Mission
Communities of color have long realized that environmental issues and social issues are linked. However, a gap continues to exist in the discussion and dissemination of information that would help to inform the issues. FPCDC created the Urban Resolutions Bridging African Americans to Natural Environments (URBAANE) Conference to provide an annual forum for addressing a variety of topics to help individuals and communities as they navigate through the pressing issues that affect their daily lives.
History
Fuller Park Community Development Executive Director Michael Howard and colleague Kellen Marshall were both alumni from Chicago State University. In the summer of 2008, Michael Howard was introduced to Dr. Juanita Sharpe whom was the interim chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at CSU. Together the team developed a partnership that culminated into a unique conference for people of color in Chicago. URBAANE came about because while there was a population of minorities in environmental fields and organizations working in conservation, agriculture and natural resources there was no network for environmental professionals of color, furthermore there were no opportunities for people and community members to come together to discuss issues that were unique to African American communities in the Chicago-metro area.
June 4, 2011 the very first URBAANE was convened on the 4th Floor of the New Academic Library with the theme of : “Connecting the Lots: Minorities and Urban Land Issues.”, with keynote speaker Ken Page the Environmental Justice Officer from Environmental Protection Agency. We had over 200 professionals in attendance during the days events and awarded the very first Hazel Johnson Environmental Excellence Award to Carolyn Thomas from Gods’ Gang. Ms. Hazel Johnson was the founder of People for Community Recovery and has been deemed the mother of Environmental Justice she passed away January 12, 2011. While her presence is missed her legacy lives on, and we are a part of that by sharing this history and telling the story of all of the environmental champions working to ensure a seat at the table for communities of color when it comes to the environment.
The 2nd annual URBAANE was titled “Disaster Preparedness and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change” with keynote speaker Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Just like the first URBAANE the spirit of the event was visceral. It is something to take a room full of people who don’t know each other but are united in holding hands as Queen Quet opened the conference in a prayer. Participants were taken on shuttle tours of the Chicago State campus to the prairie and aquaponics facility. The theme was chosen as discussions and concerns around climate change in the Midwest would impact cities with segregated populations. Events such as the Chicago heat wave of 1995 and Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 were events that grounded the conference in understanding why it is necessary for communities of color to identify what are the risks of disasters and how they will impact our health, homes, and livelihoods.. The second recipient of the HJEE award was Dr. Emiel Hamberlin, a Retired Chicago Public School Educator and in his words
"I thought it would be fascinating to create a space where live animals could acclimate themselves to an urban environment” – E.H.
Dr. Hamberlin was referring to a courtyard garden in which he taught about ecological relationships between animals, plants and people. The history of this conference is in the making. The partnership with Chicago State is intentional as it is a minority serving institution, and is available not only for getting degrees but has numerous resources for the greater community. We hope to continue the legacy of this great event to provide a voice for issues relative to underserved communities around the environment, agriculture, conservation, recreation, environmental justice, green jobs, environmental education, natural resources, and urban life.
June 4, 2011 the very first URBAANE was convened on the 4th Floor of the New Academic Library with the theme of : “Connecting the Lots: Minorities and Urban Land Issues.”, with keynote speaker Ken Page the Environmental Justice Officer from Environmental Protection Agency. We had over 200 professionals in attendance during the days events and awarded the very first Hazel Johnson Environmental Excellence Award to Carolyn Thomas from Gods’ Gang. Ms. Hazel Johnson was the founder of People for Community Recovery and has been deemed the mother of Environmental Justice she passed away January 12, 2011. While her presence is missed her legacy lives on, and we are a part of that by sharing this history and telling the story of all of the environmental champions working to ensure a seat at the table for communities of color when it comes to the environment.
The 2nd annual URBAANE was titled “Disaster Preparedness and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change” with keynote speaker Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Just like the first URBAANE the spirit of the event was visceral. It is something to take a room full of people who don’t know each other but are united in holding hands as Queen Quet opened the conference in a prayer. Participants were taken on shuttle tours of the Chicago State campus to the prairie and aquaponics facility. The theme was chosen as discussions and concerns around climate change in the Midwest would impact cities with segregated populations. Events such as the Chicago heat wave of 1995 and Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 were events that grounded the conference in understanding why it is necessary for communities of color to identify what are the risks of disasters and how they will impact our health, homes, and livelihoods.. The second recipient of the HJEE award was Dr. Emiel Hamberlin, a Retired Chicago Public School Educator and in his words
"I thought it would be fascinating to create a space where live animals could acclimate themselves to an urban environment” – E.H.
Dr. Hamberlin was referring to a courtyard garden in which he taught about ecological relationships between animals, plants and people. The history of this conference is in the making. The partnership with Chicago State is intentional as it is a minority serving institution, and is available not only for getting degrees but has numerous resources for the greater community. We hope to continue the legacy of this great event to provide a voice for issues relative to underserved communities around the environment, agriculture, conservation, recreation, environmental justice, green jobs, environmental education, natural resources, and urban life.
Past & Current URBAANE Steering Committee Members
|
Dr. Juanita Sharpe
Dr. Daniel Block Redessa Harris Michael Howard * Kellen Marshall ** Dr. Andrew Masselli Ms. Yolanda Hawkins Dr. Tiffany Chan Carina Ruiz *Past URBAANE Chair ** Current URBAANE Chair |
Chicago State University
Chicago State University Harris & Associates FPCD/Eden Place Nature Center Eden Place Nature Center Chicago State University Chicago State University FPCD/Eden Place Nature Center Student Conservation Association |
2011
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