Lincoln Park Village named launch site for minority-based, entrepreneur network with Green focus in Newark

Newark, NJ - January 6, 2008 The New Jersey Professionals Network (NJPros), the latest addition to national collaborative The Professionals Network Org. (TPNO), named The Washington Street Buildings as launch site for their inaugural mixer on Thursday, January 29, 2009 from 6:30-8:30pm. The building, developed by Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD) is located at 450 Washington Street in the heart of Lincoln Park Village (LPV). The former abandoned lot is now LEED certified, prime real estate with sustainable amenities including solar panels and bamboo cabinets & flooring. With guidance from Van Jones and the Green for All message, the NJ Professionals are a growing resource for New Jersey's urban communities. The network of minority entrepreneurs and business professionals will learn and adapt sustainable business practices, inclusively creating growth opportunities for themselves and others.





"The Washington Street Buildings are a beautiful example of sustainability at its best. - from the Green materials used to create it, to the revitalization their presence brings to area. I wanted the NJPros launch to send a clear message of sustainability. The Lincoln Park site captures construction and the Green vision that Baye Wilson and the Lincoln Park team have for Newark," says Pamela B. Daniels, President, New Jersey Professionals Network.

NJPros will link blue and white collar professionals to sustainable business practices in an attempt to broaden Green understanding, create a sustainable system, and grow new entrepreneurs in the State of New Jersey. The network will host a series of mixers, seminars, webinars and community events throughout the upcoming year that increase professional development and resources within New Jersey's communities.

"This network is a great opportunity for professionals to learn and adapt Green methodologies to their business core; in-turn, creating resources and opportunities for the urban community at-large. This is the foundation of the Green Collar movement. Once applied, our community will be the change we want to see in the world," comments Renaldo M. DaSilva, Business Development Manager, Green for All.



The NJPros launch will take place on the third and fourth floor loft of the Washington Street Condominium. In addition to a business card exchange, there will be live music, h'ordeurves, wine & spirits and an awakening, congratulatory message from Van Jones, Founding President Green for All. To RSVP, visit http://newjerseyprofessionals.eventbrite.com/.

For sponsorship or media inquiries please contact The Brickerati at (862) 220-9340 or info@brickeratigreen.com.

A Message from Van Jones

Van Jones founding President of Green for All, asks that we submit a letter to our congressman (those who will be in office during Barack Obama's presidency) to pass The Green Jobs Act, which provides Green jobs training and living wage opportunities for millions of Americans:

For many, this holiday season will be tough. But Congress could give a terrific present to thousands who desperately need work - by fully funding the Green Jobs Act.

Congress is deciding right now what to include in the economic “stimulus and recovery” package it will pass in the new year. This stimulus has the potential to create good, green jobs for America - but only if Congress includes full funding for the Green Jobs Act.

Please help us convince our national leaders to fund the Green Jobs Act as part of America’s rescue package.

The Green Jobs Act
The Green Jobs Act will create green pathways out of poverty in this country. Working with allies, Green For All got the program included in the Energy Bill of 2007. Bush signed the program into law last December. But he failed to include a penny for it in his 2008 budget proposal.

Congress can finally jumpstart this desperately needed program by dedicating $250 million or more in the economic stimulus bill.

The Green Jobs Act will help approximately 25,000 people a year get training in green trades. Trainees could then get employed installing solar panels, weatherizing and retrofitting buildings, working in the wind industry and doing other important work.

Please tell your congressperson to act now.

The Need
Many people in our communities are between jobs now. Some are coming home from wars - or prisons. They deserve an economic future in the only part of the economy likely to grow soon: the green energy sector.

There is a lot of TALK about green jobs. But there is only one authorized federal program designed to provide training for those jobs: The Green Jobs Act. It needs full funding.

President-elect Barack Obama is committed to a clean energy transformation. Let’s expand the number of people who can benefit from the jobs and investment that will flow from the green economy revolution.

Help us convince Congress to do the right thing by sending a letter TODAY. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Van Jones
Green For All

Green Summit Wrap-up: Day 2

The Newark's Green Future Summit ended with a speech only Mayor Booker can deliver. It even brought a super-charged, Super Neighborhood Chairperson and jovial moderator to tears. While a few others were moved, and I myself wanted to jump out of my seat and shout "Yea, this is our time!" I found myself leaving the summit pondering a question that my fellow Newarkers not in attendance, nevertheless informed will be asking:

"How will this begin?"

Although a huge, huge success, because hundreds of action items, commitments, resources, and facts were exchanged and promised to the cause, there is room for skepticism, which residents will not be afraid to express.

The breakout sessions, convened after panel discussions, were the primary opportunity to offer individual feasibility suggestions from ones own area of expertise. It was here that professionals and non spewed out ideas that will certainly turn Bricks green. At the end of an allotted time, all parties returned to the Atrium to discuss their findings.

"But how will we stay connected?"

Perhaps Van Jones, keynote speaker day-2, expressed the issue best when he raised the question, "How do you keep the hope without letting the hope turn into hype?"