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ACE BUILDS POWER
We work to build the power of communities of color and low-income communities in Massachusetts to eradicate environmental racism and classism, create healthy, sustainable communities, and achieve environmental justice.
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OUR COMMUNITY
is challenged by displacement and dangerous air quality that impacts the life expectancy of our residents, especially children and seniors.
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WHEN WE FIGHT,
WE WIN
We provide our Roxbury neighbors with a platform to advocate for the issues that matter to our community – ending displacement, improving public health and transit, building youth civic engagement and leadership.
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ACE BUILDS POWER
We work to build the power of communities of color and low-income communities in Massachusetts to eradicate environmental racism and classism, create healthy, sustainable communities, and achieve environmental justice.
RoxForum2
OUR COMMUNITY
is challenged by displacement and dangerous air quality that impacts the life expectancy of our residents, especially children and seniors

About Us

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, ENDING DISPLACEMENT, IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH & TRANSIT, YOUTH LEADERSHIP

ACE has been involved in the community for over 25 years, working on environmental justice issues. Our staff, has over one hundred years of combined experience in community organizing, policy advocacy, and regulatory development. Our areas of expertise are community organizing, real estate development, economic and environmental justice, public transit and youth empowerment.

Become a Member

Sign up to join our network of Roxbury residents, activists, academic and industry experts, and ACE community members.

Latest News

BERDO: Join the community conversation about emissions from buildings
Join ACE to learn about Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) — learn what BERDO is, how it works, and the changes
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Today is the 2023 REEP Youth Summit!
Dear ACE community, Today’s the 26th Annual REEP Youth Summit! 250+ young folks from our communities are getting together right now in Dorchester to build community,
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Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) Coordinator
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Frequently Asked Questions

In 1987, Benjamin F. Chavis, Executive Director of the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice, described environmental racism as: “racial discrimination in environmental policymaking, in the enforcement of regulations and laws, and the targeting of communities of color for toxic waste disposal and the siting of polluting industries.”

Citation:  See Mohai, Paul; Pellow, David; Roberts, J. Timmons, Environmental Justice, 34 ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES, 405–430 (2009)

Environmental Justice (EJ) is a civil rights principle: all people have a right to be protected from environmental pollution and to live, learn, work, play, and pray in and enjoy a clean and healthy environment regardless of race, income, national origin, or English language proficiency. In a time of severe climate change, this also means equal protection against the adverse consequences of severe weather, extreme temperatures, and flooding.

An Act Relative to Environmental Justice in the Commonwealth (H.4264), a bill that ACE is actively supporting, defines Environmental Justice as: “The people’s right to be protected from environmental pollution and to live in and enjoy a clean and healthful environment, regardless of race, color, income, class, handicap, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity or ancestry, religious belief or English language proficiency.  Environmental justice is the equal protection and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, including climate change policies, and the equitable distribution of energy and environmental benefits, and environmental burdens.”