Blacks In Green

📩 Did you know we have a monthly newsletter? Stay in the loop of all things BIG and sign up to receive our announcements, upcoming events, news, and more! Read our June newsletter: https://conta.cc/3xrMvmH Subscribe to receive future newsletters: bit.ly/BIG_Newsletter

Last week we co-hosted the Grey To Green Conference: Exploring Green Infrastructure and Economic and Environmental Justice with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. The conference featured insightful discussions and technical presentations focused on sustainable development in Chicago, particularly regarding green infrastructure. Our very own Founder/CEO Naomi Davis & Director of Green Infrastructure David Yocca presented on the impacts of green infrastructure on local communities, specifically through the lens of BIG’s Sustainable Square Mile, which is being piloted in the West Woodlawn community on Chicago’s South Side. Check out these photo highlights from the conference, which was held at the lovely Omni Ecosystems - whose beautiful green roof garden is featured in the last photo. 🌿 #GreyToGreenChicago #GreenInfrastructure

So exciting! 😍

Naomi Davis of Blacks In Green is our Keynote speaker at Grey to Green Chicago, and she's speaking on the impacts of green infrastructure on local communities! "Imagine all of the Black communities in America being synonymous with beauty, prosperity, opportunity and joy." Thank you to everyone who has come out to support our event! #GreytoGreenConference #Chicago #greeninfrastructure

Come out to our Orchard of the Ancestors garden tomorrow, June 8th at 11:00am for the opening of our annual fairy garden, in collaboration with HelloBaby Chicago! This year’s fairy garden theme recreates the Hundred Acre Wood, home of Winnie the Pooh and his friends - something both kids and adults will enjoy! The garden, located at 6044 S. Saint Lawrence Ave. in West Woodlawn, is a native fruit orchard owned and cultivated by BIG, and visitors can expect to see the beginning of blooms this weekend. “As Woodlawn’s kids and parents alike grapple with the struggles and traumas of daily life, the garden offers a needed refuge close to home, particularly as it transforms into the fairy garden every year,” said Duane Jarrett, BIG’s chief gardening officer. “The fairies, teddy bears and other fantastical beings onsite allow visitors to tap into their imaginations, while the garden itself is grounded in the realities of life, history and heritage.” The free event features a bouncy house, food, crafts and surprises scattered by “fairies” throughout the garden. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gfSJPqFw

We had an exciting morning sponsoring Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) training at Grey to Green Chicago: Exploring Green Infrastructure & Economic and Environmental Justice, hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities and Blacks In Green. Conference attendees also toured some exceptional #greeninfrastructure projects like #thesaltshed and Palenque Logan Square Neighborhood Association. Trainees worked hard installing mock #greenroofs in our #bronzeville warehouse and will celebrate #worldgreenroofday with the tour group at a #happyhour on our #roofdeck!

Join BIG & Green Roofs for Healthy Cities tomorrow at the Chicago Grey to Green Conference for the panel discussion on "Advancing Economic and Environmental Justice with Green Infrastructure" featuring BIG's Director of Green Infrastructure David Yocca and Ben Bezark from Greenleaf Advisors, LLC and Greenleaf Communities. They will delve into the Sustainable Square Mile™ initiative, exploring how restorative green infrastructure can transform neighborhoods and heal communities. Learn about BIG's groundbreaking project in West Woodlawn, Chicago, supported by the Walder Foundation's Resilient by Nature grant program. Discover how this collaborative effort aims to create a model Net-Positive community through innovative green infrastructure practices. Don't miss out, and register today! https://lnkd.in/gf-Arp3f #GreenInfrastructure #EconomicJustice #EnvironmentalJustice #GreyToGreenChicago

Experience the greenery of Chicago with our Grey to Green Multi-Stop Tour on June 6th! Led by Jesse Rosenbluth, President of Omni ReWild, embark on a journey through the city's most innovative green infrastructure installations. From Logan Square's community-driven Palenque LSNA to the transformative rooftop landscapes of The Salt Shed and The Old Post Office, immerse yourself in sustainability. Explore the educational oasis at Comer Education Campus and conclude at Omni Ecosystems HQ for a networking session on their green roof. Join us and witness the city's sustainable future unfold before your eyes! Limited spots available, secure your spot now! https://lnkd.in/gAE6iaf8 #GreyToGreenChicago #GreenInfrastructure #Sustainability #ChicagoTour

Join our Founder/CEO Naomi Davis at Social Innovation Summit on June 4-5 in Chicago among more than 1,000 social impact leaders for an exciting two days filled with top-tier programming, roundtable discussions, deep-dive breakouts, and unique VIP networking opportunities. She’ll be speaking alongside an amazing group at #SIS24 on insights, solutions, and tangible actions to drive social impact and scale change. See the full lineup and register at www.socialinnovation.com 

We are thrilled to announce that our Founder/CEO Naomi Davis will give a keynote presentation at Grey To Green Chicago: Exploring Green Infrastructure & Economic and Environmental Justice. Join us as Naomi shares insights on The Sustainable Square Mile: Healing a Community with G-O-D ~ Garden Oriented Development. Discover how BIG is driving environmental justice and economic development to close America's racial wealth gap through the new green economy. Don't miss this empowering session, register now and get the early bird special before May 31!  https://lnkd.in/gf-Arp3f #EnvironmentalJustice #GreyToGreenChicago