Please join me this weekend (May 21-22) at the Seattle Green Festival at Qwest Field. My office has been involved in planning two panels and I would love to see you there.
Saturday afternoon (4:30pm), Sahar Fathi from my office is convening a panel on arts and the environment. Local artists and environmentalists will work with some of Seattle’s young adults – in particular, underrepresented youth, homeless youth, and disadvantaged youth, to create a piece of art that illustrates the environmental issues that are important to them. The goal of this project is to explore lessons about the environment through the creative process, while also working to support young adults in pursuing a career path in sustainable arts. The finished piece of art will be shown around the City of Seattle at various times for the public to view. The youth will be paired up with mentors, and the goal is to for the youth to sell their artwork following the session at a local farmer’s market.
On Sunday afternoon (3pm), I will be moderating a panel of local green jobs experts to discuss the green movement holistically and opportunities for the city to engage and understand how we can create more green jobs in Seattle. In particular, I am looking to panel members to help us understand how we can create these opportunities for historically underserved communities in our city—communities of color, low-income communities, and immigrant and refugee communities. It is so important to me that we bring topics of equity and opportunity into our conversations on the environment, and this panel is a perfect opportunity to do so. The panelists will each have time to make brief presentations about their work and the balance of time will be spent answering audience questions. It is also important to me that the audience is reflective the Seattle community – that we have individuals from all over Seattle who are interested in how we can make the city green for everyone.
A project of Green America and Global Exchange, two leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to environmental and social justice for more than 27 years, Green Festival inspires and promotes the connection between change and sustainable progress for people, communities and businesses. Green Festival’s interactive marketplace and learning environment provides solutions to help make healthier lives—socially, economically and environmentally.
I hope to see you at one or both panels this weekend at Green Festival!