Princeton Bound

Greetings Rebuilders!!!!!!  Andrea and I had the opportunity to share Consciously Rebuilding with the fine establishment of Princeton University.  Students watched a clip of "When the Levees Broke".  I must say it took all of my energy not to walk out.  This is still our reality that we can't turn off like a movie.  It's bittersweet to comment on.  I want people to know the story of Katrina but I don't want to see it showcased in a way that is "moviefied" because my life is not a movie I can turn on, off, or fast-forward through.  JMTC (just my two cent).  Back to Princeton....
 
We opened with the foundation of Consciously Rebuilding, how we got started.  Not sure if you know this but Andrea approached me in grad school in New Orleans.  She told me that starting a business would be our way to contribute toward a socially and environmentally responsible post-Katrina recovery.  It took many ideas and frustrations, all of which are documented on www.empivot.com Channel: Consciously Rebuilding.  Many people would not take us seriously so we had to fight for every accomplishment.  We openly faced ageism and sexism, but continued to push on.  And we are so proud of every accomplishment and the community in which we share them.  We have hosted health fairs, environmental workshops, leadership engagements, panel discussions, and are currently working on a recycled arts contest (still seeking donations and sponsors if you are interested ;).

These accomplishments have resulted in: 90 American volunteers, 2 international volunteers; 23 household health and energy audits; 1 sustainability workshop, 4 health fairs, 1500 health fair attendees,  4 corporate sponsors, 40 formal and informal partnerships, distribution of 175 start-up kits (i.e. pedometers, water bottles, organic seeds, action plans, children’s books, CFL lights, toothbrushes); over 1000 commitments to healthier lifestyles (i.e. environment, energy and water conservation, and fitness); 7 speeches/panels; 1 professional conference presentation; 8 press articles, 1 News telecast, 7 WBOK Green Talk Radio sessions, All Day Buffet top 100 ideas after Katrina, SENO Award of Excellence, GoodWork Network Community Spirit Award; 6 tablings for glass recycling, and two students trained on the recycling process.  Several volunteers have donated professional services, web design, and graphic design valued over $10,000. 

During the discussion for the ethics class I shared the tragedy of the commons, which shapes my ethical beliefs and why I care so much about the environment and health for generations to come.  If we all added more "cows" to our common land, each person would receive a great reward for having the extra "cow-cash", but everyone shares the repercussions (e.g. land degradation) until it's all ruined and no cows can be carried by the land.   Freedom in the commons brings ruin to all.  Think about it.  Eventually your actions will return to you.  Maybe not immediately, but it will come back to the detriment of the commons AKA our earth. I learned this story my freshmen year of college and have remembered it ever since.

Also I talked about Environmental Justice and Robert Bullard.  Sometimes we wonder why people of color are as involved in the "green" movement.  The "green" movement and civil rights movement came about during the 60s, and it was a matter of priority that divided the two. Consciously Rebuilding uses a civil rights approach to environmental outreach.  Therefore, we highlight the overlap between priorities of health, wealth and rights with the environment. 

We wrapped up the discussion by sharing our newest venture, "Trashed and Treasured" Recycled Arts Contest for students to be launched in the fall 2010.  We also shared the YB Green(R) recycled jewelry line (ybgreen.ning.com). 

We had the chance to speak to a marketing class where YB Green was the hot topic.  Students shared their thoughts, suggestions, and projects with us and I can't wait to see some future social entrepreneurs develop. 

Overall, we would like to thank Princeton University for having us and the students that were so enthusiastic.

Peace and Blessings ya'll

Also we are planning a recycled arts contest for students this fall 2010. We need sponsors, volunteers, partners, etc.

This is my first mobile blog. It's TGIF. Consciously Rebuilding has some big things in the works. We will be guest lecturers at Princeton University. Go IVY!

Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project

Today I had the opportunity to listen to Nancy Knowlton and Margaret Wertheim give a lecture at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  The talk was about the every-so-growing fusion between art and science.  This art/sci fusion is at the core of Consciously Rebuilding, especially through the YB Green® brand.  The Crochet Coral Reef project has so many layers, including education on the environmental, human, and economic importance of coral.  Coral reefs are becoming depleted due to sedimentation, bleaching (temperature rising), and invasive species.  I found out that between 1-9Million species live in reefs.  I also learned that reefs have a hyperbolic geometric shape that stands out like no other species.  In response to the need to increase awareness and ACTION, the project mobilizes artists/communities of the world to create crochets or knit reefs, described as a "fantasy of nature".   Overall this is a fantastic community and collective project that displays the power of 1+1 (i.e. a group).   This synthesis of art and science with none being the subordinate is similar to YB Green®---the community collects the glass, volunteers help to crush it, and pieces are designed that represent the art of jewelry and the science of recycling.

Have a great Sunday Evening.  Go Celtics--The Green Team ;)

Also it was Pride Week in DC and here's a pic.  I use something as festive and colorful as Pride Week to inspire me to show my pride in my environment, planet, and world.  YAY!!!!

PRIDE!!!!

National Parks and the George Wright Society (May 12th)

Hello readers.  As I mentioned before, Consciously Rebuilding is making moves.  Here is guest blogger, Bradley Bowers' account of a community "Think Tank" session on using NOLA national parks for meaningful community and economic development.


With all the devastation that has struck New Orleans and her neighboring parishes hope for a wonderful future remains constant. I recently had the chance to participate in a creative brainstorm session sponsored by the George Wright Society-- a society dedicated to the preservation of park lands and natural areas-- and hosted by the National Parks Service. To me this meeting of creative minds, there were participants from the film industry, the Department of Agriculture and Organic Farmers engaging and helping solve the issues that currently threaten the culture and the way of life of New Orleans and the people of Louisiana. And of course I was there representing YB Green. The goal of this session was to devise program schedule for George Wright Society's conference in 2011. The programs we devise would actively engage the the scientists in the culture and the environments of New Orleans while exposing them to the reality of a post-Katrina New Orleans, and by that time a post-Oil Spill New Orleans. I am excited by this event for many reasons but mainly because it gives the world outside of New Orleans an opportunity to contribute and help with the healing and reformation process. This event will draw great minds from around the globe and charge them with the tasks that we (the community of New Orleans) find pertinent and relevant. I can think of no better way to engage and empower a city than to listen and then implement. I am anxious and excited to see what the next step will be in the saga of Re-Building New Orleans. ----Bradley Bowers, BFA, Artist, Design Management and Creative Services

GLASS OVERLOAD!!!!!

Today I had the opportunity to pick up some glass from a fellow community leader and environmental steward in the Lower 9th Ward. It was such a great feeling to be able to catch-up and chat about all the exciting things happening with Consciously Rebuilding such as the upcoming recycled arts contest and showcase.  Consciously Rebuilding plans on raising awareness on recycling and being waste-conscious for the rising generation. Stay tuned for the contest rules. I also had the chance to chat about raw foods, gardening, and the heat. LOL.

Here are some pics of the glass. Back to work. PS--If anyone in the blog world would like to donate a kiln to a non-profit let me know.

Yasmin

Back With A Vengeance :)

Over the weekend of April 24th, Yasmin celebrated Earth Day by participating in a Chakra meditation workshop because Earth Day is just as much about your personal wellness and contribution to balance and environmental healing as it is planting trees and picking up trash. The workshop was hosted by Holeca Medi Spa—a green certified spa—at DC’s National Integrated Health Associates (NIHA). Here are some pictures from the event, including a recycled Mandala that made out of magazine clippings based on the 7 chakras--sort of “East meets Waste”. The workshop put Yasmin in great spirits and she even did a healing arts/color therapy project that was very cathartic. Here are some pics.






To finish the wonderful weekend, Yasmin had the opportunity to attend the Earth Day Network’s Climate Rally. The energy was freeing and liberating. There were so many vendors but a crowd favorite was the Avatar Tent where you can experience a taste of Pandora through face-painting and photography. They were also passing out seeds and real Na’vi were amongst us. James Cameron even made an impromptu speech. It is a sign of times that the highest grossing film in history has a ecological and compassionate theme. Here are some pics of Na’vi Yasmin.







Here are some pics of a ball of plastic bags (remember this), a whale and the general vibe of being outdoors. Yasmin would like to make a note that the green movement is becoming quite diverse. Twelve years ago environmental events were mostly white (still is), very hempy hippy with very strong/borderline antagonistic speeches. Lately we’ve noticed more age, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic diversity, with inspirational and empowering speech—Times are a’changing. No more putting certain people down, but building certain attitudes up.






Does this tree look familiar? (HINT)I believe we have borrower from Ford. JK. This tree has leaves on it and while they didn’t make you define what green is to you (like CR did last Earth Day), the paper is made of “seed board” and they will plant all the seeds in their Detroit headquarters. Every city and company could use a little green. I put the YB Green stamp on it :)





The Roots, John Legend, Sting, Joss Stone, and Patrick (who lost weight) from Fall Out Boy all performed. James Cameron and Lisa P Jackson made appearances. The crowd even passed around…is that a beach ball? No it’s that plastic bag ball, now that’s a way to reuse plastic. ;) I hope everyone enjoyed Earth MONTH!!!!!!! We’re back,

Love,

Yasmin and Andrea




The plastic concert ball



All of the Earth Week festivities called for a little Na'vi nap. Peace.

GUESS WHO'S BACK?!!!!

So it’s been a long break and cleansing for Consciously Rebuilding, Inc. We are getting back into the cyber-groove of things but Andrea and I have remained active over the past 9 months. To kick off our re-welcome, our blog has gotten a MAKEOVER thanks to Omeed Alerasool. Thank you to all of the volunteers who had design ideas, but especially to Omeed who has been a diligent worker.

We would like to kick things off with our Earth Day Celebration. On April 22, 2010, Andrea had the opportunity to attend a “Green for All” Earth Day Garden Planting with Lisa Jackson and Anthony Mackie. EPA Administrator Jackson has been an inspiration and motivation for Consciously Rebuilding. We had the opportunity to hear her speak in the past, but this time Andrea was able to network with her and share the mission of Consciously Rebuilding. It was a special event. Please be inspired by the pictures below.