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“Ezeilo artfully articulates the obscured problem of racism in the country’s environmental movement and unapologetically sets forth solutions.” —Elaine Brown, author of A Taste of Power
Revealing the deep and abiding interest that African American, Latino, and Native American communities—many of whom live in degraded and polluted parts of the country—have in our collective environment, Engage, Connect, Protect is part eye-opening critique of the cultural divide in environmentalism, part biography of a leading social entrepreneur, and part practical toolkit for engaging diverse youth. It covers:
- Why communities of color are largely unrecognized in the environmental movement
- How to bridge the cultural divide and activate a new generation of environmental stewards
- A curriculum for engaging diverse youth and young adults through culturally appropriate methods and activities
- Resources for connecting mainstream America to organizations working with diverse youth within environmental projects, training, and employment
Engage, Connect, Protect is a wake-up call for businesses, activists, educators, and policymakers to recognize the work of grassroots activists in diverse communities and create opportunities for engaging with diverse youth as the next generation of environmental stewards, while the concern about the state of our land, air, and water continues to grow.
“An accessible guide to respond to the inequities faced by persons of color marginalized by mainstream environmentalism.” —Dianne D. Glave, author of Rooted in the Earth
“Highlights the cultural connection to nature that black and brown people have always had, and the need, for the sake of our physical, mental, and spiritual health, for it to be reclaimed.” —Kamilah Martin, Vice President at the Jane Goodall Institute
AWARDS
- GOLD | 2020 Living Now Awards: Evergreen Medal for Nature Conservation
Angelou Ezeilo is founder and CEO of the Greening Youth Foundation. A leading social entrepreneur, she was a 2016 Ashoka Fellow, is a member of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ Women in Solidarity Society and is on the boards of the Atlanta Audubon Society and the South Fork Conservancy. She is also an advisory Board Member for the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and Outdoor Afro, and she is on the Steering Committee for the new Children’s Wellbeing Initiative — a network of 22 changemakers working together to promote children’s wellbeing across the country. She splits her time between the city of Atlanta, GA and Victoria Island, Nigeria, with her husband and partner. www.gyfoundation.org
Nick Chiles is one of the nation’s foremost chroniclers of African American life, culture, and celebrity. He is the author or co-author of 14 books, including three New York Times bestsellers he wrote with R&B icon Bobby Brown, civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, and gospel legend Kirk Franklin. Chiles, a graduate of Yale, served as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, and magazine and website editor-in-chief during his years in journalism, winning nearly 20 major awards, including a 1992 Pulitzer Prize as part of a New York Newsday team. He is also a college professor of journalism. He lives in Atlanta, GA.
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: The New Paradigm for Environmental Consciousness
Chapter 2: Environmental Jargon Creates Exclusion
Chapter 3: Nature as Healer
Chapter 4: Activating a New Generation
Chapter 5: Careers
Chapter 6: Going International
Chapter 7: Changing the Culture
Chapter 8: Culturally Relevant Curriculum
Appendix 1: Environmental Organizations Led by People of Color
Appendix 2: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Appendix 3: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
Appendix 4: Tribal Colleges and Universities
Index
About the Authors
A note about the Publisher