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Working for sustainability means working for equity

“You can’t talk about sustainability without talking about equity,” according to Ray McKinnon, the pastor of South Tryon Community United Methodist Church, and keynote speaker at our Charlotte Sustainability Summit.

People at Integrated Network for Social Sustainability

Over 150 people joined us and the Integrated Network for Social Sustainability on Saturday, June 15, for a day of educational workshops and inspiring messages at UNC Charlotte Center City. Attendees learned about the work that is already happening in Charlotte to advance sustainability and what residents can do to be a part of it.

Presenter at Summit

We were thrilled to have Ray give our keynote address, and his words about the importance of approaching sustainability through a lens of racial equity struck the hearts of attendees. If members of your community are left behind, you’re not truly helping that community to sustain itself for future generations. That’s why Sustain Charlotte is working to approach all of our work through this lens and to communicate the importance of racial equity to a truly sustainable community.

2019 Charlotte Sustainability Summit.

Over lunch our Executive Director, Shannon Binns, spoke about the State of Local Sustainability. This overview of sustainability in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region gave attendees an idea of the challenges we face, but also the progress made in the last year, and potential solutions for which Sustain Charlotte will continue to advocate.

Presenter at the Summit

Attendees also had their choice of 12 breakout workshops to attend throughout the day, with topics ranging from local food to transportation, and from clean air to equitable communities. We were so thrilled to work with so many amazing organizations to put on these sessions, and to be able to help share the work they’re doing to improve Charlotte with our attendees.

Roundtables at Summit

Photo by Grant Baldwin Photography

People Walking at Summit

Photo by Grant Baldwin Photography

Group Listening to Speaker Outside

Weren’t able to make it to the event? We’ll be posting videos of the keynote and lunch presentations, as well as more photos, on our Facebook page soon!

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