Activism as an Ethical and Civic Practice with Rhonda Keyser

What does it mean to practice activism as an expression of ethics and civic responsibility?

Join us for a powerful Sunday Platform with Rhonda Keyser as she explores how ethical commitments can guide meaningful civic engagement. Drawing from her work in youth leadership, environmental justice, and public education, Rhonda will share how student led organizing and community participation can drive real policy change and strengthen democracy.

As Program and Policy Director at Cafeteria Culture, Rhonda works alongside young people across New York City to address school waste, indoor air quality, and environmental health. Her work demonstrates how ethical action is not abstract. It is practiced through education, collaboration, and collective courage.

This hybrid event invites thoughtful reflection and community dialogue about how we each participate in shaping a more just society.

Rhonda Keyser is the Program and Policy Director for Cafeteria Culture. She is also an actress, environmental educator, and grassroots organizer. Stewarded by her leadership, CafCu’s school programs and education + action toolkits, a growing collection of lesson plans and activities centering students as leaders across New York City, have resulted in the diversion of 85 to 97% of school cafeteria waste from landfills and incinerators. CafCu’s scaling of hyper-local youth-led solutions has reduced more than 32 million single-use plastic items in New York City School lunches to date. In addition, Keyser is a leading advocate for indoor air quality in schools and has co-created the “know-your-rights” manual, Safe School Renovation, with New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. She serves on the board of Sure We Can, NYC’s only non-profit bottle and can redemption center, and is Vice Chair of the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board.

Maybelle Keyser-Butson is a senior at Barnard College studying English, Creative Writing, and French. Growing up around artists and activists, Maybelle has always been surrounded by conversations about art, action, and change. She writes creative essays and has recently recorded two original singles with a producer in Brooklyn. After graduating, she plans to teach English for a year in Paris before returning to the United States for graduate school.

About Brooklyn Ethical
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture (Brooklyn Ethical) is a humanist community grounded in ethics, social justice, and collective care. Located at 269 4th Ave in Park Slope, we host community programs that uplift dignity, foster belonging, and promote action rooted in shared values. We are part of a larger movement of Ethical Societies across the country dedicated to nurturing human potential and working together for a more just world.

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