Please join us on October 26th at 7 p.m. to learn about environmental justice initiatives in Wisconsin and to honor those who are working to advance the rights of all people to live in a clean and healthy environment.
USE THIS LINK TO JOIN VIA ZOOM.
While there is no charge to attend the celebration, donations are encouraged and appreciated. The suggested donation is $25 or whatever amount works best for you.
2021 AWARDEES
RICHARD DIAZ
Richard Diaz is a long-time community organizer whose work has made Milwaukee a more resilient and equitable community. He is a co-founder of COLE (Coalition on Lead Emergency), an organization dedicated to bringing attention to the disproportionate harm that lead poisoning causes for Black and low-income families in Milwaukee. In his work with COLE, Richard advocates for solutions to the lead crisis that address racial and economic justice, as well as environmental justice. Recently, he led COLE to draft an ambitious proposal, developed collectively by COLE's member organizations, that would invest a historic level of resources available through the American Rescue Plan Act to address these issues holistically. Richard also works as Midwest Regional Field Organizer of BlueGreen Alliance, where he engages partners and allies in solving environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a clean, thriving, and equitable economy
BRENDA COLEY
Brenda Coley has served in various positions in the non-profit and academic sectors and brings a long-standing commitment to social justice and community organizing. She currently serves as Co-Executive Director of Milwaukee Water Commons, where she works to catalyze Milwaukee as a true model Water City— a place where we all have a stake in the health of our waters and all share in their stewardship and benefits. Brenda's leadership and vision are exemplified in the formation of the Milwaukee Environmental Justice Round Table, a group of about 40 People of Color, Indigenous people and their white allies who advocate for clean energy, climate resilience and clean drinking water as a human right. She also plays a leading role on the Milwaukee Water Equity Task Force, focusing on pathways to a more equitable water future and inclusive workforce in Milwaukee.
TOM KILIAN
Tom Kilian is co-founder of Citizens for a Clean Wausau, an environmental watchdog group whose volunteers monitor the activities and impacts of significant current and past industrial polluters. Tom has worked tirelessly with members of Citizens for a Clean Wausau to uncover the extent of industrial contamination on Wausau's southwest side and to raise awareness of the way that the racially-diverse, working class neighborhoods on the southwest side have disproportionately borne the impacts of industrial population. Tom's experience advocating for the people of his community inspired him to run for public office, and in 2020 he won election to the Wausau City Council. As a member of the City Council, Tom continues to advocate for environmental testing and remediation of toxic contamination and an end to industrial expansion in residential neighborhoods. As a member of the City Council, he has played a key role in educating the Wausau community about the principles of environmental justice, including the need for greater transparency in government decision-making and more opportunities for meaningful public engagement.
SPECIAL GUEST
MARGARET NOODIN
Margaret Noodin is a poet, Anishinaabemowin language teacher and a professor of English and American Indian studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she also serves as Director of the Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education.
Professor Noodin will be the evening's opening speaker. Her poetry calls on us to reaffirm our commitment to the place we call home and invites us to reflect on our capacity for positive change.
This event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.
EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS
JUSTICE SPONSORS
STEWARDSHIP SPONSORS
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Learn more here.