Black-leaders

In the latest of President Trump's efforts to undo monumental progress made by his predecessors, the United States has been officially withdrawn from the Paris Climate Accord with much support from his large middle America fanbase. This includes those in middle America, predominantly white and older, whose economies were backed largely by the excessive use of fossil fuels (like coal) and share an agonizing disdain for the change in our cultural landscape. However, the ramifications of the withdrawal from the PCA are yet to be seen, but already predicted. The use fossil fuels has posed a huge threat to our environment since the beginning. Such drawbacks include the increasing dollar amount it takes to be extracted, immediate and imminent danger to all life primarily within certain radii of mining sites (including miners themselves, in addition to plants and wildlife), and in order to control pollution from the use of fossil fuels, prices would subsequently increase. We'd see a large price hike for heating our homes, fueling our cars, and even obtaining medication and cosmetics. Of course, being aware of this information can be jarring—fossil fuels are the strongest and most efficient energy source in existence. The cost of its continued use—potentially life as we know it—is very high. A cleaner environment requires lifestyle changes for all of us in order to protect our planet for generations ahead. Rest assured, there are factors at play that devote time and energy to finding eco-friendly alternatives. In our own community, we don't talk enough about climate change. And if there are more discussions than recognized, we need to have these conversations heard. More importantly, the people involved in these conversations—community leaders, organizers, friends and family members—can all teach us a bit more about how the black community plays an instrumental role in the fight against global warming.Here are the top 11 black leaders in the very important movement on climate change.1. Green The Church (https://greenthechurch.org/)From their website: "Green The Church (GTC) is an initiative designed to tap into the power and purpose of the African American church community, and to explore and expand the role of churches as centers for environmental and economic resilience."2. Dr. Julianne Malveaux (https://juliannemalveaux.com/)From her website: "Dr. Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations. She is a labor economist, noted author, and colorful commentator. Julianne Malveaux has been described by Dr. Cornel West as 'the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country.' Her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts are shaping public opinion in 21st century America."3. Green 2.0 / Whitney Tome (Executive Director) (https://diversegreen.org/)From their website: "Green 2.0 is an initiative dedicated to increasing racial diversity across mainstream environmental NGOs, foundations and government agencies. The Green 2.0 working group advocates for data transparency, accountability and increased resources to ensure that these organizations increase their diversity."4. Dr. Robert Bullard (https://drrobertbullard.com/)From his website: "Robert D. Bullard is often described as the father of environmental justice. Professor Bullard received his Ph.D. degree from Iowa State University. He is a Vietnam Era U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of eighteen books that address sustainable development, environmental racism, urban land use, industrial facility siting, community reinvestment, housing, transportation, climate justice, emergency response, smart growth, and regional equity."5. Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd (http://www.drmarshallshepherd.com/)From his website: "Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a leading international expert in weather and climate and is the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Shepherd was the 2013 President of American Meteorological Society (AMS), the nation’s largest and oldest professional/science society in the atmospheric and related sciences."6. DNLee (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/urban-scientist/)From her website: "I blog for scientifically naïve, the novice naturalist. I build bridges that connect the science community and its resources to African-American, urban, and other scientifically under-served communities. I use examples from my urban environment to illustrate scientifc concepts; and I (try to) make science information accessible, easy to understand and relate to. My outreach philosophy is to reach people by many means necessary."7. Danielle HiltonFrom Urban Resilience Project: "Danielle Hilton 'works to protect the air and water and make all lives matter,' as her daughter Makena puts it. She is the North Carolina field manager for Moms Clean Air Force."8. Seandra PopeFrom Urban Resilience Project: "Seandra Pope is the cofounder and lead facilitator for the Advancing Equity and Opportunity Collaborative and a cofounder and CEO at Rooted Consulting Group in Atlanta, GA."9. Tamika Butler (https://bikewalkalliance.org/)From her website: "Tamika is the Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. Prior to leading LACBC, Tamika was the Director of Social Change Strategies at Liberty Hill Foundation, and worked at Young Invincibles as the California Director. She transitioned to policy work after litigating for three years as an employment lawyer at Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center. Tamika received her J.D. in 2009 from Stanford Law School, and in 2006 received her B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Sociology in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Tamika currently serves as the co-chair of the National Center for Lesbian Rights Board of Directors, serves as the Institute Co-Director of the New Leaders Council - Los Angeles, and is an advisory board member for the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center’s Fair Play for Girls in Sports program."10. Omar Freilla (http://www.greenworker.coop/)From his website: "Omar Freilla has a knack for blazing trails and a passion for community self-determination; personal transformation; and creating solutions to social injustice. He is the founder of Green Worker Cooperatives and creator of the academy model of cooperative development."11. Will Allen (http://www.growingpower.org/)From his website: "Will Allen, farmer, founder and CEO of Growing Power Inc., is recognized as a preeminent practitioner of urban agriculture in America and throughout the world. Despite his busy schedule as an international ambassador for urban agriculture and universal food security, Will continues to farm his own property in Oak Creek and direct operations at Growing Power, still headquartered in the original location on Silver Spring Drive in...

110 years ago, Black Greek Letter Organizations started as a support system to enable African Americans to survive and advance in institutions they were underrepresented in. Sadly, today underrepresentation is still a reality. Whether in film (Oscars), sports leadership or in Silicon Valley, the percentage of African-American leaders remains low. A group of three African American entrepreneurs (who happen to be in Greek letter organizations) are seeking to do something about that.  Leandrew, Akintunde and Yaw have launched a commerce platform, Hingeto.com, to enable any brand or company to sell product without the risk of inventory.  "Our platform levels the playing field by leveraging customers, Hingeto welcomes a diverse pool of artists and fashion entrepreneurs to grow their businesses without outside capital which they may not have access to.  For the month of February we wanted to honor a piece of our history by using our platform to shine a light on a vital part of our community, the Divine 9 (code word for certain Greek Letter Organizations)," says CEO Leandrew Robinson, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.   So, to celebrate black leaders, check out this list of famous black Americans that are Greek: ... is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha...   ... is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi...   ...is a member of Phi Beta Sigma...   ...is a member of Iota Phi Theta...   ...is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha...   ...is a member of Delta Sigma Theta...   ...is a member of Zeta Phi Beta...   ...is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho...   ...is a member of Omega Psi Phi... A company called BlackGreekPride.com is using the Hingeto technology to sell Divine 9-inspired blankets and clothing. You can buy the products featured here and more at blackgreekpride.com, powered by Hingeto.  If you have a brand, or are an artist that’s looking for a no-risk way to sell product, e-mail Leandrew@hingeto.com.   READ NEXT: 7 Great reads to celebrate Black History...

Representation matters. Black students all over the country go to colleges and universities named after white men, walk past the statues of slave owners and walk into buildings named after colonizers. So even if the University of James Baldwin doesn’t actually exist, wearing a collegiate-style sweatshirt with his name on it feels pretty damn good. Philadelphia Printworks created a line of incredibly comfortable and extremely stylish sweatshirts named 'School of Thought' in collaboration with graphic designer Mars Five . You might have seen them as you scrolled through your Instagram feed and placed your order within minutes of double tapping the picture. “The collection is a nod to the double consciousness expressed by W.E.B DuBois,” explains Maryam Pugh, owner of Philadelphia Printworks. “It also refers to the dual education we receive through the state-funded education system and the education we teach ourselves in our communities. This communal education includes ideologies from James Baldwin to Harriet Tubman to many, many more.” Their most popular sweatshirt is named after poet, radical feminist and activist Audre Lorde who wrote masterfully about the intersections of black womanhood, lesbianism and civil rights issues throughout her career. “I feel that social activism should be ingrained in our culture. Activism forces us to face some of the more uncomfortable truths,” Pugh says. Philadelphia Printworks features other wares, such as the brilliant red 'Chisholm For President' inspired by Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisolm, the first black woman elected to Congress and first woman to run for president. You might have seen the sweatshirt on Ebony editor Jamilah Lemieux as she interviewed Bernie Sanders. Or perhaps you saw actress Thandie Newton wearing the dope 'No Justice No Peace' t-shirt. “I am so blown away every time I see anyone post a photo of themselves wearing one of our shirts! I absolutely love it.  It shows that the message resonates. It's an honor. “Art is an excellent tool for reaching people in a way that other methods cannot. Art should resonate, provoke thought and reflect the people,” says Pugh. As the literal embodiment of #BlackGirlMagic, Pugh is a screen printer, business woman and software test engineer. She co-founded the company in 2010 and the small business is continuing to expand. Philadelphia Printworks is further developing the 'School of Thought' collection into a kid’s line as wells as t-shirts, hats and hoodies. So although we may not be able to apply to Tubman University (yet), we can at least represent our favorite thinkers and revolutionaries through designs made by inspiring young artists today. Follow Philadelphia Printworks on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Lara Witt is a journalist and intersectional feminist attempting to dismantle all forms of oppression through writing. Follow her on Twitter and IG @femmefeministe. READ NEXT: 9 Shirts that will give you a boost of...

On Sunday Michael Eric Dyson published "The Ghost of Cornel West" and had many debating the merits of his claims and decision to air his point of view publicly. This morning, Cornel West in a short post on Facebook, a piece that directly speaks to some of Dyson's criticisms. It doesn't however, mention Dyson by name. Read the text from the post below: The escalating deaths and sufferings in Black and poor America and the marvelous new militancy in our Ferguson moment should compel us to focus on what really matters: The life and death issues of police murders, poverty, mass incarceration, drones, TPP (unjust trade policies), vast surveillance, decrepit schools, unemployment, Wall Street power, Israeli occupation of Palestinians, Dalit resistance in India, and ecological catastrophe. Character assassination is the refuge of those who hide and conceal these issues in order to rationalize their own allegiance to the status quo. I am neither a saint nor prophet, but I am a Jesus-loving free Black man in a Great Tradition who intends to be faithful unto death in telling the truth and bearing witness to justice. I am not beholden to any administration, political party, TV channel or financial sponsor because loving suffering and struggling peoples is my point of reference. Deep integrity must trump cheap popularity. Nothing will stop or distract my work and witness, even as I learn from others and try not to hurt others. But to pursue truth and justice is to live dangerously. In the spirit of John Coltrane’s LOVE SUPREME, let us focus on what really matters: the issues, policies, and realities that affect precious everyday people catching hell and how we can resist the lies and crimes of the status quo! What do you think? Share this post on Facebook and let us know! ...