Monica Lewis-Patrick is CEO and co-founder of We the People of Detroit, and has worked tirelessly on water justice issues for years in Detroit as well as being an effective advocate at the state and federal levels for water affordability and human rights. She was our guest in Episode 14 and now returns in Episode 37 with more insight and info to share reflecting on her organizing experience opposing water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of engaging both on the ground community building as well as policy work, her approach to engaging and empowering young activists, and much more. Her commitment to this work is truly contagious and we hope that you’ll be inspired as much as we are by this wonderful leader.
Please visit https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/ to learn more about We the People of Detroit and to sign the Water Affordability Pledge.
Additional links:
Common Dreams OP-ED: https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/drinking-water-as-a-human-right
Great Lakes Now interview: https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/10/michigan-water-rights-advocate-questions-effectiveness-of-proposed-legislation/
Weather Channel interview: https://youtu.be/LBnRGVRJo_8?si=-xFNs_WSPnp_0-jI
/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.
/// EPISODE 37
/ Monica Lewis-Patrick interviewed by Seth Bernard
/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good
/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens
/ Graphic by Chris Good
/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus
/ Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone, “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus, and “Grace Road” by Seth Bernard
