In the Spring of 2017, I joined a coalition working to bring a Baltimore contingent to the Peoples Climate March in Washington DC. From the beginning of the meetings, it was clear that environmental justice had to be at the center of the conversation for the group. The group soon coalesced around the organizing theme of "Baltimore United for a Just Clean Energy and Economic Future." Based on the work of the group and outreach to various communities in Baltimore, I collaborated with Taylor Smith-Hams to develop a series of visuals and slogans to bring a coordinated message to the march. In a series of art builds, or open work sessions supported by community artists, the team made signs, banners and props that could be used by the Baltimore contingent at the march and also be useful to groups in their ongoing work in Baltimore.
Over 90 signs, banners and props were produced as a result of the art builds, hosted by Black Cherry Puppet Theater for one week and held at 2640 as well as the Motor House on two other nights. More importantly, the art builds provided a space for all kinds of people to gather, to meet and have conversation, to hear about each others' experiences and concerns, and learn from one another.