Hip Hop Caucus and Green For All announce the Green the Block campaign to further borad participation

WASHINGTON - Members of President Obama’s Green Cabinet and the community engagement campaign, Green the Block, met in Washington today to discuss ways to ensure that opportunities from the new green economy are available to a broad cross section of the American people.  In response to the president’s call to service through the United We Serve campaign, Green the Block also presented a birthday gift to President Obama in the form of a call to action for green community service projects in underserved communities on September 11th, the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Participants in today’s event included Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency; and Under Secretary Kristina Johnson, Department of Energy.  They were joined by Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus; Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All; and leaders of Green the Block.

Hip Hop Caucus and Green For All announce the Green the Block campaign to further broad participation

WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, the Obama Administration is scheduled to hold a briefing for members of Green the Block to discuss the need to involve vulnerable communities in the emerging green economy.  Immediately following there will be a press avail at noon at the White House West Wing stakeout area to discuss opportunities in the new green economy and to announce the first major initiative of the Green the Block.

President Obama is committed to building a thriving clean energy economy  that drives our national recovery through innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.  In order to realize the full potential of a clean-energy future, all Americans must be informed and have access to the new opportunities available.

Convened by Green For All and the Hip Hop Caucus, Green the Block is a new campaign to more deeply engage our most vulnerable communities in the transition to a 21st century economy.  Green the Block will encourage education, legislative advocacy, private-sector development and youth activism, and is supported by a broad base coalition of partners.

Administration representatives for this event include Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Administrator Lisa Jackson,  Environmental Protection Agency; and Under Secretary Kristina Johnson, Department of Energy.  They will be joined by Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO of Green For All, and leaders of Green the Block.

WHO:    Obama Administration officials and members of the Green the Block

WHAT:  Press conference on opportunities in the new green economy

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 4

Noon

WHERE:  White House West Wing stakeout area

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