ENVIRONMENTAL
The Environmental Justice program works to build healthier communities by addressing issues caused and perpetuated by environmental racism. We work on issues such as the elimination of oil drilling, the reduction of harms associated with plastic pollution, the exposure of toxic chemicals in our personal and hair care products, and more.
Black Women for Wellness’ environmental justice work is split into two main categories:
- Built Environment:
- Eliminating neighborhood oil drilling
- Drinking water equity
- Reducing plastic pollution
- Green social housing
- Beauty Justice:
- Health education and research on toxic chemicals in personal products
- Advocacy around reducing chemical use in products
- Breast health public education
- Occupational health of salon workers
To find out more information about this program, please browse this page and look at the resources and media below. For further detail, and to find out how you can become involved, contact Tianna Shaw-Wakeman, Environmental Justice Program Manager.
Upcoming Events
environmental justice fellowship
Since 2024, our Environmental Justice team has been running an annual EJ fellowship. We host 2 fellows over the course of 9 months to support the development of future environmental justice leaders in a way that is community-based and centers reproductive justice.
Our inaugural fellows, from 2024-2025, were Camille Samuels and Sophie Sylla – you can read more about their time at BWW on our blog post. You can also check out their final fellowship projects!
Camille created a storymap to explore the history of Kenneth Hahn Park, and its links to the surrounding Inglewood Oil Field. Sophie created a zine that collects research, stories, and dreams of Black women in Los Angeles through an environmental and reproductive justice lens.
reading materials
Environmental justice reading materials and educational literature.
- Coming Clean policy papers on how to bring about a toxic-free future. Learn More!
- The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas
- Dr. Robert Buillard, considered to be the father of Environmental Justice, has many books on the issues at hand. Check them out here!
- Hazel M. Johnson is considered the mother of the environmental justice movement, and spent years researching the links between industrial pollutants and negative health impacts in her Chicago community. Read more about her life and legacy here with her daughter Cheryl Johnson!
LEARN MORE ABOUT HAZEL M. JOHNSON
environmental justice videos
Water and Plastics Workshop | Connection between environmental justice and reproductive justice
Sheros vs. Environmental Injustice: How to Create a Healthy Haven for Your Family
What’s Up With Green Gentrification?
Cleaning Up Haircare for Our Crowns
Hairstylist Appreciation Day Video 2022
Water Equity Workshop #1: Water is Life - What’s in Your Water?
Green Table Talk: Reproductive Justice in a Warming World
Beyond the Choice
Stylin Safely: A Webinar Series – Chemicals and Your Health
Black Women for Wellness Presents Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Stylin Safely: A Webinar Series – Chemicals in Your Salon
environmental justice media
“How to Live Fashionably Well in a Fast Fashion Society”
Environmental Justice Session with Dr. Astrid Williams and Samata Pattinson.
