CEAR Hub members Dr. Russ Clark and LaShonda Rosier from Georgia Tech, along with Dr. Philip Omunga from Savannah State University, attended the 2nd Annual Southeast Environmental Justice Summit in Atlanta, GA, from June 28 to July 1. Hosted by The Harambee House/Citizens for Environmental Justice, the Summit gathered nonprofits, community advocates, local politicians, businesses, government agencies, academia, and youth from across the Southeast to discuss environmental justice issues and upcoming significant federal funding opportunities. The U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies in attendance also promoted funding opportunities from recent legislation. Both the audience and presenters voiced concerns about funds not reaching the disadvantaged areas they were intended to reach, highlighting the importance of such summits in fostering dialogue between agencies and communities.
The Summit goals included enacting a Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Network 10-Year Strategic Plan, implementing the Justice40 vision, uniting frontline leaders, directing funding to community projects, and preparing projects for grant opportunities.
CEAR Hub's Dr. Philip Omunga served on a panel discussing HBCU Connections to the 10-Year Strategic Plan. Additionally, workshops provided attendees with knowledge of basic project management, strategy-based power mapping, and community power building through interactive learning, small group discussions, and case studies. A youth panel on the second day highlighted young people in environmental justice careers, focusing on intergenerational collaboration and new career opportunities.
