Housing, Sustainability, and Justice: Why Reconnecting Union Heights Matters

Join the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry on Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 pm in the auditorium of the Charleston Public Library (68 Calhoun St) for our November member gathering.

We’re excited to welcome Bryan Cordell, Executive Director of The Sustainability Institute, who will talk to us about the institute’s work and Project 218: Reconnecting Union Heights. In the mid-20th century, infrastructure projects—especially highways—were purposely routed through black neighborhoods, leading to their systematic destruction, loss of property, displacement, and community fragmentation. That is what happened to Union Heights when the construction of I-26 built exit 218 right through this historic North Charleston neighborhood. Project 218 aims to achieve some measure of restorative justice by building affordable housing where the offramp used to be. It will also make critical home repairs to other parts of the community and help develop leadership in the neighborhood.

Right now Project 218 is under attack from the Trump regime trying to cancel funding secured from an EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant. That makes this an especially urgent moment to hear about the project—and to take action together. After Bryan’s presentation, participants will engage in direct action, writing letters and planning calls to help secure Project 218’s funding.

Come connect with fellow humanists, get inspired by meaningful work happening in our community, and add your voice to the effort to protect it.