In this expansive episode of Compost, Cotton & Cornrows, Dominique sits down with André Ware, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Bee U NYC, an organization using urban beekeeping as a gateway to environmental education, leadership development and career pathways for underrepresented youth. Born and raised in Brooklyn, André reflects on how transformative travel experiences (from Chile and Kenya to the Peace Corps) shaped his worldview and ultimately informed his approach to youth development. Together, Dominique and André explore why experiential learning remains one of the most powerful tools for helping young people connect classroom lessons to the realities of climate change, environmental justice and community advocacy. From beekeeping and green jobs to global citizenship and cultural exchange, André shares how expanding a young person's sense of possibility can become a catalyst for lifelong leadership.

Throughout the conversation, André offers a compelling vision for what equitable environmental education can look like when it is rooted in access, mentorship and community. He discusses Bee U NYC's work engaging predominantly Black and brown youth through hands-on beekeeping, paid fellowships and partnerships with organizations such as Weeksville Heritage Center and the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. Together, they unpack the importance of supplemental education beyond traditional classrooms, the urgent need to invest in youth opportunities, and the environmental justice realities many young people are already navigating. Grounded in the collective wisdom of the hive itself, André reminds us that meaningful change requires collaboration, interdependence and a shared commitment to future generations. This conversation is a powerful testament to what becomes possible when we equip young people not only with knowledge, but with experiences that help them imagine and build a more just future. 

https://beeunyc.org/

Compost, Cotton & Cornrows: the space where Black & Afro-Indigenous Vanguards are redefining sustainability through storytelling!

@Compost_Cotton_Cornrows