Greening Youth Foundation

We are excited to introduce the newest cohort of Resource Assistants, organized by the USDA Forest Service and Greening Youth Foundation! These exceptional young environmental enthusiasts are preparing to dive into resource management, gain hands-on experience, acquire professional development, and receive invaluable mentorship while actively participating in conservation efforts. Join us in supporting them as they take on these important roles and help shape a sustainable future.

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll soon be accepting resumes for our Resource Assistants Program! This opportunity is perfect for those passionate about Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, or becoming a Realty Specialist. If you've already graduated or will be graduating by December 2024, this program is for YOU!

This is your chance to kickstart a rewarding career in these in-demand fields. Stay tuned for more details on how to submit your resume

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that the enslaved people there were free - over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Juneteenth honors African American freedom and achievements, while also serving as a reminder that we must continue the fight for racial justice and equity. It's a day to celebrate freedom and honor the resilience of Black communities.

Today, let's reflect on how far we've come, strive to amplify Black voices, support Black-owned businesses, and strengthen bonds within our diverse communities.

We're back with our BeltLine Breakdown series, now exploring the nature-inspired trails along the Atlanta BeltLine Northside Trail. This trail offers a scenic and well-paved route that connects various lush parks, historic neighbourhoods and green spaces.

Ardmore Park:
Located in the heart of the Northside, Ardmore Park is a serene escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Established in the early 1900s, this neighbourhood boasts beautiful, historic homes and tree-lined streets. The park itself is a perfect spot for picnics, strolls, and community gatherings, offering residents a peaceful retreat.

Tanyard Creek Park:
Tanyard Creek Park is known for its lush greenery and picturesque views. The park features a creek, walking trails, and a playground, making it a popular spot for families and nature enthusiasts. While many locals arrive on bikes, there is a parking lot located on Collier Road, which features a historical marker about the Battle of Peachtree Creek. This historic area was the site of important battles during the Civil War.

Bobby Jones Golf Course:
Named after the legendary golfer Bobby Jones, this public golf course is a historic and recreational landmark. The course has been recently renovated to include a new clubhouse and improved facilities. It’s a great place for both seasoned golfers and beginners to enjoy a round of golf in a lovely setting.

Peachtree Creek:
Peachtree Creek is a significant natural feature of the Northside Trail. The creek provides a tranquil backdrop for walking, jogging, and cycling. Its surrounding green spaces are perfect for outdoor activities and community events. It is also an important part of history. It is the site of the Battle of Peachtree Creek, a major battle during the American Civil War.


The Greening Youth Foundation's Urban Forestry Career Pathways Workforce Program is actively working to enhance the green spaces along the Northside Trail. By providing innovative training and career opportunities in urban forestry, we're not just fostering greener spaces; we're empowering residents with valuable skills for a sustainable future.

Passion. Purpose. Intelligence. Community. Growth.

These are just some of the words to describe the InternXL Program, a collaborative partnership developed to expose interns to the National Park System, research opportunities, and careers in STEM. Through the program, participants are given the opportunity to heighten their awareness of diverse leaders and their indelible contributions to the United States.

Success is contagious. Stay tuned to see what wonderful work these interns will be doing this year. You never know what influence it will have.

Calling all kids between the ages of 7-15 to join us for our Bass Pro Fishing adventure on the 28th of April, 2024. Guess what? The first 15 to arrive will go home with awesome prizes 🥳🥳.

If you don't have your own fishing rod, we've got you covered. Plus, there will be lunch and lots of other fun outdoor games too!

Swipe to check out the flier on the next page for more details and click on the link below to secure your spot. Let's reel in some memories together.

RSVP - https://forms.gle/tkmd3UU4jrpEBFRC6

From harming marine life to polluting our oceans, plastics wreak havoc on our environment. Let's take a stand against plastic pollution and choose the planet over plastics. We can all make a difference by opting for sustainable alternatives and advocating for responsible waste management. Join the movement for a cleaner, greener future! Happy day

Don't miss out on the biggest eco-party of the year - Join us for a day of connection, celebration, and all things green! See you there!

Join us for a day of free outdoor fun with live music, vendors, an outdoor fashion show, kids' zone and more. Enjoying the outdoors in the city we love. All ages are welcome.
Visit "events.rei-co-op.com/WestsideOutside" to RSVP!

Calling all recent and future graduates!!!

The Resource Assistants Program is an 8-12 month professional development program for soon-to-be and recent college graduates. As a resource assistant, you will get the chance to conduct work that is critical to delivering the Forest Service’s mission of caring for and managing our public lands. All these will be under the guidance of an experienced forest service mentor.

Requirements.
Must be a U.S citizen or permanent resident.
Must be up to 17 years of age.
Must be a recent graduate or currently enrolled.

Don’t miss your chance to secure an internship that will set you on the path to a fulfilling and rewarding career in the natural resources field. Discover exciting opportunities across many majors including archaeology, biology, geography, civil engineering, hydrology, communications, forestry, landscape architecture and more.

APPLY NOW!

Exciting news to kick off the new quarter! We're thrilled to announce that Greening Youth Foundation is embarking on a new project 🎉. Stay connected for the official unveiling and more updates coming soon!

Danine Knowles Hodge's affinity for the outdoors comes from her childhood days of spending summers in the Bahamas near the beach and in Orlando Florida where her uncle owned an orange grove. Spending time outdoors with her sisters and family was something that she always enjoyed. Helping her uncle pick the oranges and keep the floor of the grove clean was one of her favourite things to do outside of fishing on the beaches of Andros, Bahamas. These outdoor childhood experiences built up her passion for the environment over the years.

Danine relocated to Atlanta GA in 2010 making a change for her and her son to have a quality of life that included the outdoors and the opportunity to understand more clearly the struggles of African Americans in the South. Here she started her non-profit finance and management consulting business to support start-up and small non-profit organizations. She also worked with renowned organizations such as Easter Seals, YWCA, WABE and New Georgia Project.

Danine is currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for GYF with more than 20 years of financial experience working exclusively with non-profit organizations with budgets ranging from $3M-$150M. She has worked with nonprofit CEOs to actively shape the strategy of organizations to improve finance and personnel internal controls, fundraising, identifying and implementing innovative programs to meet the needs of their clients and the communities served. She changed careers from the for-profit financial sector to work in the non-profit sector and effect change in diverse areas of interest and meaning to her. She also has an affinity for organizations that champion the BIPOC community in the areas of education, mental health, environment, alternatives to policing, and community development.

Danine holds a MS in Organizational Management from St. Joseph’s College. She is also a graduate of Columbia University’s Non-Profit Executive Management Program. Danine enjoys camping, biking, picnics in the park and whitewater rafting when she has time.

Shatiba is a management professional with a background in federal grant management, program operations, and social entrepreneurship.

She attended South Carolina State University as a third-generation graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and later earning a Master’s in Business Administration. While in school a chance encounter with a Park Ranger changed her career path forever. Shatiba would go on to work as an Interpretative Park Ranger in some of the greatest treasures the National Park Service has to offer.

Her love for the great outdoors would lead her down the path of working with Fire and Aviation as a Training Specialist in Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama, Texas and California. Shatiba is committed to being the change she wants to see in the world. Joining Greening Youth Foundation has allowed her to continue to inspire people of colour to take the path less travelled in life, by choosing careers in conservation.

Renee Alston-Maisonet is an unlikely conservationist. She has been referred to by her friends as a “city girl gone wild”, wild for the outdoors! She is an established OAP who has worked at one of the top radio stations in Atlanta. Renee’s early endeavors included working for a multi-media organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; WTMJ- Milwaukee / Journal Communications. There she learned firsthand how to integrate several mediums to deliver a strong and concise message to the masses. After establishing her career in electronic media in Wisconsin, Renee relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 1992.

Over the last 28 years in Atlanta, Renee has worked in both print and electronic media. During her radio career, she has worked at WALR-FM representing the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and MAJIC 107.5 representing the Steve Harvey Morning Show; however, the majority of her professional career has been spent at CBS Radio/ WVEE-V103 Radio as a Senior Multi-Media Account Manager. During her time in radio, she has worked with many local and national celebrities and has created and managed campaigns for top advertisers including Nike, Verizon, Ford and countless other top-tier advertisers. Renee is a graduate of Concordia University in Mequon, WI with a degree in Business Management and Communication. She has supported many non-profits in the areas of Development and Marketing. She is currently serving as the Vice President of development and community engagement at Greening Youth Foundation.

Mikeriya K. Bond was born in Macon, Georgia and raised in the Metro Atlanta area.
Interestingly, she did not begin to talk until she was 2 ½ years old. As a teen still struggling to find her voice and emerge from her shell, she trained in a performing arts troupe under the direction of Tony Award-winning Broadway director Kenny Leon. Leon is known most notably for August Wilson’s Fences starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Her performance in the August Wilson Monologue National Competition earned her a spot to compete nationally on Broadway in New York.
After hanging up her Drama Queen crown she earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Fisk University.

Her fire and passion for making an impact and creating change in her community were fueled at Fisk. During her years at Fisk University, she aided in chartering a nationally recognized organization NACWC (The National Association For Colored Women Club) on campus. She continued her devotion to their mission by continuing to commit time and service to her community.

Mikeriya K. Bond interned with Greening Youth Foundation in 2021 as a HBCUI Forest Service intern. She was able to enhance her skills through data collection and community engagement during her internship. Her internship allowed her to become proficient in iTree (a collection of urban and rural forestry analysis and benefit assessment tools) and become an iTree Specialist.

Currently, Mikeriya works as the Associate Director of Programs. Her responsibilities include the overall management of all GYF programs.
In her spare time, Mikeriya enjoys gardening and creating merchandise for her small business, M&B Graphics and Designs. ’shistorymonth

Amber Dickson earned her degree in Clinical Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Fueled by a passion for education, she transitioned into the role of an educator, dedicating herself to mentoring and tutoring students. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, she sought to broaden her knowledge and skills. She's now pursuing an MBA, eager to broaden her skillset and make a future impact in the business world.

Winona LaDuke's activism began at a young age, with her addressing the United Nations on Native American issues at just 18. She co-founded Honor the Earth in 1993, an organization dedicated to environmental justice for Indigenous communities. This group played a prominent role in protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, which many saw as a threat to tribal land and water.

Winona's expertise extends beyond activism. She founded the White Earth Land Recovery Project to help her reservation acquire land lost through historical treaties. Additionally, she champions sustainable practices like industrial h**p production as a source of income and environmental benefit for Indigenous communities. As an author, she has documented her experiences and championed Indigenous issues through her writing.

March isn't just any month—it's Women's History Month! Join us on an adventure this month as we celebrate the remarkable achievements, strength, and resilience of all the incredible women who have shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Take out sometime as well this month to celebrate and appreciate the women in your lives. Happy women’s history month!

Jasmine K. Brown is pursuing a PhD in Forestry at Michigan State University, with a focus on the history of African Americans in forests and forestry. With her research focus in mind, Brown often finds connections between Black history and environmental history, so Black History Month is of great significance for Brown. Brown was born and raised in Connecticut and is excited to build upon previous experiences with the U.S. Forest Service Resource Assistant Program! Aside from sharing her passion for trees through storytelling and poetry, Brown also loves roller-skating in Detroit, Michigan.

My name is Kayona Tucker and I am from rural North Carolina where I grew up running around barefoot and greeted with trash bags full of peas to shell or corn to shuck when we got off the school bus. Black History Month reminds me of family and our ancestry, and I often reflect on my upbringing with gratitude and joy.

I was taught to feel nothing but pride and love for my blackness and our country background and this confidence will forever be with me. I am a tree-hugger and “country gal” at heart so I enjoy digging in the dirt with gardening and little DIY activities in my free time. I also love to create art and enjoy painting, doodling, and writing as my main mediums. I enjoy staying active outside through outlets such as swimming, hiking, and taking long neighborhood strolls. Finally, to round back to the theme of this post, I like to think that my ancestors enjoy seeing me connect to the Earth with personal motivation and joy, creating art, and taking time to simply be and rest.

I come from a people who lived and loved on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. My people wore gold teeth, hustled, preached, and sailed. My people used the kitchen as the centre for community building. My people turned a little into abundance. My people still exist within me; their memories make up my own.

Black History Month is the continuance of our story – our living histories rooted in ingenuity. My story is tangled within a web of others. I am an environmental anthropologist by trade and a storyteller by purpose. Thus, cultural heritage sustainability will be my legacy.”

My name is Precious Mc Dowall. I am from Brooklyn, New York born and raised. I am first generation American meaning my mother and father are both immigrants to the USA from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I attended the illustrious HBCU, Tuskegee University and graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. I am interested in Environmental Sustainability and have done projects including GIS and monitoring Air pollution within Alabama. I love to cook (and eat lol) I have always been an avid member of the performing arts community, fulfilling the role of dance captain for several years in both high school and college. I like making people laugh and have dabbled in the field of content creation.

Black history is honestly not long enough because every day we are reminded of the contributions that African Americans have made to help support America and the world whilst racing racism and exclusion. But yet time and time again we as a community have prevailed and it's nice to have a month where we can celebrate such accomplishments. In that same sentiment, we have to acknowledge that Juneteenth exists because a lot of slaves were still kept in captivity and were not informed of their freedom until the middle of the year. I am grateful for the accomplishments of our ancestors and I am grateful to still see the same passion in different areas of our community to this day. Being a black woman allows me to experience both misogyny and racism. I am grateful for the fight that came before me, but I am still humbled and reminded that there is still so much work to do.

2024 Black History Celebration African American Read-In- This year's Black History Celebration African American Read-In (Organized by the Georgia State University Department of Middle and Secondary Education) celebrates the experiences of Black people, particularly the stories of Black leaders, authors, inventors, and others who have shaped Black History.
Date - 24/2/2024
Location - Classroom South Rm 150, 95 Decatur Street Southeast Atlanta, GA 30303 Atlanta, GA.
Visit their site for more details!

Black History Weekend Appreciation- Join us for a cultural celebration with LIT Essentials' Black History Appreciation Night. This unique event pays homage to our rich history through the art of aromatherapy. Attendees are invited to embark on a sensory journey that intertwines the essence of historical figures, moments, and traditions with the power of carefully curated essential oils from all over. As the workshop unfolds, you will have the opportunity to make your African Black Soap.
Date - 24/2/2024
Location - Atlanta, GA
Visit their site for more details!

A Musical Journey Celebrating Black History Month- Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Piano Quintet performed live by Atlanta’s premier chamber music ensemble: Georgian Chamber Players.
The principal players of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra led by Concertmaster and violinist David Coucheron in collaboration with Atlanta History Center honor Black History Month with a performance focusing on an array of musical tales and historical ancestry.
This event is free and open to the public.
Date - 27/2/2024
Location - McElreath Hall 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW Atlanta, GA
Visit their site for more details!

Black History Month- Speed Networking Event at the Commerce Club- Throughout February, The Commerce Club will be highlighting black-owned businesses on our social media pages and will end the month with a speed networking event focused on highlighting black-owned businesses and black professionals from within our Membership.
Date - 24/2/2024
Location - The Commerce Club - Atlanta, 191 Peachtree Street Northeast Floor Atlanta, GA
Visit their site for more details!

We are excited to share our first intern spotlight for the year 🎉!

Dion Jenkins was born and raised in Miami, Florida and since childhood, he has always been deeply intrigued with history particularly African American History. In Dion’s words “Learning about my history and culture has allowed me to develop a positive sense of self which I believe is crucial toward establishing meaning in one’s life. Black history month is so significant to me because it is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of African Americans on our nation’s history”.

Black History Month is not just a time to reflect on the past, but also an opportunity to embrace the present and shape a better future. Join us this month as we honor the remarkable contributions that African Americans have made to our society.

Every new chapter brings its own changes, challenges that test our resilience, and stories waiting to be etched in history. Success would have no meaning if setbacks never existed. Our journey from 2023 to 2024 isn't just a narrative; it's a legacy in the making. Every hurdle we clear and every impact we deliver becomes an anchor for generations to come.

We are intentional, driven, and partnered with those who share our unwavering spirit. In 2024, we are defying expectations and soaring to heights never before imagined. Stay glued to this page as we continue to roll out the most exciting stories of impact, growth, and success in the environmental industry.