Deep South Center for Environmental Justice’ Worker Training Success Stories

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice’ Worker Training Comes Full Circle

For the five years that the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice conducted the  Brownfields Minority Worker Training Programs (2000- 2005), the center was under the auspices of Xavier University (XU) and was housed on the fringes of its campus. One of the trainees in year two’s program, Tracy Johnson, walked daily from the off-campus site to the student center at XU to have lunch with his fellow trainees. He observed the Xavier students on campus, and noted the zeal and focus they brought to their pursuit of higher education and a better way of life. Tracy resolved then to use the certifications he was working toward to guarantee himself and then fiancée, Shannon, a better way of life.

Little good can be said of the ill wind, Katrina, and of its devastating after effects on the population of New Orleans. But, it is indeed an ill wind that blows no good. Katrina has brought about good things for Tracy Johnson. Tracy returned to New Orleans as soon as he could and went back to work in the burgeoning environmental remediation industry. As a native of New Orleans, he realized that he had a golden opportunity to really get ahead of contractors from all over the nation who were converging on New Orleans and snatching up contracts, big and small, from local people. Tracy decided that the time had come for him to make a move and make his mark on the rebuilding effort.

Tracy Johnson’s disaster cleanup service, Shantra, LLC, proudly displayed on truck		Tracy and wife Shannon in front of worksite at Xavier University

Tracy applied for and received his contractor’s license and formed his own company, Shantra, LLC and Cut Masters, LLC, hiring some of his fellow trainees to make up his work crew. He began to solicit work and to compete for contracts. One of the contracts he secured was for the clean up of a local university’s campus – Xavier University, where his dream for a better life began.

Tracy put his effort into making that job one of his best. It was with great pride that he told his former instructors at the DSCEJ about securing that contract and completing the work for Xavier.

Tracy’s crew is still out there and will be for some time. His wife, Shannon, works by his side. The work in the city of New Orleans has just begun. The DSCEJ is proud of Tracy and of the many other young men and women who were certified through our worker training programs and who are now contributing their efforts to the clean up and rebuilding of our great city.

 The center is still implementing worker training programs under the auspices of Dillard University and continues to be funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Recruitment in is progress for a Department of Labor funded program that will be run in New Orleans at a local church. Recruitment is also in progress for an NIEHS funded program at Texas Southern University in Houston for displaced New Orleans residents. Information on any of these programs can be acquired via email from dscej@aol.com or by calling 225-201-1604.

DSCEJ DOL Remediation Training Helps Local Pest Control Owner Expand His Business

Kendall Washington was a participant in the DSCEJ’s Department of Labor (DOL) training program.  In a follow up with Mr. Washington, he explained how the DOL program enhanced his knowledge of mold remediation, hazardous materials removal, and asbestos removal. This newly gained knowledge acquired through the DOL program allowed Mr. Washington to take his already successful pest control company to new and greater heights.

Mr. Washington used the certifications obtained in the DOL program to expand his company by adding mold remediation/sanitary services to his already thriving pest control business. These new additions to Mr. Washington’s company, Spot Pest Control and Mold Remediation, expanded his clientele immensely.