Organizing the Working Waterfront: A Tour of Two Coasts | Working Waterfronts

Welcome to the Working Waterfronts Podcast, a collaboration between the National Working Waterfront Network and the American Shoreline Podcast Network. In this inaugural episode, host Ashley Bennis talks with three working waterfront organizers from both the East and West coasts. First up, Ashley welcomes Roland Lewis, President and CEO of Waterfront Alliance in NYC.  Under his leadership, the Waterfront Alliance has organized a powerful constituency, instituted new programs, helped create a new waterfront plan for NYC, and made the  Alliance  a leading waterfront policy organization in the state and nation.  Then, Ashley speaks with John Dire from the grass-roots grown Sausalito Working Waterfront Coalition.  John advocates for the interests of those whose livelihoods are linked to the Marinship, a former WWII shipbuilding site that is undergoing a multifaceted evolution. Finally, Ashley chats with Deb Granger, a founding member of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County in Washington State.  Deb is the Interim Program Manager for the organization and has spent most her life working on the waterfront.  She brings years of experience from the seafood/fishing sector and is currently developing a scholarship program for students interested in marine industry trades.  Check out ASPN's newest show -- the Working Waterfronts Podcast -- a show that will take you down to the historic wharfs, docks, and harbors along the American shoreline that are the cornerstone of many coastal communities.   It's going to be a great series.