The History of C4
Where we’ve been, and
what we’ve learned.
C4 is an organization that is designed to evolve. The plan is not etched in stone and will be revised as needed. While the infrastructure is formalized, the Planning Team intentionally built in space to provide agency to those that will be participating over the next three years. To authentically engage BIPOC and white dominant grassroots environmental organizations, participants need to be prepared and committed to evolve over time in partnership and this will undoubtedly result in refinements to the plan and process
2005
The Community Sustainability Partnership
The Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) was created in 2005 by the City of Grand Rapids and four major academic institutions to transform the greater GR region through collaboration, sharing of experiences, and mobilizing local resources to develop sustainable organizations, neighborhoods and communities. While the CSP achieved notable successes, including a United Nations University Regional Centre of Expertise designation, environmental injustices continue to persist in our community.
A 2019 University of Michigan study identified 5 GR census tracts in the top 10 in the state for having the most environmental injustice. Although we are all negatively impacted by climate change, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately impacted and aren’t genuinely represented in the current environmental and climate change movement. In addition, organizations and individuals that have been most active in the climate space are not connected in a way that will result in time sensitive communitywide improvements. Finally, Grand Rapids lacks a solid and stable infrastructure to challenge systemic barriers and make bold changes necessary to create a just climate future, and the C4 intends to change that fact.
2019
A Need For Something New
2019
Forming the C4
Since August 2019, a group of City staff, community leaders, issues experts, and environmental advocates have been meeting to better define the C4, create infrastructure, establish an equity-focused process, and develop a plan to create and support the type of conceptual spaces needed for a climate-just Grand Rapids. The C4 Planning Team created the initial infrastructure for community participation, organizational collaboration, and the creation of a climate justice movement – a movement that combines discourse on climate change and environmental justice to perform actions to ensure all communities, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, are treated equitably.
2020
C4 Planning Committee 2.0
2021 — Present
C4 Now
The First C4 Planning Team
Since August 2019, a group of City staff, community leaders, issues experts, and environmental advocates have been meeting to better define the C4, create infrastructure, establish an equity-focused process, and develop a plan to create and support the type of conceptual spaces needed for a climate-just Grand Rapids. The C4 Planning Team created the initial infrastructure for community participation, organizational collaboration, and the creation of a climate justice movement – a movement that combines discourse on climate change and environmental justice to perform actions to ensure all communities, especially those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, are treated equitably.
* Members involved in the C4 Planning Team 1.0. The initial planning team (Aug. 2019) concluded that it did not represent our community (31% BIPOC). We added more members in September/October of 2019 (47% BIPOC) to form the C4 Planning Team 2.0. Names and positions are reflective of the 1.0 team in 2019.
Aaron Ferguson, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)*
Allison Waste Sutter, City of Grand Rapids*
Ana Jose, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Annabelle Wilkinson, City of Grand Rapids*
Ann Erhardt, Michigan State University (first phase only)*
Beca Velazquez, Publes, Urban Core Collective (UCC) (first phase only)*
Bill Wood, West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC)*
Carissa Patrone, West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF)
Cheri Holman, U.S. Green Building Council – West Michigan (USGBC-WM)*
Gayle DeBruyn, Kendall College of Art and Design
Jackie Hernandez, Healthy Homes Coalition
Kristen Trovillion, Grand Rapids Public Schools (at the time)*
Kareem Scales, NAACP Grand Rapids
Maeve Tropf, Steelcase*
Nichole Rafael, Westside Collaborative (at the time)*
Nick Carlson, Business Development Director, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, Inc.*
Sarah Brant, Westside Collaborative (at the time)*
Sergio Cira-Reyes, Urban Core Collective (UCC)*
Stephanie Pierce, Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (at the time)
Synia E. Gant-Jordan, Legacy & Love LLC
Wende Randall, Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF)
Willie Patterson, LINC UP
Keep up with us in our journey for climate justice
What Did We Create?
Momentum and Direction. Trusted Relationships. Infrastructure. 3-Year Pilot Plan. Equity-centered Processes.
Defining the C4
Our Infrastructure
Our infrastructure includes a vision statement, values, community agreements and Leadership Team governance.
The C4 Pilot
Our 3 Year Plan
We also sketched out a 3-year plan and accompanying budget to launch and pilot the C4.
See/Engage/Act
An Equity-Centered Process
Our equity-centered processes will generate new outcomes by focusing on equity-centered movement building, developing leaders, growing collaboration, sharing resources, and an iterative process.