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Majora Carter, executive director of Sustainable South Bronx (SSB), was named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow on Sept. 23. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded $500,000 each to 25 grantees nationwide for their “creativity, originality, and potential.” Born and raised in Hunts Point, 38-year-old Carter grew up a few blocks from her office at 890 Garrison Avenue. Her environmental activism began in the mid-1990s when she opposed a municipal waste transfer station along the Bronx River. While working for The Point Community Development Corporation she fought to reduce diesel pollution from truck traffic at the Hunts Point Cooperative Market, and turned a garbage-filled piece of land along the Bronx River into a waterfront park, enabling canoe rides and environmental classes for students. In 2001, Carter founded Sustainable South Bronx to establish building practices friendly to the environment. She is currently installing greenroofs, a natural storm water management tool, above the SSB office. Carter was characteristically humble when asked about her prize. “This award raises the profile of promoting environmental projects, and developing low-income communities,” she said. “It’s a great honor for the work all of us do here.” (E. Holmgren) [09/26/05]