ECOSS News

By Nas Abdi – ECOSS Program Manager

Black History Month is a time of celebration, education, and remembrance for Black people across the world. While much of its focus in Western countries—particularly in the U.S., U.K., and Canada—centers around the African American and Afro-Caribbean experience, many Africans often find themselves reflecting on what this month means to them. For those of us from the African continent, Black History Month can evoke a mixture of pride, curiosity, and sometimes even a feeling of distance. 

Understanding the African Perspective 

For many Africans, history is not something relegated to a single month of remembrance. Our connection to our ancestry is embedded in everyday life—through oral traditions, folklore, customs, and the presence of elders who pass down knowledge. Our history is filled with empires, resistance movements, cultural revolutions, and innovations long before colonialism reshaped our lands. However, Black History Month provides a unique opportunity to engage with the broader diaspora and understand how our histories intertwine. 

Bridging the Gap Between Africans and the Diaspora 

The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade created a painful separation between Africans and those who became part of the African diaspora. Over centuries, our paths diverged—shaped by different struggles, environments, and narratives. While many Africans grow up learning about their local histories, they may not always be as deeply exposed to the experiences of their brothers and sisters in the Americas and the Caribbean. 

Black History Month becomes a time to bridge this gap. It allows Africans to learn about the resilience of African Americans, the contributions of Caribbean activists, and the stories of those who fought against oppression in lands far from the continent. Likewise, it offers the African diaspora a chance to reconnect with African heritage beyond just ancestral roots—to engage with modern African stories, voices, and cultural movements. 

The Evolving Identity of Africans Abroad 

For Africans living in the West, Black History Month can feel both inclusive and exclusive. Some may struggle to see themselves represented in the dominant narratives that focus on the African American experience. However, as African migration has increased in recent decades, the definition of Blackness in places like the U.S. and U.K. is evolving. Africans are contributing to conversations on identity, race, and history in ways that enrich and expand the dialogue. 

We see this in the rise of African authors, filmmakers, musicians, and thought leaders who are shaping contemporary Black culture. From Afrobeats influencing global music to African fashion inspiring runways, the African identity is no longer just a historical footnote—it’s an active, living presence in the broader Black story. 

Embracing Black History Month as Africans 

So, what does Black History Month mean to me as an African? It means taking time to honor our shared struggles and triumphs. It means learning about those who fought for civil rights, not just in America but across the world. It means using this month as a reminder that Black history did not start with slavery, nor does it end with oppression—we are innovators, revolutionaries, artists, and leaders. 

It is also a call to engage more deeply with the diaspora, to listen, share, and strengthen the bonds that history once strained. Whether through conversations, art, activism, or simply learning more about each other, Black History Month is an opportunity for Africans to reaffirm that we are all part of one vast and beautiful story—one that is still being written. 

It’s a moment of celebration and determination for ECOSS, as we reflect on 30 years of community-based environmental work and set a vision for 30 years to come. And, now more than ever, we need your support. 

As we prepare for challenges coming our way in January that will threaten the rights of immigrant and refugee community members, and bring setbacks to environmental justice, ECOSS relies on individuals like you to sustain our programming.

Your gift of any size is critical for us to be able to adapt and respond to growing community needs amidst anticipated cuts to climate funding in 2025 and beyond. 

Community engagement is a cornerstone of environmental justice. In 2024, our staff led 20 unique community engagement projects, reaching communities across South Seattle and South King County in 6 different languages. We joined new collaborations, including as part of important statewide efforts. We increased staff benefits and established a baseline annual salary of $71,800 to achieve a living wage. We drafted our strategic plan and are excited to unveil our renewed Mission, Vision, and Values in 2025.

This year, in coordination with partners in the movement for climate justice, ECOSS hosted its first Community Assembly Series, which lays the groundwork for community-driven projects and advocacy in 2025. Your donation will enable ECOSS to leverage our partnerships and fieldwork to influence positive systemic change.

With your support ECOSS can advance our core programs, including community-centered green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and decarbonization projects in frontline communities, at a time when the stakes on climate couldn’t be higher. 

Nature is a refuge for many of our community members who have survived trauma and hardship on their immigration journeys and transition to a new home in the U.S. By making your gift today you will help to ensure ECOSS can continue to cultivate leadership among community groups so that they can lead their own outdoor experiences which promote healing, joy, and connection at a time most needed. 

Together, we can be ready to meet the environmental justice needs of our communities, no matter what comes our way.  

Thank you for being a part of this mission.

With gratitude,

Chiyo Crawford
Executive Director

Check out these photos and the video from our 30th Anniversary Celebration! It was a wonderful evening celebrating together with community over great food, activities, and stories. With your support, we met our goal of raising $60,000 towards future ECOSS programming!

We often hear about how social justice and environmental issues connect, but celebrating Pride, especially for people of color in the environmental field, is commonly overlooked. This isn’t just about rainbow flags; it’s about ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued. 

💗The Basics of Intersectionality 
Intersectionality explains how parts of our identity—like race and sexuality—overlap, shaping our experiences. For LGBTQ+ folks of color, this means facing multiple layers of discrimination. Celebrating Pride highlights their work, ensuring diverse voices are included. 

🧡Representation Matters 
Seeing leaders who share your background can be super inspiring. Pride in the environmental field spotlights the contributions of LGBTQ+ people of color, showing future generations that they too can make an impact. 

💛Building Stronger Communities 
Pride celebrations unite different groups, fostering respect and a sense of belonging. When we’re together, we’re stronger in tackling environmental challenges and finding creative solutions. 

💚Promoting Mental Health 
Environmental work is tough, and discrimination adds extra stress. Pride creates supportive spaces where LGBTQ+ folks of color can feel valued, boosting their mental health. 

💙Facing Environmental Racism 
Environmental racism affects communities of color, with LGBTQ+ members facing even more hurdles. Pride helps us address these issues better, ensuring everyone can access clean air, water, and a healthy environment. 

Celebrating Pride is crucial in the environmental field. It uplifts LGBTQ+ people of color, strengthening our collective fight for a sustainable world by including everyone’s perspective in finding solutions. 

— Luis Santisteban is a Community Engagement Specialist at ECOSS.

Por Qué Celebrar el Orgullo es Importante para las Comunidades de Color en el Campo Ambiental 

Escuchamos más sobre cómo se conectan la justicia social y los problemas ambientales, pero a menudo se pasa por alto celebrar el Orgullo, especialmente para las personas de color en el campo ambiental. No se trata solo de banderas arcoíris; se trata de asegurar que todas las voces sean escuchadas y valoradas. 

💗Los Fundamentos de la Interseccionalidad 
La interseccionalidad explica cómo partes de nuestra identidad—como la raza y la sexualidad—se superponen, dando forma a nuestras experiencias. Para las personas LGBTQ+ de color, esto significa enfrentar múltiples capas de discriminación. Celebrar el Orgullo destaca su trabajo, asegurando que se incluyan voces diversas. 

🧡La Importancia de la Representación 
Ver líderes que comparten tu origen puede ser muy inspirador. El Orgullo en el campo ambiental destaca las contribuciones de las personas LGBTQ+ de color, mostrando a las futuras generaciones que ellos también pueden tener un impacto. 

💛Construyendo Comunidades Más Fuertes 
Las celebraciones del Orgullo unen a diferentes grupos, fomentando el respeto y un sentido de pertenencia. Cuando estamos unidos, somos más fuertes para abordar los desafíos ambientales y encontrar soluciones creativas. 

💚Promoviendo la Salud Mental 
El trabajo ambiental es duro y la discriminación añade más estrés. El Orgullo crea espacios de apoyo donde las personas LGBTQ+ de color pueden sentirse valoradas, mejorando su salud mental. 

💙Enfrentando el Racismo Ambiental 
El racismo ambiental afecta a las comunidades de color, con los miembros LGBTQ+ enfrentando aún más obstáculos. El Orgullo nos ayuda a abordar mejor estos problemas, asegurando que todos tengan acceso a aire limpio, agua y un ambiente saludable. 

Celebrar el Orgullo es crucial en el campo ambiental. Eleva a las personas LGBTQ+ de color, fortaleciendo nuestra lucha colectiva por un mundo sostenible al incluir la perspectiva de todos en la búsqueda de soluciones. 

— Luis Santisteban es Community Engagement Specialist a ECOSS.

为什么在环境领域庆祝“骄傲“(Pride)对有色人种(BIPOC-Black Indigenous People of Color)至关重要？

我们经常听到社会正义(social justice)和环境问题是如何联系在一起的，但庆祝“LGBTQ+骄傲” ，尤其是庆祝环境领域有色人种的“骄傲”，却常常被忽视。这不仅仅是彩虹旗的问题，而是要确保每个人的声音都被听到并受到重视。

多元交织性(intersectionality)的基本原理 

多元交织性解释了我们身份的各个部分（如种族和性取向）是如何重叠在一起，从而塑造了我们的经历。对于有色人种LGBTQ+ 来说，这意味着要面对多层次的歧视。庆祝”骄傲“将他们的工作放到音响下，确保不同的声音都能被听到。

代表(representation)很重要 

看到与自己有着相同背景的领导者会让人倍受鼓舞。环境领域的“骄傲”彰显了有色人种 LGBTQ+ 的贡献，向下一代展示他们也能产生影响。

建设更强大的团体感(solidarity)

“骄傲”庆祝活动将不同群体团结在一起，培养尊重和归属感。我们团结在一起，就能更有力地应对环境挑战，找到创造性的解决方案。

促进心理健康 

环境工作是一项艰巨的任务，而歧视则会增加额外的压力。“骄傲”为有色人种中LGBTQ+创造了支持性空间，让他们感受到自己的价值，从而促进他们的心理健康。

面对环境种族歧视(environmental racism)

环境种族歧视影响着有色人种社区，而LGBTQ+成员面临的障碍甚至更多。“骄傲”有助于我们更好地处理这些问题，确保每个人都能获得清洁的空气、水和健康的环境。

在环境领域，庆祝”骄傲“至关重要。它鼓舞了有色人种 LGBTQ+，通过将每个人的观点纳入到寻找解决方案的过程中，加强了我们为可持续性(sustainability)而进行的集体斗争。

One of ECOSS’ major areas of work is supporting clean water efforts by sharing resources and stormwater solutions to communities that disproportionately experience flooding and the effects of stormwater pollution. Some of these solutions can include cisterns, grattix boxes, or even larger-scale depaving projects. Angela Ena is a Program Manager at ECOSS who manages Clean Water projects which include Industrial Green Stormwater Infrastructure (also known as GSI) efforts. Angela shared a bit about the projects that are in progress, and her hopes for future GSI work benefitting the health of neighborhoods, communities, and the environment. 

What does Industrial GSI work look like at ECOSS? 

ECOSS has been engaging different property owners to build GSI on commercial properties in a neighborhood known for its poor air quality and low tree canopy coverage. The property owners range from commercial property management companies to the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT). 

The Office of Sustainability and Environment and DirtCorps partnered with ECOSS in 2022 to combine engagement efforts. The program is still in a pilot phase as it navigates new territory that has yet to be explored before in this coordinated approach between the City of Seattle and community-based organizations.  

The partnership offers three different stormwater mitigation tier options to property owners depending on the site: 

• Tier 1 is Low Impact Development (LID) options like planters or grattix boxes 
• Tier 2 offers a replacement of monocultural plantings with GSI in already existing patches of soil 
• Tier 3 is a depaved design by MxMLandscape Architecture that is built by DirtCorps.  

Georgetown as an experimental canvas

These GSI projects are intended to create permeable surfaces in a historically riparian area that was paved over during the city’s early development. Georgetown experiences low air quality due to the industrial nature of the neighborhood. The neighborhood also experiences low tree canopy coverage and limited access to greenspaces due to spatial inequities and lack of infrastructural investment. The neighborhood serves as an experimental canvas for the partnership to implement these green infrastructure solutions.  

We hope to create a whole network or corridor of these stormwater mitigation installations with property owners on a single block or two on board. ECOSS has been engaging properties that make for good candidates with large roofs and downspouts, and low tree canopy coverage or permeable surface on their property.

Benefits for community and environment

I’m hoping that these projects not only increase the tree canopy and treat stormwater before it enters the Duwamish and Puget Sound, but also create more habitat – for wildlife and people. Green spaces benefit communities in a myriad of ways, but we’d like for our experimental pilot to successfully start to address some of these.  

At the heart of biophilic design is the goal to connect people to Nature in the cities they live in. Indigenous communities have always been connected to nature in deeply meaningful ways, but in the urban 21st-century context biophilia serves as a useful concept as cities continue to grow and pave over ecosystems. Before the term biophilia was coined by E.O. Wilson, landscape architects like Ian McHarg and Federick Law Olmsted strove to do this through their different projects like Seward and Central Park. ECOSS has partnered with MxMLandscape Architecture to create pockets of Nature wherever possible in a landscape of fragmented and privately owned parcels.  

ECOSS’ grant is funded by the King County Flood Control District. 

For more information about Industrial GSI, or if you are a commercial property owner located in Georgetown interested in learning more about stormwater mitigation options, contact aena@ecoss.org.

To learn more about Clean Water programming at ECOSS, visit our Projects page.