Crossroads News
Crossroads’ Equity & Justice Institute Hosts Conversation With Dr. Rita Kamalath
The event kicked off this year’s Lecture Series on the theme of Earth, Equity & Action.
This year’s Equity & Justice Institute Lecture Series, on the theme Earth, Equity & Action, opened with an inspiring conversation between Dr. Rita Kampalath, chief sustainability officer for Los Angeles County, and Cassandra Chase, director of Crossroads’ Equity & Justice Institute.
Dr. Kampalath highlighted how the LA County Sustainability Plan serves as a guiding framework for more than 10 million residents, outlining the region’s vision for a sustainable, healthy and equitable future. The plan includes ambitious climate-action goals such as achieving carbon neutrality, improving air and water quality, and expanding access to green jobs and transportation. It also advances priorities like sustainable housing, biodiversity protection, waste reduction and equitable access to parks and open spaces.
The Institute partnered with Crossroads’ librarians to curate a reading and learning resource list to accompany the lecture. Library book displays and bookmarks featuring student artwork inspired by the Earth, Equity & Action theme invited the school community to dive deeper into sustainability and justice.
Community members were encouraged to visit the LA County Sustainability website to explore the plan in detail and discover ways to get involved in shaping a sustainable Los Angeles.
The Institute invites the Crossroads community to reflect on this year’s Lecture Series essential question: What does a just and livable future look like, and how do we build it from the ground up? This question will continue to shape conversations and collective learning throughout the year, while encouraging everyone to imagine and build a future rooted in equity, care and action.
