A shed sat in the middle of the gymnasium at the Harlem Armory. But it wasn’t just any old rickety shed. The shed was built with recycled materials and is in the process of getting a solar panel rooftop. It was built with recycled wood and is covered with paintings from various artists, and drew attention with its bright colors. It was designed to give artists their own personal space for their work and still practice a sustainable and affordable way of life.
“Part of it is that artists tend to think outside the box and they can help visualize new ideas,” said Simon Draper, 49, originator of the “Habitat for Artists” project. It’s ideas like this that promote the idea of finding creative ways to help save the environments, Draper said.
Draper and dozens of other exhibitors and green business owners took part in The 2nd Annual UrbanGoGreen Expo to share creative ideas about sustainable and “green” ways of living.
The Urban-Go-Green Expo was founded by Duval Osiris James, 34, a self described social entrepreneur. Now on its second year, the expo brings together different organizations with the same view of helping the environment. “It’s all about People, Planet, Profit,” James said.
The aroma of organic wild rice, cheesecake and mango pie floated around the booth of the “Food For the Living” business. Ironically, the food wasn’t cooked. Ras Dawitt, 34, the Manager of “Food for the Living,” said (describe how it is cooked) “Cooking food kills enzymes, and by not cooking food, you get all the enzymes and vitamins you need.”
The Horticultural Society of New York, a 110-year-old organization, also attended the expo. Landscape architect, George Pisegna, 46 and Director of Children Organization, Pamela Ito, 42 felt that those who teach about a sustainable ways of living should practice what they preach. “We live the way we teach,” said Ito.
The website dedicated to the Go Green Expo,, www.urbangogreenexpo.com, provides information about the business, which James, the founder, said was a for-profit corporation whose mission is as much philanthropic as it is about making money.
He said “We shouldn’t have a problem making money” and that it is important to teach youth the same thing. The business is funded by private investors, he added.
Jonathan Grover, 34, said he heard of the expo online and decided to give it a try.
“I was curious about it when I saw the short video online,” Grover said. “And it was so interesting that I decided to come.”
Sao Kamara, 15, of Harlem attended the expo with her sister who was doing research for a school project.
“I wanted to learn more about the different things we could do to save he environment,” said Sao Kamara, 15, of Harlem.
