The Naeema Muhammad EJ Youth Vanguard Award
Overview: We believe in our young people and their desire to make our communities cleaner, safer, and productive. Environmental justice (EJ) means that people of all races, cultures, and incomes should be able to live in a safe and healthy environment. It also means that everyone should be treated fairly and equally. The Naeema Muhammad Youth Vanguard Award is designed to give the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) the opportunity to recognize young people from our communities who already are environmental champions and who show great promise as future leaders in the EJ movement. We may select two youth – one from each of the following age categories: 1) elementary school age and 2) middle/high school age.
Past Recipients Include: Jamesha Cannon-Phillips – RENA (2017), Dakota Moore – REACH (2018), Jalind Lampa – NOTRA (2022), Ashley Daniels (2023), and Mary Black – City of Raleigh City Council Member (2024)
Qualifications of Nominees:
- Demonstrated interest in working on an environmental injustice issue in their community (they may be working on multiple issues as well)
- Commitment to promoting safe and healthy environments for their community
- Engagement in activities that raise awareness about EJ among their peers and in their community – this would include activities at their school, academic work on EJ issues, participation in competitions, workshops, or school programs that highlight EJ
- The potential to be future leaders in the EJ movement
The Steve Wing International Environmental Justice Academic Award
Overview: In 2007 Gary R. Grant proposed this award to annually recognize an academic who has made notable contributions to achieving environmental justice, especially through activism. While scholarship is not unimportant for a nomination, the clear emphasis is on a person’s advocacy work that reflects the goals of the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN). The award is named after the late Dr. Steve Wing, a founding planning board member of the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, and a long-time scholar and activist in the environmental justice arena in North Carolina. The person receiving this honor reflects through their work Steve’s commitment to community, justice, and equality, while taking a stand in academia.
Past Recipients Include: Dr. Sacoby Wilson (2008), Dr. Christopher Heaney (2009), Dr. Mansoureh Tajik (2010), Dr. Valerie Johnson (2012), Att. Savi Horne (2013), Professor Irving Joyner (2014), Dr. Sarah Hatcher (2015), Att. Elizabeth Haddix ( 2016), Dr. Courtney Woods (2017), Dr. Sarah Rhodes (2018), Dr. Ryan Emmanuel (2019), Dr. Libby McClure (2023), and Jovita Lee – Democracy Green (2024)
Qualifications of Nominees:
- An academic who has notably and consistently used their academic discipline toward advancing environmental justice, especially through activism in the United States and/or abroad
- Recognized for their activist contributions and their occupational and academic achievements
- Consistently used their scholarship and activism to achieve environmental justice
The Elsie Herring Community Resilience Award
Overview: The Community Resilience Award is designed to give the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) the opportunity to spotlight community groups and individuals who have made a difference in environmental struggles.
Past Recipients Include: David Caldwell (2014), Belinda Joyner (2015), Macy Hinson (2016), Devon Hall – REACH (2016), Ellis Tatum (2017), Bobby Jones (2018), Stokes County NAACP, Appalachian Voices and the Lilies Project (2019), Rev. Bryon Shoffner and Anita Foust (2023), Leticia Zavala – El Futuro Es Nuestro (2024).
Qualifications of Nominees:
- A community individual or community group currently working on an environmental injustice issue
- Showing commitment for a safe and healthy environment for the community
- Unselfishly giving to create a more just society
- Working for political and social reform
- Constantly using activism and organizing in the community to achieve environmental justice
The Nan Freeland and Gary Grant Seeds of Change Award
Overview: This award was created in honor of our cofounders. With this award, we acknowledge Nan Freeland in appreciation for her role as co-founder of the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network. We also acknowledge Gary Grant’s role as co-founder and first Executive Director of the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network.
Nominations are collected through the summit registration process and are then shared with the NCEJN Summit Planning committee. The committee will communicate the selection process outcome to all nominees. Award recipients will be announced at the Summit, and if in attendance, will receive special recognition.
You can see a list of past awardees here.
