On April 30th, delve into the vital topic of environmental justice at Wake Forest University’s spring summit. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from impactful leaders, including CleanAIRE NC’s Executive Director, Jeff Robbins, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leader, June Blotnick, who will be panelists for the day’s opening discussion. Prepare to be inspired by the keynote address delivered by the renowned environmental justice and civil rights activist, Rev. Ben Chavis. This is a free event you won’t want to miss!
The Summit is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Registration is required.
8:45 AM | WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
8:50 AM | THE FIGHT FOR ENERGY JUSTICE
- Moderator: Justin Catanosa , Professor of Practice, WFU Journalism Program and Environmental Journalist
- Jeffrey Robbins , Executive Director, CleanAIRE NC
- William Barber, III , Senior Director of Impact, The Coalition for Green Capital and Founder, The Rural Beacon Initiative
- June Blotnick, Climate Consultant and Co-Founder, CharMeck Climate Leaders
10:00 AM | MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE CRISIS
- Moderator: Melba Newsome , Program Coordinator and Summer Institute Director, WFU Environmental and Epistemic Justice Initiative
- Goldie Smith Byrd, Professor, WFU School of Medicine
- Lisa Sorg , Adjunct Professor, WFU Journalism Program and North Carolina Reporter for Inside Climate News
- Rajendra Morey, Professor, Duke University School of Medicine
11:15 AM | INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
- Moderator: Ryan E. Emanuel, Associate Professor, Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
- Courtney Locklear Steed , Founder and Director, Cultural Burn Association
- Louie Rivers, Senior Social Science Advisor, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
1:45 PM | EEJI FACULTY FELLOWS RESEARCH AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
- Tivia Collins, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Women’s, Gender,
and Sexuality Studies - Claire Crawford , Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Politics and International Affairs and Program in African American Studies
- Daniel Henry, Assistant Teaching Professor, WFU Program in African American Studies and The Program for Leadership and Character
- Rowie Kirby-Straker, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Communication
- Khaliah Reed, Assistant Professor, WFU Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
CLOSING REMARKS