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Environmental Justice and Community Partnerships
Regional Programs: Memphis, Tennessee
'Blacks Living Green' Honors Memphis Area African-American Activists
On April 9, author and publisher Sharon T. Freeman, PhD, spoke to a crowd of
nearly 100 people in Memphis about her new book, "Blacks Living Green," and
her work as an African American publisher.
Freeman, who lives in Washington, D.C., has served as consultant and advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representative, and a member of the U.S. Diplomatic Corps. "Blacks Living Green" highlights the stories of black Americans who have chosen environmental careers or avocations, and who are taking steps to sustain their local environment. Read more.
Sierra Club organizer Rita Harris has been fighting for Environmental Justice in Memphis since the early 1990s. Leading frequent Toxic Tours and working with the community to campaign against major polluters, Rita works alongside residents to protect their land, air, water, and health. An air pollution monitoring program, a mapping project to alert residents to the dangers of a chemical spill, and an ongoing fight against a hazardous waste-burning incinerator all highlight actions by Memphis residents to improve environmental quality and justice for their communities.
Campaign Highlights
- Residents of the Crump neighborhood live within three miles of eight facilities that release toxic emissions. Now the Velsicol Chemical Company plans to apply for another ten-year permit to burn hazardous waste. A Crump citizens' group has informed Velsicol that the continued burning does not match their vision for their community. Read more.
- Although five chemical plants and a six-lane interstate highway encircle the Douglas community, the EPA does not require any hazardous substance air monitors in the area. The community has formed a Bucket Brigade to enable them to collect their own air samples to monitor pollution levels and hold the industries accountable. Read more.
- The lack of emergency planning to protect citizens in case of an accident at an area chemical plant alarms Memphis residents. The Geographical Information System mapping project will demonstrate the contamination from a 'worst-case scenario' spill situation and give residents a sense of actions to take during a major chemical accident. Read more.
- The Terrible Ten report describes the top ten polluting industries in Memphis and Shelby County. Find out how much pollution a resident is exposed to each day and from which sources the pollution comes. (PDF, updated 6/08)
For more information:
About the Organizer
Rita Harris has led Memphis-area environmental justice efforts since 1991. She received the Chickasaw Group's first Environmental Justice Award in early 1999 and began her work with the Sierra Club in the fall of 1999. Again, in December of 2007, the Chickasaw Group honored her with their Outstanding Community Advocate Award.
In addition to organizing residents in underserved neighborhoods, Harris designs and coordinates grassroots environmental conferences annually, is frequently asked to speak at events inside and outside the Club, and leads Toxic Tours to educate area groups about environmental justice. These tours point out the injustices experienced by individuals living in the shadow of polluters and highlights community success stories!
Her annual "Terrible Ten" reports highlight area polluters while helping communities understand the health effects of air and water pollution. The Tennessee Alliance for Progress (TAP) honored Harris for her many years of work as a community organizer with an award at their May 2008 TAP Long Haul Awards ceremony. In the spring of 2008, Harris was honored by the Memphis Women's magazine as one of their "Green Women of Shelby County".
Harris served on the Enforcement Subcommittee of the EPA's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council from 1996 to 2001, and currently serves as community co-chair of the 2008 Shelby County Sustainable Shelby Initiative's Environment & Natural Resources Committee.
Get Involved
To learn more about the Memphis EJ program or to find out how you can help, email Rita Harris at rita.harris@sierraclub.org.
Contact Us
Memphis, TN, Environmental Justice Program
2600 Poplar Avenue
Suite 216
Memphis, TN 38112
Phone: (901) 324-7757
Organizer: Rita Harris
rita.harris@sierraclub.org