Photo: Neha Gautam/Survival Media | |
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Dear UPROSE Community,
As we settle into Fall, a season of harvest and preparation, we’re reflecting on a Summer of commitment to community and our mission. We didn’t idle away the hazy humid days, we were on every avenue of Sunset Park, at every block party possible, and talking to anyone who would listen about September’s Climate Justice Lives Here! Festival. Marking the 10th anniversary of the People's Climate March, where UPROSE was a lead organizer, the festival was a powerful reminder of our community's resilience and unity in the fight for climate justice. The energy and commitment demonstrated by so many of you, from volunteers to weavers, healers, storykeepers, and gracegivers, have fueled our collective drive for a greener, more equitable future. We’re immensely grateful for everyone who made the event a success and are excited to carry this momentum forward into the fall.
The Climate Justice Movement was born in response to the legacy of extraction of the land and bodies of Black and Brown people. Consequently, this month we celebrate Indigenous People's Day. Indigeneity isn’t something we relegate to one day a year that is still shared with a genocidal sailor on the calendar. Indigeneity is central to the principles that guide our work and to the makeup of our community. Centuries of Indigenous resistance, leadership, and stewardship of the land offer not only critical lessons as we continue our fight for a just transition away from extractive industries that harm our planet and communities, but also make our lives possible. Whether you were brought here or settled here, remember that you are on stolen native land, much like the Americas and the Caribbean.
Recent hurricanes have devastated many regions, making it impossible to ignore the climate crisis unfolding around us and highlighting the urgency of our work. These disasters serve as painful reminders that the communities most impacted by climate change—communities of color, low-income neighborhoods, and Indigenous peoples—must be prioritized in the solutions we push forward. With the upcoming presidential elections just around the corner, we’re reminded of the importance of civic engagement in this fight. The policies and leaders we choose now will shape the course of climate action for years to come. UPROSE remains committed to advocating for systemic changes that center climate justice, protect our communities, and ensure a sustainable future for all.
In this newsletter, you’ll find reflections from the festival, upcoming events, actions you can take to support frontline communities, and ways to stay involved as we head into a critical election season. Thank you for being a part of this movement. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more resilient and just future.
With Joy + Justice,
Elizabeth Yeampierre and the UPROSE team
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Words from M1 of Dead Prez about the Climate Justice Lives Here! Festival | |
Editor: Thelma Young Lutunatabua/The Solutions Project | |
With Deepest Gratitude: Thank You to Our Supporters! | |
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A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Team!
The Climate Justice Lives Here! Festival was a moment of profound connection, reflection, and action in the fight for climate justice—and it would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of each and every one of you. We are beyond grateful for the time, energy, and dedication that you all poured into making this event a beautiful success.
To Our Festival Weavers
We extend a warm and sincere thank you to our incredible collaborators, including:
Weavers Afrolatin@ Forum, The New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, The New York Environmental Justice Alliance, United Senior Center of Sunset Park, Inc., Extinction Rebellion New York, Fordham University: Flourishing in Community, Hip Hop Caucus, & Center for Earth Ethics, NYIC, Medger Evers, CJA, The Solutions Project, The Environmental Action Lab, Mixteca, Genspace, Ana Orozco, Ironbound Community Corp, Street Vendor Project, Raising Health, Vineyard Offshore, Equinor, The Tishman Center, Globetrotting Dominicana, Joy Mao, Joshua Poyer, Elise Braseth, Jazzmine Carthon, Isaiah Dorty, Isabel Varela, Jessica Schreiber of Fab Scrap, Jackie Schmidt, Re/Make, Organic Decline, Jacqueline Wolf Schmitt and Project SAFE - Youth. Your work, commitment, and presence helped shape this festival into an extraordinary event that uplifted voices and created spaces for deep dialogue and action.
To Our Healers
Thank you to the healers who provided grounding and transformative experiences at the festival: Roberto Mukaro Borrero, Neyda Martinez, Samira Siddique, Rabbi Andy Kahn, Rev. Samuel Cruz and Trinity Lutheran Church, Karenna Gore, Kadjahtou Balde of Faithfully Sustainable, Raising Health, and Amulet Fairy. Your spiritual and healing practices brought a powerful layer of renewal to all who gathered.
To Our Storykeepers
A heartfelt thank you to our talented storytellers, whose words and performances inspired and empowered us all: Reverend Yearwood, Antonique Smith, Sunset Park High School, DJ Monday Blue, Flaco Navaja, TaÃna Asili, Sonido Costeño, BombaYo, M-1 & Umi, OnlyMotif, CISCO, and Lemon Andersen. Your voices reminded us of the stories that shape our resilience and collective journey toward climate justice.
To Our Gracegivers
Special thanks to our incredible volunteers, who worked tirelessly to make this event seamless and successful: Ella Brewer, Tanasia Switt, Rebbeca Elzinga, and Andrés Franco (Tobi), Theo Lesser, Valeria Cruz, Marcus Mooney, Steven Espinoza, Brian Jose Gonzalez, Eric Acevedo, Naila Rosario, Lina Rosario, Angela Zhou, Amelie Clermont, Simone Jones, Elva Gao, Kate, Elaine, Laiba, Hailey Sinoff, Adrian & Makayla.
Special shout out to the people who made this happen even in the rain, who proved that we can survive extreme weather events; Nikki and the House of Jax Staff, Robby Allora Industries and Staff, Cameron Russell, and Phoebe Miller for their invaluable support.
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Photo: Neha Gautam/Survival Media | |
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Your collective efforts have made the Climate Justice Lives Here! Festival a powerful reflection of our community’s strength, creativity, and commitment to a just and sustainable future. Together, we have amplified the call for climate justice, and together, we will continue to build a more resilient world. Thank you for your unwavering support and solidarity!

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Check Out Our Festival Page on UPROSE's website! | | |
 
 
🌱 Decarbonize Sunset Park NOW! 🌱 | At UPROSE, the GRID (Green Resilient Industrial District) initiative emerges from 10 years of community-led planning. We remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental justice and to creating a sustainable, decarbonized future for Sunset Park. Our community has been at the forefront of grassroots organizing to fight climate change, and now more than ever, we need your support to champion bold, transformative actions. Together, we can decarbonize Sunset Park by cutting emissions, promoting renewable energy, and building resilient infrastructure that benefits all residents. Scan the QR codes to learn more and join us in our mission for a cleaner, healthier just future for generations to come! | |
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UPROSE urges you to stand in solidarity with frontline climate leadership who are calling for a just transition in Sunset Park by calling on our city to declare Sunset Park a Special Purpose District. Those who live and work in Sunset Park are leading the charge for these vital changes, and we need your support now more than ever. Outlined in our GRID 2.0 plan, UPROSE lays out implementable steps to ensure a just and equitable future for all Sunset Park residents in the face of an ever-growing climate emergency.
Stand with frontline climate leaders and communities — Sign on today!
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UPROSE at GreenLatinos 2024 Advocacy Week in D.C. | |
This past week, UPROSE's Just Transition Coordinator Sebastian Baez joined GreenLatinos in Washington, D.C. for an impactful panel exploring frontline solutions spotlighted in the 2025-2028 Latino Climate Justice Framework, one event in GreenLatinos' 2024 Advocacy Week. At the panel, titled "Empowering Voices: Latino Climate Justice Framework 2025-2028," Sebastian spoke about Sunset Park Solar, NYC's first community-owned solar project on the Brooklyn Army Terminal, alongside other Latine advocates for clean air, water, and soil. He made connections between the still-in-development neighborhood initiative to the nationwide Latino Climate Justice Framework and shared insights on the future of Latino-led climate justice initiatives from the frontlines to address climate challenges. | |
UPROSE's Sebastian Baez, Just Transition Coordinator | |
Press Release on New Report: Advancing Equitable Solutions for NYC’s Growing Energy Needs | |
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The PEAK Coalition—comprising UPROSE, Clean Energy Group, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, and THE POINT CDC—presents a new report addressing New York City’s rising electricity demand. It highlights how demand management solutions, such as smart thermostats, heat pumps, EV chargers, solar, and battery storage, can relieve stress on the grid and speed up the retirement of polluting peaker plants. By centering equity, these solutions offer cost-effective, emissions-free alternatives while creating job opportunities and improving energy reliability for NYC’s most underserved communities.
Read the Full Report here: www.cleanegroup.org/publication/demanding-a-better-grid/
UPCOMING WEBINAR: In a webinar on November 12, report authors will provide an overview of how demand management could reduce New York’s reliance on fossil peaker plants and outline best practices from other regions that could benefit New York City’s most energy-burdened communities. Speakers will include Sebastian Baez (UPROSE), Megan Carr (NYLPI), Daniel Chu (NYC-EJA), Dariella Rodriguez (THE POINT CDC), and Seth Mullendore (Clean Energy Group).
Register here
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Join us on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for Powering Equity: Offshore Wind, Environmental Justice, and Economic Opportunities to Mitigate the Climate Crisis. This important event will bring together key leaders, including Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE, and other climate justice and renewable energy advocates, to discuss the intersection of offshore wind energy, equity, and environmental justice. Organized in collaboration with Vineyard Offshore, ACE NY, and other partners, this session is part of the SOMOS Puerto Rico series. Don’t miss this critical conversation about creating sustainable and inclusive economic opportunities while addressing the climate crisis. | |
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UPROSE is hosting a NARCAN Harm Reduction training led by NYC Communities for Health on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, 6-7pm, where participants will learn how to prevent opioid overdose by administering naloxone. Participants will be given naloxone and fentanyl test trip kits at the end of the training. The training will take place in Sunset Park at the UPROSE Climate Justice Center at 462 36th St Brooklyn, NY 11232 on the third floor. Please fill out the form linked below to register for the training.
Registration Form Link
We are also offering a CPR non-certificate training led by FDNY on Thursday, December 12th from 6-7pm. If you're interested in participating use this link to sign up.
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DECEMBER EVENT - SAVE THE DATE, Brooklyn! | |
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It's that time of year again! Get ready for the Brooklyn Coquito Competition, where YOU can taste, vote, and help crown the next Brooklyn Coquito Master!
Come join us for a fun-filled night of delicious coquito tastings from local competitors. The community gets to vote for the best coquito recipe – will it be creamy, spiced just right, or packed with flavor? Only your taste buds can decide!
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Coalition: No one mentioned the elephant in the room | |
‘Climate Justice Lives Here!’: UPROSE marks NYC Climate Week with action and art
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UPROSE's Climate Justice Festival - ECO-LOGIC | | |
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UPROSE is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized, women of color-led, grassroots organization that promotes sustainability and resiliency through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression in Brooklyn, New York. | |
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