About

The National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) was established in December 1999 during a gathering of over 300 Black activists from 33 states in New Orleans, Louisiana. The purpose of this gathering was to address environmental and health disparities in Black American communities. The gathering resulted in the creation of a national action plan and the formation of the Interim National Black Environmental and Economic Justice Coordinating Committee (INBEEJCC). The INBEEJCC later evolved into the National Black Environmental Justice Network, a coalition of environmental justice organizations and activists of African descent. The NBEJN formed a committee called the Interim Facilitation Team (IFT) responsible for guiding the action plan's implementation.

In August 2020, our Executive Committee came together to forge the relaunch of NBEJN out the necessity they saw following the murder of George Floyd. They realized that Black Environmental Justice leaders, organizations, practitioners, and communities needed a space and network was that uniquely theirs.

The NBEJN prioritizes the involvement of youth and students, aiming to cultivate future environmental justice leaders. The organization’s strategy continues to focus on raising awareness of the link between pollution and health, advocating for sustainable communities, and combating racially discriminatory environmental decision-making. 

NBEJN continues to grow, mature, and expand its network of organizations and individuals to address critical environmental, racial, and economic justice and health issues affecting Black Americans and persons of African descent around the world.