|
Greetings Everyone,
Enjoy our September newsletter with BIG's latest announcements, upcoming events, news, and project updates!
| |
|
CATALYZING LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION WORKSHOP
Earlier this month, Blacks in Green was honored to host and participate in a three-day Catalyzing Local Climate Action Workshop. The event brought together Chicago and state leaders, along with community leaders, to discuss how to maximize federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to address climate change, reduce energy bills, build resilient communities, and create green jobs.
The Workshop was organized and led by C40 Cities, Climate Mayors, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) in partnership with the City of Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar, and their staff.
You can view the photos from the event, which concluded with a tour of our Sustainable Square Mile, including visits to the future Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley House Museum, Garden and Theatre and the Mamie Till-Mobley Forgiveness Garden in the West Woodlawn neighborhood.
| |
Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar (left), Head of US Federal Affairs, Interim Regional Director North America, C40 Cities Kate Johnson (second from left), City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (second from right), BIG Founder/CEO Naomi Davis (right) | |
Mayor Brandon Johnson opens the 3-day workshop | |
BIG Founder/CEO welcomes attendees | |
Strengthening Workforce: Opportunities and Pathways panel presenters pose with Naomi Davis, Angela Tovar and workshop organizers/facilitators. | |
Breakout session discussion | |
One of the workshop attendees presenting an idea to the group | | |
|
Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar presents to the workshop attendees | |
First Lady of Chicago Stacie Rencher-Johnson | |
Torin Spencer, Program Manager at Electrification Coalition (right) and Amy Turner, Director of Cities Climate Law Initiative at the Sabin Center, Columbia Climate School present on Strategies for City Utilization of Tax Credits panel | |
Elevate's Chief Operating Officer Delmar Gillus (left) moderates the Strengthening Workforce: Opportunities and Pathways panel discussion | |
|
Sustainable Square Mile tour stop: The future Emmett Till & Mamie Till Mobley House Museum, Garden and Theatre | |
BIG's Director of Green Infrastructure David Yocca leads the Sustainable Square Mile tour | |
Sustainable Square Mile tour stop: Mamie Till-Mobley Forgiveness Garden | |
|
GRIST 50
We're excited to share that our Founder/CEO Naomi Davis made the Grist 2024 list featuring 50 climate leaders bringing change to their communities & inventing a better future!
"Having moved to Chicago as an adult, she began researching community economic development in 2000. 'It was at that time that I discovered sustainability,' she said, and she created The 8 Principles of Green Village Building, which includes things like local energy production, affordable green homes, and localized economies. 'Only a whole-system solution can transform the whole-system problem common to Black communities everywhere,' she said." Read Naomi's full profile story at this link.
Explore the full list of GRIST 50 climate leaders here.
| |
|
Can ‘Biden’s Billions’ Deliver True Environmental Justice?
"Davis is blunt about the realities of depending on a historically harmful power structure to now become your liberator: You can’t. That’s why... the goal is to use the resources to build your own sustainable ecosystems."
| |
|
|
Vacant urban land poses complex questions for clean energy siting
For Blacks in Green, the Chicago-based organization leading the geothermal project, recognition of the role of the project within a broader scope is central to an overall goal of generating economic development and a healthy environment within the community, said Nuri Madina, Sustainable Square Mile director, who serves as point person for the pilot.
“We know that the communities have been underserved. And underserved by definition means that we have not gotten our fair share of taxpayer investment in the communities. We know what our streets look like. And one of the major assets in the community, which is not really viewed as an asset, is our vacant lots,” Madina said.
| |
|
South Side as Culture: Arionne Nettles
Check out this wonderful article highlighting various South Side gems by Arionne Nettles, including our very own Mamie Till-Mobley Forgiveness Garden.
| |
|
|
HELLOBABY 2024 FALL FEST
October 5, 2024 | 10:30am - 12:30pm
| |
|
Join us at HelloBaby's Fall Fest on Saturday, October 5th from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM at 600 E 61 St, Chicago (held in our Orchard of the Ancestors aka Fairy Garden) and enjoy this exciting lineup of activities for the whole family:
- Petting Zoo
- Pony Rides
- Crafts
- Snacks
- Coat Giveaway
No registration is required! We hope to see you!
| |
|
RENTAL PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR LEASE
Tranquility inside. Urban adventures outside! Discover both at The Village on The Sustainable Square Mile - BIG's very own rental property. This 1100-square-foot space is located at 6433 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in West Woodlawn.
The apartment's vaulted third-floor stairwell leads into the apartment’s entrance hallway and sunny atmosphere, with windows in every room. The unit has three bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms, and an open-concept kitchen connecting the dining/living space. The apartment features a new stainless steel gas stove/oven with a matching modern electric refrigerator, microwave, and stackable washer & dryer.
Relax on the sun-washed top-floor back deck with a view of the garden, and take in urban life. 24-hour free street parking and public transportation are accessible via buses and the 63rd Street EL train station. There are a variety of stores, restaurants, public services, churches, and parks located in the area and we also monitor our security cameras regularly. This is a no-smoking environment, with no pets.
This unit requires a $25 nonrefundable one-time fee for tenant screening services. A one-year apartment lease is $1600/mo. plus a one-month move-in fee.
To schedule a showing, call us at (312) 852-6714 from 9-6pm, Monday - Sunday and ask about our MOVE-IN DISCOUNT! Click here to see the full posting.
| |
HERE'S HOW TO APPEAL YOUR PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT
Properties in Chicago are being reassessed this year, and homeowners who have already received their reassessment notice may be surprised. For many, there’s still a chance to reduce next year’s bills by filing an appeal, which is free and can be completed online. Click the Learn More button below to learn what you need to know if you’re considering an appeal.
| | | | |
