Join Transition Trainer and local economic development practitioner, Fred Brown of Pittsburgh, PA, to explore how Transition Towns can bridge the urban community with the global economy, using principles of “economic gardening” – a strength-based approach to community development that spans socioeconomic strata.
Speaker Bio:
Fred Brown is an environmental justice leader specializing in green urban revitalization. Fred’s current projects include Imagine Larimer: a web-based technology to build community ecoliteracy; Urban Leadership Institute, a community sustainability program focusing on green technology, resource management, and entrepreneurial development; and Junior Urban Leadership Institute, a leadership program that trains urban youth in greening principles, civic engagement, conflict resolution, and workforce development skills.
In addition, Fred currently serves as President & CEO of Homewood Children’s Village, a community development organization which takes a 2-generation approach to improving the lives of children and adults in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
In 2011, Fred’s Urban Leadership Institute was awarded the 2011 “Save it” award for best practices for a resident to resident model for energy reduction by PennFutures; ULI challenged 51 families in a “block by block” Neighborhood Energy Challenge to reduce neighborhood energy use. Also in 2011, Fred was selected to represent the State of Pennsylvania on the President’s Federal Climate Change MOU as a member of the Environmental Justice National Roundtable.
Fred has been a climate justice trainer, environmental justice leader, policy analyst, adjunct professor, dean of students, teacher, coach, mentor, certified Juvenile Justice Judge’s trainer (TOT), certified conflict mediation and resolution trainer (TOT), master consultant, supervisor, director, and executive director of non-profit organizations since 1987.
A frequent speaker, trainer, coach, mentor, and consultant; Mr. Brown has a BS in Education from Indiana University of PA, MSW from the University of Pittsburgh, and was a doctoral candidate working on a PhD in SW and a MPH from the University of Pittsburgh.