“The South is a special place,” explained André Ledgister, communications catalyst at Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE). “It’s interconnected, not just by geography but by history.”
The region’s legacy of slavery and segregation continues to permeate its communities and is evidenced by the South’s high rates of poverty, racism and income inequality. For example, Georgia, an economic powerhouse, has one of the lowest rates of economic mobility in the country. “A Black child has less than a five percent chance to move from one economic standing to another,” explained Ledgister. “That’s unacceptable.”
PSE’s strong ties to the community are vital to its success. Through its Just Energy program, the organization works with community partners to educate low-wealth people about the extraction and commodification of energy in Georgia to promote more equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of energy decisions. PSE’s Just Opportunity program partners with a network of organizations to develop an inclusive economic agenda for the region that addresses the root causes of income inequality. And the organization’s Just Growth program provides a platform for all Atlantans to have a voice in infrastructure, development and transportation decision-making, which positions low-wealth communities to be co-architects in visioning and fostering prosperous, environmentally rich, and equitable cities.
PSE also conducts research and develops resources that provide organizations, decision makers and community members with information to create meaningful change. The Metro Atlanta Equity Atlas (MAEA), a series of maps designed to tell the story of Atlanta’s well-being, is a notable example. The maps highlight eight quality-of-life categories – including jobs, education and transit – and show how different counties throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area compare. The atlas and corresponding report are powerful tools for lawmakers, nonprofits and community members to advocate for more equitable policies and programs throughout the area. In addition, PSE wrote a report about the history of race and transportation in Metro Atlanta that highlights opportunities for the region to “correct this failed legacy” and build transportation systems that connect all Atlantans to economic opportunities.
Nathaniel Smith, founder and chief equity officer of PSE, is hopeful for Atlanta’s future. “From an economic development perspective, this is one of the only places in the country where Black political power has translated to economic power,” he said. “For example, the first Black mayor [Maynard Jackson] required 30 percent of [city] contracts be set aside for Black business owners and entrepreneurs.”
The organization’s strong reputation, deep roots in the community and expertise around issues of equity and democracy help Surdna further one of the Sustainable Environments’ strategies to build accountability and develop alternatives that support healthier, sustainable and just communities for children and families across the country.
“My family is what spurs me to do this work,” explained Ledgister. “I want my daughter, as an African American female, to grow up in a place where she can prosper…I don’t want [her race] to limit her from getting everything she wants and more.”