OneRouge Community Check-In: Week 251

Action After Earth Day: Building a Sustainable & Just Future

The April 25 OneRouge call centered on community connection, reflection, and collective action. Participants shared updates, celebrated ongoing collaboration, and explored new ways to build momentum around shared goals. Guest speakers highlighted local efforts around environmental education, community engagement, and advocacy, offering opportunities for deeper involvement. The call also included a discussion on how OneRouge can continue to grow, bring in new voices, and create spaces for learning, collaboration, and action.

As part of the ongoing collective action work, participants helped shape a shared aspiration focused on nurturing and protecting the community and environment for the benefit of all. Attendees reflected on how they can contribute individually and organizationally, whether through prevention, direct stewardship, or improving community wellbeing. The meeting closed with announcements of upcoming volunteer opportunities, workshops, and advocacy events, with a continued invitation for everyone to stay connected and engaged.

Notes

OneRouge Weekly Call – Meeting Notes

Date: April 25, 2025Theme: Reflecting on Environmental Justice and Collective Action

Welcome and Opening Reflections

• Sherreta Harrison kicked off the meeting with positive energy.

• Jordan shared about an emotional but joyful Easter spent with family.

• The group reflected on the importance of family, holidays like Easter, and feeling connected.

• Jordan introduced the day's focus: action after Earth Day and how to turn momentum into impact.

Updates and Announcements

• Helena (former team member) sent her greetings from Japan; the team is adjusting to her new remote role.

• New Structure Moving Forward:

  • Monthly calls will build toward quarterly Action Summits.

  • Summits will focus on mobilizing solutions based on each month's theme (aligned with non-drivers of poverty).

Community Reflections: What Makes These Calls Valuable

Participants shared their feedback:

• Dean Don Andrews (Southern University): Appreciates the networking, connectivity, and spirit of mission-driven work beyond private sector interests.

• LORI Representative: Highlighted the importance of immigrant voices and the community's willingness to listen and support.

• Marcela: Praised the diversity of topics, the commitment of participants, and the calls being a source of hope and solidarity during tough times.

Discussion: Who is Missing from These Conversations?

• Focus needed on directly impacted community members, not just service providers.

• Suggested outreach to individuals with conservative viewpoints to diversify thought.

• Recommendations to invite more members of the media and community storytellers to bring lived experiences into discussions.

Guest Speaker: Thomasina Joseph – Clean Green Neighborhood Alliance

• Shared work on youth recycling education across four pillars of sustainability.

• Helping schools (e.g., Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Academy) become Green Ribbon Schools.

• Announced the return of Earth Day Baton Rouge downtown after a 6-year hiatus (April 27, 2025, 11 AM–4 PM).

• Encouraged forming a coalition for future Earth Day events.

• Emphasized youth engagement as a major inspiration for revitalizing Earth Day.

Guest Speaker: Kaitlyn Joshua – Earthworks

• Focused on supporting frontline communities fighting pollution and environmental injustice.

• Gave overview of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):

  • Technology to store CO2 underground sounds promising but is unproven and risky.

  • Major concerns: air quality impacts, property devaluation, risk from CO2 pipeline ruptures.

  • Baton Rouge and surrounding areas are targeted for CCS development.

• Upcoming Events:

  • Monday, April 29: Legislative prep webinar (6–8 PM on Zoom).

  • Tuesday, April 30: Environmental Day at the Capitol (advocating against CCS-related legislation).

Collective Action: Equity on Earth Follow-Up (led by Sherreta Harrison)

• Shared a draft vision statement from recent Earth Day activities: "A community where everyone can enjoy the benefits of the environment because we have cultivated it and protected it from degradation."

• Participants reflected on:

  • Who should be involved: farmers, festival organizers, tourism boards, manufacturers, the general public.

  • Where they fit:

    • 1: Preventing environmental degradation.

    • 2: Working directly with land, water, and air.

    • 3: Improving wellbeing for communities harmed by environmental issues.

Community Announcements

• Levar Robinson:

  • Father-Daughter Dance (April 26, Helix Aviation Academy) – $15 ticket, jets on display, food, fun activities.

  • Dads Day at the Capitol (May 12) – Advocating for policies that support fathers.

• Samantha Morgan:

  • Nonprofit Microsoft Discount Workshop (May 5).

  • Video Creation Workshop (next week) to boost nonprofit marketing.

  • W.H.Y.R. Community Radio seeking new PSA submissions from nonprofits.

• Achiri:

  • Advocated against immigration-related bills (HB 554, HB 436, SB 100).

  • World Refugee Day event – June 21; sign up through MYLA website.

• Urban Leadership Development Initiative (Metamorphosis) – Applications open through April 30.

Closing

• Jordan expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants.

• Encouraged attendees to stay involved and to invite new voices to future calls.

• Weekly newsletter will include today's shared flyers, links, and upcoming events.

Links

Community Announcements