5 Black Environmentalists to Check Out

The conversation revolving around climate change is an important one. Unfortunately, not all communities are a part of that conversation even though they are the most affected. In this post, we’re bringing you five Black environmentalists to check out.

1. Alexis Nicole

Alexis Nikole, also known as the “Black Forager,” is a popular TikToker and Instagrammer who

discusses and shows how she forages and how others can do the same. For Alexis, foraging

goes deeper than just going outside to pick some fruits and nuts. It’s a way to connect to Black

and Indigenous traditions. It’s also teaching people to eat off the land in a sustainable way. You

can follow her on her Instagram here!

2. Rue Mapp

Rue Mapp is a writer, speaker, public lands champion and leader. She grew up enjoying

various outdoor activities, such as kayaking and hiking, and realized that her experience was

not typical for a Black American. She was inspired to create Outdoor Afro, a nonprofit

organization that aims to inspire and celebrate Black connections and leadership in nature.

Check her out here!

3. Leah Thomas

Leah Thomas, also known as "Green Girl Leah," is an eco-influencer and founder of the

Instagram page @intersectionalenviromentalist. This page is a platform aimed at providing

resources and bringing BIPOC voices into the climate change conversation. The community

curates educational resources, experiences and collaborations, all of which sparks conversation,

ideas and inspiration.

4. Vanessa Nakate

Vanessa Nakate is a Uganda-based climate activist who uses her voice to speak out against

racism within the environmental movement. She is also the founder of the project 1 Million

Activist Stories, which is a platform that shares stories of climate activists from all walks of life.

Check her out here!

5. Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru

Wawa Gatheru is an environmental justice advocate hailing from Kenya and Connecticut.

She is also the founder of @blackgirlenvironmentalist, which is a supportive community of Black

girls, women, and non-binary environmentalists. The platform also provides resources,

workshops, and other events that pave the way for Black environmentalists.

Go check out these five amazing Black environmentalists who are using their voices to create space for Black and Brown environmentalists.

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Minerve Jean is a Haitian-born storyteller who shares her poetry and writings unapologetically. She believes in the power of words and their ability to help and heal. Her debut book, For The Secrets That Gave Themselves Away, is an anthology of raw poetry where she uses words to paint pictures that will resonate with the human soul. She has also contributed pieces to Hercampus, Orange and Blue Magazine and MLNNYC. In her free time, she likes to snack on Avocado toast and curl up with a good book.