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An open letter (with resources) from Women of Color Collective in Sustainability, Kinetic Communities, and Latinos in Sustainability

Women of Color Collective in Sustainability
10 min readJun 4, 2020

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Clay Banks via Unsplash

This is an open letter with resources from Women of Color Collective in Sustainability (WOC/CS), Kinetic Communities, and Latinos in Sustainability. We all stand in solidarity with protests demanding an end to police brutality, the dismantling of white supremacy and racial injustice. As part of the climate movement, we must do better and intentionally center our efforts in active anti-racist work while fighting for racial and climate justice. All institutions must be held accountable, and in the context of COVID19, organizations must look into building a recovery plan that is equitable, inclusive, and just.

If you or your organization is committed to driving a positive environmental impact, you must do better. Organizations must be publicly vocal about taking concrete steps to fight racial injustice in-house and as part of the environmental and climate movement at large. Consider how your organization’s executive leadership exemplifies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. How are you supporting and retaining long-term black employees? Engage in environmental justice coalitions and broaden their message and policies. Put your money where your intention is by donating resources to organizations fighting racial injustice. Take an active stance in publishing articles and blogs about the intersectionalities of environment, health, privilege, and race. Continue to actively educate yourself and those around you on matters of social change, policy and enviro-climate impact on low-income communities. It takes more than a general statement to effect real change; you must do the work that comes with it. Take action. Lead.

Working within the energy sector, housing sector, education sector, we have all benefited in funding and program opportunities to support low- income communities. We cannot stay silent now. We cannot discuss our interest in integrating equity and sustainability practices throughout our professional circles, and stay quiet when we see inequality present itself. Black America is experiencing hate crimes, and are being assaulted every day physically, emotionally, and mentally. Business as usual is costing our communities their lives.

At WOC/CS Our mission remains the same. We exist to amplify the voices and presence of women of color who historically have been overlooked, under-appreciated and unrecognized by the sustainability industry and environmental movement. We celebrate the talents of WOC, create a community for them, and provide the necessary tools and resources to support their efforts in building their own tables to own decision-making power. This is why we know that centering the black women in this community is critical and required at this time.Our core, our community, is in distress. At a time when we are still processing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental racism, we must bear witness and respond to another virus — one that has infected our institutions for over 400 years with grief, inequality, oppression, trauma, and injustice.

Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3) is New York City’s first Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprises social enterprise Benefit Corporation who advocates and implements strategic energy equity market transformations for diverse New York communities. By working with energy and affordable housing industry partners, KC3 coordinates, educates, and simplifies energy efficiency opportunities for existing affordable resident owners and operators with limited resources.

Latinos in Sustainability (LIS) was founded to bring together the Latin professional community working in Sustainability in NYC. We raise awareness about sustainability careers, highlight opportunities, and map out pathways for students and young green professionals.

LIS strongly believes that bringing POC into the sustainability space is crucial to elevating the conversations around equity and climate justice. As a diverse network, we are dedicated to intentionally uplifting and representing communities of color within this group as well as everywhere. As a multi-racial community, we understand that this group represents various ethnicities and races. As such, we must acknowledge our privilege, take responsibility, and advocate for a just future. Latinos in Sustainability will continue to seek opportunities to dismantle white supremacy and all those that endorse it personally and professionally.

In the last few days we’ve grieved together, we’ve fought wavelengths of despair and powerlessness, and now we are channeling our energy into identifying the best tools in support of Black Lives Matter. It’s time for all of us to take action and prioritize our commitment to anti-racist behaviors, policies, and work.

This active compilation of action-oriented resources comes from online publications, friends and sister-organizations devoted to fighting racism, educating, and promoting social change.

Check Out Safety Tips During Protests:

  • Safety During Protests- Plan ahead: For essential needs, care and supplies. Know what to expect. Know how to get assistance. Plan for how to re-contact your buddies if separated
  • How to protest safely during a pandemic (via VICE)
  • Free flyer printing (via The Photocopy Club also here)

Understand Sustainability x Climate Movement Intersections:

Just as racism and White supremacy has been passed down in your DNA and disguised as “oh they weren’t qualified for the position”, “we all have biases” (that safe word) and microaggressions, we remember.

Educate Yourself and Others:

Listen to these Podcasts:

Watch These Videos:

Follow These Organizations on Social Media:

IF YOU CAN, DONATE:

Sign These Petitions:

Check Out These June Events:

  • Members of the Black, Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian legislative Caucus Call for Policing Reform. June 4th 3:00pm https://bphacaucus.com/join-us
  • What We Must Do to Dismantle White Supremacy. Join 350.org’s webinar to hear from our US team, partners and frontline organizers about ways you can show up in this moment. Time Jun 4, 2020 08:00 PM in Register here to join.
  • Hip Hop as Design Justice Open Call for Submissions and Interview. Join The Hip Hop Architecture team and guests, including Lupe Fiasco. Call For Submissions Launch: Saturday, June 6 submissions Due: Friday, June 19, 2020 (8pm EST)Register here to Join.
  • It’s ok to have your earth shattered: White Fragility, White Allyship, and White Saviors on Tuesday, June 9th @ 1:00–2:00 PT/3:00–4:00 CT /4:00–5:00 ET What roles does whiteness play in your life? At the request of folks of color we are hosting a space for white folks to reflect and develop our tools for showing up in solidarity, as allies/co-conspirators in multi-racial spaces. Register here to join the white caucus space on June 9th.
  • People of Color/People of the Global Majority (POC/PGM) Caucus Next Session will be Tuesday June 16th @ 11:00 AM-12:00 PT/1:00–2:00 CT/2:00–3:00 ET
  • Please join UPROSE as they hold a New York State Assembly Member Candidate Debate for District 51 on Wednesday, June 17th at 6 PM. We will be discussing Climate, Environmental, Economic Justice, and more. Register here to join.
  • Brave Conversation topic: Climate Resilience. Session 3: Climate Resilience on Thursday, June 25 @ 10:00 AM-11:30 AM PT/12:00–1:30 CT/1:00–2:30 ET (90 Minutes) Co-Facilitators: Jamal Lewis, Marissa Rameriz, MaKara Rumley
    Climate resilience is critical to address health and wealth disparities that exist today, especially in black and Latinx communities nationwide. RSVP here.

Don’t forget to Self Care:

VOTE!

  • https://www.vote411.org/ballot Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues that matter.
  • See What’s On Your Ballot
  • Check Your Voter Registration (dates)
  • Find Your Polling Place
  • Discover Upcoming Debates In Your Area

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Women of Color Collective in Sustainability
Women of Color Collective in Sustainability

Written by Women of Color Collective in Sustainability

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WOC/CS pronounced /woke•sīs/ Women of Color Collective in Sustainability. Spotlighting opportunities for collab, connection, resource-sharing and mentorship

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