Activism as an Ethical and Civic Practice with Rhonda Keyser
Details
When: Sunday March 8 12:30 PM
Where: via Zoom* & In-Person at 269 4th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
*must RSVP above to receive the link.
##### Local youth action can spark systemic change.
Rhonda Keyser connects youth activism, environmental justice, and public education to show how local youth action can spark systemic change. This talk explores activism as an ethical and civic practice — showing how education, participation in public process, and youth leadership empower historically disempowered students, build democratic skills, influence policy change, and transform communities.
With music by Maybelle Keyser-Butson.
### About the Speaker
Rhonda Keyser is the Program and Policy Director for Cafeteria Culture. She is also an actress, environmental educator, and grassroots organizer. Stewarded by her leadership, CafCu’s school programs and education + action toolkits, a growing collection of lesson plans and activities centering students as leaders across New York City, have resulted in the diversion of 85 to 97% of school cafeteria waste from landfills and incinerators. CafCu’s scaling of hyper-local youth-led solutions has reduced more than 32 million single-use plastic items in New York City School lunches to date. In addition, Keyser is a leading advocate for indoor air quality in schools and has co-created the “know-your-rights” manual, Safe School Renovation, with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. She serves on the board of Sure We Can, NYC’s only non-profit bottle and can redemption center, and is Vice Chair of the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board.
### About the Musician
Maybelle Keyser-Butson is a senior at Barnard College studying English, Creative Writing, and French. Growing up around artists and activists, Maybelle has always been surrounded by conversations about art, action, and change. She writes creative essays and has recently recorded two original singles with a producer in Brooklyn. After graduating, she plans to teach English for a year in Paris before returning to the United States for graduate school.