In Newark: Environmental Justice Summit Taking Place Saturday

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the South Ward Environmental Alliance. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

On Saturday, April 12, 2025, the South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA) will host its 4th Annual Environmental Justice Summit at the William Mobile Ashby Community Care and Training Center, 695 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ. This year's theme, “South Ward Strong: Creating Sustainable EcoVillages and Thriving Neighborhoods,” sets the tone for a powerful day of community-led engagement focused on shaping an equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for Newark’s South Ward.

Held in SWEA’s fifth year, the summit reflects more than just an anniversary—it honors the decades of organizing, advocacy, and collaborative leadership that have brought Newark’s Environmental Justice movement to this moment. The day will feature a blend of inspiration, strategy, and action, starting with welcoming remarks from Councilman Council, Newark’s South Ward Councilman and punctuated by two engaging plenary discussions:

• Plenary 1: People, Power & Liberation will explore the impact of goods movement on air quality and elevate strategies for building power, protecting public health, and organizing for equitable development in frontline communities.
• Plenary 2: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go from Here? will reflect on the state of the Environmental Justice movement, offering real-time insights and actionable ideas to advance sustainability, resilience, and community-driven change.

Following lunch, attendees will participate in one of three Afternoon Workshop Sessions:

• EcoVillage Visioning Session: A collaborative brainstorming session to shape the EcoVillage concept with input from residents and stakeholders.
• Climate Action Plan | Next Steps: A working session focused on reviewing community input and identifying actionable steps for implementation around flooding, transportation, energy efficiency, and green spaces.
• Youth Advocacy and Environmental Justice: An interactive workshop aimed at empowering young leaders through advocacy training and storytelling exercises.

The event will close with community reflections, youth voices, and a powerful call to action, anchored in SWEA’s commitment to building collective power from the ground up.

"This summit is a reflection of the voices, experiences, and dreams of our community," said Kim Gaddy, Executive Director and Founder of SWEA. "For over 25 years, I’ve worked alongside frontline communities at the local, state, and national level. SWEA is not the beginning—it’s the continuation of that work, built by and for the people of Newark."

• Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
• Location: William Mobile Ashby Community Care and Training Center, 695 Bergen St., Newark, NJ
• Register Here: https://bit.ly/SWEA4thSummit

For media inquiries, please contact: Asada Rashidi Asada@southwardea.com 862.658.9573

About South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA)

The South Ward Environmental Alliance (SWEA) is a grassroots coalition founded in 2020 to unite residents, advocates, and partners in the fight for environmental justice in Newark’s South Ward. While SWEA celebrates its fifth year in 2025, the foundation of its work is rooted in more than 25 years of leadership and organizing by Founder and Executive Director Kim Gaddy. A nationally recognized Environmental Justice advocate, Gaddy has led and collaborated on efforts to improve air quality, address goods movement pollution, and elevate community voices across local, state, and federal platforms. SWEA continues to champion clean air, safe water, sustainable development, and healthy neighborhoods through community education, policy advocacy, and collective action.

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