Wednesday, November 2nd

All times are listed in EST

9 – 9:30 AM: Opening Meditation

We will start the day off with a meditation session led by Eric Fowler, Fresh Energy Senior Policy Associate, Buildings. Let’s get centered, grounded, and prepared for a day of listening, learning, and growing!

9:30 – 10 AM: Opening Plenary

Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Midwest Building Decarbonization Co-Director, will lead an introduction to MWBDC, lay out the goals of the 2022 Equity Summit, and share some state-by-state success stories.

10 – 10:30 AM: Keynote Speaker

Honoring the Kwanzaa Principle of Self-Determination (Kujichagulia) in the Building Decarbonization Space. Introduction by Margaret Cherne-Hendrick.

Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, National Climate Strategist

10:45 – 11 AM: Orientation to Building Decarbonization 101

Jacob Serfling, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition Co-Director, will offer up a quick overview and level-setting on Building Decarbonization – what it is, why we care, and where our regional focus is (hint: the Midwest!)

11 AM – 12:30 PM: Session 1 – Getting the 411

“Getting the 411” will feature four breakout room workshops designed to introduce topics and bring folks from all different familiarity levels up to speed. Each workshop will take the entire hour and a half – we recommend choosing just one to attend.

Workshop 1: Regulatory Engagement to Transition off of Gas and Fossil Fuels

This workshop will be “Regulatory 101.” We will be etting an overview and understanding of the regulatory world.  How does the process of intervening in regulatory rate cases work? What are the roles of Public Service Commissioners? What are the fossil fuels that utilities need to transition off of? Facilitated by Jacob Serfling, MWBDC Co-Director.

In this workshop, we will be getting the basic overview of some of the federal policies that impact our work (Inflation Reduction Act, Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law, and Justice40). What do communities and activists need to know? Facilitated by Huda Alkaff, Wisconsin Green Muslims.

We will explore how we can move from a community engagement model to a community ownership model by exploring the basics of one on ones, storytelling, and relationship building. Facilitated by Hillary Thomas, Minnesota Environmental Coordinating Council.

Workshop 4: Understanding Narrative and Numbers: Using Historical Data from Black Bottom Detroit Gentrification Case

An orientation to where we are and where we have been, bridging from the 2021 Equity Summit. What does this mean for communities and what can communities do about it? Understanding how Displacement of Black Bottom (Detroit, MI) to Building Decarbonization and Utility Justice. Facilitated by Rachel Dortin, Slipstream.

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch Break

Music provided by DJ Monk Fonzi, Standup Comedy by Faygo Red

1:30 – 2:45 PM: Session 2 – Let’s Implement

“Let’s Implement” will feature four breakout room workshops designed to build off of the information shared in Session 1 and move to the next step – implementation. Each workshop will take the entire hour and fifteen minutes – we recommend choosing just one to attend.

Workshop 1: Regulatory Engagement to Transition off of Gas and Other Fossil Fuels

We will be exploring how to move from engagement to implementation, including understanding the barriers, the best practices, and accountability practices for the Midwest Regional states. Facilitated by Jacob Serfling, MWBDC Co-Director.

Workshop 2: Implementing Federal Policies – What’s Next?

Building off the basic understanding of the Inflation Reduction Act and other Federal Policies, we will ask the questions: What are the Environmental, Climate, and Civil Rights implications? How do these policies benefit local communities and what is the framework to create pathways for implementation? What are the rules of engagement at the local, state and national level? Facilitated by Dr. Junius Pressey, Bread From Heaven Ministries International.

Workshop 3: Moving Communities Forward & Implementing Campaigns

How can we successfully implement local campaigns for Utility Justice? Get practical steps from activists who implemented local-to-state and corporate responsibility campaigns. What is the process of holding communities accountable? How can social movements work towards getting it right? Facilitated by Robin Lisowski, Slipstream.

Workshop 4: Community Engagement to Ownership: Advancing our Own Narratives

Hear from community members who changed the narrative to fight for Utility and Energy Justice and created their own pathway to Energy Liberation. Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, MWBDC Co-Director.

3 – 3:50 PM: Advancing Reparations in Building Decarbonization 

This session will offer attendees an understanding of reparations and how this concept can be applied to Energy Justice, how implicit bias shows up in Environmental and Climate Justice work, and the potential for community ownership of clean energy. How can utilities “repair” for utility shut-offs, pipeline bursts, and poor air quality? Facilitated by Marnese Jackon, MWBDC Co-Director. Moderated by Russell Rabb, The Russell Rabb Show.

4 – 5 PM: Healing Justice and Self Determination

As we honor the Kwanzaa Principle of Self-Determination (Kujichagulia) in the building decarbonization space, we will take time to define what healing means for us. How can we practice accountability to each other? What are our takeaways that can be integrated into our work beyond this summit? Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, MWBDC Co-Director.

Presented by Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Women Rising, MWBDC Faith Working Group Co-Lead.

Thursday, November 3rd

9 – 9:30 AM: Opening Meditation

We will start the day off with a meditation session led by Eric Fowler, Fresh Energy Senior Policy Associate, Buildings. Let’s get centered, grounded, and prepared for a day of listening, learning, and growing!

9:30 – 10 AM: Opening Plenary

Marnese Jackson, Midwest Building Decarbonization Co-Director, will lead an introduction to MWBDC, lay out the goals of the 2022 Equity Summit, and share some state-by-state success stories.

10 – 10:30 AM: Keynote Speaker

Taking Equity to the Next Level. Introduction by Marnese Jackson.

10:45 – 11 AM: Environmental and Climate Justice 101

Marnese Jackson, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition Co-Director, will give a quick briefing on Equitable Decarbonization and how it relates to Environmental and Climate Justice.

11 AM – 12:30 PM: Session 1 – Getting the 411

“Getting the 411” will feature four breakout room workshops designed to introduce topics and bring folks from all different familiarity levels up to speed. Each workshop will take the entire hour and a half – we recommend choosing just one to attend.

Workshop 1: Continuing to Build Relationships

A continuation of learning the basic elements of crafting your story, one on ones, coalition building, and creating community plans. Facilitated by Maggie Heiser, MWBDC Communications Manager.

Presented by Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Women Rising, MWBDC Faith Working Group Co-Lead.

Workshop 2: Climate Action in Local Communities

This workshop will offer an overview of how to develop Climate Action Plans by learning the process, the best practices, and the implementation of plans and campaigns that will advance building decarbonization efforts. Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, MWBDC Co-Director.

Workshop 3: Advancing the Social Equity of Building Electrification

For new and existing participants to get a basic understanding of the role of Utility Providers in advancing electrification. What does each utility’s scorecard in clean energy and advocacy efforts look like? What does this mean for the Midwestern States who suffer from cold climates and purple state politics? We will be doing an equity impact assessment of electrification policies to determine social burdens. Facilitated by Jacob Serfling, MWBDC Co-Director.

Presented by Mark Kresowik, ACEEE Senior Policy Director

Workshop 4: Workforce Development and the New Green Economy

We will get an understanding of how workforce development is a central component in creating and sustaining clean energy jobs. What is the landscape of job creation, employment barriers, and skills development? Why is this specifically important for building decarbonization? Facilitated by Hillary Thomas, Minnesota Environmental Coordinating Council.

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch Break

Music provided by DJ Monk Fonzi, poetry and comedy from Russell Rabb.

1:30 – 2:45 PM: Session 2 – Let’s Implement

“Let’s Implement” will feature two breakout room workshops designed to build off of the information shared in Session 1 and move to the next step – implementation. Each workshop will take the entire hour and fifteen minutes – we recommend choosing just one to attend.

Workshop 1: Next Steps – Data Justice and Utility Justice

Building off the previous session of connecting Data Justice and Utility Justice to move forward with a shared narrative that aligns this with coalition priorities. Facilitated by Rachel Dortin, Slipstream.

Workshop 2: Energy Equity Framework & Overview

We will be getting an overview of the University of Michigan Energy Equity Project Report. How can we use this knowledge of social burdens and equity impact to advance social equity in building electrification? Facilitated by Robin Lisowsi, Slipstream.

Presented by Justin Schott, Energy Equity Project Manager, University of Michigan

3 – 3:50 PM: Land Back and Indigenous Land Sovereignty

An understanding of the Land Back movement and how it can apply to Energy Justice and sovereignty through advocacy efforts. How do we align land back efforts with the built environment? Facilitated by Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, MWBDC Co-Director. Moderated by Russell Rabb, the Russell Rabb Show.

4 – 5 PM: Healing Justice Takeaways

We will explore why equity and Healing Justice are needed to do community-level and coalition work. What are tangible steps we can identify and practice to support one another? Facilitated by Jacob Serfling, MWBDC Co-Director.

Presented by Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Women Rising, MWBDC Faith Working Group Co-Lead

Friday, November 4th

All times are listed in EST

9 – 9:30 AM: Opening Meditation

We will start the day off with a meditation session led by Eric Fowler, Fresh Energy Senior Policy Associate, Buildings. Let’s get centered, grounded, and prepared for a day of listening, learning, and growing!

9:30 – 10 AM: Opening Plenary

Jacob Serfling, Midwest Building Decarbonization Co-Director, will lead an introduction to MWBDC and revisit the goals of the 2022 Equity Summit.

10 – 11:15 AM: Black Women in Building Decarbonization

Hear from some of the leading Black Women in the building decarbonization movement at this panel.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Judging Ourselves by the Jemez Principles

As we take Equity to the next level, this session will focus on analyzing where the Jemez Principles align with our coalition. This session will invite new members and existing members to do some internal soul-searching. Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, MWBDC CoDirector.

Presented by De’Angelus Garcia, Communications Specialist, Soulardarity.

12:30 – 1:30 PM: Lunch Break

Music provided by DJ Monk Fonzi.

1:30 – 2:45 PM: Implementing the Takeaways

This will be a strategy session where the takeaways from the Summit so far will be identified and integrated into the 2023 goals and priorities of the Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition. Led by MWBDC Staff.

3 – 4 PM: Connecting Reparations and Land Back

Bringing together members of the Black Community and Indigenous Tribal Community to get an understanding of the barriers and false narratives, and work past them to create alignment for energy sovereignty and solidarity. How do we work together in solidarity and mutuality? Facilitated by Jacob Serfling, MWBDC Co-Director. Moderated by Russell Rabb, The Russell Rabb Show.

4 – 5 PM: Healing Justice, and Until Next Time…

Final thoughts on moving the coalition forward. Let’s celebrate! Facilitated by Marnese Jackson, MWBDC Co-Director.

Presented by Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Women Rising, MWBDC Faith Team Co-Lead.