RISE ST. JAMES

05/20/2026

Attention Community Members and Environmental Advocates!

Join RISE St. James next Thursday, May 28th for a special session of RISE University discussing the present and future of environmental justice in Louisiana. We will be covering lessons and strategies from the field as well as collaboratively workshopping a new vision for the future of our home and livelihoods!

Our Communities, Our Future
Special Edition of RISE University
Thursday, May 28th, 2026
6:00 PM (CST)

Register for the session here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/avKypms8QiyIr_UfiOoLMQ

This special edition of RISE University is part of The RISE St. James Louisiana Community Education Program and is sponsored by the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project.

05/13/2026

Want to know more information about the election on Saturday and the redistricting process happening right now at the Capitol?

We’re partnering with to bring Power to the People.

Join us Thursday, May 15th - Virtually and Friday, May 16th - at RPCC Reserve, we’ll be discussing it all.

Register at pcej.org/powerroadshow2026!

Sign Up for the Roadshow!Register to Vote TodayWe’re Headed Across Louisiana to Bring Our Power to You! Following the State Voting Rights Act bill, this roadshow will focus on what comes next and how communities can respond. Each stop will connect the latest developments to clear opportunities for...

04/30/2026

𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐭. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
Yesterday, Jack Green, Louisiana Campaigner, and Caitlion O. Hunter, Research and Policy Director, once again brought service and our mission to the streets as they introduced the “RISE St. James Louisiana Community Education Program” at ReNEW Robert Russa Moton Lakefront Academy in New Orleans, LA.

As part of a K–12 environmental justice curriculum, students participated in interactive lessons focused on four key themes:
🌎 Our Home in Louisiana
🌡️ Climate Change Basics
🏭 What Are Petrochemical Plants
🤝 How We Can Care for Our Community

Students showed curiosity and growing awareness, and Caitlion and Jack shared they got just as much from the experience as the students.

This initiative was made possible through the Louisiana Gulf Coast Grantmaking Project, administered by the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice .

04/28/2026

Fire Erupts After Hydrogen and Gas Leak at Shell Norco Late Monday Night 🔥
𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.
🎥 St. Charles Parish Government

04/28/2026

Permission to Poison? Hundreds of companies ask for exemptions to the Clean Air Act

⛓️‍💥 https://www.wafb.com/2026/04/27/permission-poison-hundreds-companies-ask-exemptions-clean-air-act-2/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRc5u1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpMzZTeHRsN0N2dVdLb3ZNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk1-1Yd8EwjiCY0KQ4ceqH879X6o-6qqf27bCMXsxUxL-H32za2szFk3qgJJ_aem_ARBJIFhtWrUWQZL98CKs9A =1777333764

04/27/2026

🧪 Chemical of the Month: BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene & Xylene)

Air pollution isn’t just about one chemical at a time. It’s about how they combine and impact our bodies. Just like a house hit by both flooding and roof damage suffers more severe harm, these chemicals can work together to amplify their toxic effects.

BTEX chemicals are commonly released from fossil fuel industries, car exhaust, and petrochemical plants, and they often occur together. Exposure can lead to serious health risks, including:
⚠️ Headaches, dizziness, and respiratory irritation
⚠️ Damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys
⚠️ Increased cancer risk, including leukemia

In Louisiana’s River Parishes, tens of thousands of pounds of these chemicals are released every year, yet regulators still don’t fully account for their combined impacts.

Visit our website to learn more.

04/26/2026

RP• What does it look like when a community decides it's had enough? 🌍⁠
⁠
It looks like a teacher founding a grassroots org in her living room. A mom taking federal agencies on a tour of pollution in her backyard. A woman getting arrested on MLK Day to protect her neighborhood and never stopping.⁠
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This Earth Month, we celebrate three fearless Black women, Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Sharon Lavigne, and Peggy Shepard, who fought for their communities and became Climate Heroes. Swipe to learn their stories. 👉⁠
⁠

04/25/2026

𝙈𝙧. 𝘼𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙩 “𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙛” 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙣, 𝙎𝙧.
Today, we pause to honor the life and legacy of a beloved member of our community, Mr. Albert “Chief” Broden, Sr.

Mr. Broden was a supporter of the mission of RISE St. James, and even when he could no longer be with us in person, he continued to engage with us on social media until the very day of his passing.

A proud resident of St. James Parish and a dedicated supporter of the mission of RISE St. James Louisiana, Mr. Broden was a pillar of strength, wisdom, and love. Born on January 12, 1951, to the late Walter and Viola Broden, he peacefully gained his wings on April 11, 2026, at 12:58 a.m., surrounded by the family he cherished so deeply.

He leaves behind a legacy of love through his devoted wife of 55 years, Patricia Broden; his children, Alicia Dumas and Albert Broden, Jr. (Christyle); his grandchildren, Eric Howard, Jr., Quinden and Anayah Dumas, Aleya and Calli Broden; his great-grandchildren, Ariella and Tatum Howard, and Ashtin and Arlynn Floyd; and his step-grandchildren, Mykel Dumas and Kammora Esther.

He is also survived by his sister, Mary Broden; his brother, Warren (Angela) Broden; along with a host of sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, seven godchildren, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this time.

Services were held today, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke Baptist Church, 5030 LA 18, St. James, LA.