African American Environmental Pioneer Awards
Monday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.
Music, Arts and Culture
Award Ceremony
In recognition of Black History Month, the African American Environmental Pioneer Awards is in its second year. Due to COVID-19, this will be an online event starting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22. To attend the event, participants must register here to get the link.
The featured speaker will be pioneering Harlem poet Dahveed Nelson, a member of the Last Poets, credited for work that led to the emergence of hip-hop. Steven Hunter, a veteran of Milwaukee Public Theater, will emcee the program. Drummer and performance artist Jahmés Finlayson will provide musical interludes. In addition to honoring "Pioneers," this year's awards will be intergenerational, as six young "Rising Stars" are among the nominees.
Awards are being presented to 13 individuals. The honorees are:
Pioneer Awards
August Ball Cream City Conservation
Robert Brox Community Gardener
Richard Diaz Coalition on Lead Emergency
Michelle Dowl Groundwork Milwaukee
Aureal Ojeda Outwoken Tea
Sherry Terrell-Webb Groundwork Milwaukee
Dr Sylvia Wilson Teens Grow Greens
Rising Star Awards
Dynasty Ceasar City of MKE Environmental Collaboration Office
Teonna Cooksey Architectural Designer, Urban Planner
Erin Eregbu Horticulturist & Landscape Designer
Sierra Taliaferro Naturalist, Outdoor Leader
Martina Patterson Youth Educator, Nearby Nature
Wilniesha Smith Reflo, Administrative Coordinator
The event will begin with a virtual lobby, with music and slideshow at 6:15 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Event Chair Yvonne McCaskill will make opening remarks. Drummer Jahmés Finlayson will perform the “Call to Ceremony” to begin the 6:30 program.
In case you missed it, last February we co-sponsored the first African American Environmental Pioneers awards ceremony. Read the story about last year's event here. Mark 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 on your calendar and register here so you don't miss this event.
Event Committee: (organizations listed for identification purposes)
Terry Evans, Urban Ecology Center – Washington Park
Cassandra Flagg, Green & Healthy Communities LLC
Steven Hunter, Nearby Nature Milwaukee
Yvonne McCaskill, Triangle Neighborhood Association
Martina Patterson, Nearby Nature Milwaukee
David Thomas, Nearby Nature Milwaukee / Sierra Club Great Waters Group
For more information email: contact@nearbynaturemke.org
Asase Ye Duru is an Adinkra symbol, representing the divinity and providence of Mother Earth.
Adinkra are traditional African symbols that represent ideas or proverbs and are used in the art
of the Ashanti of Ghana and Ivory Coast. http://www.adinkra.org