The Greenlining Institute

The first Earth Day was in 1970, and since then we’ve seen so much change when it comes to the climate and our fight for environmental justice. While many formerly redlined neighborhoods continue to bear the burdens of transportation pollution due to decades of racist policies, more and more community-based organizations are stepping forward to build climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce pollution and connect local residents to economic opportunities. Since launching Greenlining the Block in 2023, we’ve had the privilege of working with 24 groups across the country and a very interesting trend emerged – many of these frontline organizations started focusing their efforts on transportation and cleaner mobility options for their communities. They’re making incredible progress and collectively have secured more than $77M in future investments. But who better to explain the importance of community-led mobility equity programs than our community partners themselves? So, we put together this short video to share why Greenlining the Block cohort members are making clean mobility solutions a priority in their communities. Learn more about #GreenliningTheBlock by visiting https://lnkd.in/gnNwgAYb Special thank you to our Greenlining the Block partners over at Little Manila Rising, CASA FAMILIAR INC, and Equiticity.

Imagine a world in which extreme heat days are no longer life threatening events that happen with increased frequency. We may not be able to turn back the climate clock but we can certainly support #CA’s communities of color to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This is why we support Senate Bill 867, a state bond measure, which includes specific allocations to maintain essential climate equity programs, including #TCC, to help our communities weather the most devastating impacts of climate change. Climate change does not slow down in budget deficit years. Neither should our response to this problem. Read our full statement with TreePeople here: https://t.co/mM6EkpSRQX

Founded in 2017 in North Lawndale, a vibrant neighborhood located on Chicago’s West Side, Equiticity is a Black-led organization operationalizing racial equity by harnessing the community’s collective power through research, advocacy, and local programs. This year, they’re celebrating seven years of building power with their local community. Part of Equiticity’s regular programming includes their Community Mobility Rituals, in which they offer community bike rides, neighborhood walking tours, and public transit excursions for their neighborhoods. As Equiticity moves people to walk, bike, shop, and explore their communities, they are actively shaping more vibrant neighborhoods. Learn more about #GreenliningTheBlock partner organizations like Equiticity at greenliningtheblock.org.

Today's Supreme Court decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine threatens our nation’s progress towards equity, putting communities of color and low-income communities at risk. The Chevron doctrine allowed agencies to use their expertise to interpret ambiguous laws, which helped enforce critical regulations in areas like minimum wage, workplace safety, anti-discrimination, environmental protection, AI regulations and protections, and access to benefits like Medicaid and housing subsidies. Without this deference, these vital protections and programs may face greater scrutiny and potential rollback, exacerbating economic inequalities and reducing protections for communities that face the legacies of redlining, discriminatory policies, and deeply embedded inequities. This change could also weaken civil rights enforcement and delay the implementation of important regulations, increasing legal uncertainty. At The Greenlining Institute, we are fighting for a future where communities of color can thrive—and this ruling is an undeniable attempt to move backwards by creating higher barriers to equity for marginalized communities. This ruling is a stark reminder of the conservative forces working hard to erode progress towards a more just future. While we are disappointed, we remain committed and steadfast in our fight for justice and equity, ensuring that our hard-won gains are not undone. Read more about the ruling and its implications here: https://lnkd.in/gcTKTjYy

ICYMI: Check out our latest blog & video that shares insights from local San Diego communities who have benefitted from #TCC funding, demonstrating the transformative potential the program holds: https://lnkd.in/gvHDpSzr

This week, both #AB2086 and #AB2401 passed the #CALeg Senate Transportation Committee and are now headed to Senate Appropriations! Thanks to our bill authors Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo & Assemblymember Phil Ting, as well as key organizational partners including TransForm, Coltura, Union of Concerned Scientists, & Coalition for Clean Air, our priority bills are another step closer to advancing a more equitable transportation future for all Californians–especially #BIPOC and low-income communities throughout the state.

LGBTQIA+ artists are trailblazers in the music industry (and beyond), and we’re grateful for their contributions to the songs we know and love. Check out this playlist of our staff’s favorite songs by queer & trans artists who motivate and inspire us in our work towards a just future: https://lnkd.in/gBFTaQ-N 🎶✨ Shout-out to Brittany Yann (she/her), Holden Weisman, and Mel for sharing their take on a few of the songs they chose for the playlist! #Pride2024 

CA's Transformative Climate Communities is a proven model for delivering funding to communities most impacted by climate change, allowing them to build power and resilience - but in light of the state's budget deficit, TCC is at risk, threatening the state's progress on climate equity. In our latest blog by Deirel Marquez and Amy Castañeda, we share insights from communities on the ground that have benefitted from TCC funding, demonstrating the transformative potential the program holds. Understanding this real-world impact is essential to making the case to legislators that programs like TCC are ESSENTIAL to CA's climate future. Read more here: https://bit.ly/45Ex3A4

Neighborhoods in Stockton, CA, particularly those that are part of the Little Manila Rising community, are heavily impacted by the Crosstown Freeway and the devastating impacts of displacement and air pollution including disproportionate rates of asthma and other respiratory impacts.  Little Manila Rising was initially founded as a cultural and historical preservation organization holding space for the Filipino community. Rising in power and rooted in a rich history, they are now moving forward a project that focuses on reclaiming their local Filipino heritage by developing historical buildings into a climate resilience hub with holistic, year-round programming and services for community members. Learn more about how Greenlining the Block is strengthening community-based organizations like Little Manila Rising to advance their climate justice neighborhood projects at greenliningtheblock.org.

In 2024, the fight for emancipation from systemic racism continues. The recent court ruling against the Fearless Fund, which supports Black women entrepreneurs, highlights the ongoing battle for racial and economic justice. This is an attack on Black women who are crucial for a just and thriving economy. At The Greenlining Institute, we bridge the gap between financial institutions and communities of color, ensuring accountability and promoting policies that support BIPOC entrepreneurs. By fostering pathways for Black women, we honor the legacy of the struggle for freedom, and work towards an equitable future. Read more in our latest blog, “Juneteenth Reflections: Black Women's Ongoing Fight for Economic Empowerment,” from Debra Gore-Mann, Greenlining’s CEO & President. #Juneteenth https://lnkd.in/gPkPPG_4