Week 9 Action Steps

1. BUY RENEWABLE ENERGY THROUGH GREEN POWER PROGRAMS

   Studies show that Hispanics, Asians, American Indians/Alaska Natives and especially African Americans experience higher risks of harm (including premature death) from air pollution. Approximately 74 million people of color, or 57%, live in counties with at least one failing grade for ozone and/or particle pollution, compared with 38% of whites. Help change the reliance on coal in Indiana by purchasing green power. Click here to sign up for IPL's Green Power program or make the changes to your account. IndyStar recently featured how you can purchase renewable energy through a Green Power Program.

2. HELP PEOPLE OF COLOR AVOID THE PAYDAY LOAN RACKET

   Recorder Media Group, Indiana Black Expo, InnoPower and Lilly Endowment, Inc. awarded $9,000 in cash prizes to entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. The Halo App was the winner of $5,000. The Halo App gives borrowers a way around the payday loan system. The payday loan is criminal. Each day, payday loan borrowers across the U.S. request $500 and pay back $1,300 in just a couple of months. This is a system built for users to fail. The Halo App is a private, lending community that connects Borrowers to Backers (people) instead of storefronts. Click here to learn more. You can be one of the people willing to loan money. You can set the terms of your loan.

3. ENTER THE WORLD OF BLACK ENTERTAINERS

   “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a 2020 movie based on August Wilson’s play by the same name, takes the viewer inside the recording business in 1927 to witness the discriminatory practices of white producers. This is the late Chadwick Boseman final movie and stars Viola Davis as Ma Rainey.  Currently available on Netflx.

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