The We Live Here team balances deep dives into systemic issues with inspiring stories about people working to make a difference in their own communities. So when a listener reached out and introduced us to the work of Jeffrey “JD” Dixon, an activist organizing cleanups and coalitions in East St. Louis, a predominantly Black city in Illinois, we knew that we’d have to drive across the river to share his story. In this episode, we’ll learn about JD’s demand for legislative reform, hear from a political science professor about the legacy of industrial suburbs, and talk to a reporter about how JD is one of many Black residents in the Metro East area of Illinois who are pushing back against environmental racism.
Boots to the Streets
1 of
— Jeffrey "JD" Dixon and We Live Here's Lauren Brown
Jia Lian Yang
2 of
— JD Dixon with Zach Chike, City of Joy Fellowship Youth Director, in background
Jia Lian Yang
3 of
— Cindy McMullan, Local Group Manager of Illinois Moms Demand Action, with JD Dixon and Lauren Brown on left
Jia Lian Yang
4 of
— Cindy McMullan and Chris Peters, Illinois Moms Demand Action
Jia Lian Yang
5 of
— Samantha Hendon, FOURward Movement
Jia Lian Yang
6 of
— Boots to the Streets Cleanup
Jia Lian Yang
