Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 378 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Camden, Newark, & Baltimore lead in building equitable access to urban tree canopy

Patrick Dunn

February 02, 2022 |

Planet Detroit |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The push for an increase in urban tree canopies is growing in cities like Camden, Detroit, and Baltimore. A collaboration between community members in those cities and local nonprofits yielded a plan and quick execution. More and more trees are being planted in urban areas to offset the heat-island effect, increase air quality, and decrease the tree equity gap between historically redlined areas and surrounding areas.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Newark Program Is Pushing Police and Community Members to Heal Old Wounds Together

J. Brian Charles

January 11, 2022 |

The Trace |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Newark, New Jersey

To address deep divisions and mistrust between the community and police, Newark launched Trauma to Trust, a conflict resolution program that brings officers and residents together for mediation and discussion. Participants receive two days of training around trauma, critical race theory, and implicit bias, and more than 500 people have taken part since the initiative began.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This library lets you borrow people instead of books. It just may help bridge our bitter divisions

John Blake

November 14, 2021 |

CNN |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Human Library is a nonprofit learning platform that allows people to borrow “human books” instead of books. Each person represents a group that faces prejudice or stigmas because of their lifestyle, ethnicity, beliefs, or disability. The group has held in-person and online events in over 80 countries where participants can ask difficult questions that they might feel embarrassed to ask otherwise. The experiences encourage empathy and are nonpartisan. The library has over 1,000 “human books” who speak over 50 languages and has provided speakers for major corporations conducting diversity trainings.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Building a just energy business future in Detroit

Nina Ignaczak

October 27, 2021 |

Planet Detroit |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

WeSolar makes solar power accessible to low-income residents by building and investing in community-solar farms and signing residents up for credits from investor-owned utilities. The startup, the first community solar business led by a Black woman, saves customers as much as $250 on their utility bills by signing up for community solar. Convincing residents, many of whom have had bad experiences with predatory utility schemes, requires working with church and community groups to earn trust. Community solar also requires legislation that allows for shared renewable energy projects.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Building a Black-Owned Food Ecosystem in Detroit

Randiah Green

October 07, 2021 |

Belt Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Programs like Motor City Match and Grown in Detroit help entrepreneurs launch Black-owned food businesses in Detroit. The businesses sell healthy foods in neighborhoods often lacking in nutritious options or in the infrastructure needed to support startup businesses. The supportive programs offer grants and training that have nurtured dozens of new businesses, which themselves have formed a supportive network among their peers.

Read More
Go to Original Story
California's new vote-by-mail system is a big win for marginalized groups

Umme Hoque

September 29, 2021 |

Prism |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A new California law makes universal mail-in voting permanent after it was temporarily adopted for the 2020 election in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Expansion of mail-in voting in 2020 resulted in higher voter turnout, especially among low-income and communities of color. Moving forward, all voters will receive a ballot in the mail 29 days before each election. Voters can fill out their ballot, return it using a prepaid envelope or drop it in a secure drop box, and track in transit online. They also still have the choice to vote in person.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'They Saw Me And Thought The Worst'

Richard A. Webster

September 24, 2021 |

New Orleans Public Radio (WWNO) |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Comparing police accountability in Jefferson Parish, La. to neighboring New Orleans reveals a stark contrast because of federally imposed reforms in New Orleans. Jefferson's sheriff's office, one of the nation's largest police agencies not using body cameras, has a weak internal investigation process and lack of transparency for its use of force, which is influenced by race. New Orleans had similar problems until a Justice Department report led to a package of reforms that have helped reduce the use of force and increased accountability and transparency.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Grassroots movements fight a broken system

Marisela Amador Callie Giaccone

September 21, 2021 |

The Eastern Door |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Caledonia, Ontario

"Land defenders" from the Six Nations blocked a planned housing development on contested land by swiftly moving to occupy the site, even after a police raid in which nine protesters were arrested. In place of the now-canceled development, the community erected a dozen tiny homes and a communal kitchen. The protest serves as a model for another occupation by members of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation at Kahnawake, whose 75-day holdout protests a planned 290-unit housing development on land that is subject to the nation's unresolved claim.

Read More
Go to Original Story
‘Black Capitalism' Promised a Better City for Everyone. What Happened?

Michael Corkery

September 12, 2021 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rochester, New York

The partnership between Black social activists and corporations in Rochester during the 1960s failed to bring about tangible progress in subsequent decades. Systemic issues of racism and poverty were unaffected by “community capitalism.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
This Experiential Learning Farm Helps Youth Build a Better World

Ambika Chawla

September 09, 2021 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Columbia, Maryland

Low-income communities of color have less access to nature, they experience "nature deprivation" at a rate three times higher than white people. Regular access to the outdoors improves respiratory health, physical fitness, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. The Freetown Farm was conceived as a place where all people can experience nature. Its exposing young people of all backgrounds to nature. Through its year-long internship program learned how to plant food, among other things.

Read More
Go to Original Story