Environmental justice and racial justice are deeply intertwined. This Black History Month, we have highlighted those who led the way in this movement and those who are carrying the torch now, addressing energy inequity and working towards restorative justice in their communities. In order to move forward, it is imperative to acknowledge our shared history and the systemic inequities that shape this present moment.
This month, we honored our “Mothers of the Movement,” Dr. Mildred Mcclain and Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, who are distinguished elders in the environmental justice movement and longtime trailblazers for justice and community resilience. The two-part “Mothers of Movement” series features Dr. Mildred McClain, who is a 50-year veteran of the People's Movement for Justice and Self-Determination worldwide and a Distinguished Fellow for Movement Elders at Groundswell. The series also features Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, who is the definition of a changemaker and has been at the forefront of environmentalism and human rights advocacy for over 40 years.
The legacy of our movement elders has set in motion some exciting developments in community-led clean energy. Last month, in partnership with Ayika Solutions, the City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability & Resilience, Coalitico, and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA), we welcomed Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality to Atlanta for Roundtable Discussion centered on improving community resilience. The Community Resilience, Entrepreneurship, and Justice40 Initiative Roundtable took place at the VICARS Community Center at the Community Church of God, which will soon host one of the first community-owned resilience hubs in Georgia.
The roundtable discussion served as an opportunity to highlight Atlanta’s thriving clean energy ecosystem. Community leaders, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits were able to engage with Mallory, share resources and experiences, and connect the dots for implementation with the help of federal incentives such as Direct Pay (also known as elective pay) and Justice40. Following the roundtable discussion, Mallory was given a walking tour to WAWA, learning about home improvements through the Atlanta WeatheRISE program and hearing stories of neighborhood resilience. This event showed how Atlanta is turning energy resilience into energy opportunities and serving as a model for the future of community ownership. It is important to celebrate Black history and legacy year-round, as it shapes our values and the work we do. We are thankful for the chance to honor those who have laid the foundation for restorative justice for frontline communities.