along with Denver Water and Cleveland Water who will share their successful models, including identification of sensitive populations, outreach models, and partnership development with childcare councils, trusted community voices, and residents.
March to Protect Affordable Housing in Northern Manhattan
Join our friends from the Riverside Edgecombe Neighborhood Association next Saturday, October 15 at 11 am to march against high rents and gentrification in our community. They'll be gathering at 135th Street & St. Nicholas Avenue.
Now Hiring: Help Us Fight for Environmental Justice!
As you may have noticed, the WE ACT team has been growing and we need your help to continue this growth! We are looking to hire the following positions:
In our New York City office:
Director of Environmental Health
Energy Justice Policy Specialist
Bilingual Community Organizer
In our Washington, DC office
National Coalition Manager
Federal Regulatory Affairs Manager (Attorney)
Policy Director, Clean Air & Water (Attorney)
Senior Communications Manager
Environmental Justice Research Analyst
Visit weact.org/careers to download the job descriptions and apply for any of these positions. Join our team!
