Flyways Vision
Flyways Vision
For Immediate Release!
For Immediate ReleaseBurlington, NC – December 7, 2024 Jack Martin and Kim Wright, Burlington residents committed to sustainability and community empowerment, have returned from New Orleans as first-place winners of the Pitch It! The Innovation Challenge, hosted by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Their project, Sky Power for the People, earned the top $50,000 prize for its innovative approach to addressing energy insecurity in southeastern Louisiana’s tribal communities. About Sky Power for the People Developed in partnership with the Lowlander Center, the Sky Power for the People initiative empowers remote tribal communities in southeastern Louisiana to overcome frequent power outages caused by storms. The project pairs hands-on workshops with portable solar power systems that provide essential services like refrigeration, lighting, and medical device operation during emergencies. “This project is more than solar energy,” said Martin during the winning presentation. “It’s a model for self-determination, independence, and resilience, deeply rooted in the values of the Grand Bayou community.” The initiative builds on the Lowlander Center’s mission to support at-risk communities by fostering resilience and sustainability through collaborative, community-driven solutions. Supporters from the Grand Bayou community cheered on the project during the event, wearing custom t-shirts designed by Burlington’s T.S. Designs, makers of the world’s most sustainable t-shirts. With the $50,000 award, the project will construct four portable solar systems, host community workshops, and create a scalable model to bring renewable energy solutions to other vulnerable communities. Local Innovators Driving Global Change Jack Martin, a Senior Lecturer of Sustainable Technology at Appalachian State University, is a lifelong innovator and sustainability advocate. A major in the US Air Force Auxiliary, the Civil Air Patrol, he co-hosts the Carrboro-based WCOM Home Power Hour radio show and is the founder of the Triad Electric Vehicle Association (TEVA). Martin will bring his expertise home to Burlington in January, when he launches a hands-on Renewable Energy Course at Alamance Community College. Kim Wright, an Alamance County lawyer and sustainability advocate, played a key strategic role in the project, drawing on her skills as a grant writer and advisor. Internationally recognized for her leadership in the integrative law movement, Wright returned to Burlington in 2023 after fifteen years as a global digital nomad. She is active in TEVA, the Alamance Wellness Collective, housing initiatives with the United Way, and Springwood Presbyterian Church. About the Lowlander Center The Lowlander Center supports at-risk communities in Louisiana by fostering resilience through collaborative, community-driven projects that honor cultural heritage and environmental sustainability. This grant benefits the Atakapa Ishak Chawasha tribe of Grand Bayou, Louisiana. About the ACC Renewable Energy Course Power Your Future: Hands-On Introduction to Renewable EnergyDiscover how to harness renewable energy for a sustainable future! This engaging Friday afternoon course covers: Understanding renewable energy basics Evaluating energy usage and equipment options Exploring solar, wind, and hydro alternatives Hands-on projects for practical applications By the end of the course, participants will confidently assess and implement renewable energy systems tailored to their needs. Register today to start your energy-smart journey! https://alamance-register.fundfive.com/course/section/16270 Additional Information For more about Sky Power for the People, visit SustainableJack.com. Contact:Jack MartinEmail: jack@sustainablejack.comPhone: 336-213-5225