April Luncheon : The Sustainable Square Mile: A Climate Resilient, Equitable Vision for West Woodlawn and Beyond
On April 26, CREW Chicago hosted a sold-out luncheon and fireside chat featuring Naomi Davis, CEO and Founder of Blacks In Green (BIG). Naomi shared her vision for how Black communities can lead the design and development of green, self-sustaining, mixed-income, walkable villages, where neighbors’ dollars circulate locally to limit the greenhouse gases overheating our planet. Through BIG's "Sustainable Square Mile" approach to Black community development, sustainability, history and culture come together to combat a climate crisis that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities. Naomi challenged the audience to consider how we can "Flip the Script" and put capital into the hands of the Black community to make their own investment decisions, while supporting with allyship, resources and technical assistance. The conversation and Q&A were moderated by Nicole Chavas, President and COO of Greenprint Partners, a local, women-owned sustainable planning and civil engineering firm.
Below are resources from Blacks in Green and a highly relevant "Black Paper" on financing real estate in Black communities. The paper provides additional context around Naomi's call action.
1. Black Paper: Building Community Wealth: Shifting Power and Capital in Real Estate Finance
BIG follow up items / calls to action:
1. Sign up for our Technical Allies Pool. We will host an introductory meeting in May (date tbd).
2. Check out the Sustainable Square Mile handbook to learn more.
3. Learn all about the PURR Act - HB2172 by reading the 1-page summary attached here. You can also watch the presentation from Naomi at this Lunch & Learn hosted by IEC on the PURR Act.
The main call-to-action for the bill is: Call your legislator and urge them to vote “yes” on HB 2172.
Find your legislator here.
Click HERE for photos of the event.