Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition, County of Muskegon and West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host a forum on environmental justice and sustainable communities on Tuesday, May 21 at the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University.  

The featured speaker is Guy Williams, President & CEO of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice.  In a city that includes five of the top-25 most-polluted zip codes in the state, DWEJ is a voice for cleaner, safer, healthier neighborhoods.  Dedicated to providing all Detroit residents with the tools they need to address environmental concerns in their own neighborhoods, DWEJ isn’t seeking to simply redistribute environmental harms, but to abolish them.  Established in 1994, DWEJ has grown from a grassroots volunteer organization to a major voice recognized locally, statewide, and nationally for its innovative programs and projects that stimulate economic growth while creating sustainable, livable communities.

Williams will share how DWEJ is translating its success in Detroit to outcomes across the state, including its recent work organizing stakeholders in Grand Rapids and helping the Snyder administration to understand the role systemic racisms has played in its environmental failures.  This will include an initial discussion on environmental justice concerns and opportunities in the Muskegon area, including ways for local stakeholders to become involved.

Kyle French, Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch, will ask attendees to consider how their investments can generate social and environmental impact alongside the potential for financial returns.  His presentation is Impact Investing: Aligning your Wealth Strategy with Purpose.

The Sustainable Muskegon May Forum is presented by Merrill Lynch.

Registration for this event has now closed. Walk-ins will be accepted.

Lunch is $15 if paid online, $20 at event.

Tentative Agenda

11:30 – 12:00 pm  Doors Open

12:00 – 12:20 pm  Lunch

12:20 -1:25  pm  Program

1:30 pm  Adjourn