In our season finale, we shine a spotlight on the vital leadership of Black women in the realm of environmental justice. Often, after environmental catastrophes wreak havoc on frontline communities, well-funded environmental organizations descend like Trojan horses, offering solutions that often lack community input. In some cases, these organizations and their so-called 'relief' efforts blow in and out of communities as quickly as the crises themselves.

 

Today, our co-hosts Shilpi Chhotray and Alexis Young explore the enduring impact of Black women leaders who have nurtured spaces of care and refuge for communities on the frontlines of the climate justice movement. Joining us are remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to urgent issues that affect their communities.

 

Roishetta Sibley Ozane, founder of The Vessel Project of Louisiana; Dr. Beverly Wright, founder of The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; and Wawa Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, share their journeys and insights. These visionary leaders have focused on creating sustainable, community-centered solutions that prioritize long-term well-being.

 

Join us for a captivating discussion as we honor the incredible contributions of Black women in environmental justice, highlighting their enduring commitment to communities that cannot escape the frontlines of the climate justice movement. You’ll want to listen to the very end for a special poem by internationally-acclaimed poet and activist Sunni Patterson.

 

Check out our website for additional reporting on guests featured on Season Four of The People over Plastic podcast. https://peopleoverplastic.co