• News

Dr. VJ’s 2025 Book List to Celebrate Women’s History Month

In Celebration of Women’s History Month, Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, NCEJN Co-Director shares this bibliography with the network. Please onsider buying books from an independent book store. To celebrate Women’s

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  • News

CDC Urged to Release Bird Flu Data as Trump Slashes Key Staff Combatting Outbreak

For Immediate Release, February 24, 2025 Contact: Hannah Connor, (202) 681-1676, hconnor@biologicaldiversity.org WASHINGTON— Public-interest groups called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today to release updated public information critical

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  • News

NCEJN Mourns The Passing of Rev. Dr. Nelson N. Johnson

With heavy hearts, we at NCEJN join the Beloved Community Center (BCC) in mourning the passing of Rev. Dr. Nelson N. Johnson of Greensboro, North Carolina. Rev. Johnson was the founding pastor

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  • News

End of Year Report – 2024

We are excited to share with you our first End of Year Report! Thank you to all of our NCEJN family and network, and especially to the communities we serve.

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  • News

A Coalition of Eight Organizations Hold Statewide Heat and Human Rights Events to Urge Adoption of Federal Heat Standards

Updated: News coverage of the events can be found here from NC Newsline and here from NC Health News. SPRING HOPE, NC (December 8, 2024) 7840 Old Bailey Hwy, Spring

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  • News

Hurricane Helene Relief Resources

More Information

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  • News

Funding Cop City in Durham – Postponed

This past Tuesday, November 12, the Durham Board of County Commissioners was to vote on spending $16 million to build a police training center – also known as Cop City.

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  • News

Bill Violating Due Process – Halted!

On November 12, the House voted on a bill (HR 9495) that would give the executive branch power to strip nonprofits of their status. This incredibly dangerous and unconstitutional legislation

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  • News

NCEJN In The News: Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, making federal support for climate action and the just energy transition more critical than ever

Impacted communities across North Carolina speak on the elections and how the outcome affects their work and access to funding. The article also includes an interview with our Co-Director of

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  • News

North Carolina Poet Laureate Ms. Jaki Shelton Green Shares A Poem On NCEJN In Honor Of Our 25th Summit

“To celebrate the waking, wake. Burn in the daylong light… & praise.” – Muriel Rukeyser May these grounds, walls, & the soul of the Franklinton Center remind us that we

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  • News

North Carolina Communities’ Battle Against Animal Factory Pollution

From Earthjustice: “Overburdened communities in North Carolina face the harshest impacts of industrial animal production. Now, they’re taking a stand.” This article features Devon Hall, of the Rural Empowerment Association

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  • News

Energy Embargo Now to End the Genocide! No Environmental Justice Without Palestinian Liberation!

On the occasion of COP29, Palestinian grassroots organizations call on all civil society organizations at COP29 and around the world to mobilize urgently to impose an energy embargo on Israel

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  • News

Latino organizations seek solutions at environmental justice symposium

This year’s NCEJN summit broke records with the number of communities represented (~133), number of individuals which attended (~300), and the diversity of issues addressed. This article highlights the issues

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  • News

Naeema Muhammad Receives A Lifetime Achievement Award

Mama Naeema, Sister Naeema Muhammad was honored last night by Health & Environmental Funders Network (HEFN) with a lifetime achievement award for her role in the environmental justice movement and

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  • News

Congratulations to Our NCEJN 2024 Summit Award Winners

Every October since NCEJN’s establishment in 1998, we have acknowledged our EJ warriors with awards of appreciation. This year only, on our 25th Summit anniversary, we have created the Quarter Century

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  • News

Attorneys working with alleged victims of ‘toxic building’ on NC State campus

WRAL News recently reported on Poe Hall, on the campus of North Carolina State University, regarding an environmental attorney accusing the school of neglecting cancer risk in the building. More

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  • News

U.S. Representative Alma S. Adams, (NC-12), Rep. McGovern (MA), and Senator Booker (NJ) Introduce The Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act (IACA)

This Climate-Smart Farm Conversion Bill would use existing agricultural conservation funds to support farmers who opt to transition from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to sustainable and humane production systems.

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  • News

Press Release: Vigil to Protect NC Farmworkers

Rocky Mount, NC – As part of the Not One More Death campaign, El Futuro es Nuestro (The Future is Ours) and the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN), the

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  • News

Spidey Sense-r initiative kicks off in three North Carolina communities

Air pollution in the U.S. has been seen as a cost of progress – a necessary evil to have the gains provided by industrial manufacturing. However, Black, brown, and rural

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NCEJN Annual Environmental Justice Summit

At this annual summit, we strengthen relationships and networks and deepen inclusive spaces through linguistic equity and true intersectionality. We develop a stronger strategy for action – all toward building

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April 2025
Apr 21
21 April 2025
Register: 'On the Frontlines: Physician Perspectives on the Gazan Healthcare Crisis'
Trent Semans Center for Health Education,8 Searle Center Dr
Durham,NC27710United States

From the organizers: Please join us for On the Frontlines: Physician Perspectives on the Gazan Healthcare Crisis — a panel discussion of experienced physician advocates exploring the realities of healthcare […]

Find out more
Apr 22
22 April 2025
In Person: Earth Day with MMCDC
Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden,2421 Cheek Rd
Durham,NC27704United States

Event: Join Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) for an Earth Day Event: Planting wetland and Pollinator gardens, Tuesday, April 22 • 9 – 11 AM, at the Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden, 2421 Cheek […]

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Apr 23
23 April 2025
Rights of Nature Lobby Day at NC General Assembly
Halifax Mall,300 N. Salisbury St.,
Raleigh,NC27603United States

Rights of Nature Lobby Day at NC General Assembly. Wednesday, April 23, 9 AM

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Apr 24
24 April 2025
In Person: Celebrating the Legal Defense Fund Oral History Project
FedEx Global Education Center,301 Pittsboro Street
Chapel Hill,NC27516United States

Register: “Celebrating the Legal Defense Fund Oral History Project” part of the Southern Oral History Program’s Spring 2025 Symposium on Thursday, April 24 • 2:30–8:00 PM at the FedEx Global Education Center, […]

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Apr 26
26 April 2025
Register: Watermelon 5K Fest & Fundraiser for Palestine
WakeMed Soccer Park,101 Soccer Park Dr
Cary,NC27511United States

Register for a 5K Walk/Run fundraiser A community led walk/run and cultural event supporting displaced Palestinian students. Saturday April 26. Race starts at 11 am, Kids run for free!  Culture Fest starts at 12 pm. […]

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Apr 26
26 April 2025
In-Person: Protect Black Freedoms Statewide Brunch

Register: Protect Black Freedoms Brunch: a statewide gathering. Saturday, April 26 • 11 AM- 4 PM Location: To be announced upon registration

Find out more
Apr 26
26 April 2025
In-Person: Rally to Stop Climate Deception: Urging Gov. Stein to De-Pollute Duke Energy
227 East Edenton Street Raleigh, NC 27601,227 East Edenton Street
Raleigh,NC27601United States

Rally to Stop Climate Deception: Urging Gov. Stein to De-Pollute Duke Energy on Saturday, April 26 • 12:00 -1:30 PM at Lot 20, 227 East Edenton Street Raleigh, the Governor’s Mansion

Find out more
Apr 28
28 April 2025
Register: Volunteer Empowerment Training Series

Register: DemocracyNC is leading a Virtual Volunteer Empowerment Training. Monday, April 28 • 6:00 – 7:30 PM

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Apr 30
30 April 2025
Register: Environmental Justice in the Midst of Polycrisis
Wake Forest University,1834 Wake Forest Rd
Winston-Salem,NC27109United States

Register: Environmental Justice in the Midst of Polycrisis: Where Do We Go From Here? Wednesday April 30 · 8 AM - 2:30 PM, Benson University Center, 401 2120 Eure Drive, Winston-Salem. Keynote Speaker […]

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May 2025
May 01
01 May 2025
In-Person: National Day of Action: Rally at the NC Legislature

International Workers Day will be a day of massive public demonstrations and rallies. Thursday May 1 • 4 PM Gather at Halifax Mall, 16 W. Jones Street in Raleigh + 5 PM March to Bicentennial Plaza. Workers from […]

Find out more
May 01
01 May 2025
Migrant Fest: Music Without Borders
Local 506,506 W. Franklin St.
Chapel Hill,NC27516United States

Register: Migrant Fest: Music Without Borders. Thursday, May 1 • 7 - 11 PM Local 506, 506 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill  

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May 17
17 May 2025
National Reparations Rally in Washington DC

Save the Date: National Reparations Rally in Washington DC on Saturday, May 17

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July 2025
Jul 03
03 July 2025
Socialism 2025 Conference

Register for Socialism 2025 Conference by April 25 for the early bird discounted rate. Conference is from July 3-6 in Chicago The far right ascends around the globe amid war […]

Find out more
October 2025
Oct 03
03 October 2025
Bertie’s Forgotten Black and Native Patriots of the Revolutionary War

Save the Date: Bertie’s Forgotten Black and Native Patriots of the Revolutionary War. October 3-4, 2025

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  • Reflections

On Waging Love: Reflections on Justice, Memory, and Commitment to Collective Struggle

Reverend Wesley Morris, Senior Pastor at Faith Community Church These words were transcribed from a recording made at the Black Workers for Justice Banquet, of Reverend Wesley Morris, Senior Pastor

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  • Reflections

On What Makes An Organizer

Anthony Diaz, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Newark Water Coalition My name is Anthony Diaz and I am the co-founder and executive director of the Newark Water Coalition. Newark

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  • Reflections

On The Working Conditions of Airport Workers in NC

Nicholas Johnson, Former Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Prospect Airport Services Employee. Nick was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. In the summer of 2024, I worked at Charlotte Douglas International

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  • Reflections

On Standing Up For Science

This speech was given by Dr. Dani Lin Hunter, NCEJN Research and Education Manager at Halifax Mall in Raleigh, NC on March 8, 2025 as part of the Stand Up

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  • Reflections

Reflection On The History of EJ In Northampton County

Ms. Belinda Joyner, Concerned Citizens of Northampton County Right after Hurricane Katrina, there were two men that moved to Durham from New Orleans. One of the men had nowhere to

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  • Reflections

On Returning to Service on The NCEJN Board

Caption: Peter Gillbert, Naeema Muhammad, Elizabeth Haddix, & Don Cavellini at NCEJN’s Annual Summit Peter Gilbert, Supervising Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, and NCEJN Board Co-Chair. I am

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  • Reflections

On An Evolving Role & Love

M. Zulayka Santiago, MPA. ​Founder & Creative Director Libelula Consulting, and departing NCEJN Board Co-Chair. Read her book! Although I have admired the work of NCEJN for many years, my

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  • Reflections

On the State Supreme Court

Photo credit to John McCann at North Carolina Black Alliance Gino Nuzzolillo, Campaigns Manager, Common Cause North Carolina The North Carolina Supreme Court is among the most important institutions we

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  • Reflections

On Radical Imagination for the PFAS Resolution We Deserve

Dominique Beaudry, Graduate Student at Duke University “If you’re from Concord, go get your thyroid checked!” a friend posted on her instagram. After noticing a lump in my neck, I

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  • Reflections

On Engaging Youth in the EJ Movement

Doris T. Davis, Assistant Director. Concerned Citizens of Tillery The Concerned Citizens of Tillery (CCT), a non-profit social change organization celebrating 45 years of positive social change is one of

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  • Reflections

On Countering Violence

Araceli Argueta, Organizing and Advocacy Director for AFSC’s New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program. It has been less than two weeks, and Trump’s Executive Orders have had rippling effects across North

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  • Reflections

On The Fight for Indigenous Cultural Preservation + Protecting The Great Trading Path

Beverly Payne, Tribal Council Member of the Occaneechi community, walks along the historic Trading Path in Hawfields Cemetery in Mebane, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Roderico Y. Díaz, Iximché Media.
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  • Reflections

On the Merchants of Death Tribunal

Rania Masri, NCEJN Director of Policy and Organizing, gave these concluding remarks given at the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal press conference on January 15, 2025. (Watch) The Final Report of this Tribunal begins by

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  • Reflections

On Finding Hope In 2025

Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, NCEJN Director of Infrastructure and Development A new year can start at any time.  Across our planet, worldwide celebrations ushered in 2025 on January 1st.  

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  • Reflections

On Bridging Environmental Justice and Farmworker Realities

Yesenia Cuello, Executive Director, NC FIELD, Inc For thousands of people employed in the multi-billion dollar industry of agribusiness across North Carolina, the phrase “environmental justice” often feels like a

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  • Reflections

On Health Research as a Tool for Environmental Justice

Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) McClure, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology at UNC Last week I talked with someone working in one of the many care hubs that community organizations and mutual

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  • Reflections

Species Extinction & The Environmental Justice Movement

Luma Kennedy, NCEJN Communications Manager Species extinction is a serious issue that is already impacting every aspect of our lives. The data is staggering. Industry, industrial agriculture, unchecked development, mining,

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  • Reflections

In Remembrance of The People’s Professor

First we hear from Mama Naeema Muhammad: “First and foremost, we always called him the “People’s Professor”—a term of endearment from the community. We loved Steve for his humility; when he

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  • Reflections

On A Day in West Badin with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council

Aleena Oakley, NCEJN Hi! My name is Aleena Oakley; I’m a lifelong NC resident with roots in the Charlotte area, and I have been working with NCEJN and the Concerned

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  • Reflections

The 25th NCEJN Summit, and how the experience relates to my work

Anita Cunningham, Executive Director, NC Climate Solutions Coalition, Director, NC Disaster Response and Resilience Network First, let me say the NC Environmental Justice Summit had everything I needed to nurture my body, mind

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  • Reflections

NCEJN’s Resource Readiness Workshop Series

Ashley Daniels, NCEJN Team Member In September 2024, NCEJN introduced a new offering: Resource Readiness Workshops for grassroots EJ leaders in the state. The ten participating organizations were concentrated in

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  • Reflections

PFAS pollution and other EJ issues at the Sampson County Landfill

Denise Robinson, Deputy Director of Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) On August 30, on behalf of EJCAN (the Environmental Justice Community Action Network) the Southern Environmental Law Center filed

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  • Reflections

Why NCEJN?

yh Patt, J.D., Ph.D, long time activist in social & environmental justice This year, I trained with the Anne Braden Program (ABP), which is an anti-racist training for white people.

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  • Reflections

On Political Education

Dr. Kim. E. Koo, Rocky Mount Racial Justice Group On September 1st, a strategic meeting was held by a coalition of organizations (El Futuro es Nuestro, NCEJN, USSW and FAN)

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  • Reflections

Joining The NCEJN Research & Education Team This Summer

Colleen Dongarra, NCEJN Intern 2024 I view spiderwebs differently now. They used to be a nuisance – something I stumbled into during an early morning hike. I would feel a

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  • Reflections

Using Collective Power to Unveil & Fight Injustice

Chelsea Lundquist-Wentz, NCSU’s Campus Community Alliance for Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) Founding Member In December 2023, as Poe Hall’s closure sent classes online and ousted faculty and graduate students from their

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  • Reflections

Having a Seat at The Table- The True Meaning of a Power Lunch

Beverly A. Scarlett, Co-Founder & Director of Education, Indigenous Memories Few people are willing and less can express gratitude for togetherness. Something so simple can be challenging, but not for

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  • Reflections

Just One View from “The Trenches”

Don Cavellini, Co-Chair, Pitt Co. Coalition Against Racism (CAR) We have experienced a greater willingness among progressive activists to collaborate with like-minded colleagues. This seems to be true for individuals

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  • Reflections

What We Consider Environmental Injustice & What We Set Aside

Image Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en
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  • Reflections

18th Annual Protecting Mother Earth Conference

Dr. Dani Lin Hunter, NCEJN Research & Education Manager Hi everyone! This past week I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful mountains of Cherokee, North Carolina, to attend the

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  • Reflections

The Ongoing Injustices Faced by Farm Workers in North Carolina

Leticia Zavala, Co-Coordinator, El Futuro Es Nuestro On July 7th, I got a call from a worker saying, “Lety another worker passed away from heat, I don’t know who or where

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  • Reflections

The White House Summit on Environmental Justice in Action

Dr. Chris Hawn, NCEJN Co-director of Research & Education This week I joined government officials, advocates, and EJ leaders from across the country to mark the one year anniversary of

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  • Reflections

The Significance of July 20, 2024?

Dr. Valerie Anne Johnson, Co-Director of Infrastructure and Development Do you know what is significant about tomorrow, July 20, 2024? Those familiar with Octavia Butler and her incredibly visionary novel

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  • Reflections

Our Second Quarterly Meeting at Robeson County Hosted by The Lumbee Riverkeeper and The Winyah Rivers Alliance

Luma Kennedy – NCJN Communications Manager Robeson County, which is both the largest county in North Carolina, and has the largest indigenous population and a significant Black community, is also

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Become a Member

We’re excited to announce that we are developing a membership program and invite individuals, organizations, and institutions who share our values to join us in the fight against environmental injustice.

As a member, you’ll be part of a dedicated community focused on:

  • Promoting health and environmental equity for all
  • Supporting community-driven solutions that foster environmental justice
  • Embracing intersectional strategies to address environmental injustices
  • Engaging communities as equal partners in every decision-making process

A variety of membership tiers ensure that everyone can participate, regardless of your financial situation. If you’re interested in becoming a member, please fill out our interest form. We will contact you in January of 2025 with further information.

Ready to make a difference? Sign up today!

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