Speakers

 Justin A. Lini 

Community advocate, artist, and professional facilitator

Justin A. Lini is a community advocate, artist, and professional facilitator. He serves as a member of the DC Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency and is a founding member of the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition. Since 2017, Justin has played a leading role in conceptualizing and developing the Ward 7 Resilience Hub through his involvement with the Equity Advisory Group.

Prior to his community advocacy work, he led over 25 emergency responses as a Disaster Action Team Lead for the American Red Cross in Washington, DC. From 2015 to 2019, Justin represented the Paradise and Parkside communities in Ward 7 as an elected official, organizing community members to advocate for environmental and transportation issues impacting the ward. He also served as the chairman of the board for Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens from 2020 to 2023.

Justin holds an M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and is a member of the International Association of Facilitators. He is currently a Senior Facilitator for Council Oak, a public policy consulting firm specializing in natural resources, environmental, and infrastructure topics.

 Dennis Chestnut

Retired Master Carpenter, Environmental and Vocational Educator 

Dennis Chestnut is a proud native Washingtonian. Dennis is a retired master carpenter, environmental and vocational educator, his dedication to youth development, community improvement and civic duty has led to his involvement with many civic and conservation projects. He has a passion for conservation and the environment, and has advised many community, business and government leaders on civic ecology practices and civic engagement issues. Dennis is the Board Chair of the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition, Inc. in Washington, DC, former founding Executive Director of Groundwork Anacostia River DC (retired). Dennis is a longtime community organizer, civic ecology practitioner and works to improve the quality of life for DC residents through building stewardship of their natural
environment and local community.

Dennis has created and helped establish many community serving and youth serving organizations over the years including Groundwork Anacostia River DC. Dennis has also been recognized for his work and has received numerous awards including: the Greater Washington Interfaith Partnership Vision Award, the AIA Lankford/Giles/Vaughn Minority Architect Award for Community Activism, the DC Appleseed 2019 Sustainable Living and Leading Award, the River Network 2019 River Hero, the 2020 Cox Communications Trust for Public Land Cox Conserves Heroes Award, the Chesapeake Conservancy 2020 Lifetime Champion Award, the Mayor Bowser 2022 Spirit of Service Award Ready, Set, Serve Emergency Preparedness Award, and most recently the 11th Street Bridge Park 2024 Anacostia Hero Award. Dennis has also appeared in numerous publications, books and video documentaries that highlight his work on restoring the health of the Anacostia River, improving the natural resources in the East of the River communities, developing high quality youth programs, and restoring the health of the Anacostia River.

This session will explain what Resilience Hubs are, where DC’s program came from, and how they can prevent climate displacement by investing in community-serving organizations to create platforms for resilience and recovery.