Waves of Change is an online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.
This month, we spoke with Darren Riley, co-founder and CEO of JustAir, a Detroit-based organization whose mission is to use data, technology and analysis to protect the 20,000 breaths each person takes every day.
Community event in Detroit. (Photo courtesy of JustAir)
Listen to the full interview:
Riley developed asthma shortly after moving to Detroit and living in Southwest. It opened his eyes to what was going on in his community.
“Having to struggle to breathe — and also being an athlete and understanding how that impacts my lifestyle and the things I wanted to do and enjoy as long as I can — had me asking why … and recognizing that where I live has a huge, huge impact on the outcomes of my health,” He said. “That’s kind of what inspired and sparked some of these ideas.”
Darren Riley speaking. (Photo courtesy of JustAir)
JustAir partners with governments, residents and industry to provide a comprehensive air quality management platform. Riley said users can make a profile on their website, and subscribe to monitors to receive alerts.
“As stakeholders and folks who can actually make a difference and change, we need to create a future so that anyone who comes after us into these environments have an equal go at it,” Riley said. “Breathing clean air, access to clean water, food, shelter, education — all those things that can set you up for success.”
Tabling event in Grand Rapids with Community Collaboration on Climate Change. (Photo courtesy of JustAir)
Learn more about the featured people and organizations:
- JustAir
- Community Collaboration on Climate Change
- Theresa Landrum
- Donele Wilkins
- Laprisha Berry Daniels
- North Carolina Eastern Band of Cherokee
- Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Millions left in air pollution ‘blind spots’ despite stricter EPA standards
Inside is Not the Answer: Air quality in the Great Lakes
Featured image: Darren Riley headshot. (Photo courtesy of JustAir)
