“Give light and people will find the way.” This quote by civil rights leader Ella Baker sums up the last day of the Hip Hop Caucus Clean Energy Now! Bus tour. Baker mentored young civil rights stalwarts like Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks and Bob Moses. Today, she would be proud as the new generation of activists rallied behind the need for clean energy jobs and their rights to economic equality in our nation’s capital.

Imagine it. After touring the nation and meeting with young people in urban  communities all along the way, the Hip Hop Caucus’ Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour brought its message of clean energy solutions to the steps of the Capitol for a closing rally.  The event began with music from DJ Biz Markie. His classic beats were heard around the Capitol as hip hop echoed off of our nation’s government buildings. As Biz began, a bus full of Howard University students marched up to the stage with Clean Energy Now! signs and appropriately took their place on the stage as one of the nation’s leading institutions.

The program began with youth activists, Kari Fulton from EJCC, Liz Starke, student activist from Michigan State University and William Kellibrew who represented the Black Youth Vote.  Together, these students amplified the diversity of today’s youth movement and the importance of a clean energy economy for their future prosperity.

Rev. Yearwood moderated the rally and introduced Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, who spoke of the importance of a clean energy economy to protect our air and provide clean water to all communities across the country, especially for young people and future generations. “The tour has been across the country listening to young voices calling for good jobs, lower energy costs and cleaner communities,” said Jackson. “This is the time to seize global leadership in clean energy innovation and answer the young people and urban communities who are asking for clean energy now.” Signs were raised, young people were cheering, and Washington was listening.

Following Administrator Jackson, movement leaders like Gary Flowers, Congressman Andre Carson, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All, and actress Gloria Reuben took the stage to explain how protecting the climate can help us to take back our streets by creating new businesses and regenerating the urban economy. Maggie Fox, CEO of the Alliance for Climate Protection, amplified the importance of showing the diversity of this movement to Washington. “It is clear that our young people and communities of color will benefit greatly from the economic opportunities that come from investing in clean energy,” said Fox.

Today, the message was clear in Washington.  WE MUST ACT NOW! A clean energy economy means new jobs, less pollution and increased opportunities for our children and families. The clean energy movement is about taking control of our future and bringing opportunity to our communities.  Millions are out of work, and  Washington has the opportunity to create 1.9 million new jobs and rebuild our communities from the ground up by making a commitment to clean energy here in America.   The Hip Hop Clean Energy Now! Bus Tour shined a light upon the very real economic opportunities that will help fight poverty and pollution at the same time.