The Greenlining Institute

06/02/2026

Affordability is dominating the conversation in California, but rising costs don’t exist in isolation.

In their new blog, Mars Wu, Sr. Program Manager for Transportation Equity, and Yesenia Perez, Sr. Climate Equity Program Manager, connect the dots between the war in Iran, rising gas prices, oil dependence, transportation, and racial injustice.

When our economy, transportation systems, and foreign policy remain tied to oil, the costs are pushed onto the same communities again and again: communities of color, low-income communities, workers, and people across the Global South.

At home, oil dependence shows up as expensive commutes, unaffordable car ownership, highway pollution, and sacrifice zones. Abroad, it shows up through war, displacement, fuel shortages, and extractive violence.

Read the full blog here:

The Iran war and affordability are connected to bigger questions about who pays when our systems remain dependent on oil.

05/21/2026

As the racial wealth gap continues to grow and the Trump Administration weakens economic safeguards, banks have a responsibility to help expand access to opportunity and build a more just and inclusive economy.

Developed in partnership with banks, community-based organizations, and advocates, the Greenlined Banking Standards offer a clear, actionable framework for banks to turn equity commitments into measurable community impact. As the racial wealth gap continues to grow and the Trump Administration weakens federal economic safeguards, we’re calling on banks to do their part in expanding access to opportunity and building a more just and inclusive economy.

Developed in partnership with banks, community-based organizations, and advocates, the Greenlined Banking Standards offer a roadmap for how banks can advance racial and economic equity through their practices — from small business lending and homeownership to community development, climate finance, consumer-centered products, and more.

Read the report here:

The Greenlined Banking Standards provide a framework for banks to play a role in advancing economic equity through their practices, products, investments, and partnerships.

05/21/2026

What happens when our leaders get it wrong? What will future generations look back and say about those of us who stood up for racial justice?

As we face rising climate threats, rapid AI expansion, and growing inequities, the stakes have never been higher.

is a space to move beyond conversation and into coordinated action.

Early bird tickets are now available — get 20% off for October 8–9 in San Francisco: https://bit.ly/4t9MESY

05/14/2026

As AI data centers are being built at a historic pace in towns across the country, nearby communities — often lower-income communities of color with little to no say in the development of this tech infrastructure — are facing the harmful climate, health, and economic impacts.

Read more in our latest blog:

AI data centers are being built at a historic pace across the country and impacted communities are facing the climate and economic burdens.

05/12/2026

Nothing changes in isolation.

Real progress happens when people come together — across sectors and generations — to align, challenge each other, and build something bigger.

That’s the energy behind .

Early bird registration is now open. Lock in 20% off and join us October 8–9 in San Francisco.

👉 Be in the room where the future gets built: https://bit.ly/4t9MESY

05/12/2026

“Public dollars should go further, supporting affordability for all Californians, especially those facing the greatest pressures.” - Max Vargas, President & CEO, at The Greenlining Institute

California currently spends $4 billion in interest payments to private lenders. Public dollars that could instead go towards affordable housing, climate-resilient infrastructure, and long-term economic opportunities for communities of color and low-income communities in California.

AB 2243 creates a path to change that. This bill lays the groundwork for a state-owned financial tool designed to keep public dollars working in California, lower borrowing costs, and expand access to capital through partnerships with community lenders.

Thank you Neenma Ebeledike and The Sacramento Observer for covering this bill and what it could mean for the future of communities across California.

Read the full article here:

CA lawmakers unveil AB 2243 to explore a publicly owned state bank, aiming to keep public funds local and support housing, infrastructure, climate and more.

05/06/2026

Quick take:

What’s harder right now — coming up with policy solutions and ideas, or actually implementing them?

At , we’re focused on closing that gap.

This is where leaders, founders, and decision-makers come to align, sharpen strategy, and take real steps forward.

Early bird pricing is live — 20% off for October 8–9 in San Francisco: https://bit.ly/4t9MESY

👇 Vote in the comments: Ideas or Ex*****on?

05/05/2026

An attack on voting rights is an attack on racial justice – and on the multiracial democracy our communities are building every day.

While this ruling weakens critical protections, it will not weaken our resolve to organize, mobilize, and expand power beyond the ballot box.

Read Greenlining’s full statement on the Supreme Court’s move to undermine the Voting Rights Act:

The SCOTUS 6-3 ruling to gut the Voting Rights Act is a dangerous retreat from the democratic principles SCOTUS is responsible for protecting.

05/01/2026

Event Alert! 🚨Next week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is hosting its annual Clean Transportation Equity Incentives Symposium in Sacramento.

This convening brings together leaders, advocates, and practitioners to share best practices, real-world case studies, and innovative strategies to ensure clean transportation incentives are reaching the communities that need them most.

In the area? Join Greenlining’s experts who will be on the ground and speaking. Check out their sessions below:

Roman Partida-Lopez
Equity as Infrastructure: Building Systems that Prioritize People First | 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
This session explores what it means to treat equity not as a goal, but as core infrastructure, shaping how programs are designed, implemented, and measured across organizations.

Mars Wu
The Advocate’s Toolkit: Strategies for Funding Transportation Equity Programs through Legislative Impact | 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Mars will co-moderate a conversation on navigating California’s transportation equity policy landscape, from understanding key decision-makers to leveraging advocacy strategies that unlock funding for clean, accessible transportation.

As we continue to invest in clean transportation, these conversations are key to ensuring those investments are equitable, affordable, and built to deliver real benefits to communities of color.

Register for in-person or virtual attendance here:

04/28/2026

If you’ve been to Just Future Summit before… you already know 👀

The conversations. The energy. The people.

But this year? We’re taking it to a new level—moving from inspiration → implementation.
Early bird tickets for are live (20% off).

👇 If you’ve attended before, drop a 🔥 in the comments. If you haven’t — what are you most excited for?

https://bit.ly/4t9MESY