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TECA receives $1.9 Million of $1.6 Billion in
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants
105 selected applications funded through the Inflation Reduction Act will reduce pollution, improve climate resilience, and build community capacity to address legacy environmental justice issues around the nation
January 14, 2025
January 14, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has selected 105 applications for the Community Change Grants Program, totaling nearly $1.6 billion in awards to advance local, on-the-ground projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity. Made possible by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the Community Change Grants Program is the single largest investment in environmental and climate justice in history.
The Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA) will use its $1.9 million to focus on disadvantaged communities in Davidson, Greene, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, and Sullivan counties, through the Affecting Communities Through Educator Voices (ACTEV) program. In partnership with the University of Memphis, the program will train and upskill 60 teachers about local environmental issues and how to engage in governmental processes over three years. Graduates of the fellowship program will be poised to collaborate with government officials on local environmental issues, leveraging the unique vantage point educators have as pillars of their communities.
TECA Founder and Executive Director Dr. Diarese George shared, "We are elated to be selected for this incredible investment in Tennessee educators, communities, and our shared future. As educators, we see the daily impact of environmental and climate changes through a unique lens. This funding will position us to research, cultivate, and implement sustainable solutions at local and legislative levels."
The funding represents the latest round of applications that have been selected on a rolling basis since the program launched in November 2023. EPA previously announced 21 selectees in July. The announcement adds 84 new selectees, bringing the total number to 105.
“On day one of his Administration, President Biden promised to target investments to communities that for too long have been shut out of federal funding,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is delivering on that promise. These selections will create jobs, improve public health, and uplift community efforts in all corners of this country, regardless of geography or background.”
See the full listing of the 105 selections receiving a Community Change grant and learn more about the program.
Of the 105 total selections, 32 are for Target Investment Areas, totaling $600 million. Target Investment Area funding is intended to ensure that Community Change Grants Program funding is directed towards disadvantaged communities with unique circumstances, geography, and needs. This includes approximately $150 million for Alaska Native communities and organizations. The agency received approximately 2,700 applications, totaling over $40 billion in requested funds and over 2,495 requests for technical assistance.
The Community Change Grants Program addresses the diverse and unique needs of disadvantaged communities by:
Click here to read the full EPA news release. To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.
The Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA) will use its $1.9 million to focus on disadvantaged communities in Davidson, Greene, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, and Sullivan counties, through the Affecting Communities Through Educator Voices (ACTEV) program. In partnership with the University of Memphis, the program will train and upskill 60 teachers about local environmental issues and how to engage in governmental processes over three years. Graduates of the fellowship program will be poised to collaborate with government officials on local environmental issues, leveraging the unique vantage point educators have as pillars of their communities.
TECA Founder and Executive Director Dr. Diarese George shared, "We are elated to be selected for this incredible investment in Tennessee educators, communities, and our shared future. As educators, we see the daily impact of environmental and climate changes through a unique lens. This funding will position us to research, cultivate, and implement sustainable solutions at local and legislative levels."
The funding represents the latest round of applications that have been selected on a rolling basis since the program launched in November 2023. EPA previously announced 21 selectees in July. The announcement adds 84 new selectees, bringing the total number to 105.
“On day one of his Administration, President Biden promised to target investments to communities that for too long have been shut out of federal funding,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, EPA is delivering on that promise. These selections will create jobs, improve public health, and uplift community efforts in all corners of this country, regardless of geography or background.”
See the full listing of the 105 selections receiving a Community Change grant and learn more about the program.
Of the 105 total selections, 32 are for Target Investment Areas, totaling $600 million. Target Investment Area funding is intended to ensure that Community Change Grants Program funding is directed towards disadvantaged communities with unique circumstances, geography, and needs. This includes approximately $150 million for Alaska Native communities and organizations. The agency received approximately 2,700 applications, totaling over $40 billion in requested funds and over 2,495 requests for technical assistance.
The Community Change Grants Program addresses the diverse and unique needs of disadvantaged communities by:
- reducing and preventing air, water, and soil pollution
- building resilient infrastructure to extreme weather events
- bolstering workforce development
Click here to read the full EPA news release. To learn more about environmental justice at EPA, visit EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.
TECA and Western Governors University Announce Partnership
TECA members can receive scholarships to pursue further education
October 8, 2024
October 8, 2024
Western Governors University (WGU), the nonprofit online university operating in Tennessee for more than a decade, has signed a partnership agreement with the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA). The partnership encourages TECA members to pursue higher-education opportunities with WGU’s flexible, online degree programs and provide scholarships TECA members can use to attend WGU.
“At WGU, we’re committed to furthering the educational opportunities and pathways for all Tennesseans, and TECA is an important partner in achieving that mission,” said Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Tennessee chancellor and Southeast regional vice president. “Their work connecting, mentoring, and championing educators across the state is vital to our children’s future. With our state facing another school year with a teacher shortage, we must find ways to nurture and support our educators, and this partnership is one way we’re doing our part.”
TECA’s mission is to provide high-quality programming and networking opportunities to support and retain educators of color across the state of Tennessee. They engage and convene educators of color with opportunities to explore fellowship, develop layers of mentorship, and pursue leadership opportunities. TECA has more than 4,000 members and staff across the state.
“We’re honored to partner with WGU in our shared mission to support educators of color in Tennessee,” said Diarese George, chief executive officer for TECA. “By working together, we can cultivate a steady pipeline of diverse teaching talent and provide the resources and opportunities for our members to become better educators, mentors, and leaders.”
In the last 20 years, WGU’s Teachers College has conferred degrees to more than 91,000 graduates across all 50 states, with nearly 3,300 of those in Tennessee. The Teachers College has partnered with more than 2,600 school districts and more than 500 community colleges nationwide, including more than 20 in Tennessee. WGU’s Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
WGU’s online model provides a broad portfolio of dozens of degree pathways in a student-centered, competency-based model with flexible scheduling to learn where and when students want within each six-month term. This enables students to progress through their courses as soon as they demonstrate skills mastery. To learn more about TECA, go to TNECA.org. To learn more about WGU’s Teachers College and its academic programs, go to WGU.edu.
About Western Governors University (WGU): A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 176,000 students nationwide and has more than 348,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC “Nightly News,” and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu and www.wgu.edu/impact.
About Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA): A statewide nonprofit founded in 2016 that envisions a future where the diversity of Tennessee educators reflects the diversity of students across the state. Its mission is to provide high-quality programming and networking opportunities to support and retain educators of color across the state of Tennessee. Organizationally, TECA provides leadership development, professional learning opportunities, intentional mentorship, civic engagement and advocacy training, and strategic partnership centered on racial equity in recruitment and retention. Since its inception in 2016, the organization has attracted and supported a network of over 4000 educators of color, allies, advocates, and community stakeholders across the state. More information is available at www.tneca.org.
“At WGU, we’re committed to furthering the educational opportunities and pathways for all Tennesseans, and TECA is an important partner in achieving that mission,” said Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Tennessee chancellor and Southeast regional vice president. “Their work connecting, mentoring, and championing educators across the state is vital to our children’s future. With our state facing another school year with a teacher shortage, we must find ways to nurture and support our educators, and this partnership is one way we’re doing our part.”
TECA’s mission is to provide high-quality programming and networking opportunities to support and retain educators of color across the state of Tennessee. They engage and convene educators of color with opportunities to explore fellowship, develop layers of mentorship, and pursue leadership opportunities. TECA has more than 4,000 members and staff across the state.
“We’re honored to partner with WGU in our shared mission to support educators of color in Tennessee,” said Diarese George, chief executive officer for TECA. “By working together, we can cultivate a steady pipeline of diverse teaching talent and provide the resources and opportunities for our members to become better educators, mentors, and leaders.”
In the last 20 years, WGU’s Teachers College has conferred degrees to more than 91,000 graduates across all 50 states, with nearly 3,300 of those in Tennessee. The Teachers College has partnered with more than 2,600 school districts and more than 500 community colleges nationwide, including more than 20 in Tennessee. WGU’s Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
WGU’s online model provides a broad portfolio of dozens of degree pathways in a student-centered, competency-based model with flexible scheduling to learn where and when students want within each six-month term. This enables students to progress through their courses as soon as they demonstrate skills mastery. To learn more about TECA, go to TNECA.org. To learn more about WGU’s Teachers College and its academic programs, go to WGU.edu.
About Western Governors University (WGU): A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves more than 176,000 students nationwide and has more than 348,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC “Nightly News,” and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu and www.wgu.edu/impact.
About Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA): A statewide nonprofit founded in 2016 that envisions a future where the diversity of Tennessee educators reflects the diversity of students across the state. Its mission is to provide high-quality programming and networking opportunities to support and retain educators of color across the state of Tennessee. Organizationally, TECA provides leadership development, professional learning opportunities, intentional mentorship, civic engagement and advocacy training, and strategic partnership centered on racial equity in recruitment and retention. Since its inception in 2016, the organization has attracted and supported a network of over 4000 educators of color, allies, advocates, and community stakeholders across the state. More information is available at www.tneca.org.