Hi Friends! 

This past month, we have been hard at work to lay the foundation for our strategic planning process, prepare for the upcoming semester of environmental justice camps, welcome Brion Baker to our board of directors, and partner with local organizations to expand our reach and strengthen the community.

1. Strategic Planning: We have taken the first steps towards developing a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide our organization’s mission, vision, and priorities for the coming years. Our goal is to ensure that Communities for a Healthy Bay remains at the forefront of environmental advocacy and continues to make a positive impact on the Tacoma area.
2. Environmental Justice Camps: As we gear up for a new semester of environmental justice camps, we are working to make sure that these programs remain accessible to all girls and gender-expansive youth. We believe that these camps are an essential tool in educating and empowering young people to become the next generation of environmental leaders. Stay tuned because there is an exciting lineup of events in store.
3. Board of Directors: We are thrilled to announce that Brion Baker has joined our board of directors. Brion brings a wealth of experience in business to the table, and we are confident that he will be a valuable asset to our organization.
4. Partnership: In our ongoing efforts to expand our reach and strengthen the community, we are forming new partnerships with local organizations that share our commitment to people and environmental justice. These partnerships will allow us to collaborate on projects, share resources, and have a greater impact overall.

We are grateful for your support and look forward to continuing our work towards a healthy and sustainable future for all. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Best regards,

Melissa Malott
Executive Director

Brion Baker Joins CHB Board 

Brion Baker is a name that has become synonymous with innovation and progress in the aerospace industry. As an executive leader at Boeing, he has been transforming the Supply Chain and Quality organizations, taking them from a reactive approach to a proactive one in order to prevent disruptions in the production system. Since starting his career at Boeing in 2012, Brion has been an influential force, driving the company towards a safer and more sustainable future.

Brion hails from Tacoma, Washington and is deeply passionate about the South Sound community. This connection to the area has been a driving force behind his commitment to making a difference in the world. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Washington – Tacoma, and has a deep appreciation for the unique environment that the area affords.

When he’s not working, Brion can be found enjoying the great outdoors – from spending time on the coast to mountain biking, playing pickleball, and cheering on local sports teams. He values the time he gets to spend with his small village of family and friends, and this connection to community has been a key factor in his success as a leader.

As a newly appointed board member of CHB, Brion is eager to bring his global business perspective to the table and help further the strategic objectives of the organization. He believes that his passion for the area, combined with his expertise in the business world, will be a valuable asset to the community.

We’re excited to welcome Brion to the CHB team and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make in the coming years. Stay tuned for more updates on this dynamic leader and his journey with CHB!

Join us for the February edition of Tacoma Green Drinks! Our host this month is La Resistencia, a grassroots organization led by immigrants based in Washington State, working to end the detention of immigrants and stop deportations. We’ll hear about La Resistencia’s work in advocating for better, safer conditions at the Northwest Detention Center and their upcoming legislative advocacy work.

February Green Drinks will be at Bob’s Java Jive (2102 S Tacoma Way) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 2. Meet us in the back room of Bob’s. After Green Drinks, stay at Bob’s for a night of open-mic stand-up comedy, presented by Bob’s Comedy Jive.

This Friday at 6 p.m., our Deputy Director, Erin Dilworth will serve as a panelist for La Resistencia’s Civil Detention Forum. Participants will learn about the immigration system, civil detention, and the conditions detainees face both inside and outside the Northwest Detention Center. Other panelists include representatives from Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Columbia Legal Services, Global Rights Advocacy, and the University of Washington Center for Human Rights

Recognizing that we share many of the same values as La Resistencia – healthy people and healthy communities, accessibility to information, and justice – CHB began collaborating with La Resistencia in 2022.  When we consider our work in fighting climate change and dissolving systems and practices that disproportionately harm low-income and communities of color, we truly align.

As a community group that focuses on environmental issues, CHB is eager to continue collaborating with La Resistencia, because we know that when our most vulnerable are protected, our whole community thrives. Register using the link below.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G-6lR3KWQYmzSCB_m8Q8sw?fbclid=IwAR2uvR5AJk12RRdf1QfHjTz1ZjqzYUGAfaR7CsWzJ09AISN5htP2rr1-YBY