Black Environmental Leaders Association Strategic Plan

Black Environmental Leaders Association

Strategic Business Plan 2022-2025

PREPARED BY THORNTON BUCKEYE GROUP

“One of our challenges is to make people see how environmental issues are woven into the quality of life. We are living with environmental issues every day, whether we’re conscious of it or not.”

JACQUIE GILLON, CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER, 2019

Introduction

Environmental Justice has always been interwoven into the fabric of civil rights. As we turn toward rebuilding and supporting an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the year ahead creates a renewed opportunity to build upon the long-term environmental justice work that has been building across the State of Ohio.

Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by environmental challenges. In urban communities, people of color are unequally plagued with incidents of environmental injustice. These communities have a higher likelihood of being in close proximity to contamination -- unaffordable drinking water, polluted air, unsafe land resources, and inadequate or unaffordable sources of energy.

The mission of the Black Environmental Leaders Association (BEL) is to stand as stewards of the natural and built environments through collaboration and partnership, and to educate and advocate for environmental and economic justice.

To accomplish the goals outlined in this strategic business plan, the founding members have come together to provide thought leadership and a foundation to support long-term organizational sustainability.

In the time since its founding, BEL has been led by a 3-member facilitation team including the late Jacqueline Gillon, SeMia Bray, & David Wilson. Currently, SeMia Bray & David Wilson will continue to serve as co-facilitators with the assistance of the Council of Tribes.

This strategic plan provides a high level overview of the BEL leadership team’s collective vision. This document will serve as a guide rail for the programmatic vision and operations for BEL for the 2022-2025 Fiscal Years.

Business Model –Environmental Equity Arbitrage

BEL is building an Environmental Equity Arbitrage business model. This is defined as the simultaneous learning from and informing of policies and programs within all sectors of the green economy, to strengthen the marginalized position of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and environmental justice communities; and leverage the data to create environmental and economic equity.

“This is equity: just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Unlocking the promise of the nation by unleashing the promise in us all.”

EQUITY MANIFESTO – POLICY LINK

Black Environmental Leaders Association

Ringing the BEL for Environmental and Economic Justice

Vision

We envision an equitable and sustainable future that shifts from debilitating practices to authentic circular leadership and engagement.

EBONY HOOD OCTOBER 30, 2021

Mission Statement

Black Environmental Leaders Association (BEL) align as stewards of the natural and built environment through collaboration and partnership, to raise awareness and advocate for environmental and economic justice.

Core Values

to others

Overview

Black Environmental Leaders Association (BEL), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2017 to advocate for increased representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leadership in the Cleveland local environmental space. The members of BEL are stewards of natural and built environments through partnership, collaboration, equity awareness-raising, and advocacy for environmental and economic justice.

Black environmental leaders have contributed to the building of the United States for more than 400 years. The time is now for BEL and others who embrace collective action toward a more equitable society, to join forces and engage communities throughout the State of Ohio.

BEL observes an Advocate, Incubate, and Inform (AI2) strategy, rooted in its distributive leadership model and centered in equity. Specifically, BEL has established an environment where members can share knowledge, dissect problems together and work toward common goals that result in equity-centered policy advocacy and education. Its work is organized into five tribes that are aligned with solutions in the environmental justice movement, including 1. Built Environment; 2. Natural Environment; 3. Energy; 4. Transportation Mobility; 5. Economic Justice.

As a further demonstration of BEL’s commitment to advancing equity in the built and natural environments, the organization is an active participant in an ecosystem of coalitions, partnerships and allies.

Historical Review: An Interconnected Vision for Community Revitalization

In 2016, members of the Healing Our Waters Coalition convened a Chat and Chew in Cleveland to plant the seeds of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice in the environmental space. The conversation was hosted by Healing Our Waters members, National Wildlife Federation, the Alliance for Great Lakes and Western Reserve Land Conservancy. At the conclusion of this conversation, the seeds for an organization that could fill a unique niche within the environmental movement were planted.

Over the next year, Jacqueline Gillon and Kent A. Whitley coordinated monthly meetings with member organizations to explore ideas regarding what could be accomplished together. In November 2017, the mission was established and the journey to begin formalizing as an association began.

The association connected the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Environmental Health Watch, Food Depot to Health, NAACP, the Sierra Club, The Construction Green Team, Outdoor Afro, Journey On Yonder, the Cleveland Office of Sustainability, Cray Consulting Group, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Interfaith Power and Light, See You At The Top, Western Reserve Land Conservancy and United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland with gardeners, urban farmers, entrepreneurs and advocates who believed that community-centered environmental education and equity were vital in order for Black communities to benefit from innovative environmental policy. The goal was to promote intergenerational outdoor programming, healthy food accessibility, critical health interventions and an inclusive economy.

In 2018, The George Gund Foundation and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland provided support for the implementation of a multi-faceted, interactive approach, powered by Cray Consulting Group, that helps BEL refine its understanding of the organizations’ strengths, vulnerabilities, capacity and future opportunities for self-sustainability and community revitalization for Black communities in Northeast Ohio.

At the local level, the Land Conservancy made the commitment to host the subsequent conversations and serve as fiscal agent for what was to become the Black Environmental Leaders Association. As a further commitment to this innovative idea, the Land Conservancy formed the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee. Our own Jacqueline Gillon

served as the chair for the DEIJ committee and as CoFacilitator of BEL, along with David Wilson and SeMia Bray, until 2021. The three employed a distributive leadership model to transform equity engagement with a membership base of BIPOC leaders and allies that continues to grow. The initial Strategic Plan was created for implementation from 2018 - 2021. It was also determined that BEL would establish annual themes. The theme for 2021 was The Year of Transformation.

This document is the second iteration of the first strategic plan. This plan for FY 2022- 2025 updates goals, objectives, and strategies, while seeking to incorporate new members and plans as BEL seeks to work with a new city and county government.

Market Analysis

Research shows that race has a correlation to social vulnerability through the lack of access to resources, cultural differences; and the social, economic, and political marginalization that is often associated with racial disparities. Race is also highly linked to the percentage of female led households, noting that counties with high percentages of Black female-headed households are among the most vulnerable (Cutter et al., 2003).

Environmental Equity, also referred to as environmental justice, is the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental policies and laws to ensure that no group or community is made to bear a disproportionate share of the harmful effects of pollution or environmental hazards because it lacks economic or political clout.1 Research has established that the vast majority of mainstream green organizations are predominantly white in their staffs and boards, and likewise, many of our efforts have been shaped by this lens. In the environmental community, there has been a working vision with the environment at the center, but with a limited perspective of all the ways that people rely on it.2 This trend is also repeated within the economic development, water, food, and health sectors.

Across the Greater Cleveland area, an increased value for environmental and economic equity has been met with varying degrees of implementation, which reinforces a need for greater effectiveness and efficiency in organizing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) efforts.

There is a need for connected efforts to revitalize Black communities in Northeast Ohio. Frequently, there are new reports forecasting the abundance of green opportunities. For example, the 2018 United States Green Building Council report, Delivering Urban Resilience, by Greg Kats and Keith Glassbrook, demonstrates that cities can strengthen resilience, improve health and comfort, expand jobs and slow global warming through smart surface strategies while securing billions of dollars in net financial benefits. When applied nationally, it could potentially deliver half a trillion dollars in net financial benefits.3 Yet, Black communities are not aware of these projects in adequate time to prepare and benefit in large enough numbers. In addition, those implementing these projects are often frustrated when they cannot seem to find enough Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contractors and/or local qualified workers, resulting in frustration on both sides of the conversation.

Communities continue to experience the disproportionate impacts of pollution and other environmental hazards because of a lack of economic, political, and environmental influence. In addition, the increased value of equity in the local environmental and economic development space has been met with varying degrees of implementation, which reinforces a need for greater effectiveness and efficiency in organization DEIJ efforts.

Over the last 2 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing environmental and correlating economic inequities with the virus disproportionately impacting communities of color. Equitable recovery throughout society, but especially within policy development stakeholders, will be vital as communities navigate the broad impacts of COVID.

The Center for Community Solutions notes that Cleveland has the highest rates in the country for childhood poverty, the second-worst rates for working-age adult poverty, and the third-highest rates of poverty for older adults. The members of the BEL association seek to change the paradigm for how investments with an environmental impact are made through creating an equity-focused policy agenda led by BIPOC leaders, producing equitable solutions to improve health and environmental benefits, increasing governmental transparency, and power-sharing among organizations that deliver this work in the earliest stages of decision-making in their communities. BEL is building its capacity to serve as advocates for environmental justice, incubate leaders, and provide contextualized information to the larger community.

Target Populations

BEL serves as a growth-oriented resource for multiple customer segments with different needs. This includes individuals and families within BIPOC communities and organizations. Organizations, meaning those who are providing services in BIPOC communities and/or those interested in gaining a more contextualized understanding to inform their work in support of environmental and economic equity. Multiple membership levels are available to support the unique needs of each segment. BEL also embraces non-racial minority allies. This group’s participation is welcomed during monthly membership and quarterly Allies meetings, and via the Council of Allies.

“ Make every effort to change the things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”

Leadership Structure

BEL’s Distributed Leadership structure is primarily concerned with the actions of leadership rather than specific leadership roles or responsibilities. Distributed Leadership means mobilizing leadership expertise at all levels in the association in order to generate more opportunities for change and to build the capacity for improvement. The strength of BEL is rooted in the members’ unique expertise, commitment to advancing objectives, and individual leadership experiences. The process for successful distributed leadership are:

n Individuals reporting the problem are empowered to follow through solutions

n Those closest to the problem are motivated most to solve it

n Numerous teams focused on solving problems and progressing up the framework, with shared monitoring of benchmarks

n Review framework: standard set of questions, benchmarks and solutions

n Leadership team can maintain the strategic overview and act as specialist advisors

*See Appendix 1: Distributed Leadership Model

Black Environmental Leaders Association is led by a team of Co-Directors – SeMia Bray and David Wilson. Together, the Co-Directors execute a distributed leadership model when working with the organizational membership. Bray and Wilson formulate policies, plan,

direct, and coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the assistance of the Council of Tribes.

The Council of Tribes functions as an advisory and resource board working in close coordination with the co-facilitators. The initial Council of Tribes will be appointed by co-facilitators as they will be charged with developing a structure to build and accept members within the tribes (issue specific committees). This council will also consistently leverage and amplify the work of members. This group is composed of community members, environmental policy experts, and nonprofit leaders.

Additional tasks assigned to Co-Directors and the Council of Tribes include:

n Analyze operations to evaluate performance of the organization in progress made towards objectives.

n Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of BEL to ensure continuing operations and increase impact.

n Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.

n Troubleshooting and crisis response

n External relations: deliver speeches, draft articles, or present information at meetings or conventions to promote organizational work.

Value Proposition: AI²

The Black Environmental Leaders Association operates a network of environmental information, resources and data relevant to Black communities. The BEL approach to engagement views all work through this lens, and becomes the filter through which potential engagement opportunities and new initiatives are measured. This approach yields the organization’s value proposition; which is to Advocate, Incubate and Inform (AI2)

The Advocate, Incubate and Inform value proposition strategy is rooted in a distributive leadership model and centered in environmental and economic justice. Lasting progress is possible when communities build power, speak truth to power, and create coalitions that shift the balance of power that result in real policy change. The voices and actions of those most directly impacted are included in education sessions with policymakers, digital media campaigns, interviews, panel discussions, and opinion editorials.

Advocate

We acknowledge and frame the context of historically failed practices that can no longer serve as a guide stone for moving forward. The focus of the work is centered on addressing the systemic policies and planning that are presently in place. We wish to disrupt and calibrate to build an inclusive and sustainable environment for all. In 2022, -- for the first time in sixteen (16) years –The City of Cleveland will have a new mayor. A new administration presents a unique opportunity to reevaluate existing systems and build processes that support the equitable and just provision of environmental and economic justice within the built and natural environment. In this policy advocacy work, BEL aims to encourage the creation of change processes that reproduce present-day outcomes and to hold systems and decision-makers within those systems accountable. Until the policies, institutional practices, power dynamics, and problematic narratives are changed, inequities will persist or worsen.

Incubate

We envision an equitable and sustainable future that emphasizes authentic circular leadership and engagement. Ongoing support from the philanthropic community, corporate donors, and members move us closer to the advocacy, education, and outreach needed to meet practices and policy objectives. Practices are represented by culturally-relevant programming, artwork, signage, and other amenities. Transparency is improved by partnering with communities of color to develop comprehensive policies which prioritize historically-disinvested neighborhoods.

Inform

This vision inclusively alters the traditional voices naming the problems, and centers solutions so that BIPOC-led work within the built and natural environment will have a lower likelihood of being challenged, questioned, undermined, or underfunded; but, instead they are respected, championed, supported and resourced to benefit of all the shades of humanity.

BEL is a trusted voice providing subject matter expertise within a diverse network by centering equity, environmental and economic justice; operating a network of environmental information, resources and data relevant to black communities. Most recently BEL leadership and members continue to provide insight and recommendations within each of the five (5) solutions areas -- 1. Built Environment; 2. Natural Environment; 3. Energy; 4. Transportation Mobility; 5. Economic Justice.

Data for Members

Data for Black communities

Data as it relates to the environment & economic intersections

Inform the larger environmental community using contextualized data,

a focus on issues

black communities

BEL Ringing Forward: Strategic Actions for FY 2022-2025

As BEL seeks to move forward to the next phase of its strategic planning, the organization is proud to announce that the 2022 theme is Shades of Humanity in the Environmental Movement. This theme will focus on the continued effort to provide Black voices, leaders, and organizations a seat at the table and to lead on environmental justice efforts locally, while also seeking to build intersectional relationships with other communities (i.e., Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, Appalachian, interfaith, etc.). This inclusiveness is reflective of the mission of BEL and one of the organizing focuses of the late Jacquie Gillon. Over the next 3 years, BEL will have an intentional focus on celebrating the diversity of the environmental justice movement while taking action on priority issues.

In order to operationalize the Shades of Humanity in the Environmental Movement theme, BEL will utilize the AI²2 concept (Advocate, Incubate, Inform) to build effective coalitions that educate, activate and equitably engage BEL members, allies, partners and friends. The Distributed Leadership model will assist with catalyzing the work.

Three Year Outcomes and First Year Goals with Tactics Utilizing the AI2 Approach

Advocate

Three Year Outcome: Relationship building with the local (new mayoral and county executive administrations and respective councils), state, federal and international government officials, business executives, philanthropic leaders and academia to position BEL as an authority and informational resource on community engagement, economic and environmental justice policy.

n Year 1 Goal: Initiate meeting with BEL members and new mayoral and county executive administrations councils, and staff to discuss environmental priorities and explore collaboration.

> Tactic: Schedule meetings with both city and county administrations and councils to present the Cleveland Comprehensive Policy Platform and gauge interest in advancing policy priorities and increased investment in economic and environmental justice issues.

> Tactic: Maintain ongoing communications with both city and county administrators, councils and staff, as subject matter experts for environmental and economic justice concerns.

> Tactic: Inform and support the development of Community Benefit Agreements that impact workforce development opportunities within the emerging green, clean energy and electric vehicle sectors

> Tactic: Develop a list of targeted key relationships to build in year one of this strategic plan

Three Year Outcome: Deepen BEL’s position as an authority within the Ohio Climate and Clean Energy Coalition, providing subject matter expertise and legislative education on community engagement, economic and environmental justice policy at the Ohio State House.

n Year 1 Goal: Build momentum and support for the Ohio Climate and Clean Energy Coalition while growing BEL’s role as a trusted voice and leading coalition member.

> Tactic: Maintain role as the priority area lead of the Energy Jobs and Justice Act campaign.

> Tactic: Maintain role as the priority area co-lead of Inviting New Voices, Building Power.

> Tactic: Inform and support the development of equity centered policy that impacts workforce development opportunities within the emerging green, waste reduction, clean energy and electric vehicle sectors.

Three Year Outcome: Relationship building at the Federal level to position BEL as an authority and informational resource on economic, energy and environmental justice policy with congressional members, federal agency staff , national civic and environmental groups and international representatives.

n Year 1 Goal: Launch a relationship building tour with federal agency staff and congressional staff to outline BEL’s value proposition.

> Tactic: Schedule meetings with Ohio’s congressional members and their staff

> Tactic: Develop communications collateral that can be shared with officials that outline key information on BEL and our priority policy issues.

> Tactic: Create a list of targeted federal agency staff for relationship building and schedule in-person and virtual meetings.

n Year 1 Goal: Initiate relationship building at the international level to position BEL as an authority and informational resource on the intersectionality of climate change and economic, energy and environmental justice policy.

> Tactic: Create a list of targeted international representatives with whom we will schedule meetings are start to build relationships through conversations and exploration of synergies

Inform

Three Year Outcome: Serve as the lead convener for the Cultivating Change: A Campaign to Celebrate and Advance Jacquie Gillon’s Legacy which memorializes the memory of Gillon while helping to educate and engage diverse populations throughout Cleveland to amplify voices on issues concerning environmental justice policy at all levels of government.

n Year 1 Goal: Appoint an intergenerational planning committee that develops a work plan for the legacy campaign with timelines, key deliverables and partners.

> Tactic: Appoint committee members, receive confirmation of participation, host initial planning meeting to develop work plans and schedule subsequent meetings.

> Tactic: Develop subcommittees for individual campaign events, recruit member participation and schedule meetings and events.

> Tactic: Co-Facilitators and Council of Tribes launch fundraising campaigns to support events.

Incubate

Three Year Outcome: BEL has continued to build the organizational infrastructure that supports membership growth, increased participation and coordination that improves efficiency.

n Year 1 Goal: Appoint the first Council of Tribes and establish a framework for member participation and growth with the creation of policies that outline tribe functions and rules moving forward.

> Tactic: Appoint Council of Tribes and get confirmation of acceptance of the position

> Tactic: Host planning meeting with Council of Tribes and co-facilitators to develop framework for member participation and growth

n Year 1 Goal: Co-Facilitators and Council of Tribes will meet with local foundations and potential donors to secure funding to fulfill staffing needs and make the necessary new hires.

n Year 1 Goal: Implement the external/ internal communications and public affairs strategy that includes software upgrades that enhance the member experience, explores outreach tactics and strengthens the public profile of BEL.

BEL is building a business model that creates an Environmental Equity Arbitrage. This is the simultaneous learning from and informing policy and programs within all sectors of the green economy to strengthen the marginalized position of black communities and create Environmental and Economic Equity with the same contextualized data.

> Tactic: Develop internal communication network structure for members, co-facilitators and the Council of Tribes that facilitates effective information sharing and supports growth (ie: ToolConstant Contact)

> Tactic: Utilize project management as a way to organize collaboration and projects among members and member organizations by exploring software tools like BaseCamp that help track progress and support timely fulfillment of objectives and deliverables

> Tactic: Implement Digital Marketing Plan in collaboration with CommEN Strategies that includes media outreach to promote BEL’s voice on environmental justice issues

Revenue Streams

Multiple revenue streams will be employed to support the work of BEL, to include but not limited to: Subscription/Membership Fees, Grants, Fee for Service, Merchandise and Advertising/Sponsorships. In addition, BEL is exploring the possibility of establishing an inclusive social enterprise in an equitable sector, pushing for environmental and economic justice and climate resilience to support long term self-sufficiency.

Distributed Leadership

Individuals reporting the problems are emowered to follow through

Those closest to the

are motivated most to

Numerous teams focused on solving problems and progressing up the framework shared

Review

BEL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2018-2021

In the time since its founding, BEL has accomplished much in terms of projects & programs, collaborative partnerships, and educational resources. The organization has leveraged the strengths and expertise of its members and member institutions to address environmental injustices, create educational programming, build capacity for local groups and advance sound environmental policies. These accomplishments embody the value proposition of Advocate, Incubate and Inform (AI2). Below we have outlined a comprehensive list of our priority projects and accomplishments over the last three years.

General Cleveland’s Clean and Equitable Energy Future Report, Core Team

At the local level, BEL is providing valuable input and thought leadership as a member of the 100% Renewable Electricity Core Team resulting in Cleveland’s Clean and Equitable Energy Future Plan, being released in the Spring 2021.

On September 20th, 2018, the City of Cleveland became the first city in the State of Ohio to commit to powering itself with 100 percent clean energy. Building off of the City of Cleveland’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) (2018 Update) Mayor Frank G. Jackson announced his commitment and leadership to combat climate change by transitioning to 100 percent clean and renewable energy sources.

By increasing energy efficiency and by moving towards renewable and equitable energy sources, the City of Cleveland can make a major impact in reducing Cleveland’s contribution to climate change, advance energy equity, and avoid significant health and environmental damages caused by dirty energy, all while still creating jobs and boosting the local economy. Our contribution to the creation of Cleveland’s Clean and Equitable Energy Future Report provides increased insight into an action-oriented plan and framework the City will follow for successful implementation of this clean energy transition by 2050.

Advocate Northeast Ohio Equitable Green Stewardship Program

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the national focus on increasing the tree canopy in urban environments and the Cleveland Tree Plan, a diverse coalition of partners, which includes Black Environmental Leaders Association, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Ohio State University and Temboo, have designed the Northeast Ohio Equitable Green Stewardship Program (NEO EGSP).

As described in the Cleveland Tree Plan, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cleveland was nicknamed The Forest City. However, Cleveland has lost significant canopy over the last 70 years, dropping from 220,000 street trees in the 1940s to 120,000 street trees in the city today. Tree canopy cover is now only 18% (only one quarter of what has been deemed possible). The loss continues. Each year an estimated 97 acres of tree canopy in Cleveland is lost.

The uniqueness of Cleveland Tree Plan is, though the City has formally adopted it, it is not just the city plan. Rather, it is a community-wide collaboration to rebuild the urban forest through partnership. During the planning process, the Cleveland Tree Coalition reached out to more than 50 additional stakeholders to assess today’s urban forest, determine a unified vision for the future, and develop a way forward together. Western Reserve Land Conservancy is a partner organization for both the Cleveland Tree Coalition and the NEO EGSP.

This pilot project, made possible through the support of the Mosaic Foundation, is important for the environmental movement because it aligns with two of the goals within the Cleveland Tree Plan, paving the way for real progress in rebuilding a sustainable urban forest.

Energy Jobs and Justice Act (EJJA)

The Energy Jobs & Justice Act is a comprehensive clean energy policy rooted in equity, economic development, and accountability. After decades of energy policy that largely favors utilities and fossil fuels, Ohio needs forwardlooking solutions that are good for our economy, our communities, and our health. The Energy Jobs & Justice Act ensures that Ohio emerges with an energy policy designed for all Ohioans.

The Energy Jobs & Justice Act will:

n Launch the state’s largest economic development initiative in recent history by prioritizing clean energy jobs and environmental justice programs

n Center equitable policy design to ensure clean energy benefits go to those most historically and disproportionately harmed by Ohio’s regressive energy policies

n Move Ohio towards a more equitable clean energy future by encouraging clean energy growth, energy waste reduction, and curbing utility influence over policymaking and regulatory actions.

Cleveland Parks and Green Space Coalition

The Cleveland Parks and Greenspace Coalition represents residents and organizations who use, develop, maintain, and program parks and greenspaces for the purpose of providing equitable public spaces that reflect the communities where they are located. BEL was instrumental in convening and facilitating community conversations that have resulted in the Cleveland Parks + Green Space Coalition Policy Platform.

Climate and Clean Energy Coalition (CCEC)

As a member of the Climate and Clean Energy Coalition (CCEC), BEL works with a team of advocates across Ohio to assemble a comprehensive, equitable energy policy for Ohio’s clean energy future which was introduced in Sept 2021. The Energy Jobs & Justice Act represents a long-term objective around which to build power through efforts like “Listen Lead Share” and rolling up power built through the CCEC network. Notably, this work centers equitable policy design to ensure clean energy benefits prioritize those most historically and disproportionately harmed through Ohio’s regressive energy policies. The power-building around the Energy Jobs & Justice Act will proceed as a campaign focused on equity-centric and progressive organizations. Gains made through this grassroots and community mobilization effort will then be translated directly into candidate education through the November 2022 election cycle.

Power Clean Future Ohio

Power Clean Future Ohio is an expansive, diverse coalition engaging with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for our communities. Power A Clean Future Ohio is empowering local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical. BEL provides support of the Community Choice Aggregation efforts statewide.

Cleveland Tree Coalition, Executive Committee

The Cleveland Tree Coalition is a collaborative group of public, private and community stakeholders that have partnered with the City of Cleveland to rebuild our urban forest. The coalition is striving to create a healthy, vibrant, sustainable, and equitable urban forest by working collaboratively to implement the Cleveland Tree Plan. Together, we’re making Cleveland the Forest City once again. BEL serves as an Executive Committee member.

Environmental and Economic Justice

BEL has played a lead convener role in the development, fundraising, coordination and implementation of the legacy campaign, Cultivating Change: A Campaign to Celebrate and Advance Jacqueline E. Gillon’s Legacy. *See Appendix 3 for details

The organization has intentions to develop and build the relationship with Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Lenders to work collaboratively to address economic injustices.

Ohio Environmental Justice Policy Forum: Members of the BEL and environmental organizations throughout the state joined The Alliance for the Great Lakes for a one-day virtual conference on November 10, 2020, with approximately 25 participants. This forum, funded by the Cleveland and Gund Foundations, was designed to provide black and brown leaders working in environmentally focused careers with opportunities to network while developing a state level policy agenda for distribution and consideration by state legislators and the Ohio Governor’s Office.

Incubate

Global Shapers Cleveland Hub

Global Shapers Cleveland Hub (GS-CLE) and Black Environmental Leaders Association are proud to announce their formal partnership in 2021. This partnership seeks to incubate, empower, and support a diverse group of leaders and professionals within the sustainability and policy field across Northeast Ohio.

The Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is an international network of young leaders. Created to empower youth to self-organize for impact and to amplify the voice of young leaders, the Shapers Community is a network of over 400 city-based hubs full of change-makers looking to positively impact the world. GS-CLE ’s goal is to leverage the passion of this diverse group of young leaders to create local change through a global lens.

GS-CLE and BEL are excited about the impactful work the two organizations are doing together. This partnership holds the potential to become a model of collaboration and intergenerational leadership development. Both organizations are committed to reclaiming a rich heritage where youth and elders are respected, honored, and valued.

Ohio Climate Justice Fund

The Ohio Climate Justice Fund (‘the Fund’ or ‘OCJF’) is complemented by an advisory committee of Ohio environmental advocates and leaders whose charge is to advise and guide investments in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) organizations in Ohio, working at the intersection of racial justice and climate action. BEL participates as a member of the OCJF advisory committee.

Launched with seed funding and support from the George Gund Foundation, Energy Foundation and the Cleveland Foundation, the OCJF advances accessible community education and community listening efforts centered on creating a sustainable, equitable future for Ohio.

Fiscal Sponsorship and Technical Support

BEL has served as the fiscal sponsor and/ or rendered technical support to the following organizations. This service aligns with our value proposition related to incubation.

n Global Shapers

n Journey On Yonder

n SYATT

Inform Black Landscapes Matter Speaker Series

The Black Landscapes Matter speaker series is designed to facilitate a state-wide conversation around the role of the built environment in enabling or inhibiting social equity and racial justice.

The conversations feature a mix of national and local leaders and practitioners across disciplines and industries. The topic areas include public space design, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) experience in public space, parks and recreational access, public art and symbology, health and wellness, democracy/historical study, affordable housing and clean energy, and grassroots programming.

Black Landscapes Matter is provided with the support of the Energy Foundation.

Greater Cleveland Environmental Justice Local Journalism Collaborative

Racial injustice, environmental injustice and the health of our democracy are inextricably linked; Gerrymandered districts deny our most impacted citizens’ concerns to be heard, and corruption in the political process acts as sand in the gears of good governance – preventing communities from taking back power. However, communities are not powerless to change their circumstances and confront environmental and racial injustices.

Progress is possible when communities build power, speak truth to power and build coalitions that shift the balance of power and result in real policy change. The advocacy and leadership of Mayor Carl Stokes and Representative Louis Stokes elevated environmental justice to the policy arena – eventually leading to the passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water acts and the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sustained advocacy of BIPOC community leaders, organizers and residents across Cleveland also advanced historic legislation to finally address the devastating impacts of lead exposure. Amidst heightened awareness and nationwide protests around the extent and depth of our nation’s racist history and enduring barriers – most acutely to the Black community’s health, prosperity, and basic safety – immediate and sustained action is needed.

It is urgent to leverage the power of our local news ecosystem and the local philanthropic community to help support information collaborations that lift up environmental justice narratives, stories and solutions led by BIPOC leaders, organizers, organizations and residents.

The Black Environmental Leaders Association, The Center for Community Solutions, Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation are partnering to test, refine and/or build out an environmental justice reporting project in Greater Cleveland to elevate BIPOC leaders and organizations taking action to improve the health of our communities, our climate, our environment and our democracy.

CHEERS, Lead Team Member

The Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Study (CHEERS) outlines a plan for additional parkland and habitat along Cleveland’s Lake Erie shoreline in proximity to the St. Clair-Superior and Glenville neighborhoods. The partners are wrapping up the initial concept plan and hope to move towards final design as grants and other funding become available.

CHEERS illustrates the importance of investing in coastal resilience measures in an urban area to provide the greatest impact for human community resilience. The project will demonstrate beneficial use of dredge material to build habitat and expand parks, protect the critical infrastructure of Interstate 90 along the shore, ameliorate previous industrial uses and unjust development practices, and stabilize the unpredictable wave action adjacent to key recreation and transportation facilities.

Ohio Voices Informing Energy Choices

The speaker series, launching in 2022, with the support of the Joyce Foundation, is designed to facilitate a state-wide conversation around the role of the built environment and climate change in enabling or inhibiting environmental justice. Conversations will feature national and local leaders and practitioners across disciplines and industries.

Greater Cleveland Water Equity Partners

Greater Cleveland Water Equity Partners (GCWEP) is a group of utilities, non-profits, community advocates, and organizations working together to advance water equity.

Together, we produced “An Equitable Water Future: Cleveland,” a “roadmap” outlining challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions to promote equitable water management in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

Cleveland Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform & Resident Engagement Tool Kit

In collaboration with over a dozen Cleveland community partners, we have produced a Comprehensive Environmental Policy Platform outlining priority local environmental issues and a Resident Education toolkit that empowers residents to advocate for policy changes. The toolkit is available electronically in English, Spanish, Arabic and Chinese.

These foundational documents helped to inform a 501c3 compliant mayoral candidates forum we hosted with over 30 partners in July 2021. Community voice was amplified as residents were able to submit questions for candidates prior to the forum. The event was held virtually and all of the mayoral candidates participated. We recorded 456 registrations, including 80+ registrations at 4 in-person watch parties and more than 260 unique viewers on Zoom and over 1,000 views on YouTube Live.

APPENDIX 3: JACQUELINE E. GILLON LEGACY CAMPAIGN

In the Fall of 2021, Jacqueline (Jacquie) E. Gillon, co-founder and cofacilitator of BEL passed away, leaving an enduring legacy as a passionate environmental justice advocate, a tireless teacher, a community connector and leader. There is no doubt that Jacquie was a force of—and for—nature.

During her career, Jacquie served her community as a distinguished member of East Cleveland City Council, a key member of Western Reserve Land Conservancy’s Thriving Communities program, and as a beloved trainer and mentor to 29 classes of amazing community leaders at Neighborhood Leadership Institute. She co-founded the Black Environmental Leaders Association and co-facilitated its important programming throughout the state. Jacquie genuinely cared for people and the environment around them. Her distinct ability to welcome and affirm persons of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities made her leadership unique and invaluable.

We continue to reflect on Jacquie’s profound impact on our community as we mourn her recent passing. Together, we have developed a year-long series of activities designed to celebrate and advance Jacquie’s commitment to environmental justice, leadership development, and community building.

Memorial Tree Planting + Chat and Chew + Scholarship Fund Scoping

During the first phase of our year-long campaign to celebrate and advance Jacquie’s legacy, we will focus on planting seeds for the future by bringing together community members at a tree planting. Afterwards, environmental leaders will gather for a Chat & Chew facilitated discussion. We will also work to determine the best way to establish a scholarship fund aimed at supporting intergenerational learning opportunities.

Grow Civic Engagement and Advocacy Workshop Building + Juneteenth Celebration

From grassroots to grasstops, Jacquie had the innate ability to educate, motivate, and activate community leaders to make positive change in Cleveland, East Cleveland, and beyond. For years, Jacquie shared this special skill set with members of leadership development programs—from Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association to Neighborhood Leadership Institute, and many additional programs along the way.

The second phase of our year-long campaign to celebrate and advance Jacquie’s legacy, involves growing opportunities for civic engagement education and building an Ohio Environmental Justice Policy Agenda.

Bloom Collective Call to Action + Inaugural Scholarship Launch

The final phase of our year-long campaign to celebrate and advance Jacquie’s legacy will include bringing individuals and organizations together—partners from the tree planting, grassroots leaders from the civic engagement and advocacy workshops, as well as environmental justice leaders from the Chat and Chew— to participate in the Jacqueline E. Gillon Legacy Scholarship Luncheon. This annual event, with its inaugural launch hosted in Fall 2022, will honor local environmental activists, award scholarships and provide networking opportunities.

REFERENCE LINKS

1. Definition of environmental equity. Web Finance Inc., 2018. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/ environmental-equity.html). Retrieved 08 June2018.

2. Crystal M.C. Davis, “Standpoint Series Step One: Shut Up and Listen”. Alliance for the Great Lakes, May 31, 2018. (https://greatlakes.org/2018/05/step-one-shut-up-and-listen/). Retrieved 09 June 2018.

3. Kats, Greg and Glassbrook, Keith, “Delivering Urban Resilience: Summary Report’’. (https://www.usgbc.org/ sites/default/files/delivering-urban-resilience-summary-report-2018.pdf). Retrieved 09June2018. To access the full Report and other related materials please go to www.cap-e.com

4. “Overview: Healthy Communities of Opportunity”. Policy Link, 2018 (http://www.policylink.org/our-work/ community/making-the-case). Retrieved 09 June 2018

5. Definition of Arbitrage.Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., 2018 (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/ arbitrage). Retrieved 10 June 2018