The Center for Resilient Communities will be hosting a celebration for Environmental Justice and Community Economies.
Coffee Hour & SDI Presentation | Wednesday, April 27, 11 AM – 1 PM
Join us for a mid-morning coffee to engage in conversations about environmental justice and community economies. The Sustainable Development Interns Spring ‘22 cohort has something to say about it.11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Environmental Justice Lab Introduction
Grace Dever & Valentina Muraleedharan, Co-Directors of EJL
The EJ Lab is focused on wielding action and learning to promote environmental justice initiatives. Our action research connects youth, advocates, community organizations, and policy groups in efforts to understand environmental crises. Projects Listening Project This Listening Project is a platform for meaningful conversations where we share our stories, empower one another, and communicate our hopes to create change and transformation in our state of West Virginia. EJ Atlas The Environmental Justice Atlas is a platform that highlights case studies of resilience and environmental injustices across West Virginia. The EJ Atlas democratizes access to information that communities can work with to develop their resilience plans for climate action, water security, food security, health care access, and building more sustainable communities.
“Environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits.” Van Jones
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Community Economies Lab Introduction
Dr. Bradley Wilson, Director of Center for Resilient Communities & Director of CEL
The CEL draws on action research approaches to incubate the development of cooperative and community-centered enterprises. There are diverse economic experiments currently underway which seek to transform community life. Creative Placemaking In partnership with the Riff Raff Arts Collective, this project has contributed to advancing learning through the use of arts, music, and community festivals in reshaping downtown landscapes and surrounding neighborhoods in Princeton, West Virginia. Migration, Integration, Community Change This project explores the experiences of negotiation and belonging for immigrant and refugee communities in Moorefield, West Virginia, advanced through learning on local social integration programs, the role of youth in society, and the impact of educational institutions on creating cohesive, inclusive, sustainable communities.