Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a pivotal moment in American history when the last enslaved African Americans were emancipated in 1865. As we honor this day of freedom and reflection, we reflect on the contributions of Black leaders who have shaped and continue to shape the environmental movement. From pioneering conservationists who have dedicated their lives to protecting natural landscapes to tireless advocates for environmental justice who strive to ensure equitable access to clean air, water, and land, these influential figures remind us that the fight for justice extends beyond social and economic realms into the very fabric of our environment. Join us as we celebrate the achievements and legacies of just a few remarkable individuals who have driven change for a more sustainable future for us all.  

Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali
Environmental justice leader and Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation 

Dr. Ali has been a prominent figure in the environmental justice movement for decades. He was the Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His work addresses environmental and health disparities in marginalized communities, advocating for policies prioritizing equity and community empowerment. He works with several Fortune 500 companies as they journey towards becoming 21st-century organizations, focused on integrating justice and equity into their respective programs, policies, and activities. Dr. Ali participated in the Center’s 2020 International Symposium, giving a keynote address on climate resilience, environmental justice, community revitalization, and how we can shift our cities from “surviving to thriving.”  

 

MaVynee Betsch 
Environmentalist and activist  

Known affectionately as the “Beach Lady,” MaVynee Betsch was a passionate environmentalist and advocate for African American heritage preservation. She descended from a long line of community leaders: her great-grandfather, A.L. Lewis, founded the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, becoming Florida’s first Black millionaire. She dedicated her life to preserving American Beach, a historic African American community in Florida, and raising awareness about environmental issues affecting minority communities. Former Florida Senator Bill Nelson described Betsch as “a recognized leader in preserving land and history in the South.” She campaigned against the development of “NaNa Dune,” part of the tallest dune system of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, which the National Park Service now owns. Her activism inspired generations to protect natural and cultural heritage.  

 

Dr. Robert Bullard 
Founding director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and distinguished professor of urban planning and environmental policy at Texas Southern University  

As a distinguished urban planning and environmental policy professor at Texas Southern University, Dr. Bullard has pioneered research on environmental justice and race. He is the author of eighteen books that address environmental racism, urban land use, housing, transportation, sustainability, smart growth, climate justice, and community resilience. and is often called the “Father of Environmental Justice.” Dr. Bullard’s work has influenced policymaking and raised awareness about the intersection of race, poverty, and the environment.  

 

Majora Carter 
Urban revitalization strategy consultant, real estate developer, MacArthur Fellow, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster  

Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist known for her pioneering work in sustainable development and environmental justice. She founded Sustainable South Bronx, an organization focused on green job creation and community development. She wrote a successful $1.25M Federal Transportation planning grant to design the South Bronx Greenway – an 11-mile network of bike and pedestrian paths that connects neighborhoods to the riverfront, local entrepreneurship opportunities, and active living features that improve public health and reduce traffic congestion. Her initiatives have transformed marginalized urban areas into thriving, environmentally sustainable communities, demonstrating the potential for inclusive green development.  

 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson 
Marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab  

With a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Dr. Johnson’s work spans marine conservation, policy, and climate change. She co-founded Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank focused on coastal cities, and is a co-creator of the All We Can Save Project, amplifying the voices of women climate leaders. Recently, she co-authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Her next book, “What if We Get It Right?” which will be published this summer, is a collection of interviews with leaders from various fields about promising climate possibilities. Dr. Johnson advocates for marine conservation with a social justice lens, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in environmental conversations.  

  

Vanessa Nakate
Climate justice activist and Founder of Rise Up Climate Movement  

Vanessa Nakate’s conservation leadership began with a small protest on the streets of Kampala to draw attention to the climate emergency and destruction of the Congo Rainforest. As her message spread across Uganda and beyond, she founded the Rise Up Movement, to amplify the voices of activists from across Africa. In 2022, she was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has addressed world leaders at multiple climate summits. At the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, she urged delegates to put people first instead of profits, to make polluters pay, to cancel debt and direct climate finance toward the most vulnerable countries that did not create the climate crisis, while making sure fossil fuels are not part of their development. Her activism has brought attention to the voices of young activists from the Global South and the need for urgent action on climate change. 

  

Dr. Jacqueline Patterson 
Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program and Founder and Executive Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project  

Dr. Patterson leads the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, advocating for policies addressing environmental and climate injustices. She focuses on the disproportionate impacts of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities, working to amplify their voices in policy discussions. She named her ­organization after Shirley Chisholm to reflect her intersectional approach. The first Black woman elected to Congress strongly advocated uniting fragmented social movements. Dr. Patterson’s work highlights the interconnectedness of environmental issues with social justice and human rights. “Economy, food, housing, transit—all of these are civil rights issues,” she says. “And climate issues ­intersect with every single one.”  

 

Dr. Samuel Ramsey 
Founder and director of The Ramsey Research Foundation, Professor of entomology, and National Geographic Explorer  

Described as “your friendly neighborhood entomologist,” Dr. Ramsey is the endowed professor of entomology at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he teaches about effective communication and how understanding the deep interconnectedness of all organisms can solve real-world problems. He is also the founder of The Ramsey Research Foundation, which conducts cutting-edge, novel research on issues affecting pollinator health globally — including parasite spread, disease management, and habitat preservation. He has utilized his exceptional skillset working in academia, industry, and government — including alongside the U.S. Supreme Court, House of Representatives, and the United States Department of Agriculture.  

 

Dr. Dorceta Taylor 
Scholar, professor at the Yale School for the Environment, and environmental sociologist  

Dr. Taylor is a professor at the Yale School of the Environment and a leading scholar in environmental sociology. Her research examines the social dimensions of environmental issues, focusing on racial and gender disparities in access to resources and environmental decision-making. Her most recent book, The Rise of the American Conservation Movement:  Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection, was published in 2016 during the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.  The book examines how conservation ideas and politics are tied to social dynamics such as racism, classism, and gender discrimination. Dr. Taylor’s work sheds light on the lack of diversity in environmental organizations and offers insights into creating more inclusive environmental movements.  

 

Leah Thomas 
Environmental writer and intersectional environmental activist   

Known as the “GreenGirlLeah,” Leah Thomas is a prominent voice in the intersectional environmental movement. She uses her platform to advocate for environmental justice and inclusivity in the outdoors. She co-founded “Intersectional Environmentalist,” a platform that promotes diversity and equity in the environmental movement. As a Daughters For Earth Advisory Circle member, a new campaign to mobilize women worldwide to support and fund women-led efforts to protect and restore the Earth, she advocates for everyone to join in the fight against climate change. Her work emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic inequalities to achieve environmental sustainability.