I love YP4!

Why? Well, since 2005 I have been involved in developing curriculum for and training fellows at the annual Summit. Also, I have worked alongside Iara and Shaunna in developing national coalitions — such as Future 5000 and Generation Vote — aimed at providing the backbone of a progressive movement.

I just was involved in a fellowship program of my own, the National Urban Fellows, from which I received a full scholarship to Baruch College in NY (ironically where my dad graduated from and my mother’s mother took business classes in the 1940s!). The NUF program is a 14-month intensive Master in Public Administration program. My thesis was titled An Analysis of Electricity Delivery Policy in New York City.

I have used that understanding now in my role as the National Field Organizer for a day of action to develop an inclusive Green Economy. YP4 is a partner in this effort, Green Jobs Now. I encourage you to check out the website and see if there is an event in your area or sign up to host one.

The cool thing is that I am doing that national organizing work right out of the YP4 national office!

Honestly, I get to see Calvin, Jessica, Zach, Sophia, web superstar Fureigh and the rest of the gang every day while we creatively push on to transform the country we love.

If you have any specific questions about how you can get involved, drop Julia Rhee an e-mail at Julia [at] greenforall [dot] org. (Yes, that is the same Julia that was once a Leadership Academy fellow.)

It is really fresh how things have been turning out. A few years ago Iara, Taj from Movement Strategy Center, Billy who founded the League of Young Voters, a few others, and myself plotted how to create a leadership development pathway that could rival the right wing and I think we're actually doing it!

One last thing. There is a lot of talk about "drill baby drill" from some candidates. In fact both sides seem to think that this is sound environmental policy. NOT!

This is political greenwashing that lets polluters stuff proposals for oil shale development, tar sane exploitation and nuclear power into energy plans that also features solar panels and wind turbines. This is the pro-polluter agenda, the rise of the "dirty greens." This argument subsumes green jobs and renewables under an umbrella that also shelters "clean" coal and nuclear power.

If you accept that we are addicted to a pollution-based economy I ask you, if you knew a crackhead, would you feed them more crack? Or would you get them an apple?

Like I said, I love YP4! If any of you have any questions contact me at ibrahim [at] greenforall [dot] org.

PS: for those of you fasting for Ramadan like myself, Ramadan Mubarak!