KY Just Transition Coalition awards $100,000 stipends

This fall, the Kentucky Just Transition Coalition, a new formation of groups working to advance a Just Transition and a healthy democracy in Kentucky, awarded $100,000 to twenty fellows with stipends ranging between $3,200 and $6,400 to support fellows who are working at the intersection of racial, economic, and environmental/climate justice in Kentucky

These fellowship stipends were prioritized for Kentuckians who identify as Black, brown, or Indigenous; youth (ages 15 to 29); and others who are directly affected by injustice. Below are profiles of some of the organizers awarded fellowships.

(Participating organizations in the Kentucky Just Transition Coalition include Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Hood to the Holler, Rubbertown Environmental Action (REACT), Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition, Sunrise leaders in Kentucky, IUE-CWA, and NCFO-SEIU.)

Naze Afeni, she/they, Louisville Project description: My project is all about creating spaces for youth artists in the West End of Louisville, building community, while creating messages about dismantling systems of oppression. Through art, these youth are allowed to be revolutionary and resistant to the systems that in force institutionalized violence in marginalized communities. What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Make it home by Tobe Nwigwe

Jeffery Compton, he/him. Louisville

Project description: My goal of this project to get the disenfranchised and unengaged in the voter process as well as get three hundred new registered voters.

Annette Hines, she/her. Sandy Hook

Project description: I want to focus on the environment/climate change. I want to use social media, movies, and deep canvassing to influence local community environmental change and awareness. What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars

Destiny Owen, she/her, Elsmere

Project description: Art is Joy, Happiness, and Healing! My Environmental and Climate Justice Art Advocacy project is inclusive of all Kentuckians including BiPOC, young artists Ages 15-29, and artists with disabilities. Art Activists will have fun, be empowered, and share their Climate Change, Environmental Justice, or Power Building story while learning how they can help build New Power through a Just Transition and promote environmental justice, racial justice, happiness, and healing through art. What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Earth Song by Michael Jackson

Serena Owen, she/her/we/ us, Louisville & Elsmere

Project description: Our Empower Kentucky Plan inspired me to be “All-In” for a Just Transition! My calling in life is to help others and thanks to the Just Transition Fellowship, I am able to do more to help meet directly impacted members of our communities where they are while providing resources and supports that meet some of their basic needs so they can be actively engaged in personal and community power building. I am excited that my project helps build grassroots power by involving affected communities and workers in shaping strategies that protect their well-being, supports a bright future, and advances a Just Transition, Climate Justice, Racial Justice, and a Healthy Democracy for everyone. What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Powerful by Alicia Keys & Jussie Smollett, Ella’s Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock

Roop Patel, she/her, Fort Wright

Project description: My work has to do with creating a mentorship network for South Asian Women. Specifically, when I was a senior in undergrad, I conducted a project that looked at the political attitudes of the Indian electorate. From that project, I noticed that there were a lot of voices missing from our democracy – most notably South Asian women. Inspired (and as a South Asian women myself), I wanted to create a mentorship project for other South Asian women and to create a safe space where women can talk and ask whatever questions they want to other people who would have similar livedexperiences.

Ashlee Phillips, she/her, Smoketown in Louisville

Project description: My project is titled, “Creatives You Meet Along The Way: A West End Love Story in the Making”. I will be using photography, and conversations to create a mini-documentary that highlights Black West End creatives curating change through their art discipline(s). What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Blk Girl Soldier by Jamila Woods

Melody Rae, she/her, Lexington

Project description: My project is focused on the reduction of school police and reinvesting the money saved from the reduction to culturally competent counseling in Fayette County Public Schools. The campaign is called Counselors Over Cops, and we’ve been working for about a year now to get our campaign demands prioritized and reviewed. We’ll continue fighting until our demands are met, and enact other counties in Kentucky to organize for their own schools.

What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Take the Power Back by Rage Against the Machine or Ooh Child by the Five Stairsteps!

Savvy Shabazz, he/him, Paducah, KY but reside in Louisville, KY (11 years)

Project description: My project is focused on voting restoration, education and registration. We are focused on mobilizing counties throughout Kentucky with a focus on identifying and training individuals that are formerly incarcerated to lead the charge for #restoreKY! What is your favorite protest or organizing song? Or what song always puts you in a mood to organize? Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness

You can find a playlist of the songs in these profiles at linktr.ee/BalancingTheScales

Marion Madry and Jessica Clark are Just Transition Fellows living in Lexington. As part of their fellowships with the Kentucky Just Transition Coalition, they are both working to register people to vote and gather signatures on KFTC’s petition to restore the right to vote for people with felonies in their past. They have hosted voting rights tables at substance abuse treatment centers and other community events and businesses in Lexington. Below are some of their reflections on their work so far.

Jessica Clark:

I have had an awesome and productive summer tabling at events, businesses, and organizations in Lexington including Mimi’s, Grimes’s, Douglas Park, churches, the Chrysalis House and the Julietta Market.

In my efforts to register people to vote and collect signatures on KFTC’s petition for voting rights restoration, I have made a connection with so many people in the community and people from other states. Many people are so thankful for what KFTC is doing in the community. A lot of people who have felonies in their past are so willing to share their stories and have no problem signing the restoration of voting rights petition. I love the way that our mission with KFTC builds relationships in the community.

Marion Madry:

I had a great experience when I tabled at the Chrysalis House, a residential program that addresses the needs of each woman to achieve and sustain sobriety. When I contacted Anthony Adkins, a counselor and instructor at Chrysalis House, he was so excited about me coming to register the ladies to vote. I would talk with them and have them complete a voter registration card if eligible and they would go to class. I was especially happy to see the adorable babies.

I also found out that after the ladies have completed the program, they have housing on the grounds where they can stay and their rent is based on their income. The Chrysalis House is a great place for the ladies to get their lives back and have a brighter future for themselves and their children.

On August 19, people in Lexington and Louisville rallied to push for a bold, transformative package of federal investments in climate, care, jobs, and justice as part of the THRIVE agenda and President Biden’s Build Back Better plan.

Call your Rep and Senators in Congress and urge them to support and pass a Budget Reconciliation Bill that invests $3.5 Trillion in climate, care, jobs, and justice – and reject any cuts to climate and care.

Find more information or take action at:

www.greennewdealnetwork.org/calltosealthedeal

TAKE ACTION!