Black Climate Activists You Should Know
Yes, there are Black folks working for us in climate, organizing and activating. We’ve listed them out below and included their websites and socials so you can follow them and get engaged:
1. Dr. Robert D. Bullard
Known as the “Father of Environmental Justice,” Dr. Bullard helped expose how pollution, toxic waste, and climate disasters disproportionately harm Black communities. His research transformed environmental racism from a local concern into a national policy issue and laid the intellectual foundation for today’s environmental justice movement.
Follow:
Instagram: @drrobertbullard
X/Twitter: @DrBobBullard
Website: https://bullardcenter.org
2. Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr.
Rev. Yearwood is the president and CEO of Hip Hop Caucus, where he connects climate justice with voting rights, racial justice, and culture. He has become one of the nation’s most visible voices translating climate policy into language that resonates with Black communities and younger audiences.
Follow:
Instagram: @hiphopcaucus
X/Twitter: @RevYearwood
Website: https://hiphopcaucus.org
3. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, author, and climate strategist focused on equitable climate solutions and ocean conservation. Through her writing, media work, and policy advocacy, she pushes for climate action that is hopeful, practical, and rooted in justice.
Follow:
Instagram: @ayanaeliza
Website: https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com
4. Mustafa Santiago Ali
Mustafa Santiago Ali is a nationally respected environmental justice advocate and former senior advisor at the EPA. His work focuses on helping frontline communities fight pollution, secure clean energy access, and build political power around climate policy.
Follow:
Instagram: @mustafasantiagoali
X/Twitter: @EJinAction
Website: https://mustafasantiagoali.com
5. Jacqueline Patterson
Jacqueline Patterson is the founder of The Chisholm Legacy Project and a leading voice at the intersection of Black liberation, gender justice, and environmental resilience. Her work centers Black women and community-led solutions in the climate movement.
Follow:
Instagram: @chisholmlegacy
TikTok: @chisholmlegacy
Website: https://chisholmlegacyproject.org
6. Peggy Shepard
Peggy Shepard is the co-founder of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and a pioneer in urban environmental advocacy. For decades, she has fought for cleaner air, healthier housing, and environmental protections in Black and Brown communities.
Follow:
Instagram: @weact4ej
X/Twitter: @weact4ej
Website: https://www.weact.org
7. Jerome Foster II
Jerome Foster II is a Gen Z climate activist and former White House environmental justice advisor who began organizing as a teenager. His work focuses on youth political engagement, climate accountability, and ensuring young Black voices are represented in national climate conversations.
Follow:
Instagram: @jeromefosterii
X/Twitter: @JeromeFosterII
Website: https://www.waicup.org
8. Michele Roberts
Michele Roberts is a longtime environmental justice organizer and national advocate for healthy Black communities. Through her leadership with the Environmental Justice Health Alliance, she has worked to address toxic exposure, public health disparities, and environmental inequities nationwide.
Follow:
X/Twitter: @EJ4HealthyComm
Website: https://ej4all.org
And finally, the originator of the Black climate justice movement:
9. Hazel M. Johnson
Known as the “Mother of Environmental Justice,” Hazel Johnson organized residents in Chicago’s Altgeld Gardens against toxic pollution and environmental racism. Her grassroots activism directly influenced the creation of federal environmental justice initiatives and inspired generations of organizers.
Follow Her Legacy Through:
Instagram: @peopleforcommunityrecovery
Website: https://www.peopleforcommunityrecovery.org
Black Girls Do Politics Civic Learning Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This content is nonpartisan and does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party.