Earth Month 2023
Why celebrate Earth Day when you can be celebrating Earth Month? Here’s what WE ACT has going on in April:
April 8 – WE ACT’s April Membership Meeting
Join us for our April Membership Meeting on Saturday, April 8. It will be held in person at the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge (454 West 155th Street, between St Nicholas & Amsterdam Avenues) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Our new Director of Environmental Health Micaela Martinez will give an update about our fight to get toxics out of personal care products and where we are at with our Beauty Inside Out campaign. And Charles Callaway, our Director of Workforce Development, will talk about our new Green Institute, creating pathways to green jobs for our community. RSVP here.
April 12-15 – National Action Network Convention
Join our Organizing team at the National Action Network’s annual convention on April 12-15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Times Square (811 Seventh Avenue). We will have a table at this annual gathering of leaders from media, business, politics, entertainment, and the civil rights movement to raise awareness of environmental racism and the work we do. Register here to attend.
April 15 – WE ACT’s Earth Day 5K Fundraiser
Come celebrate Earth Day, help raise funds for WE ACT, and run or walk for a healthier, greener community at our annual Earth Day 5K fundraiser. We will be back on Randall’s Island this year, starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 15. Details are available here. And if you register here, you will get a free WE ACT membership!
April 19 – Con Ed Rate Case Town Hall
If you plan on testifying in the Con Ed Rate Case, we encourage you to attend this in-person Town Hall teach-in at the People’s Forum (320 West 37th Street) on Wednesday, April 19 from 7:00-8:15 PM. Briana Carbajal will be speaking at this event, and several members will be in attendance. RSVP here.
April 21 – CB11 Earth Day Conference
Join us for East Harlem’s hottest Earth Month event, Manhattan Community Board 11’s Second Annual Earth Day Conference, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, April 21 at the Museum of the City of New York. It’s open to the public, and no registration is needed. Come by and say hello to WE ACT’s East Harlem team!
April 22 – Climate and Environmental Justice in Harlem
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Climate School, and Columbia World Projects are hosting an Earth Day event from 12:00-3:00 PM on Saturday, April 22 at Columbia University’s Faculty House at 64 Morningside Drive. And, of course, Peggy Shepard will be part of the program! Learn more here.
April 22 – Friends of Inwood Hill Park Earth Day Festival
We will join the Friends of Inwood Hill Park for their annual Earth Day event from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 22. Come to Inwood Hill Park and say hello. RSVP here.
April 23 – Policy for the People Workshop on Advancing Toxics Legislation
We are partnering with Earth Hacks and the JustGreen Partnership to host Policy for the People, a workshop on environmental education and policy communication. This hackathon, which will run from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, is for students to design and develop content to advance our advocacy efforts to reduce exposure to toxics in our community. Students 18-plus in New York State can participate in-person (at WE ACT’s NYC office) or online. Contact Briana Carbajal with questions, and sign up here.
April 23 – New York Jewish Climate Summit
Peggy Shepard will speak at the New York Jewish Climate Summit on Sunday, April 23 from 1:00-4:30 PM at Temple Shaaray Tefila (250 East 79th Street). The summit is an opportunity for Jewish New Yorkers and allies who are interested in tackling the climate crisis to gather, learn, organize, and take action together. Peggy will be joined by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, NYSERDA Assistant Director Vlad Gutman, and Dayenu CEO & Co-Founder Rabbi Jennie Rosenn. Click here to learn more.
April 24 – Central Park Conservancy’s Business Leadership Council Summit
This event will run from 9:oo AM to 2:00 PM on Monday, April 24 at the Park Lane Hotel on Central Park South. The focus is on galvanizing the business and nonprofit communities to address social equity and build a fairer and more vibrant city, and Peggy Shepard will be speaking on one of the panels.
April 24 – Invest in Our Planet Earth Day Program
Bailey will be presenting at the Invest in Our Planet Earth Day Program on Monday, April 24 from 5:30-8:30 PM at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Memorial Center (34 West 134th Street. Click here to learn more.
April 25 – Albany Advocacy Day
We are at a critical point in our fight for environmental and climate justice legislation in New York State. That is why we invite you to join us on Tuesday, April 25 for a day in Albany with our partners in the JustGreen Partnership to advocate for key state legislation. You can choose to lobby for lead poisoning prevention, energy and climate, or general environmental justice legislation. Register here to join us! Transportation and lunch will be provided.
April 25 – New York City Council Lead Hearing Press Conference
If you are not headed to Albany to advocate for our state policies, then join us and the rest of the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, April 25 for a press conference in City Hall Park. We finally got City Council to hold a hearing on the childhood lead-poisoning crisis and we are holding a press conference to call attention to the lack of enforcement of existing legislation that has enabled this crisis as well as demanding action to strengthen legislation. Learn more here.
April 25 – Winning on Climate Change: A Critical Role for Philanthropy
The climate movement has scored an increasing number of wins in recent years, but effective and equitable implementation of programs and policies cannot be taken for granted. Dana Johnson will join a panel at 12 PM on Tuesday, April 25 discussing the role funders can play in fulfilling the promise of these climate victories. Learn more and RSVP here.
April 28 – Spring Into Justice Block Party
Join WE ACT for Environmental Justice in collaboration with the Brotherhood Sister Sol for our Spring Into Justice Block Party from 3:00-6:00 PM on Friday, April 28 at the Frank White Memorial Garden, which is located at 506 West 143rd Street (next to the new Brotherhood Sister Sol, between Hamilton Place and Broadway). We will have music from DJ Roman Martinez along with food, art builds, planting, and a chance to learn about our Beauty Inside Out campaign to get toxic chemicals out of beauty and other personal care products. RSVP here, and bring the family!
April 29 – Rally Against Con Ed Rate Hikes
Join us for a family-friendly rally against Con Ed’s rate hikes in Union Square Park on Saturday, April 29 at 3 pm. Caleb Smith will be speaking! RSVP here.