Oxnard and San Fernando, CA

Tateuchi Democracy Forum at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, Japanese American National Museum 100 N Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012

It is well documented that the impacts of climate change are felt the most in underserved communities of color. How do we begin to address historically disinvested areas of Los Angeles where the connection among issues of climate, health, and equity are inextricably tied? And how do we tackle those issues with broader engagement that values the perspectives of communities bearing the burdens?

How do we work together to create heat and climate resilient communities?

Among the issues to be addressed in this roundtable discussion are impacts of rising heat on laborers, people experiencing homelessness, and low-income neighborhoods where access to water, shade, tree canopies, and vegetation is limited. What are the impacts of housing that is old and exacerbates the energy burden, along with schools that are outdated and need to be climate- and heat-adapted—and which are often the last to get upgrades if they even get them at all?

The Democracy Center is proud to bring this discussion to the community as JANM welcomes the Climates of Inequality exhibition from September 23 to October 1.

Tickets for the discussion are free and include access to the Climates of Inequality exhibition and the Museum. Pre-registration is highly recommended for this event, though walk-ups are welcomed.

The Japanese American National Museum is open until 8:00 p.m. the evening of the event for you to visit the Climates of Inequality exhibition before the program.

Panelists:
Marta Segura, City of Los Angeles Chief Heat Officer and Climate Emergency Mobilization Office Director
Deogracia Cornelio, Education Director, Warehouse Worker Resource Center
Stephany Campos, Director of Strategic Planning & Special Projects, Homeless Health Care Los Angeles
Aria Cataño, co-Founder, Water Drop LA
Li’i Furumoto, Urban Visionaries

Tateuchi Democracy Forum Japanese American National Museum 100 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join us for a lively conversation with environmental justice leaders from Southern California as they discuss how their communities mobilize storytelling for change and to save lives. The daylong symposium includes the following speakers, as well as a screening and discussion of the documentary, Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust (2021). Spanish/English interpreters will be available throughout the day. Registration is Required. Register HERE.

SCHEDULE
9 a.m.–9:30 a.m.: Join us for coffee and pastries

9:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.: Symposium Welcome with Stevie Ruiz (CSUN), Lisa Sun-Hee Park (UCSB), and Cathy Gudis (UCR)

9:45 a.m.–11 a.m.: Organizing for Environmental Justice in Southern California. Featuring Rosa RiVera-Furumoto and Parent Pioneers (San Fernando Valley), Alicia Aguayo (People’s Collective for Environmental Justice), Amy Honjiyo (Sustainable Little Tokyo), and Nalleli Cobo (People Not Pozos); moderated by Stevie Ruiz

11 a.m.–12 p.m.: Self-guided tour of Climates of Inequality pop-up exhibition and the Japanese American National Museum. (Climates of Inequality Docents: Yvonne Marquez, Frances Tang, Azeneth Martinez)

12 p.m.–1 p.m.: Lunch Break. Please feel free to explore the options in Little Tokyo.

1 p.m.–2:15 p.m.: Shifting the Narrative: Environmental Justice and the Place of Public Humanities. Featuring Liz Ševčenko (Humanities Action Lab), Yenyen Chan (National Park Service), Kristen Hayashi (Japanese American National Museum), and Nicole Lim (California Indian Museum and Cultural Center); moderated by Cathy Gudis

2:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m.: Break

2:30 p.m.–4 p.m.: Screening of Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust (2021, 84 min., Spanish subtitles)

4 p.m.–4:30 p.m.: Q&A with Ann Kaneko (Film Director) and Noah Williams (Big Pine Paiute Tribe); moderated by Lisa Sun-Hee Park

4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.: Closing Reception

Organized by Stevie Ruiz, California State University-Northridge; Catherine Gudis, University of California-Riverside; and Lisa Sun-Hee Park, University of California-Santa Barbara.