CURRENT INITIATIVES
At Black Sustainability, Inc. we are continually developing new projects and initiatives in partnership with our community to further our mission. Explore this page for an overview of the current initiatives we are developing.
Black
Sustainability Institute
Black Sustainability, Inc. is creating a learning management system where members can be instructed on green topics from those with indigenous wisdom on a variety of matters. The aim is to consolidate much of the knowledge we have accumulated through almost a decade of wisdom sharing at our summit into digestible courses that can take members from enthusiasts to experts, and allow them to make tangible change in their communities and their own lives. This initiative is still in the first stages of development and there is potential for contribution here, especially from you all as an accredited institution.
State of
Black
Sustainability Report
There is currently a large gap in the knowledge sector about where Black people are as a collective regarding sustainability issues and building resilient communities. Luckily, Black Sustainability's members have been providing this information annually via the Black Sustainability Summit for almost a decade. The State of Black Sustainability Report offers members a foundation of understanding about the strategies that we should take collectively to create a sustainable and wholly-fulfilling future, created for us, by us. Our aim is to offer community members a baseline on which to build their work, so that we are not starting at ground zero, but rather building off of the knowledge of our ancestors together, in community.
Membership in the network gives one the opportunity to contribute to the report’s development, and to receive attribution in the Report for their contributions. The 2024 State of Black Sustainability Report share-backs were shown as artistic demonstrations during our 9th Annual Black Sustainability Summit, and the official report is awaiting rollout.
ATLANTA
SHOE DeCon
TRAINING
Atlanta Shoe Deconstruction Training
Black Sustainability, Inc. and Shoe Waste, LLC are partnering on a decarbonization project, to create jobs and educate members of the Black community on decarbonization, waste and upcycling as it pertains to shoe waste. Our goal is to educate, inform, and train the next generation of skilled industry leaders.
Considering the cultural influence and primary contributions to fashion trends, African Americans have a responsibility for the waste output generated.
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How can we take shoes from the footwear industry destined for the landfill and deconstruct and convert the waste into viable materials for the circular economy?
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Upcycling shoes (and other textiles) extends their lifecycle and creates an opportunity for the Black community to participate in the salvage economy.
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Shoes have ten (10) waste stream characteristics with an unmatched value chain.
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The outcomes of this project will result in:
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Educational Awareness of circularity, waste and salvage Economy
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Manual and mechanical deconstruction of shoes
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Manufacturing and Green Job Creation Across the Global South
Learn more about our Atlanta Shoe Decon Training Course in Atlanta, GA – and be at the forefront of the future of manufacturing.
*Shoe Waste, a footwear recycling and recovery solution, is a trailblazer in Black-owned fashion waste management and a member of the Black Sustainability Network.
The Atlanta Shoe Deconstruction Training Course is presented by Shoe Waste LLC and Black Sustainability, Inc. The 4 Month course will explore footwear deconstruction, the circular economy, material recovery, discovering the value chain of shoes, and green jobs. This is a hybrid course with 2 days of in-person instruction taling place in the Metro-Atlanta area, and 1 day virtual instruction (semi-self-paced learning). The core components of our training are to prepare graduates for green careers or to supplement their current career development, upon completion of our initiative.
Applications for the training program are now open, and we encourage you to submit your application to be considered!
To provide more details and answer any questions you might have, we will be holding informational sessions.
JOIN AN INFORMATION SESSION: (see attached flier)
December 19 @ 12:30pm ET
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtd-ChrTIsGd383k1DJaVA4V6YmvK1ogxz
OR
January 7 @ 6:30pm ET
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-urpjsjE9JULknZFdvmqVTEaTSXEi8u
This session will offer a comprehensive overview of the program, the application process, and what to expect moving forward.
Limited scholarships are available for those that qualify.
Zero Waste
Event Strategies
After hosting, attending and vending at events...our team has had enough!
BSI is committed to ensuring that Black/Afrikan events and food service vendors in our community transition to biodegradable packaging and can reach zero-waste goals. Our community is frequently denied eco-friendly options and bombarded with over packaged goods. Our Love Black. Live Green. initiative goes beyond words to ensure a smooth and informed transition for our own health.
Download and share our 1 pager OR encourage a restauranteur or event planner to contact us to help facilitate a fully green event in your city!
NO MORE PLASTIC
NO MORE STYROFOAM
NO MORE ALUMINUM FOIL
Registered
Apprenticeship Program
Black Sustainability is partnering with multiple Atlanta- and Georgia-based community organizations to run a Home Electrification Leapfrog Program, which is a nationally Registered Apprenticeship Program. This gives local community members access to job specialization in the clean energy field, which they can use to improve their communities. Employers in the Black Sustainability Network will work with us to develop a customized work process appropriate to participants' strengths and needs, and then follow that process to provide on-the-job training to apprentices in the program.
