In recognition of April celebrations of Earth Day and Earth Month, Social Justice Matters will offer a program on Environmental Justice, Race and Class, on Monday, April 12 at 6 pm, as part of our continuing series on systemic racism.

COVID-19 has affected Black communities and communities of color disproportionately. Environmental factors like toxic dumping, proximity to power plants and factories, and higher exposures to emissions have a lot to do with health outcomes and the reality of environmental racism in New Jersey and nationwide.

Melissa Miles, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, and Nancy Griffeth, member of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Justice Advisory Council, will speak with us about their work and advocacy efforts and answer our questions. We will be updated on issues close to home and learn ways we can get involved and make a difference.

Melissa Miles (she/her), Executive Director of New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, the only statewide organization dedicated to serving New Jersey’s Environmental Justice communities. She began her career as a grassroots activist and community organizer while living in an Environmental Justice community in Newark, New Jersey. She is also
part of the Coalition for Healthy Ports and the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council as well as several national coalitions including the Climate Justice Alliance and the Moving Forward Network.

Dr. Nancy Griffeth, NJDEP Environmental Justice Advisory Council Member was chair of the Environmental Justice Task Force of Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ for two years, from fall 2017 to fall 2019, and continues as an active member. Her primary focus has been on reducing toxic emissions and greenhouse gases in low-income communities, on equity in access to renewable energy, and on the health impacts of climate change. Over the last three years, she has represented UU FaithAction in testifying and commenting on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Community Solar Pilot Program, the state’s Energy Master Plan, and the DEP’s rule-making associated with the Governor’s initiative “Protecting against Climate Threats.

We hope you will sign up and join us for this informative session. You can register HERE.