USBC E.D. Will Help Oversee Albuquerque Justice40 Initiative

Diana Dorn-Jones, Executive Director of United South Broadway Corporation (USBC), has been appointed to a team of eight community leaders by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller to oversee city economic development projects funded under the Justice40 initiative.

Justice40, a federal, state and local collaboration to advance environmental justice, was launched in 2021.

Its goal is to bring at least 40 percent of the overall benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments to communities most in need. Albuquerque is the first city in the country to sign an Executive Order adopting this goal.

“Too often the poorest neighborhoods are first in line to pay environmental costs but last in line for investment in infrastructure. Our Justice40 team will work with community members and city agencies to ensure federal funding is distributed equitably,” Diana said.

Those investments include local food systems, homeownership, water quality, pollution remediation, and employment and workforce development.

Mayor Tim Keller created the oversight team last month through an Executive Order for Equitable and Just Implementation of Justice40. The order called for a local Oversight Coordinating Committee charged with putting in place a five-year J40 plan.

In addition to USBC’s Diana Dorn-Jones, Keller appointed the following:

Richard E. Moore (Co-Chair), Co-Founder and Co-Coordinator, Los Jardines Institute

Michelle Melendez (Co-Chair, Ex-Officio), Director of Equity and Inclusion, City of Albuquerque

Deanna Lynn Aquiar, Director of Programs and Development, National Indian Youth Council

Ahtza Dawn Chavez, executive Director, NAVA Education Project & NM Native Vote

Michael Leon Guerrero, Sustainable Economy Policy Advisor, Center for Civic Policy

Alejandria Lyons, Coalition Coordinator, New Mexico No False Solutions Coalition

Ona Lara Porter, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader, Prosperity Works

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United South Broadway Corporation USBC has been helping New Mexico communities prosper since 1986 by promoting fair housing, fair lending, crime prevention, financial literacy, locally-based commercial development, and opportunities for youth. We provide legal assistance and free housing counseling to homeowners facing foreclosure, and offer anti-racism workshops through our Anti-Racism Training Institute of the Southwest.