Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Wallace.
Tracy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I saw a documentary, “Catching the Sun”, in 2016 and then learned I was sitting 10 minutes away from the worst urban poverty in North Texas. One of the organizations highlighted in the film did solar installation training as pathway to living-wage work, so I wanted to try here in Dallas. We probably started too early as the wheels are just getting off the ground for the solar industry in Dallas. In striving these past 5 1/2 years to find the best way to connect qualified low-income neighbors to the growing solar industry via employment, I’m grateful to have learned about the policies that create poverty and systems of racism in our city and nation. I try to show up with a humble heart and open mind, discover barriers our low-income neighbors face (which are many), collaborate with trusted neighborhood organizations, and share our goals with solar installation contractors who can hire our folks.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Heavens no, but it’s been a gift. We struggle to find funding and volunteers. It took us over 5 years to get an office space (we are grateful to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for hosting us now). Of course, the pandemic tripped us up as GCD’s training had previously been in the classroom. When the pandemic hit, we decided to build an outdoor training rooftop. The location we thought we had secured fell through and caused a year of follow-up headaches (including theft of our materials). We received some North Texas Cares Funds from Communities Foundation of Texas and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas plus Dallas Climate Reality and other donors. When we found a new location, building material prices went up 30% and delayed us further. We’ve gone through several contractors trying to find one who can work within our budget. We are hoping to have this built within a month or so (but I thought that 18 months ago). I keep pushing this boulder uphill because I have seen firsthand how working in this industry can change lives through increased income and opportunity. ALL of poverty is about lack of access to everything (employment, decent education, healthy housing, healthy food, quality healthcare, clean air, and water, etc).
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our work sits at the crossroads of environmental, economic, and racial justice. I work to recruit hard-to-employ individuals–veterans, returning citizens, raised in and living in poverty–to work as solar installers. Additionally, I recruit solar installation contractors with whom to place individuals. Our goal is to be a bridge connecting industry needs and employment needs of qualified low-income neighbors. To do our work, we’ve connected with neighborhoods leaders and organizations that know their population well who can spread word of the work.
I struggle with the word “pride” when it comes to my work. However, what I am most happy about is connecting with ALL of my city–not just my neighborhood or folks that look like me or share my socioeconomic status or my culture. My life has been greatly enriched by learning the history of South and southern Dallas, the history of racism and poverty in our city and country, and the hope that clean energy provides. What we do in Dallas matters both locally and globally. I don’t know if this sets me apart, but I am tenacious as hell. God can’t give me a sign to stop–I need a brick wall. Otherwise, I am just trying another way to make it work.
I am grateful to have been on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee while the City of Dallas’ Comprehensive Environmental Climate Action Plan (CECAP) was being written (www.dallasclimateaction.com). I currently serve as an Environmental Commissioner for City Council District 5 as well.
If we solve the climate crisis for “the least of these”, we have solved it for everyone because the most barriers and vulnerability lie with our lowest-income neighbors.
What does success mean to you?
For Green Careers Dallas’ work, success is someone finding a long-term career in the growing solar industry, earning a living wage thereby increasing their personal wealth and security.
Personally, I define success as working toward meaningful goals and enjoying the strength that connection brings.
Pricing:
- To train one person $534
- To buy one Apprentice Electrician License $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greencareersdallas.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenCareersDal
Image Credits
Tracy Wallace
