Evening Program: Light + Justice in St. Louis

Everyone deserves good lighting and beneficial darkness. – LightJustice.org

We are excited to partner with the National Society of Black Engineers – Gateway Chapter for a dynamic exploration of lighting equity in St. Louis.

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The ongoing movement in the lighting industry known as Light + Justice is the inspiration for our February program. Launched in November of 2020, the Light Justice movement seeks to raise awareness about lighting disparities and actively works to implement quality lighting in historically under-resourced communities through a process of stakeholder respect and engagement. Our speaker for this program, Lisa J. Reed, Principal of RBLD in St. Louis, has been a supporter of this movement through speaking engagements and committee work in various lighting organizations, and is excited to facilitate the launch of this conversation locally.

This program aims to shine a light on lighting equity in St. Louis. Lisa will introduce the topic and provide a primer on key lighting issues which impact public-realm lighting (color, glare, light levels, consistency, visual clutter.) Then she will lead a panel discussion about the impact of light on streets and neighborhoods (light pollution, light and health, safety, and the importance of community engagement.) Our esteemed panelists are Betherny Williams, Director of Streets for the City of St. Louis and Constance Siu, Executive Director of the North Newstead Association. The unique perspectives of each panelist will provide insight into existing challenges and future opportunities for advancing lighting equity in St. Louis.

Join us as we spark important conversations about how to improve Light + Justice in St. Louis!

SPEAKER

Lisa Reed, PE, IALD, MIES, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Reed Burkett Lighting Design   

As Principal of Reed Burkett Lighting Design, Lisa J. Reed contributes thoughtful passion for lighting and a spirit of collaboration to her projects. She delights in bringing spaces to life with quality lighting, and concern for the environment influences her work. Lisa is an award-winning lighting designer with 30 years of experience, ranging from energy management to electrical engineering to lighting design. Her range of experience includes millions of square feet of commercial space, hotels and resorts from coast to coast, houses of worship, museums, parks, and healthcare facilities. As a thought leader in the lighting industry, she regularly speaks to local and international audiences. Lisa is an advocate for diversity in lighting and she is focused on creating a better workplace for women, parents, and all people. She founded Ladies of Lighting in St. Louis and helped expand WILD (Women in Lighting + Design) across the United States. She received the 2014 IES Presidential Award for her work with Emerging Professionals. In 2020, she was named by St. Louis Construction News and Review (CNR) as one of the top 20 women in construction in St. Louis. In 2021, the international organization Women in Lighting (WIL) recognized her as one of the top supporters of other women in the industry. In 2022, she was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by the IES. In March of 2023, she was recognized as a Top Woman Business Owner by St. Louis Small Business Monthly magazine.

PANELISTS

Betherny Williams, Director of Streets, City of St. Louis

Betherny Williams serves as the Director of Streets for the City of St. Louis. Prior to that, she was at the Missouri Department of Transportation for 17 years. As an Area Liaison for North St. Louis County, Williams oversaw the prioritization of projects, future planning of projects, traffic improvement and daily maintenance operations addressing big-picture issues of design, construction, traffic, maintenance, and mobility. She has managed projects totaling over $655 million in taxpayer dollars. Williams is a 2019 Graduate of Missouri Way and 2017 Graduate of the MoDOT Statewide Accelerated Leadership Development Program, and served as MoDOT’s Statewide Employee Advisory Council Chairman, representing 8,000 employees. She was also selected to represent the department at the National Society of Black Engineers, 2017 National Convention as a workshop presenter. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Southern University.

Constance Siu, Director, North Newstead Association

Constance Siu serves as the Director of the North Newstead Association, a Community Development Corporation with a mission of supporting and serving North St. Louis communities and residents through quality, reliable housing, community building programs, and economic development opportunities. Prior to this role, Constance served as NNA’s Community Engagement Specialist- building relationships with residents as she managed NNA’s Beautification, Safety, Home Repair, and Elderly Services programs. Currently, Constance continues to elevate the voice and concerns of community through her role on the Young Friends Board of earthday365, Brickline Greenway’s North Community Advisory Council, and St. Louis Community Builders Network’s Board.

Background on Light + Justice

On November 4, 2022, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in partnership with lightjustice.org presented a one-day virtual symposium. From their website: “‘Light Justice’ is an idea rooted in an ongoing conversation between Edward Bartholomew and Mark Loeffler, both lighting designers and IES members, about their mutual recognition of harmful disparities in lighting quality and inequality in the public realm. In 2020, they coined the term ‘Light + Justice’ as the title and subject of numerous presentations and published articles exploring the unjust impacts of bad lighting and opportunities for the lighting industry to overcome those social and environmental inequities. As they have come to define it, ‘Light Justice’ is the practice of planning, designing, implementing, and investing in good lighting for under-resourced communities through a process of stakeholder engagement and community-supported placemaking.”

ADMISSION
Free – Missouri Gateway Green Building Council – Members
Free – NSBE St. Louis Gateway Professionals – Members
Free – Students
$25.00 – NON-Members

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Thanks to our Evening Program Sponsor!

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a basic understanding of key lighting concepts such as color, glare, light pollution, and visual hierarchy.
• Identify and recognize the differences between poor lighting and quality lighting in neighborhoods.
• Understand the priorities of different stakeholder groups (communities, residents, police, City Streets Department) to gain insight into the complex decision-making process for street lighting.
• Learn actionable strategies and steps that can be taken to improve lighting in your own community.

CONSENT TO USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES
This event will be recorded and shared on our website. Registration/attendance at, or participation in Missouri Gateway Green Building Council programs and activities constitutes an agreement by the registrants to allow the organization to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the attendee’s image, in photographs, video, and electronic reproductions of such events and activities.

AIA CES PROVIDER STATEMENT
Missouri Gateway Green Building Council is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number R341. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

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