Rise Up Initiative
There are many competing interests in the redevelopment of the Lake Street corridor following the civil unrest of 2020. We believe that the most important interests are those of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities who live and work here. In order to center these voices, we envision a revolutionary economic development center rooted in Lake Street’s BIPOC communities: the Rise Up Center. The Center will be a geographically accessible, culturally competent, and economically sustainable hub for BIPOC-workforce development in the green building and clean energy fields. As a result of The Rise Up Center and its programs, low-wage BIPOC workers will have dignified, union jobs with good salaries, benefits, and safe working conditions. Most importantly, these workers will have a powerful collective voice and the economic clout to shape the future of Lake Street.