The Green Divide Voter Education Series: Preparing for the New Economy

Press Release

For More Information contact: Aissia Richardson, 215-236-1878 Aissia.Richardson@gmail.com Fall Voter Education Forum The Green Divide Series: Preparing for the New Economy Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 PM to 8:30PM TWU 234, 500 N. 2nd St. REAR Entrance on Noble & N. American St. Philadelphia: On Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Transport Workers Union Local 234 Union Hall 500 N. 2nd Street (parking and entrance in rear on Noble Street & N. American Street) there will be a Voter Education Forum focusing on environmental justice entitled, The Green Divide Series: Preparing for the New Economy. Rob Fleming, Architect, LEED® AP BD&C, Associate Professor and Director, MS in Sustainable Design Program, Philadelphia University will be the keynote speaker. The first 50 to register and attend will be entered into a raffle to receive a signed copy of Rob's new book, Design Education for a Sustainable Future. The evening will also include an update on Greenworks 2013 from Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia. Candidates will also be invited to introduce themselves in preparation for the November 5 Municipal General Election. Offices being contested are JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT - JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS - JUDGE OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT - JUDGE OF THE TRAFFIC COURT - DISTRICT ATTORNEY – CONTROLLER Candidates Invited Giovanni Campbell, Judge of Court of Common Pleas; Timika Lane, Judge of Court of Common Pleas; Sierra Thomas Street, Judge of Court of Common Pleas; Alan Butkovitz, City Controller; Seth Williams, District Attorney (D); Danny Alvarez, District Attorney (R) What is the green divide? What is Sustainability? What is Environmental Justice? Why is this topic important? Sustainability is a growing movement that's not just about recycling and compact florescent light bulbs; it is the future of design, development, agriculture, business, food, tourism, and living. Yet, many organizations that work in low income, communities of color have not integrated sustainability into their programs, projects or policy advocacy. While many institutions are concerned about the eradication of the social safety net, a focus on sustainability is absent from broader discussions about the future of the communities many of us work in. The Green Divide is cultural, economics based and about who has access to what resources both financial and technical. As organizations that provide our constituents with the tools they need to navigate through public and private services, jobs, education and housing, we must educate ourselves as we educate our consumers. Several organizations work collectively to host annual forums focusing on issues and with candidates seeking elective office. They include African American United Fund, DNA Connect, Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, Grands As Parents, Greater Philadelphia Caucus of the I.C.W.A.D., Institute for the Development of African American Youth, Men United for a Better Philadelphia, PhillyEcoCity, The Frator Heru Institute, Uptown Entertainment & Development Corporation, and X-Offenders for Community Empowerment. Please join us on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:30 PM at TWU 234 500 N. 2nd Street, at Spring Garden (ENTRANCE IN REAR on Noble and N. American Street) to learn about sustainability, what the city is doing to promote sustainability, hear from candidates and get educated about the Municipal General Election on November 5. If you don’t vote, you don’t count.