Our Values

Equity: We prioritize equity in all our endeavors, striving to rectify historical disparities and ensure fair access to clean air and resources, particularly for communities disproportionately affected by systemic racism.

Community Empowerment: We believe in the power of community voices. We actively engage and empower historically marginalized communities, valuing their insights and experiences in shaping our initiatives and decision-making processes.

Data-Driven Advocacy: Our commitment to data-driven insights guides our advocacy efforts. We utilize robust data to highlight air quality disparities and advocate for evidence-based policies that address systemic racism and promote equitable health outcomes.

FreshAir Collective

MKE FreshAir Collective could not function without the support of these incredibly talented and committed environmental and community health advocates. Each has played a pivotal role in securing placement of one of our neighborhood air quality monitors. 

We look forward to you joining us on the Collective soon. To learn more about placing an air monitor in your community, click here. 

Our Backstory

MKE FreshAir Collective was established in December 2019 by our Executive Director, Langston Verdin. 

Being a father of three kids, one with mild persistent asthma, Langston became curious about the air quality and its effect on our health. This curiosity peaked when he read an academic paper highlighting the significant influence of community-level air quality on asthma rates in major cities. He began to wonder about the air quality outside his Milwaukee home and at his children's schools. At the same time, like many of us, Langston was glued to the horrific news of the raging Australian bushfires that were devastating larger swaths of land. While reading an article, he noticed an interesting map of Sydney that displayed the air-quality in real-time. At this moment, Langston imagined how air monitoring technology might be used in Milwaukee to keep people with respiratory challenges safe from poor air. 

Langston reached out to the map's host, IQAir, and shared information about respiratory health inequities in Milwaukee. Long story short, through their support, MKE FreshAir Collective received air sensors that were deployed across Milwaukee. 

Currently, ten air monitors have been deployed and MKE FreshAir Collective is actively searching for six to ten additional sites in 2024.
Click Get Involved to learn more.