Front and Centered had another fantastic year! Our coalition continues to grow and build power for communities of color within the environmental justice movement in Washington State. Read about some of the highlights from 2016:
BUILDING CAPACITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR & NATIVES/TRIBAL MEMBERS TO BE FRONT AND CENTERED
- Convened the first Voter Roundtable bringing together civic engagement leaders from communities of color and indigenous communities to share learning, strategize and support six emerging groups interested in voter engagement.
- Raised nearly $500,000 from foundations and individuals to build the capacity of member organizations and fund the central staff of Front and Centered. In addition, provided funding for leaders of color to serve on critical decision-making boards.
SHAPING DECISIONS IMPACTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND TRIBES/NATIVES
- Played a leadership role in the governance and direction of the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, Washington’s coalition of environmental groups, labor, children’s advocates, public health advocates for climate action. Front and Centered member groups and staff shaped the policy proposal and campaign.
- Developed shared response to the Clean Power Plan for Washington State and Governor Inslee/Department of Ecology Clean Air Rule. Educated and mobilized Front and Centered members to attend public hearings from Olympia to Spokane, organized meetings with the Director and Department of Ecology, and submitted technical comments resulting in the creation an Environmental Justice Board and a mechanism to target pollution reduction in environmental justice communities.
- Co-lead the creation of an inclusive campaign to center equity and restore funding for Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Included raising funds for organizations and conducting research on the overlap of toxics, race and income in Washington.
AMPLIFYING FRONTLINE VOICES
- Created online educational and engagement via social media, blog and website. Elevating the work and voices of groups and leaders working in communities across the state. Engaged 10,000 last month through our Facebook page (with no paid content) and received 4,500 views on our website and blog, with an audience that is 75% between the ages of 18 and 44 years old.
- Regular posts on the Front and Centered blog that deepen understanding of equity and environmental justice, as well as elevate the work and voices of leaders of color. Launched the DontBeNeutral website to educate the public about why a revenue neutral carbon tax is not equitable.
- Front and Centered members quoted in local and national news articles and television reporting including PBS News, Vice News, Fox News, The Huffington Post, The Seattle Times, Vox, The Stranger, KUOW and many more. Wrote Op-Eds and rallied national leaders like Van Jones and Naomi Klein to elevate our priorities in venues like The Nation and Real Time with Bill Maher.
- Created an online portal for groups to share information, calendars and meeting information. Issue a monthly member update and public newsletter. Organize weekly work group meetings on policy.
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