Peoplestown Revitalization Corporation and Community Cares just completed the most recent spring edition of the Environmental Justice Academy, held at the Rick McDevitt Center from Tuesday April 7th through Thursday April 9th. The inter-generational audience which ranged in size from 50-60 participants enjoyed learning about the environmental issues in the neighborhood and what they could do to individually and collectively address these environmental justice threats. Speakers included:
- Michael Joseph, Ruby Collins and City of Atlanta Representatives who provided an update on the construction of the nearby 20 million gallon flood vault, officially named the Custer Avenue Multi-Benefit Capacity Relief Project,
- Ms. Sherise Brown, a community activist who shared community perspectives on the vault construction as well as ongoing activities of the Intrenchment Creek Community Stewardship Council,
- Gwen Smith, Executive Director of CHARRS who shared a presentation on How Residents can Access Training for Community Emergency Readiness,
- Saria Hassan and Alina Merceron from Emory University’s CHART Center who shared information about climate change and its impacts on health,
- Frank Alamoh, ECO-Action Program Manager who talked about their ongoing community based Air Monitoring program, (MACAI),
- Eri Saikawa, of Emory University and MACAI partner, who shared a presentation on Air Pollution Basics, and
- Atlanta Watershed Learning Network graduates from their neighborhood who shared their capstone projects.
The Wednesday youth only day was devoted to green career opportunities. ECO-Action, city of Atlanta and Ruby Collins staff shared information about upcoming summer job opportunities and Katy McVay, an intern working with PRC, shared the Green Career Map that is now available here. The career map provides education, experience, salary information and links to popular job boards for green jobs requiring only a high school diploma. The middle and high school students at the Academy also worked with City of Atlanta staff to create mood boards that would be used in the development of the City’s new Green Career’s website and spent time in the nearby community garden.
For those of you who missed this year’s Academy, mark your calendars. The next Academy will be held during the APS fall break from October 13 through 16, 2026.