BSN Industry House Booklet 2024

INDUSTRY HOUSES FIND YOUR HOME

WINTER 2024 2ND EDITION

BLACK SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK INDUSTRY HOUSE (IH)

our mission.

To mobilize sustainability practitioners of Afrikan descent to (re)build sustainable communities and economies that will restore balance to our planet.

our vision.

We envision a world that honors Afrikan ancestral wisdom and ingenuity to restore the well-being of our planet and generations to come.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Culturally Relevant Perspectives

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Maximize Your Membership

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What is an Industry House?

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Industry House Leadership and Structure

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Red Black & Green Mutual Impact Fund

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Industry House Gatherings

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House Parties: What To Expect

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Industry House Descriptions

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Alternative Economics

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Alternative Energy

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Community Development

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Climate / Environmental Justice

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Education & Cultural Preservation

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Eco-Building/Housing

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Green Lifestyle/Beauty/Fashion

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Preparedness

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Sustainable Agriculture & Land Management

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Waste

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Water

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Wholistic Health

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INDUSTRY HOUSES | 01

BSI: Culturally Relevant Perspectives

BY AFIA RAINA TURNER GREENLEA, BLACK SUSTAINABILITY, INC. (BSI) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Our members are Black, Afrikan, and Indigenous leaders and change makers who are committed to restoring our planet & living in alignment with nature.

Traditional/pre-colonial Afrikan & Indigenous worldview underscores the core value & importance our people placed on nature and our home, planet earth. Often excluded from larger conversations & decisions affecting our planet, we still find many of us working to prevent ecocide in our own unique ways.

Who better knows the solutions to issues than those on the frontlines and can alert others to trends coming their way?

There has not been a single centralized place for people of Afrikan descent in Sustainability fields to connect, exchange and discuss solutions locally, regionally, nationally and globally. This is what we have created and want to continue to foster. Often, discussions have gone beyond talk to action, implementation & collaboration to ensure we have a solid BLACK & GREEN supply chain.

We are intentional about a triple bottom line that is culturally rooted & unapologetic about the safe-space we are creating.

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MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP Join an Industry House for Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange As a member of the Black Sustainability Network, each of you is an enthusiast in one or more fields of sustainability (known in BSN as Industry Houses).

Join your HOUSE to connect with peers around the globe & exchange industry wisdom!

Industry Houses (12) Field(s) of Expertise Alternative Energy

Green Lifestyle

Alternative Economics

Preparedness

Community Development

Sustainable Agriculture

Climate/Environmental Justice

Waste

Eco-Building/Housing

Water

Education & Cultural Preservation

Wholistic Health

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WHAT IS AN INDUSTRY HOUSE (IH)?

Photo Credit: Khalifa Lee 2023 Black Sustainability Summit - IH Breakout Session

A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE Each Industry House (IH) represents a sustainability-related field of expertise.

All members are required to select a Primary IH to indicate what field they are most interested in engaging with. Members can join as many additional IHs of interest as they would like.

Each IH offers members an opportunity to connect, exchange knowledge and share/collaborate on current projects that benefit our planet & communities. There are a variety of programs for IH members to engage with amongst like-minded members and across IHs.

A THINK TANK Through engaging in the BSN platform, members contribute to BSI’s State of Black Sustainability Report and related research. In this way, BSN acts as a space for community-owned data that is sourced from members for the benefit of the communities they represent.

KUJICHAGULIA: A PROJECT FUNDING SPACE Instead of depending solely on grants and pitch competitions, we developed the RBG Mutual Impact Fund (RBGMIF) a fund to direct resources to member-led projects.

We invest 25% of your BSN membership dues and direct donations/grants into the fund, with a minimum $5,000 goal for each IH. By joining BSN as a paid member, you have the opportunity to submit your project to receive RBG Impact Funding. Projects are nominated, shared, and voted on throughout the year by our members, with funding awards occurring annually each fall at our Black Sustainability Summit.

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Industry House Structure Africa (HK)

North America & Caribbean (HK)

HEAD OF HOUSE

+ House Coordinator

Europe & Asia (HK)

South America (HK) HOUSE KEEPER (HK) HOUSE COORDINATOR (HC) Grand Committee: HOH & HK Each Industry House is made up of both members and a number of House leaders. These include a Head of House, four House Keepers, and a House Coordinator.

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IH Leadership HEAD OF HOUSE (HOH): Organizes communication & serves as a liaison; maintain point of contact within the IH. Quarterly stipend available upon request.

What’s Required: Set collective initiative for IH to work toward. Support membership recruitment for BSI membership and encourage BSI network members to join their IH. Attend all gatherings relevant to their IH and general HOH meetings in February and November.

HOUSE KEEPER (HK): Regional House Leads, support HOH with communication, identify & review Impact Fund projects, inform content at annual summit, identify other regional leads, extend membership & determine collective needs of house members.

What’s Required: Nurture member relations within the IH. Work with BSI team to review and provide feedback on Impact Fund projects. Attend all IH gatherings. Support HOH in whatever capacity is needed.

HOUSE COORDINATOR (HC) Administrative & Tech support for HK's; Crowdsource headlines/challenges, pull out themes from HP's, transcribe recordings, develop a question bank to inform the State of the Black Sustainability report.

What’s Required: Attend all IH gatherings, maintain meeting minutes/notes, complete administrative task for HOH and HK. HOUSE MEMBERS (HM): Black Sustainability Network Experts & Entities.

Enthusiasts can also tune in to learn/increase knowledge.

What’s Required: Attend all IH gatherings and make a meaningful contribute to each experience.

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IH Leadership Structure

GRAND COMMITTEE

BSI Membership Team

HEAD OF HOUSE

+

House Coordinator

Africa (HK)

Water

Wholistic Health Prepared ness

Waste

IH General Members Alt. Econ

Alt. Energy

EcoHosing

North America & Caribbean (HK)

Water

Green Life

Culture Educ.

EJ/CJ

Wholistic Health

Comm Dev.

Prepared ness

Waste

IH General Members Alt. Econ

Alt. Energy

EcoHosing

Europe & Asia (HK)

Agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture

Culture Educ.

South America (HK)

Water

Green Life

Culture Educ.

EJ/CJ

Wholistic Health

Comm Dev.

Prepared ness

Agriculture Waste

IH General Members

Green Life

EJ/CJ Alt. Econ

Alt. Energy

EcoHosing

Comm Dev.

Water

Culture Educ.

Wholistic Health Prepared ness

Waste

IH General Members

EJ/CJ Alt. Econ

Alt. Energy EcoHosing

20 POTENTIAL CHAPTERS BY REGION North South Central East West

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North South Central East West

North South Central East West

Green Life

North South Central East West

Comm Dev.

RBG

MIF

Red Black & Green Mutual Impact Fund Last year, we were able to reach the threshold for three Industry Houses to receive an RBG Impact Award. To be eligible, members can apply for the Solution Spotlight program. Here members can share or tune in to hear member projects or vote for the top project each month. Awardees will be announced at our 9th Annual Black Sustainability Summit in October.

2024 Goal Fund 3-5 member projects in the following Industry Houses: Alternative Energy Green Lifestyle Sustainable Agriculture & Land Management

Criteria 1. Active, paying BSN member for at least 12 months 2. Participate in the Solutions Spotlight program 3. Project must be Black-led, benefit the Black community, solve a problem impacting our community and planet.

4. Agree to host a Learning Journey so other members and the BSI team can visit/support during or after application of the RBG Impact Award.

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IH Gatherings IH Meet Ups Quarterly virtual hangouts to connect new BSI members with their respective Industry House Members.

House Meetings Virtual Meetings hosted for members of each IH with the purpose of: 1. Amplifying global Black & Green voices & perspectives within their industry 2. Sharing industry challenges/Crowdsource solutions 3. Exchanging best practices & resources 4. Highlighting local Black & Green people, projects, and organizations.

Fundraisers Want to raise more funds for your IH? Host an annual fundraiser! This fundraiser should be open to the public and can coincide with the annual Black Sustainability Summit.

House Party Throw a House Party to invite multiple Industry Houses together to collaborate on a shared goal/project. This is a great way to meet other members and explore synergies.

Planning Meetings Join an informal planning meeting to help plan House parties and fundraising activities, and to support with the State of Black Sustainability Report.

Special Initiatives Stay tuned to . BSI Collaborations with Expert and Entity members

Collective Outcomes Content captured at House Parties, Fundraisers, House Meetings by HK's & HC's will collectively inform our Global State of Black Sustainability Report rooted in community-based data/metrics.

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What To Expect House Meeting General Structure (Quarterly + Virtual) Welcome: Introductions via Chat OR Roll Call HK opens with a Historical/Traditional Fact/Technique related to your Industry House HK shares or opens the floor for attendees to share any Top Industry Headlines & Industry Challenges 1st Meeting: Share future IH Meeting dates, align on a collective goal and invite members to sign up for Solution Spotlight Main Room or Breakout Room Discussion (single host or multiple hosts) Crowdsource regional challenges & open floor to offer solutions Members will receive a calendar of scheduled House Meetings from their Head of House.

House Meetings should provide a space for cultural inspiration, education and awareness of important topics and collective work.

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Industry House Descriptions

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Alternative Economics

Wealth which enslaves the owner isn’t wealth. - Yoruba PURPOSE To cultivate the practice of creating economic and social value through sustainable financial models, products and markets.

Learn & exchange alternatives rooted in dismantling & divesting from the current extractive and exploitative global economic system built on Afrikan land and labor.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Cooperatives Esusu Systems Financing Liberation Investment Opportunities Micro-Financing Regenerative Economics Money Systems & Alternative Currency Mutual Aid Time Banking

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Alternative Energy

"Social energy, as DuBois defines it, is the collective genius and cooperative spirit – the propelling actions and energy – that make a sociocultural system work.” Jessica Gordon Nembhard PURPOSE To promote alternative, renewable, non-pollution generating energy sources for our communities.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Solar Biomass/Biofuel Interpersonal/Social Energy Geothermal

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Wind Hydropower Off-Grid Community Grids

Community Development

Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won’t eat you.

- African proverb PURPOSE To explore urban sprawl and development trends from members who are designing and developing community spaces with innovative approaches to challenges in our communities. From EV car cooperatives, sustainable employment and reducing pollution & environmental degradation through design.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Community Planning & Design Urban & Rural Development Workforce Development Relationship & Conflict Resolution Intentional Communities

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Transportation Infrastructure Circular Economy Biomimicry Governance

Climate & Environmental Justice

I am working to make sure we don’t only protect the environment; we also improve governance. - Wangari Maathai PURPOSE To explore ways in which the climate has been negatively impacted by human activities and the specific ways in which people and landscapes around Black communities are harm. This includes implications for biodiversity. The purpose is to explore ways current conditions can be improved in order to maintain a clean and healthful environment, especially for communities who have been forced to live, work, and play closest to sources of pollution

MEMBERS WORK IN: Environmental Justice Advocacy & Policy Fair Trade Inclusion JEDI

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Climate Justice Conservation Diversity Equity

Eco-Building/Housing

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.

PURPOSE To promote natural, environmentally respectful housing that supports resident/occupier health and wellness. We look to our ancestors & the environment for design strategies & local resources to build functional shelter in modernity.

Scrutiny of building materials (recycled, sustainably harvested, organically grown, etc.) used to create, build, finish or upgrade spaces.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Passive Design Building Communities Alternative Housing Shipping Containers Earthbags Cob Aircrete, Hempcrete Vernacular Architecture

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Natural Building Materials Biomimetic Design Building Maintenance 3-D Printing Building vs Purchasing Building Wellness

Education & Cultural Preservation

Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn.

"Culture is our immune system." - Marimba Ani PURPOSE To cultivate, retain & incorporate African cultural identity through arts, history, cultural practices and ways of being. This interdisciplinary house is focused on sustainable development practices rooted in an Africancentered worldview. Key to our liberation as a people, is uncovering truths and standing firm in wisdom rooted in our culture.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Art and Aesthetics Africana Culture Vernacular Architecture Traditional Spirituality Continuing Education Apprenticeships Traditional Land Agreements

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OurStory/History Hi-TEK Traditional Communities Today Workshops & Certifications Homeschooling Experiential Learning

Green Lifestyle

“Demand quality, not just in the products you buy, but in the life of the person who made it.” – Orsola de Castro PURPOSE To support the development of environmentally respectful habits for our members and their network(s). Highlighting brands, products and articles that are naturally crafted, designed, manufactured, distributed, and used in ways that are environmentally friendly. Promotion of conscious consumerism & consumption.

MEMBERS WORK IN: ECO-friendly & Responsible Products Natural, Organic Cosmetics/Skin-care Ethical & Non-appropriated Fashion Black & Green Supply Chain

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Minimalist Living Green Habits Plant-based Livity

Sustainable Agriculture & Land Management

"We're a land based people, so our survival is based on how we treat the land." - Charles Greenlea PURPOSE To ensure a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Promoting respectful land management as a long-term practice so communities can establish food systems, seed banks & produce local products without dependence on external sources. This house exchanges best practices on sustainable ag businesses, regenerative land practices & how to feed yourself, your family and community.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Sustenance Farming Urban vs Rural Farming Food Systems & Sovereignty Earth/Soil Health

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Regenerative Ag/Permaculture Land Management Planning Heirs Property

Preparedness

"Prepare for war in time of peace." - Minnie Duffy Ringfield PURPOSE To ensure individuals and communities are prepared for natural and/or political disaster and other unforeseen situations. Also, exploring best survival practices, patterns for survival and survival in extreme conditions.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Risk Assessment Communication Planning Cybersecurity Preparation Training & testing Prevention/Prepping

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Mitigation Disaster Preparedness Climate Disaster Response & Recovery Protection (Family+Assets)

Waste

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Afrikan Worldview PURPOSE To decrease consumption of natural resources, promote multiple reuse of materials taken from nature & minimize creation of waste. Promotion of a salvage economy & best waste management practices for the restoration of earth and our communities.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Zero Waste Lifecycle Assessment Waste to Energy EcoDisposal Systems Waste Remediation Salvage Economy

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Recycling & Upcycling Composting Investing In Waste Bio-Packaging Sanitation

Water

"Water no get enemy" - Fela Kuti PURPOSE To identify water challenges & solutions in Afrikan communities. Water is life and is the most crucial need for survival. Drinkable water is a vital resource and this house will explore and exchange best practices to create and maintain sources of clean drinking water for both short- and long-term preparedness.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Water Access Water Purification & Quality Water Catchment & Storage Water Resource Management

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Green Infrastructure Watershed Management Water Conservation Scarcity & Desalinazation

Wholistic Health

"Let your food be your medicine & let your medicine be your food."

- Imhotep PURPOSE Members of this house share, teach and exchange information and practices as they relate to physical, mental and spiritual health as vital components of community development. If an individual in the community is ill, the entire community is unhealthy. Exchange knowledge and practices to regain balance internally and externally as a collective and as individuals.

MEMBERS WORK IN: Healing Wounds of Oppression Natural Healing & Herbology Nutrition & The Science of Food Plant-based Living Entheogenic Medicine

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Internal Health Traditional Medicine MA'AT: Meditation & Energy Stress Management Natural Childbirth

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If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.

-AFRICAN PROVERB