January 14, 2018

NAACP to Launch Solar Equity Initiative with MLK National Day of Service Kick-Off Event

"On January 13th, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and National Day of Service, the NAACP will kick off a civil rights economic and environmental justice initiative to connect 30+ communities of color and low income communities across the nation with solar energy infrastructure for homes and community centers, as well as skills training for solar jobs, all supported by strengthened solar equity policies."

NAACP Press Release, January 11, 2018

"The launch event will be on January 13^th in Los Angeles, California at The Jenesse Center, a nationally recognized non-profit domestic violence prevention and intervention organization. ... While the solar system is being installed on transitional housing for domestic violence survivors, the children in the survivor families will be engaged in an environmental fair, “Keeping it Green While Living the Dream.” ...

"In launching the Solar Equity Initiative, the NAACP makes a year-long commitment to provide solar job skills training to 100 individuals, installation of solar panels on 20 households and 10 community centers, and strengthen equity in solar access policies in at least 5 states across the country. Partners supporting this national initiative include GRID Alternatives, Solar Energy Industries Association, Sunrun, United Methodist Women, Vote Solar, and others. The Solar Equity Initiative will advance the aims of multiple NAACP civil rights initiatives: Environmental and Climate Justice, Economic Development, Labor, Education, Health and Criminal Justice.

Clients served by Jenesse will get hands-on training from GRID Alternatives during the installation, gaining skills to access the growing solar industry, thus providing economic opportunities as part of Jenesse’s core aim of empowering women and fostering financial independence, aims shared by the NAACP. With the #TimesUp movement rising, the NAACP is especially honored to support Jenesse’s ever-critical mission.

Multiple NAACP studies and reports chronicle the disparities in exposure to pollution from fossil fuel based energy production in low income and communities of color. Communities of color and low income communities, as well as population groups such as women, consume the least energy, but are most disproportionately impacted, suffering poor health outcomes, compromised education, loss of livelihoods and loss of life as a result of exposure to toxins and the ravages of climate change." (highlighting ours - ed.) more

"Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here."