♪.

>> ON THIS EDITION OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION, WE SPOTLIGHT SUSTAINABILITY.

MORE SPECIFICALLY EQUITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE.

SO LET'S WELCOME OUR GUESTS.

ANNABEL WILKINSON FROM THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST.

SIERRA ATKINS, GRAND RAPIDS EQUITY ANALYST, LEGACY AND LOVE LLC, AND SHERRY HOLLIMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF USBC WEST MICHIGAN.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN OUR AREA IN THIS WORLD OF SUSTAINABILITY.

I ASK YOU, ANNABEL, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THIS WORLD OF SUSTAINABILITY?

>> WELL, HELLO.

THE HEAD OF OUR OFFICE IS NOT ONLY THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER FOR THE CITY, HOLDS A DUAL ROLE AS OFFICER PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, WHERE SHE OVERSEES DEVELOPMENTAL GOALS TO ALIGN WITH STRATEGIC PLAN.

SO I'M CURRENTLY THE FOLK'S FIRST POINT OF CONTACT FOR SUSTAINABILITY WORK, SUCH AS WASTE REDUCTION AND STEPS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS.

>> SIERRA, TALK ABOUT YOU, IF YOU WOULD.

>> MY ROLE IS AS EQUITY ANALYST, AND AS DATA COMES FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS LIKE U.S. LABOR AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WE SEE THAT PROSPEROUS ECONOMIES COME FROM WHEN WE HAVE EQUITY EMBEDDED IN THE PROCESSES.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE DO HERE AT THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS AND OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT LED BY STACY STOUT.

EQUITY IS EMBEDDED INTO THE DNA OF OUR PROCESSES TO LIVE OUR STRATEGIC PLAN VALUES.

>> SINEE, TELL US YOUR SPECIALTY.

>> PART OF THE SAFE BOARD COMMITTEE.

WE ARE A TEAM THAT WAS FORMALIZED TO BRING -- HELP THE CITY BRING EQUITY TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES, I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO IS FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE FOR THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOU.

SHERRY, INTRODUCE US TO YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION.

>> SURE, AND THANKS FOR HAVING US TODAY, SHELLY.

I'M SHERRY HOLMAN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF U.S. GREEN BUILDING OF WEST MICHIGAN, USGBCWM FOR SHORT.

WE'RE WORKING TO CONSTRUCT HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN AND OPERATION FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

>> I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU, IF I MAY, SHERRY, AND HAVE YOU DEFINE SUSTAINABILITY, SET THE BIG PICTURE HERE.

>> SUSTAINABILITY CAN MEAN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT ALL IN ALL, IT'S GIVING BACK AND MAYBE THE LOWEST AMOUNT OF FOOTPRINT THAT YOU CAN MAKE AS A HUMAN BEING WITHIN YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

SO LEAVING THINGS THE WAY YOU FOUND THEM OR BETTER.

>> OKAY, SIERRA, LET'S BRING YOU INTO THE CONVERSATION, IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, AND/OR TALK ABOUT THE RIVER PROJECT, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR OWN BACKYARD?

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE RIVER PROJECT TODAY, AND I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH SHERRY'S STATEMENTS, I'M A TREE HUGGER AT HEART.

>> YOU HAVE ONE RIGHT BEHIND YOU, RIGHT?

[LAUGHTER] >> I KNOW, RIGHT?

THE RIVER PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES NOW, AND WE HAVE SEVERAL PARTNERS, TOO NUMEROUS TO NAME, BUT THIS IS AN EXCITING AND IMPORTANT PROJECT BECAUSE THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS HAS TYPICALLY OPERATED WITH OUR BACKS TO THE CITY.

WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL UNIQUE WATER WAY THAT FLOWS THROUGH THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN, YET ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT DON'T FACE THE RIVER NECESSARILY.

IT'S MORE SO A PHYSICAL MARKER OF DIVISION OF THE VARIOUS AREAS IN OUR CITY, RATHER THAN BEING A THING THAT IT SHOULD BE, WHICH IS A UNIFIER.

SO THE PROJECT IS SO EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BRING DEVELOPMENT TO THE RIVER WORK OVER A TWO-MILE STRETCH AT A HIGH LEVEL, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE AND MAKE SAFER ENGAGEMENT POINTS WITH THE RIVER'S EDGE FOR RESIDENTS.

WE'RE GOING TO ENHANCE FISH PASSAGE.

WE'RE GOING TO REMOVE UNIFICATION DAMS THAT AREN'T SAFE.

WE HAVE VIDEOS ON THAT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE ACTIVITIES ON THE WATER.

WE'RE GOING TO CREATE COOL WHITEWATER FEET TOURS UTILIZE AND TRYING TO DO THIS SUSTAINABLY AND TRYING TO DO THIS TO WHERE IT IS A PROJECT THAT'S A CATALYST FOR EQUITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YES, AND LET'S STAY WITH YOU, SIERRA, ON EQUITY IN THE RIVER PROJECT.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

HOW IS IT BEING DONE?

>> YES, SO FOR THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT, EQUITY IN THIS RIVER PROJECT MEANS WE HAVE TO LEAD WITH BOTH RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY PRINCIPLES.

WE NEED TO HONOR THE HISTORY OF OUR RIVER AS WE DO THE WORK AND NEED TO BE INCLUSIVE.

SO WE HAVE TWO PILLARS OF WORK THAT'S REALLY DRIVING OUR EFFORTS, FUNDED BY OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERS AT KELLOGG AND THE GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

I CAN SHARE ABOUT THOSE IF YOU LIKE.

>> WHY DON'T YOU DO THAT, AND WE'LL CONTINUE, YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO FOR THE RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT WHICH IS CRITICAL, USUALLY ENGAGEMENT IS A PIECE OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT FOR THE RIVER PROJECT, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE INTENTIONAL.

WE NEED TO LEAD WITH STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND RESIDENTS CAN'T JUST BE INVITED TO COME DOWN TO THE RIVER AFTER WE MADE ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS, THEY NEED TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS, THEY NEED TO HAVE A VOICE, AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL NARRATIVES THAT THE BLACK INDIGENOUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR FACE WHEN IT COMES TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER RECREATION ENGAGEMENT, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL SYSTEMS THAT FEED INTO THE MESSAGING, EVER PREVALENT TODAY, INCLUDING MEDIA, OUR NATION'S HISTORY OF SEGREGATION, MARGINALIZATION OF OUR COMMUNITIES, SO WE'RE BEING REALLY INTENTIONAL WITH DEVELOPING AN ADVISORY BOARD LED BY BIPOT CREATE MEMBERS THAT CREATE A THREE-YEAR PLAN OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE CULTURALLY RELEVANT TO CREATE THE SAFE SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> VERY NICE, ONE MORE QUESTION TO YOU BEFORE I MOVE TO ANNABEL.

OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT.

DEFINE THAT.

>> SURE, SO THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT IS A DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, AND AGAIN, LED BY STACY STOUT.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP ENSURE THAT CITY SERVICES ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND SUPPORT THE ELEVATION AND INCLUSION OF RESIDENTS' VOICE IN THE THINGS WE'RE DOING.

>> MOVING TO YOU, ANNABEL, WITH A CONVERSATION, ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE JUSTICE AND THE CITY'S ROLE, PLEASE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS TWO OF THE CITY'S VALUES OUTLINING OUR PLAN AS SIERRA JUST MENTIONED, EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY.

WE LOOK TO EMBED BOTH OF THOSE INTO THE WORK WE DO.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED TO EMBED IT INTO THE WORK WE DO.

I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE ALL PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR INCOME LEVEL, HAVE THE RIGHT TO EQUAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SAFE, HEALTHY, ACCESSIBLE AND FREE OF LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS, THAT IS WHAT WE CALL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

WHETHER BY CONSCIOUS DESIGN OR INSTITUTIONAL NEGLECT, ACTIONS HAVE BEEN IN THE DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BURDENS.

THAT IS WHAT WE CALL ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE.

IN FACT, A RECENT U OF M STUDY IDENTIFIED HOTSPOTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE ACROSS MICHIGAN, AND THE TOP TEN CENSUS TRACKS, THE HIGHEST INJUSTICE FORCE, FIVE OF THEM ARE IN GRAND RAPIDS SPECIFICALLY WHERE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR RESIDE.

WITH THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ALSO DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND ENGAGEMENT TO ADDRESS THE DISPARITIES HEAD ON WITH TRANSPARENCY, AS SIERRA IS ENCOURAGING INTERACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND OUR DEPARTMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY FOCUSING ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AS WELL AS INCREASING THE RESILIENCY OF OUR COMMUNITIES TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, WE WANT TO WORK TOWARDS A TRUE SPACE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> NICE.

AND THERE IS THE ZERO CITY PROJECT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO WORK TO INCREASE RESILIENCY IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS ADDRESSING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND THE MOST ABUNDANT WHICH IS CARBON DIOXIDE, WHICH ENTRAPPED IN OUR ATMOSPHERE CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING WHICH CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO ZERO CITIES IS A PROJECT THAT INCLUDED 12 PARTICIPATING CITIES, WHERE OVER THREE YEARS, EACH CITY WOULD CO-DEVELOP CITY POLICIES TO ACHIEVE AN EQUITABLE ZERO NET CARBON BY 2050.

THAT IS A MOUTHFUL.

ESSENTIALLY CARBON NEUTRAL, BUILDINGS ARE HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND FULLY POWERED FROM ON-SITE AND/OR PROCURED OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES TO MEET THE TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION.

SO WITH THIS PROJECT, WE PARTNERED WITH ARCHITECTURE 2030 WHERE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WERE OCCURRING MOST IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT ENDED UP BEING COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WITH OVER 10,000 SQUARE FEET AND/OR RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY SECTOR.

WE'RE PARTNERING WITH SHERRY AT THE U.S. BUILDING COUNCIL WEST MICHIGAN AND PARTNERS WITH THE URBAN CORE, A LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO FOCUS ON WAYS TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO IN SINGLE-FAMILY SECTOR.

A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE WANT TO ADDRESS CARBON EMISSIONS IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES IN HOMES.

THE UCC SENT OUT A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS THEY WERE EXPERIENCING WHEN WORKING WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROVIDERS.

WE LEARNED COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAMS IS LOW, AND MORE EDUCATION AND PROMOTION ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS WOULD HELP THE COMMUNITY KNOW OPTIONS BETTER.

THE UCC CREATED A GREAT, GRAND RAPIDS SPECIFIC EQUITY ASSESSMENT TOOL THAT HELPS GATHER DATA LIKE ENERGY COSTS BURDEN, LEVELS OF SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND THE EXPOSURE TO HEALTH RISKS AND BOTH OF THOSE TOOLS HELP US ON OUR RESEARCH AND HOW WE FRAME AND PROMOTE THIS WORK AND ESSENTIALLY TO INFORM US OF THE CITY AS WE CONSIDER POLICY AND PROGRAM OPTIONS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DECARBONIZATION.

>> THANK YOU, BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND THINGS RECIRCLE BACK.

SINNEE, IF YOU WOULD SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE AND GO INTO C4.

>> SURE, THANK YOU.

SO FOR ME, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MEANS ACTUALLY OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT IT, TO BE EDUCATED ABOUT WHAT CAUSES THESE ISSUES?

WHY ARE WE STILL IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES WE'VE BEEN IN FOR THE LAST 400 YEARS.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED FOR US, SO WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, HELP EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE.

HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND EDUCATE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AT THE DINNER TABLE WITH THE FAMILY ON THINGS WE CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

HOW DO WE REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS?

HOW CAN YOU BE MORE COST EFFICIENT AND BE ABLE TO TAP INTO RESOURCES TO LEARN AND SHARE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY, THINGS THAT WOULD BRING A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT TO WHERE YOU LIVE, WORK AND PLAY, RIGHT?

AND SO THESE THINGS HAVE GENERALLY NOT BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

THE RESOURCES HAVE NOT BEEN SHARED.

WE KNOW THERE HAS BEEN MANY NONPROFITS THAT HAVE BEEN PAID TO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITY TO GET SOME OF THIS WORK DONE, DO THE BOOTS ON THE GROUNDWORK, BUT THE NEEDLE HASN'T MOVED FOR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, AND SO THE DATA IS THERE THAT SUPPORTS IT, THAT SAYS THERE'S BEEN NO CHANGE, AND SO FOR ME, JUST FINDING OUT HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT AND SHARE THE INFORMATION AND SHARE THE RESOURCES AMONG OUR PEOPLE IS A GREAT HELP TO HELP FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HELP WITH THESE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

THE POISON AND THE TOXIC CENTER IN THE HOME.

AS A REALTOR, I TAKE PEOPLE INTO HOMES THAT ARE TOXIC, AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTMENT IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, AND SO THROUGH THE C4 PROGRAM, WE'RE HELPING TO OPEN THAT CONVERSATION UP TO FAMILIES.

WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT ARE AT THE TABLE, HAVE BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT.

WE HAVE HAD TEAR DOWN, KNOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS, EVERYBODY DOESN'T AGREE BUT COME TO MUTUAL OF THE MINDS AND SAY THESE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO ADDRESS, AND EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT WITH TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYBODY IS IN THEIR SPACE, AND TRYING TO RELATE, BECAUSE WE ALL COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

WE KNOW THAT THESE RESOURCES JUST HAVE NOT BEEN SHARED AND SO THROUGH THIS C4 TEAM EFFORT, WE WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND MAKING A LARGE FOOTPRINT IN THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES WHERE THE DISINVESTMENT HAS BEEN.

>> AND THIS IS FORMALLY COMMUNITY COLLABORATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

THAT'S YOUR C4?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> CAN'T GET ANY MORE BLUNT THAN THAT.

STAND BY, WE'LL COME BACK FOR MORE ACTION ITEMS FROM YOU, THANK YOU.

SHERRY, YOUR FLOOR, YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE, PLEASE?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE PREDOMINANTLY THE HOMES WHERE BLACK, BROWN AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE -- ARE LIVING AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES HAVE A LESSER IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT THEY'RE OFTEN MOST OFTEN THE ONES WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEGRADATION THAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS FUNDAMENTALLY AN ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

IT CONNECTS THE LOCAL TO THE GLOBAL AND WITH RISING TEMPERATURES, HUMAN LIVES, PARTICULARLY IN PEOPLE OF COLOR, LOW INCOME AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ARE AFFECTED BY COMPROMISED HEALTH, FINANCIAL BURDENS, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DISRUPTIONS, AND THOSE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED GENERALLY HAVE THE LEAST RESOURCES TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AND YET, AS I SAID BEFORE, THEY'RE USUALLY THE LEAST RESPONSIBLE FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, GLOBALLY AND WITH THE UNITED STATES.

FOR GRAND RAPIDS, THE C4 BROUGHT ATTENTION NOT ONLY TO THE SYSTEMIC CHANGE NECESSARY BUT ALSO TO THE NEED TO IDENTIFY A STRONG PATH FORWARD THAT INCLUDES TRUST BUILDING, WHICH HAS BEEN A BIG ONE FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS A BARRIER THAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME, AND CREATING REAL RESOURCES FOR THE BIPOP COMMUNITY.

THIS COLLABORATION CENTERS AROUND BEYOND BUILDING DECARBONIZATION AND CENTERS OF JUSTICE IN ALL ENVIRONMENTAL WORK THROUGH AUTHENTIC AND CONSISTENT REPRESENTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

JUST TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF REAL EXAMPLES, RIGHT?

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THERE'S A HIGHER RATE OF ASTHMA IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

WE SEE CANCERS FROM POOR AIR QUALITY FROM ACCESS -- LOW ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, AND I CAN GIVE AN EXAMPLE, EVEN FROM THE BRONX THEY LEARNED, WHERE DIESEL TRUCKS ARE ROUTED THROUGH LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE POLITICAL CAPITAL TO FIGHT AGAINST IT.

SO THERE'S FUNDAMENTAL SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE CHANGES.

YOU KNOW, JUST TO NAME A COUPLE SIMPLE ONES.

ACCESS TOWARDS EDUCATION TOWARDS JOBS LIKE ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE.

HOW ABOUT PROVIDING CHARGING STATIONS?

INCREASED INCENTIVE AMOUNTS IN BIPOP COMMUNITIES TO ALLOW ACCESS TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS, RIGHT?

AND I THINK THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SOLUTION OF ALL IS WE INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY EARLY AND INTENTIONALLY, SO THAT ALL PERSPECTIVES ARE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS, WHETHER THAT'S IN ZONING, BUILDING CODES, AND ALL OTHER TABLES, WHETHER DIRECTION OF THE COMMUNITY IS BEING CONSIDERED?

BECAUSE WITHOUT REAL REPRESENTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO ACHIEVE THE FUTURE THAT WE WANT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

BRINGING IT BACK TO YOU, SIERRA, WITH YOUR ADDITION, REACTION AND INCREASING, IN GENERAL, JUST THE NUMBER OF BIPOK PERSONS, ET CETERA, ENGAGING IN THE RIVER WATER.

>> I SHARE SHERRY'S SENTIMENTS, WHAT SHE'S SAYING IS SO IMPORTANT, AND I HATE THE DISCONNECT I SEE IN COMMUNITIES SOMETIME THAT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE UNLESS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SCIENCE.

I LOVE THE C4 PROGRAM AND WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE, SO KUDOS TO THAT WORK.

HOW OUR OFFICE IS TRYING TO SUPPORT IS THAT THE RIVER PROJECT IS GOING TO BE MULTIYEAR, MILLION DOLLARS OF DEVELOPMENT, AND WE WANT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO OUR MICROLOCAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES OR MLB Es TO COMPETE OR PARTICIPATE, WHEN WE HAVE BIG DEVELOPMENTS LIKE, THIS AND THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT, THEY CAN GET LEFT BEHIND.

SO WE'RE PREPARING THEM FOR SUCCESS NOW.

WE'RE SENSITIVE TO THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE COME FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC BUT WOULD BE REMISS IF WE WEREN'T PREPARING THEM TO COMPETE FOR THE MANY SUBCONTRACT AWARDS THAT ARE GOING TO COME DOWN FROM THIS PROJECT, IN RIVER AND ALONG THE RIVERBANKS, AND THERE'S SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION FOR THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION THAT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR MLBEs LEARNED FROM, IF THEY AREN'T LEADING ALL OF THE PROJECTS.

AND WE HAVE TO HAVE INCREASED REPRESENTATION FROM OUR BUSINESSES OF COLOR ALONG THE RIVER'S EDGE.

LONG AFTER THE LAST CONSTRUCTION TRUCK LEAVES, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE GREAT ASSETS AND HAVE BUSINESSES COMING DOWN AND BUSINESSES NEED TO REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO ADD TO THIS, ANNABEL?

>> I MEAN, EVERYTHING THAT IS A -- SIERRA IS CORRECT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY AND SPECIFICALLY THE BIPOK COMMUNITY TO LISTEN TO THEIR FORCES AND HELP FORM OUR WORK.

>> SINNEE, CAN YOU TAKE US TO ACTION ITEMS FOR OUR COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO MAXIMIZING C4?

>> SO WE'RE IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF CHANGE RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

SO EVERY OPPORTUNITY, EVERY OBSTACLE WE WANT TO TURN INTO AN OPPORTUNITY.

SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE PEOPLE AND EDUCATE THEM, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO GO INTO THEIR COMMUNITY, TO GO INTO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, GO INTO THEIR SCHOOLS AND TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND JUST MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SHARE IN THE EDUCATION SO THEY CAN FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT REALLY EXISTS OUT HERE?

HOW CAN THEY LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE?

WHAT ELSE CAN THEY DO TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THEIR FAMILY'S FUTURE?

HOW IS IT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE A LEGACY?

WHAT DIFFERENCE ARE WE GOING TO MAKE RIGHT NOW.

THE POLICY CHANGES, PEOPLE NEED TO GET TO THE TABLE, LIFT UP THEIR VOICES SO THEY'RE INCLUDED IN DECISION-MAKING WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY.

RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AT POWER ARE NOT REALLY INCLUDING BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CAN REALLY HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES.

WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THAT -- CHANGE THE TUNE TO THAT SONG.

WE WANT TO SEE REAL ACTION BEHIND WHAT WE'RE DOING, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, GETTING THE WORK DONE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> HOW DO WE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LEGACY AND LOVE, IN PARTICULAR?

>> SO LEGACY AND LOVE IS AN LLC FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND STARTED, AND BECAUSE OF THESE DISPARITIES HAVE HAPPENED SO LONG IN MY FAMILY, MY GRANDMOTHER WAS DISPLACED, SHE WAS PUSHED OUT BECAUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT WERE TAKING PLACE ALONG THE CORRIDOR WHERE SHE LIVED.

SO CARRYING ON THIS LEGACY IS PART OF WHAT I DO.

LEGACY AND LOVE CAN BE FOUND AT SAMARIA J.

SALON.

>> THERE WE ARE, WE'RE ALL CONNECTED.

SHERRY, WHAT DO YOU LEAVE US WITH, WITH JUST A FEW MINUTES LEFT?

>> SO, FOR ME, I GUESS, AS I'M LISTENING AND AS I THINK ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE, AND WE NEED TO WORK TO CHANGE THINGS, AND WE NEED TO LISTEN WITH INTENTIONALITY.

WE NEED EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE.

SO I'M HERE TO LEARN, AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT AND I KNOW I HAVE A LOT LEFT TO LEARN.

SO I GUESS I YELL OUT TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN WHITE SKIN, OPEN YOUR EARS AND YOUR MIND BAUGZ [INDISCERNIBLE] TO MOVE US FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY.

>> AND YOUR WEBSITE, SHERRY, AGAIN IS?

>> S♪URE, MY WEBSITE IS USGBCWM.ORG.

>> GREAT, THANKS TO YOU.

SIERRA, WHAT DO YOU ASK YOUR COMMUNITY TO DO?

>> I ASK OUR COMMUNITY TO BE OPEN, ESPECIALLY THE BIPOK COMMUNITY, YES THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DAMAGE BUT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ELEVATE OUR VOICE AND BE A PART OF THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.

I'M JUST ASKING FOR AN OPEN MIND AND WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SPACES THAT TYPICALLY HAVEN'T BEEN FOR US AND WE CAN CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.

>> IF I WAS TO ASK YOU, SIERRA, WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE, WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?

>> FOR ME, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS PROJECT, THERE ARE MULTIRACIAL, MULTICULTURAL BUSINESSES ALONG THE RIVER.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WHO'S ENJOYING THE SPACES, IT'S AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE ACROSS THE SPECTRUM TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND NOT BE PRICED OUT.

IF YOU SPEND MORE THAN AN HOUR AT THE RIVER'S EDGE, BECAUSE A BURGER IS 30 BUCKS.

[LAUGHTER] >> COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS THAT REFLECT EVERYONE FROM IMAGES TO LOCALS TO MUSIC, REALLY UNITING THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS.

>> GREAT, ANNABEL, WHAT'S YOUR FINAL WORD TO US AS WE SAY OUR GOOD-BYES?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO SOMETHING SIERRA SAID, HOPING WE CAN ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY AND SPECIFICALLY LISTENING TO THEIR VOICES AS IT INFORMS OUR MASTER PLANNING PROCESS, WHICH IS GOING TO BEGIN THIS YEAR AS WELL AS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE C4 TO CREATE IN PARTNERSHIP OUR CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN TO ADDRESS THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES SPECIFICALLY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THAT WE SEE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ANYONE WANTS TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION THEY ARE FREE TO REACH OUT AT SUSTAINABILITY AT GR CITY DOT US.

>> REPEAT THAT?

SUSTAINABILITY@GR CITY DOT US.

>> C4, RIGHT, LADIES?

.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR CITY FOR WEST MICHIGAN, THE COLLABORATION, I ONLY GET THE BEST, SO THE POWER OF WOMEN GATHERED HERE TODAY TO CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.