April 11:
Energy Insecurity and its Impact on Low Income Households in Atlanta Today with Mandy Mahoney
In our region of the country energy bills are high and even unaffordable for low-income households. The problem is a result of substandard housing which can largely be traced back to racist housing and banking policies. In addition to high energy bills, these same homes often have unhealthy indoor air quality and make the people living in them sick.
Mandy Mahoney is the president of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance. Prior to joining SEEA, Mandy was the Director of Sustainability for the City of Atlanta under Mayors Reed and Franklin. She holds a BA in biology and environmental studies from Emory U., an MA in environmental management from Duke U., and an LLB from Emory. In the community Mandy serves on the boards of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, Emory’s Turner Environmental Law Clinic, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Southwest Wind Coalition, and the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance. She and her husband are proud parents of Paul.
April 18:
Environmental Justice with Jason Carter
Join Jason Carter to discuss the vital connections between environmental health and racial equity.
Jason Carter proudly points to his service in the Peace Corps after graduating from Duke University. He later attended the UGA School of Law, receiving a JD in 2004. Currently at the law firm of Bondurant, Mixon & Elmore, Jason has represented the National Football League Players Association. He has also received recognition for his Pro Bono work defending voting rights. He ran for Governor in 2014, losing the very close race, and previously served as state senator. He hails from a strong political heritage; Jason’s grandfather is former President and Georgia Governor, Jimmy Carter, and his great-grandmother was the indomitable Lillian Carter, who inspired his Peace Corp years.
April 25:
Growing Food, People, and Community with K. Rashid Nuri
The current paradigm of commercial agriculture is not sustainable and detrimental to both humans and the planet. K. Rashid Nuri will demonstrate the power of small farms and urban agriculture to improve the future of the world's food production and improve health outcomes and build strong communities. Today's conversations about equity, justice, and diversity are imperative. Equally as important is to remember that he who controls your food controls you. In the move toward nation-building, we must maintain focus on food security and food self-sufficiency. To be truly free, a nation has to be able to feed its people. And it is imperative to feed the nation food that builds strong minds and bodies.
K. Rashid Nuri had a powerful “burning bush” revelation while a student at Harvard. The experience set him on a global food odyssey, managing agricultural operations throughout the U.S., 35 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. He also served as Deputy Administrator for USDA during the Clinton Administration. Rashid saw, up close, the abuses and inefficiencies of Big Ag. His vision of community food sovereignty and food equity emerged with full clarity. He brought that vision to Atlanta in 2006, founding Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture (TLW). TLW became Atlanta’s premier urban agricultural organization, growing tons of chemical-free, nutritious food, providing jobs, and educating communities about food, nutrition, and self-sufficiency. www.thenurigroup.com