Raising awareness for environmental justice, equity and the African American experience, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) continued its tradition of Black History Month programming and celebration by hosting a forum that featured a talented lineup of insightful speakers. For the first time since 2020, the MWRD held its Black History Month celebration, convening a panel of speakers to highlight African American History Month, while bringing important issues to the forefront in the MWRD’s work protecting the region’s water environment. The panel discussed environmental justice issues and how community leaders and others advocate for equity. The event follows the MWRD’s recent adoption of a new policy to integrate environmental justice considerations into all MWRD programs, policies and activities wherever possible. The MWRD is in the middle of a five-year Strategic Plan, 2021-2025, that expanded its values from excellence, respect, innovation, safety and accountability, to also include equity and diversity. The event at the MWRD’s McGowan Main Office Building, 100 E. Erie St., was part of a series of Black History Month festivities this February.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Participants in the MWRD’s Black History Month celebration and panel included (Front row, L-R): MWRD Environmental Justice Section Principal Civil Engineer Lolita Thompson, People for Community Recovery Executive Director Cheryl Johnson, Blacks in Green™ Founder/CEO Naomi Davis, Faith in Place Policy/Advocacy Director Pastor Scott Onqué, SEIU Healthcare President Greg Kelley and WBEZ Data Projects Editor Alden Loury. (Back row, L-R): MWRD Executive Director Brian A. Perkovich, MWRD Chairman of Finance Commissioner Marcelino Garcia, MWRD Vice President Kimberly Du Buclet, MWRD President Kari K. Steele, MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown and MWRD Commissioner Daniel Pogorzelski.