A Family Reunion for Justice: Reflections on the 2025 Southeast Environmental Justice Summit
Attending the third annual Southeast Environmental Justice Summit (June 13-16, 2025) in Atlanta, Georgia, was an experience unlike any other. Organized not by industry or academia, but by grassroots, community-based organizations, the summit felt less like a traditional conference and more like a family reunion—one rooted in love, legacy, and liberation.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear this gathering was intergenerational by design. Children had their own dedicated space and activities, but youth aged thirteen and up were integrated into the main sessions to learn and contribute. On the third morning, I was personally greeted by the four-year-old great-granddaughter of lead organizer Mama Bahati (Dr. Mildred McClain, Executive Director of the Harambee House). Her grandmother walked her from table to table, introducing her to attendees and explaining, “We’re training the next generation.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the summit. There were even youth keynote speakers who were recent HBCU graduates. Their powerful words reminded us that the future is not just coming—it’s already here, and it’s brilliant.
The summit was also a celebration of culture and spirit. Each evening closed with line dancing classes, and throughout the weekend, we were uplifted by African drumming, jazz bands, line dancing, and the soulful sounds of a flutist whose guiding philosophy is BIBOLOVE: Breathe In, Breathe Out, Love. On Sunday morning, she led us in a collective affirmation through song and movement that included this verse, among others:
“I am the one we’ve been waiting for.
You are the one we’ve been waiting for.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
Imagine a ballroom full of people singing in harmony, “We’re making peace for the world to see.” It was powerful. It was healing. It was necessary.
We worked in small groups to plan for personal care during emergencies, and had sessions on AI, zoning, clean energy technologies, sustaining businesses and nonprofits, and so much more! We even worked in large groups, organized by state, to reflect on progress made and strategize for the road ahead.
There were a few other keynotes, including a strategy roadmap given by Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, who offered five guiding principles for our collective journey on where we go from here:
Cherish your canvas—individually and collectively. Our ancestors strengthened our fabric; we must honor and build upon it.
Creatively curate the chaos—don’t freeze in the face of disorder. Design the infrastructure, policies, and processes that will serve us better.
Cultivate stronger coordination—across people and policy. Use “disappearing” tools and documents (e.g., the Climate and Environmental Justice Screening Tool) to create something enduring.
Construct the necessary narrative—track progress, harness lessons from the Biden-Harris administration, and tell our stories with intention.
Build for contingency and continuity—prepare for the unexpected. Create research and systems that are for us, by us.
She reminded us that “it is not the time to let weak leadership breed weak leadership . . . . It is not the time to let fear dismantle our work for good.”
The 2025 Southeast Environmental Justice Summit was more than a conference. It was a call to action, a space of belonging, and a blueprint for intergenerational leadership rooted in justice, culture, and community. I left not only inspired, but deeply connected—to the work, to the people, and to the future we are building together.
