The Sustainable Square Mile concept embodies BIG’s 8 Principles of Green Village Building, from neighbor-owned green enterprises to locally produced clean energy. Building on the “Grannynomics” values of the proud, hard-working Great Migration families who started businesses, bought homes, and kept dollars circulating in this neighborhood, we are growing specific economic sectors within our West Woodlawn pilot project.

Did you know that Chicago has over 400,000 lead service lines connecting to people's homes? Lead in drinking water is toxic, especially for children. Earlier this year, Blacks in Green partnered with Elevate and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health on a program called Lead-Free Water For All, in the Chatham and Woodlawn neighborhoods.

Find out how billions in Biden federal funds can help fund your new appliances, weatherization, safer drinking water, career training, business capital, and deliver other benefits to increase your household income. Do fun things with your neighbors. Change the look and feel of your block. Organize your community voice to make predatory corporations reduce household bills for light, heat, insurance and interest rates.

To all who are village ambassadors, organizers, entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, and makers. To the teachers and the learners, the village children and the village elders. To anyone who believes our future lies not in consumption, but in creativity. To those of you who are members of villages of color and African American villages in particular. This Handbook is for you.