Executive Director, Environmental Health Watch (www.ehw.org), Cleveland/OH. Community organizer, home inspector homes for health hazards and public policy consultant.
Daniela Jauk 0:04
Welcome to Why Sociology
Angela Adkins 0:11
a podcast series featuring many interviews with sociology majors who have taken Career Pathways beyond academia, in applied and clinical careers, and to show not only tell
Daniela Jauk 0:24
why and how sociology matters in today's world
Angela Adkins 0:30
we are Angela Adkins from Stark State College and
Daniela Jauk 0:35
I'm Daniela Jauk from the University of Akron,
Angela Adkins 0:38
both located in rubber city Akron, Ohio,
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but we feature sociological movers change makers and shakers from all over the US and the globe.
Daniela Jauk 0:55
Welcome, we are finding ourselves again in our virtual Why Sociology studio. And today we have the extreme honor and pleasure to meet Kim Foreman. Kim is the executive director for Environmental HealthWatch in Cleveland, Ohio. Kim is a sociology major, and am now so very interested, just tell us, what are you doing?
Kim Foreman 1:24
Thank you, I'm working on sustainable community. We just changed our mission. So we're creating healthy regenerative communities by just alignments and respecting the value of people in place. And the way we do that healthy homes is our core. So we started in 1980. I've been here for 20 years. So I've been here for a long time. And our focus has been primarily very technical around healthy homes. We provide direct service training, assessment services, as well as mitigation, and advocate. Right. So when I came on board, I started to look at communities look at sustainability and the way people were defining it. And so I've built up this program, and now we look at it as our Community Initiatives Program. And so we can focus on the gaps. We focus on working with community leaders, we focus on thinking about food justice, full access, and development in a general sense, but with the people that are impacted as part of the process, because that is environmental justice. We are an environmental justice organization, with the health equity lens and the framing. So we do that type of work. We've done food, arts and culture work in a specific targeted area. And we do a big festival called Fresh fest. And that's our placemaking piece. So we do work in community. And it's very nimble and responsive is not that we create this thing, go in and say this is what is good for you. This is what you should jump on. But we've kind of looking at every response and look at where the gaps are. So we have a few different things that we do it is broadening accounts is the intersection between housing, climate, social justice, environmental justice, and racial justice as well. A lot of the people places we work are in communities of color in the city of Cleveland, and it grew out of my interest in learning about how people of color thought about sustainability, and how they created solutions to it, and how we partner with residents and support them and not try to dictate so that's a long winded response. I'm currently running a Resource Center and we just pushed a policy for for the city of Cleveland, all landlords have to provide a list safe maintenance certificate and their rental units. And so running, I'm the administrator the list safe Resource Center, which is a huge, huge, huge undertaking. Everybody across the country is looking at this process looking at the list, a Cleveland coalition and I'm the operation side of the coalition. I'm in the leadership but I'm also operating the listing Resource Center so that's a huge project is almost like I'll run into organizations at same time trying to work that's all for those who know about it. They probably seen and heard I was just gonna ask
Daniela Jauk 4:41
How how would you describe your job role because you are obviously leading a nonprofit. So you are in nonprofit management nonprofit leadership apart now I'm learning you're also doing other activities. What is a typical day like for you? Or is it are there no typical days.
Kim Foreman 5:01
That's the thing. That's why I've been in this summer because there's nothing that's typical, right? We what we've done uniquely as a nonprofit organization, we've, we've done research, we've applied research, we are innovative, and we kind of push, you know, people to think differently about how they work. So we've done things like race for the Justice Conference, because we knew people were having a conversation around food, and gardening, but no one's talking about the purse, the black folks perspective. So I brought all kinds of experts in from across the country and did that for several years to just bring a different conversation. So I think we're not in a box, like we think broadly and uniquely, and we are the only organization in Cleveland doing the work that we're doing. Plus, we do have national ties and influence across the country. So that's why I've been here for years, because it just keeps evolving, right? It keeps evolving. And so that's why it's exciting. And we have made some impact. And as you work on systems change work, right? Not just programs, but systems changes, we're we're, we're focused in on evolve as a leader, you know, every time I get opportunity, I'm trying to evolve ourselves. So just got executive team, so then I'm able to do other types of work. Because it's intersectional, is you've got to multitask. Sometimes I'm doing programs, I'm working to get out of that, because I'm supposed to be a director. But do you know work on some of the programs because I it was a long time when we didn't have any staff. So I had to do everything. So role in the organization. And then then my position changed based on the resources I have and how I can grow the organization.
Angela Adkins 7:02
Wow, that is a lot on your plate. Partially, you've answered the question of how sociology informs it in a in a general sort of sense. But could you tell us, you said something really important about like, changing the bring a different conversation, right, changing the conversation, which I think is very crucial. And it sounds like that's really your primary goal and what you do. So how does sociology inform your ability to do that? Like, how do you use sociology for that?
Kim Foreman 7:34
So it was funny, because I went to Case Western Reserve and I was going to be a pre med, I was there, pre med, I was going to go to med school. But sociology is the only the only interest I had, as far as you know, my major, right? I didn't want to take biology. So as I got into sociology, because I wasn't non traditional student, I didn't go to school till I was about 30, or whatever. So I was a non traditional student with children. So as we started talking about things and sociality, I could relate, because I had lived a little bit of life a little, you know, so then what happened was, I was in a program here or through AmeriCorps, and E. SW was a potential site for me to work at our money. And I was not interested in environment I didn't, because I was connected to systems change stuff. I don't have a professor that brought it up. And I didn't get into later till I got into the work. So in that regard, when I started to learn about how lit was impacting the school system, the community, then it makes sense, I think it was in 2004. I graduate in 2001. I think I became a full time at ESD 2001. I started here part time in 1998. And then I said in 2004, I remember sending an email to my professor, Dr. Rhonda Williams, she was a history professor, but she took us out in the community talked about systems change. She talked about power, she talked about all these things. And I'm like, oh, so then I start thinking broader, you know, how they're impacted our society. And the social eels conversation, the theories around that. And I was like, Oh, this is like major, and regards to a broader community issue. And initially, I was doing home visits one house at a time. I can't mean single parents like myself and one family one generation after the other who were left for his and there was a disconnect there. And then I started to evolve our thinking and working around the broader context around the system and have that we needed to think broader around the community in the city. is no because there's no way we can deal with this one house at a time is ridiculous, right? That's where that kind of sociological thing came in, and who was impacted in a broader context? So
Daniela Jauk 10:13
Kim, our podcasts name is Why Sociology. And we want to ask you, you said you graduated in 2001. It's 2022. Why Sociology in this day and age? Do we still need sociology? Why Sociology?
Kim Foreman 10:30
Absolutely. I think that the nation is starting to look at root causes of issues. We went from individualistic perspective around why something Why are you unhealthy, and I'm speaking within a health context, public health context, right, but they are starting to intersect these ideas around root causes race racism, as things that impact your Hill. So those things where people are being impacted in their communities that don't have access to transportation, education, air pollution, poor air quality, right. So all these things are starting to intersect in regards to how it shows up and people's health and how long they live. So now they're brought in and even public health, I think there's a sociological intersection between public health and in what's going on in our society, and crafting solutions to deal with the in a deeper way. And really talking about race the city, I think the county Cuyahoga County and the city looked at public health, racism as a public health issue as a crisis, right? So it's like, Oh, so now we're gonna dig into racist policies that perpetuate poor health outcomes, you see what I mean? So I think those intersections around race specifically, and how we deal with that in sociology, and how it impacts community, as well as people health and people are dying and getting sick from the policies, and those racist policies that keep people in, you know, different situations in their communities and don't provide access, or we need to make the communities right, right, you don't need that everybody has to leave what's going on, and we can't get that same value to that particular community. Right? It is not in the suburbs, it doesn't have value if you don't, if you're not white, or you don't have value. And that's what our policies have been kind of doing. They value based policy. Oh, who's all fairness and all that, right? So it's funny how we have these different times now, right now, this time around equity is the word of the day. Social justice, environmental justice, equity. To me, it's the same concept. It's just how do we actually demonstrate it at this point, right? So you can name it whatever you want to make people digest it better. But like, what are we really doing differently? In our society to address these social ills, they're also linked to policies is powerful.
Angela Adkins 13:24
And I think that that is probably the most important Why Sociology we've, we've ever had is, you know, because it helps all of us and we need to get there. That is really commendable. And I think so important. And it sounds like what you do is like, just custom made for you like that is your thing. So can you tell us like, just some nuts and bolts of like, how did you even get into this field? Was it just I'm, I'm gonna take this job while I'm in school, or was it something that you were a little bit more directed at it? Like, how did you get into it?
Kim Foreman 14:02
I was not directed at this job at all. I came in part time, right? Because like I said, I had children at home, I was going to case which is enough, not really a not it's not for non traditional as a private school. So I had to figure out ways I could go to school and work and and still focus on what I was aiming to go to med school, like I said, So part time. And then what happened as I took on a full time and realized and I'd give kudos to my former boss to Greenberg mentor, because he allowed me to kind of flex and figure things out and and be creative. So what I did was I ended up going to these conferences in DC and Baltimore and met with all of these, like advocates that were advocating for policy changes around housing Ron led And that was so interesting to me how excited these people were interesting. And I was like, Oh, wow, you know. So that's where I kind of was like, wow, I want to learn more about this because I love the energy of the people that I was meeting and being a part of this national kind of group of folks who now are doing really big things in the country. And so that's where you're starting. And I had an opportunity to get a grant from EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, around Care Community Action for renewed environment. And so I took that opportunity to go into the communities of color, and ask the questions, and I created my whole program. So like nothing, right. Like, I didn't have a bank of residence to work, because I had to actually go out, do the outreach, put a project again, that's what I marked as kind of what my skill set was, is developing these things that actually worked, that people responded to and participated in. And it was a beautiful experience for me to really see how we flipped the thing, instead of this, people flying into community telling what they should do and what sustainability was because at the same time, we had a sustainability campaign going on by the city, but it was like, nobody's sewing up. And then I would go to entrepreneurs for sustainability meetings, it was all white males and white people and no people other. So I want, I really went out and tried to research, investigate and figure out the best approach to having this conversation, not only a conversation, but look at solutions by the people, right, so that's where I got, I've grown myself, and then I'm also a licensed risk assessor. So I have my own business, doing inspections for the city of Cleveland. So I had a technical knowledge. And that's what puts us in a unique space, because we didn't talk about it, but we can also address it. And we know what we're talking about technically. And we can advocate using a platform because I'm in two spaces, I'm in community space. I'm also at the decision making table. So like we get an opportunity to full circle and then take resources put on where we feel like they should go create our own tables and our own infrastructure to these big initiatives, like the listening resource center needs to use all of the things and the models. I've did a lot of direct service projects and just marked a lot being announced communities listening to people, and they're finding some resources that they can create, from cooking classes to youth programs, to the conference I've talked about, right? So it was like I was almost like in the community trying all these different things that they said they wanted and responded to them, that they have this environmental element to it. But they also engage in community, they're not evolved to look at creating a policy advocacy classes because it wasn't enough to just do the programs if people weren't connected to real change that could impact them on a bigger scale. So then I started learning more about policy I started on, then I had a chance to actually impact policy through the list a Cleveland coalition, right? So it's just like this, this evolution of stuff that got me here. Right? It was, I'm very intentional now. At that time, I was looking at detail. I was very detailed, and the programs that I put together. And that's what I think made the difference is really being thoughtful about what we were doing and how we were doing it, and who we were doing it with
Angela Adkins 19:03
What a testament to the importance of not only being exposed to a lot of different things, but trying out what works for you and networking within communities. Right, that social capital is so important. And I think that's a really great example of that for sure. Thank you,
Daniela Jauk 19:22
Kim, your field sounds just really multifaceted and fascinating. Can people do internships with you? Were How would a student how could the student get involved with the work you're doing if they are interested?
Kim Foreman 19:39
So a few things they can do, they can join, let's say Cleveland coalition, I encourage that because there's committees that people can sit on and participate in and is very collaborative so they can actually have their voice and and involved in in some work. I think that we we are looking for boredom. embers I think I want to look at, you know, people that are energized about the work. And I'm always intergenerational. Everything I'm doing. So we have a mix of diverse people diverse ages, and also sitting at the table includes residents and institutions. So I think being involved in initiatives is important because everybody wants so we're really young people that and not being afraid to if you see something that doesn't make sense, not being afraid to ask the question, that's what I've learned from Dr. Rhonda, just ask the right question on the table. I see a lot of people kind of know something that's not quite right. Or they hear something else out. But they won't ask or say anything about it. I think we need to start putting a thing right is right, wrong is wrong, we see something it's okay to say it's just learning how to cultivate question. Also, I think we are considering not at camp, hire some staff. Because I would wouldn't want students to come in and get a bad experience. I just spoke with one of my team members about you know, are we ready to entertain internship? Or internships? And I was like, yeah, we can I have two folks on my executive team. And they are social workers. Right? So they do both for social workers. So I would say yeah, and then so there's three areas, we do outreach, like if they wanted to come in and do some short term or over the summer, they could come hang out with us and do outreach. I'm looking for board members, someone's really interested and has the time to look at that. And a formal internship, likely, eh, W do research project or something like that. I do have one in mind. So I would entertain it. We just don't have the infrastructure yet. But I think we probably could come up with some with the right person.
Daniela Jauk 22:05
That is wonderful, and they can follow your website, and definitely will link to your website, coming to a close here. In talking about students. Is there some piece of advice you want to give the students that are listening to this podcast? Is there something you wish you had known as a soc major you want to share?
Kim Foreman 22:25
Just not being afraid to speak up, I think is the advice that I would give. I was in a class and and a sociology professor was saying some really weird stuff about people of color. And I was like, what? I was shocked, then I was at class like do something right? I didn't, you know, and I think a lot of people care about their grades, right? Your class and care about your grades and stuff. You know, and I understand that I guess I was an adult. So I was just like, I went to the department head and talked to them and dealt with it. But I just think that just in general, just learning with community, I think is important. You do not have the answers, right? You need to go in and listen and learn what people are saying about themselves, who are impacted. If you aren't concerned about a particular issue or something like that, I think it's important to go and find out who the community leaders are enlarged from now first, and then you know, that helps you gain a little more access into community or work that an organization that's doing work, I think that's important, is understanding what's actually happening in the community. I think that's a lesson learned.
Angela Adkins 23:47
Thank you so much. This was like, fascinating and also really encouraging. I think, especially for those of us who teach. The one thing that we want to tell our students over and over is that no matter where you go, sociology will you know, it will go with you and it will help you and it can be useful and it's really encouraging to see that just sort of happening and speaking to that idea of structural change. Thank you so much.
Daniela Jauk 24:18
Yes, thank you Kim for taking the time in your busy day. And we will see each other out there because now I am gonna start following your programs. The whole day faze you
Daniela Jauk 24:42
Thank you for tuning into Why Sociology. Stay tuned for more mini interviews with applied and clinical sociologists and see you next time