Thank you for your interest in our 4th annual Community Learning Series! In our 4-part series, we read and discuss a selected book together to…
- learn about systems of oppression;
- apply what we’re learning through collective action in our community; and
- connect with folks with shared values and a commitment to justice.
Kyla Smith will facilitate the 2024 Community Learning Series around the book The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet by Leah Thomas.
Register Today!
The 2024 Community Learning Series started on January 30th. Kyla Smith is facilitating the series around the book Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas.
Book Circles have been matched, but you can still join the series! Registration is free and all are welcome!
About The Book
Explore Leah Thomas’ theory of intersectional environmentalism in this year’s Community Learning Series’ pick: The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet.
This book aligns with Fair Future Movement’s commitment to an equitable and just environmental movement and future.
Incorporating Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality with the environmental movement, Leah Thomas dives into the necessity of centering inclusivity when pushing for environmental change. Thomas thoroughly explains the marginalization of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income communities and how developing an intersectional environmentalist lens could lead us toward environmental justice.
This book aligns with Fair Future Movement’s commitment to an equitable and just environmental movement and future. We will use Thomas’ book as a guide for altering our own theory of environmental justice and as a source of inspiration for taking more equitable environmental actions in our communities.
Schedule
Kyla Smith will facilitate four monthly discussions focused on a specific theme from the book. Sessions are held virtually on the following dates at 11am and 6pm. Please attend the time on each date that works best for you!
- Jan 30 – Orientation
- Feb 27 – Session 1: Introduction to Intersectional Environmentalism
- Mar 26 – Session 2: Privilege and the Environmental Justice Movement
- Apr 23 – Session 3: Centering BIPOC Communities in the Environmental Movement
- May 21 – Session 4: Continued Learning
If you’re reading the book with a Book Circle, you’ll decide with your small group when you’d like to meet virtually in addition to the four sessions hosted by Kyla.
Register Today!
The 2024 Community Learning Series started on January 30th. Kyla Smith is facilitating the series around the book Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas.
Book Circles have been matched, but you can still join the series! Registration is free and all are welcome!
What To Expect
- After you register, you’ll receive a welcome email from Mandi and Jasmine with next steps.
- If you are joining a Book Circle, you’ll be matched with your small group based on your availability by email by February 6th.
- The Orientation (1 hour) and each Session (1.5 hours) is offered virtually at 11am and 6pm. Join us during the timeframe that works best for you!
- Starting February 14th, you’ll receive a Collective Action Alert email every two weeks with three suggested actions you can take. You are encouraged to participate in at least one action from each email.
- We encourage you to keep an open mind and step out of your comfort zone when participating in the discussions. The more you put into this experience, the more you’ll get out of it.
- This is a personal experience for you and everyone participating. You agree to keep all conversations confidential, and respect your fellow community members and their thoughts regardless of where they are at in this work.
- This isn’t a race to finish the book. It is totally ok to move faster or slower through the book than others. Keep meeting and contribute from wherever you are.
- We will ensure this is a safe space for everyone participating. Harmful and disrespectful comments or actions will be addressed.
Meet the Facilitator
Kyla Smith describes herself as an Earth lover, an organizer, and a cat enthusiast. This is their second year facilitating the Community Learning Series. She is currently an Environment and Resources graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, where she focuses her research on community created residential energy policies and programming.
They have previously worked in climate justice organizing, outreach and communications for environmental justice research and education, and is an environmental justice consultant. In her free time, Kyla enjoys hiking, birding, binge watching TV shows, hanging out with her partner and cats, and reading.
FAQs
What is the Community Learning Series?
The Community Learning Series is a 4-part, discussion based series that explores a book that supports greater learning for a more inclusive and unified environmental movement.
This year, we are reading Leah Thomas’ The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet to help us connect the theory of intersectional environmentalism with our current environmental justice efforts. For more in depth reflection, you can sign up for a Book Circle in addition to the series sessions.
How do I sign up?
Register here for this year’s Community Learning Series. When registering, you can also join a Book Circle if you’d like to read the book with a small group.
What is a Book Circle?
A Book Circle is a small group of people that reflect on the reading during regular virtual meetings. Book Circles use the Circle Way – a collaborative approach that allows all members to lead and support the circle. The Intersectional Environmentalist Reading Guide will help guide your discussions.
This is an opportunity for more in depth reflection as the series sessions occur less frequently. We will pair you up with this small group if you indicate your interest and availability in the registration form.
Book Circles are assigned based on your availability.
What is the Circle Way?
The Circle Way is a collaborative approach to small group discussions. It provides a structure for conversation so everyone gets to speak with equal time and focus, and prevents a hierarchy from forming. All members are responsible for leading and supporting their circle.
Layla Saad, author of Me & White Supremacy, recommends the Circle Way to prevent the author’s work “from being minimized, tokenized, undermined, and ultimately wasted.”
We encourage Book Circles to use the Circle Way when they meet.
When will I know who is in my Book Circle?
You will receive an email by February 6th introducing you to the other members of your Book Circle.
What am I committing to when I sign up?
When you join in, you are committing to attending the Orientation, the four Sessions in the series, and taking at least one action from each of the Collective Action Alert emails.
The Series Sessions are from 11-12:30pm and 6-7:30pm. We understand if you cannot attend the whole time, but please make it a priority to attend as much of the session that you can – meaningful and consistent participation from all members is necessary to ensure greater discussion of the topics we are focusing on.
If you are joining a Book Circle, you are also committing to meeting virtually with your small group. All responsibilities are shared in a Book Circle – you will help lead and support your group and actively participate in the discussions.
There are two times listed. Do I need to attend both times?
No, two times are offered for the Orientation and the Sessions to accommodate different schedules. Attend the time that works the best for your schedule!
Where can I get the book?
If you can, we encourage you to buy the book from a local bookstore to support the author and small businesses. There are many to choose from, but here are some of our favorites:
Milwaukee: La Revo Books, Lion’s Tooth, Niche Book Bar
Madison: A Room of One’s Own, Leopold’s
If buying local, we suggest calling ahead to see if they have it in stock. Bookstores can usually order it for you if they don’t.
Bookshop.org is also a way to order online while supporting local bookstores! Select your local bookstore by clicking the “Choose a Bookstore” option in the top right part of the page.
You can also visit your local library or purchase the book at thirftbooks.com. Please let us know if you’re having difficulty getting a copy of the book. We’ll do what we can to help!