The Urban Islanders Pilot Episode takes place at Worcester, MA's Root Skills Conference, during which our roving reporter Zakiyyah Ali interviewed the following people:
Bart Westdijk - Director of Operations at New England Grassroots Environment FundWebsite: https://grassrootsfund.org
Bart comes to the Grassroots Fund from the Netherlands. His interest in local solutions and grassroots initiatives comes from his world travels and thesis study focus on multinational corporations' potential to help alleviate poverty. The first 20 years of his life Bart spent in Zwijndrecht, a town just south of multi-cultural Rotterdam. As Director of Operations, Bart focuses on a variety of tasks ranging from strategic program development to fundraising, and from Grow grant program review to Local Food-related research and network participation. His main focus has been on the participatory process, ensuring protocols and practices throughout the organization center equity & justice.
Laura Flagg - Program Manager at New England Grassroots Environment FundWebsite: https://grassrootsfund.org
Laura joined the New England Grassroots Environment Fund as the Grow Grant and Grassroots Trends Program Manager in late 2018. In this role, Laura manages the Grow Grant Program and annual Trend Reports, which capture and share stories, strategies and gaps from the grassroots environmental sector. She also collaborates with planning committees to convene several regional Catalyst Conversations, which are interactive events that bring community members together. Prior to joining NEGEF Laura was the Food Economy Coordinator for the City of Revere, where she worked to expand economic and workforce development opportunities within the city's food economy.
Isa Mujahid - Founder and Organizing Director of CTCORE-Oraganize Now!
Website: http://www.ctcore-organizenow.org
Isa Mujahid, Founder and Organizing Director of CTCORE-Organize Now!, is a native of Bridgeport, CT. The child and grandchild of Civil Rights Era activists, Isa was aware from an early age the role that racial politics had played in the history of the United States in the oppression of marginalized groups, in particular African Americans. An opportunity to attend private schools in neighboring Fairfield opened his eyes to the large disparities that exist in the small state of Connecticut. After graduating high school, Isa joined the U.S. Army and spent the time thinking how he could best serve his community and country. Upon returning home, he sought opportunities to be engaged in civic and political activities. He began community organizing with ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) in Bridgeport.
LaTierra Pipus - Co-Organizer, Coordination and OutreachWebsite: https://www.womanistworkingcollective.org/
LaTierra is a Professional Womanist and Community Organizer specializing in affinity groups for Black Queer & Trans folks and Black Women/Womyn/Womxn & Femmes. A Midwest native, LaTierra graduated from the University of Wisconsin with her B.A. in Communication, minor in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies & acquired certificates in Community Based-Learning and Media Literacy. In addition to living her passion and purpose through The Womanist Working Collective, she is acquiring her Masters of Social Work in Community Organizing practice.
Music:Lessazo “Soleil D’Hiver” – Music: http://altermusique.org/Lessazo/
Dawn Drake and ZapOte “Piedra Dura” – Music: http
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