For Black History Month, we wanted to dedicate a weekly blog to an influential African American individual in a field related to the environment and/or building science.

Sometimes championing a cause requires a unique approach, especially when reaching a younger audience. Such is the case with Ietef Vita, aka DJ Cavem (which stands for “Communicating Awareness Victoriously Educating the Masses”). He’s using hip-hop to spread the message of green, sustainable living.

Ietef’s goals are to see an increase of green jobs and vegetable gardens, beginning in his home town of Denver, and extending to communities everywhere. He raps at local schools and at a yearly local festival to teach young people about green living and to encourage them to be involved in improving their community. For those of us who don’t live in the Denver area, his hip-hop is available on albums for purchase.

Ietef attributes some of his inspiration to his family heritage. His mother helped to found GrowHaus, a nonprofit organization in the Denver area dedicated to improving residents’ access to healthy food.

Thanks Ietef for sharing your zeal for home-grown vegetables and sustainable thinking through your music, helping to inspire others!

For more information and to listen to one of Ietef’s songs, check out this article.

Since February is Black History Month, we want to dedicate a weekly blog to an influential African American individual in a field related to the environment and/or building science.

Architect J. Max Bond Jr. was “regarded as a mentor, a voice of social responsibility in practice, and a magnetic presence.” He passed away three years ago, and at the time of his death, was in charge of designing the museum portion of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Mr. Bond Jr. studied at Harvard during the 1950’s, where he earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees. For one summer during his studies, he worked for architect Paul Williams, a very successful African American architect. This internship empowered him into realizing that he could fulfill his dream of becoming an architect himself, no matter the racial barriers and obstacles in his path.

In his early career, Mr. Bond worked in France under André Wogenscky, who was an assistant of Le Corbusier for 20 years! Mr Bond also worked in Ghana, designing the Bolgatanga Regional Library which incorporated natural ventilation through its roof design.

Other of his famous projects include the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta and the Audobon Biomedical Science and Technology Park for Columbia.

Mr. Bond Jr. was also “an impassioned educator”. He taught at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture & Planning and City College’s School of Architecture & Environmental Studies, both located in New York City. Thank you, Mr. Bond Jr., for setting an inspiring example for aspiring architects of all races!

Quotes from http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/090309jmaxbondjr.asp

Since February is Black History Month, we want to dedicate a weekly blog to an influential African American individual in a field related to the environment and/or building science.

This week’s spotlight is on Robert G Stanton, a native Texan, who is the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the US Department of Interior.

Mr. Stanton has focused on environmental conservation and leadership over the course of his career, blazing a trail for African American’s in this field. This began with his role in the National Park Service. Mr. Stanton was recruited to be a ranger for the Service during his studies at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin. This recruitment was part of the Secretary of Interiors goal to promote diversity in the Service during a time in American history when discrimination and segregation were still present. Stanton’s respect and concern for the environment grew as he continued his career in the Nation Parks Service—He was the first African American to become the Director in 1997. As Director, he dedicated himself to managing our country’s landscapes and heritage resources, receiving awards for “outstanding public service and leadership in conservation, historic preservation, youth programs, and diversity in employment & public programs.”

Mr. Stanton is currently an Executive Professor at Texas A&M (whoop!) and a visiting professor at Harvard and Yale. He has four honorary doctorate degrees!

Thank you, Mr. Stanton, for your example!

The included quote, as well as more about Mr. Stanton’s life, can be found at: http://www.greenjobsconference.org/node/263