about michael
Mike is a 4th year doctoral student in the sociology department. He has dedicated most of his educational career to promoting sustainability across all social boundaries through education and activism. He is hoping to finish his degree next year after completing studies on Race, Culture, and Environment. His research focuses on young Black and Latino environmental activists. He also researches the underground Hip Hop movement in Boston and the environmental messages they produce. In 2004 Mike founded an organization called Environmental Justice Action Media (EJAM) that teaches urban ecology through creative methods and media literacy. Mike also teaches “Planet in Peril,” an undergraduate environmental sociology course at BC. In 2007, he co-founded Real Food BC which promotes the consumption of sustainable food on campus.
about realfoodbc
“Our goals included a garden and implementing greener practices at BC, specifically a green café, in BC dining. Food and the whole food system are a big part of making any institution sustainable.”
In November 2007, Mike attended the national Real Food summit at Yale University. Real Food is an organization seeking a more just and sustainable food system. They campaign to increase the use of “real food,” or local , organic and fairly traded food, on college campuses since they represent a large portion of the national food system. After the national summit, Mike and co-founder Sarah King (A&S 2010) created BC ‘s own chapter of the organization. Since then, with the support of many, RealFoodBC has accomplished its original goals and much more. Their organic garden can be found on the Brighton Campus, and, with the collaboration of BC dining, the grand opening of the green café in fall 2008 was a huge success. Addie’s Loft is located upstairs in Corcoran Commons. In addition, RealFoodBC initiated a pilot composting program in senior housing to reduce waste and create fertile soil in the organic garden.
mike and the garden
“It’s an educational tool for anyone who works on it. You learn more just by doing something and getting out of the classroom. We hold educational tours, work days, and shared our produce with our peers. For the younger kids, I’ve invited at-risk youth groups from Boston for scavenger hunts in the garden and to experience a college campus.”
The garden is 1,200 square feet and is host to numerous veggies and herbs. Produce from the 2008 season includes carrots, broccoli, beans, tomatoes, radishes, beets, peas, peppers, oregano, basil, cucumbers, onions, and more! Local and organic food not only tastes better, but also supports the local economy.
mike and & environmental justice
“Environmental justice serves the goal of trying to make sure that all these new environmental goods and services are enjoyed by a diverse audience. The consumers buying all these innovative green products and services and those who have access to goods like Hybrid cars are not a very diverse crowd. Environmental justice tries to get people to expand their idea of what the environment means and to incorporate the ideas of social justice into the whole green vibe. "
Mike also does work in the greater Boston area. Through his work with students in after school programs, he created the Environmental Justice Action Media (EJAM) website. EJAM is a Boston based network of students, teachers, and activists working for environmental and social change using media as their tool. Most of the time, environmental injustice is found in low-income areas, where neighborhoods are full of brownfields and violence. Mike’s work exposes environmental injustice, and promotes initiatives to make neighborhoods, in the cities and the suburbs, clean for all.
For more information on Mike’s initiatives and organizations he supports, please visit the following sites:
-An article in the Boston Globe featuring Mike’s research and teaching
-The National Real Food Challenge
-The BC Real Food group
-Addie’s Loft
-RealFoodBC Garden Annual Report
-See the garden article in The Heights