September 3, 2009 — Thirty Oakland Tech high school students are the first class of a new 3-year academy designed to add a green technology to their high school curriculum. The students will learn about environmentally sounds practices in design and construction skills. When these students graduate, they'll be ready for jobs in the green economy -- and anything else they want to do
June 25, 2009 — About $150 million in grants are earmarked for green job training programs that provide “pathways out of poverty,” and a portion of some $290 million in grants will go toward efforts to retrain workers from the hard-hit auto industry.
May 29, 2009 — Climate change is disproportionately affecting the poor and minorities in the United States - a "climate gap" that will grow in coming decades unless policymakers intervene, according to a University of California study.
March 3, 2009 — A poll commissioned by the Ella Baker Center found that California voters strongly support economic stimulus spending that creates new jobs in fields that are good for the environment. 80% said that it was important "to invest in creating green-collar jobs," defined as "blue-collar jobs in industries that improve the environment." And, a big majority of voters are willing to enact targeted tax increases to pay for it.
February 15, 2009 — In collaboration with Ella Baker Center and our allies, California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) has introduced the "Clean Technology and Renewable Energy Job Training, Career Education and Dropout Prevention Act," also known as SB 675. The bill would invest $5 billion in clean technology career technical education and job training in schools, and community colleges. It would pay for new and upgraded facilities and equipment and provide grants to businesses, schools, apprenticeship programs, non-profits, and labor organizations partnerships that provide training and employment pathways into green careers.
July 24, 2008 — On July 24, in a rare and rich discussion between two rising-star leaders, California Senator Darrel Steinberg and Van Jones sat down together before a packed auditorium at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco to chat about the power of green solutions to address both problems of the environment and problems of poverty in California.
May 21, 2008 — On May 21st, 2008, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) presented our Green-Collar Jobs Campaign with the Green Innovator of the Year Award. This prestigious award acknowledged the breakthrough work of the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign in its continued efforts to advocate for green pathways out of poverty. At the award ceremony, Assemblywoman Hancock spoke to the vital role the campaign plays in working to improve the quality of life for the Bay Area community, the State of California, and beyond.
March 5, 2008 — Speaking of laying the groundwork: An important bill just passed the California Legislature and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Schwarzenegger! AB 3018 (Núñez) creates a special "Green-Collar Jobs Council" in the California Workforce Investment Board. This Council will drive planning, research, and funding to meet California's growing green workforce needs. If signed, this bill will ensure that green-collar jobs are a permanent part of California's workforce strategy.
February 1, 2008 — A film on Think MTV features Oakland's Green Collar Jobs Corps. As one of the filmmakers who are under consideration for airing on MTV's channels, Brown represents the Bay Area. Think MTV is MTV's progressive-oriented video community, hoping to up the web video ante toward greater substance than clips of cats hanging on ceiling fans.
December 5, 2007 — We are excited to announce the release of a groundbreaking research report on green-collar jobs and employers. Professor Raquel Rivera Pinderhughes of San Francisco State University is a leading national expert on the burgeoning green-collar economy. Her new report is a major leap forward in our understanding of how to harness green business growth to build pathways out of poverty. These findings have provided us with critical guidance as we develop the Oakland Green Jobs Corps, the nation's first attempt to carry out the model that the professor describes in her report.
November 30, 2007 — The U.S. House of Representatives took a historic leap forward in the fight against poverty AND global warming pollution. As part of its broader “energy package,” the House included the groundbreaking Green Jobs Act of 2007, authorizing $125 million annually for “green-collar” job training. Those funds would prepare more than 30,000 people a year for jobs in key trades, such as installing solar panels, weatherizing buildings, and maintaining wind farms.
October 1, 2007 — We are excited to announce that we've changed the name of our initiative from "Reclaim the Future" to the "Green-Collar Jobs Campaign." When we launched Reclaim the Future in June 2005, we were witnessing the emergence of a new green economy that held the promise of ...
September 27, 2007 — We are proud and excited to introduce a brand new spin-off initiative: Green For All. Green For All's goal is to secure $1 billion in funding for green-collar job training in order to lift 250,000 people out of poverty across the country.
May 21, 2007 — Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is leading the charge for a national "green-collar" job training program. On May 22nd, we took the next step in pushing for legislation that would provide federal funding for such a program.
May 17, 2007 — "Green" is taking off. In business. In culture. In politics. But it's not all clear sailing for the green movement. In fact, it's in danger of setting up a catastrophic — but wholly preventable — populist backlash if it does not work hard to end the enduring perception that it is solely the playground of a white, affluent "eco-elite." Sound crazy? In California, it has already begun.
February 22, 2007 — At a press conference on Wednesday, February 21, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi endorsed Reclaim the Future's call for a "Clean Energy Jobs Bill." She then invited Executive Director Van Jones to elaborate at the podium.
— We found out what it looks like when people of color take the lead in greening our cities: it's a beautiful, powerful sight. Continuing our "Solutions Salon" series, the Ella Baker Center hosted this free event that featured leaders in the East Bay who are on the cutting-edge of creative environmentalism that is rooted in communities of color.
— As President Barack Obama signs the American Reinvestment Recovery Act, the Ella Baker Center has helped to launch a cross-sector coalition to ensure that California stimulus funds are used in a green and equitable way. The Working Group brings together labor, environment, social justice, and workforce development groups to direct funds toward the projects best suited to addressing California's needs -- improving the economy and protecting the environment. We're working with our partners to make it happen.
— After a thorough competitive process, the City of Oakland awarded Laney College, Cypress Mandela, and Growth Sector the contract to run the Oakland Green Jobs Corps. The comprehensive 8-month program will include job readiness training, classroom instruction, and on-the-job experience for about 40 Oakland residents. We're excited to see the green-collar jobs movement taking root in Oakland! And don't worry: we'll be throwing a celebration party when the program starts this fall.
— The nation's leading experts on green-collar jobs (and our closest national allies) just released an important new publication, Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities: Building Pathways out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy. This publication will help people in cities across the country realize their dreams of a strong -- and green -- economy that provides pathways to prosperity for people in need.
— Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is proud to offer five new learning activities designed for use in high school classrooms. These interactive activities explore key themes of our work, including: The Green Economy; Eco-Equity and Eco-Privilege; Model Cities; and Restorative Justice. You can download them individually or as a complete set.
