by Grist
Art: Nat Damm
Brenda Palms-Barber
Chief Executive Director, North Lawndale Employment Network
Chicago, Ill.
Brenda Palms-Barber never meant to start a green project. She
just wanted to create jobs for the residents of Chicago’s North
Lawndale neighborhood, 57 percent of whom have been incarcerated or had
some involvement with the criminal justice system. As chief executive
director of the North Lawndale Employment Network, she hatched the idea for Sweet Beginnings,
an urban honey farming business that trains and employs locals who
would otherwise have a hard time finding a job. In addition to selling
honey, Sweet Beginnings produces the beeline brand
of all-natural personal-care products, which are now sold in Chicago
Whole Foods stores, among other outlets. A sweet idea all around.
Meet more people who are redefining green.
Related Links:
Underground Green Economy Employing Millions
Home Star: Let’s move past the talk and get to the action
CBO stumbles into the green jobs debate
