The Green Agenda

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to join us for Season 6 Episode 4 on our podcast The Green Agenda. 12 years ago in April 2014, the City of Flint was changed forever as a "cost cutting" switch to the Flint River cost the lives of residents with the #FlintWaterCrisis. In this episode, we will commemorate the Flint water crisis by sharing personal stories and lessons learned from youth directly impacted, emphasizing the ongoing fight for safe drinking water and accountability from public officials.

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to join us for Season 6 Episode 3 on our podcast The Green Agenda for this EXCLUSIVE Environmental Defense Fund Takeover on the topic People vs. Poison: Reclaiming Chemical Safety in Black & Brown Communities. In this episode, we will dive into the complexities of the Toxic Substances Control Act and examine the current challenges in enforcing and updating this crucial legislation. Join us as we explore the implications for public health and environmental safety, and discuss effective strategies grassroots activists and communities can employ to advocate for stronger protections and accountability.Guest HostCecile Brown | Communications Director, Healthy Communities, EDFFeatured GuestSuhani Chitalia | Senior Manager, Federal Affairs, EDF

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign and EDF Action, we would like to invite you to join us for Season 6 Episode 2 on our podcast The Green Agenda on the topic The Fight for the People’s Bill: The Environmental Justice for All Act. In this episode, we'll dive into the critical importance of the Environmental Justice for All Act, examining its implications for equitable environmental protections and how community mobilization is shaping its future.Host Kayla Shannon | Spelman College AlumnaFeatured GuestMar Zepeda Salazar | Legislative Director, Climate Justice Alliance

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 6 premiere of The Green Agenda on the topic “Still Standing on Environmental Justice Business in 2026”. In this episode, we will reflect on the progress made in environmental justice over the past year, highlighting key victories and ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in the push for equitable policies.HostKayla Shannon | Spelman College AlumnaFeatured GuestLaTricea D. Adams | Founder CEO & President, Young, Gifted & Green

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 10 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Reflecting on 1 Year of Lead and Copper Rule Improvements”. In this episode, we will deep dive into the strengths and challenges of the first year of the Biden administration's rule to eliminate all lead pipes in the U.S. over the next ten years. We'll also discuss the political landscape and ways state water utilities and lawmakers are stepping up to address the lead in drinking water.Host: Kayla Shannon | Spelman College Graduate Spring 2024Featured Guest: Chakena D. Sims | Senior Policy Advocate, Safe Water Initiative, NRDC

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 9 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Protecting Our Lungs: The Fight Against Methane Pollution”. This episode will dive into the hidden dangers of methane pollution and its direct impact on public health and Black & Latino communities. Join us as we talk about the fight for cleaner air, highlighting the intersections of environmental justice and public health. We’ll unpack federal policies and discuss actionable steps we can take to protect our lungs and advocate for a healthier future. Host:  Kayla Shannon | Spelman Graduate Class of 2024Featured Guest: Meisei Gonzalez | Climate Justice & Clean Air Program Advocate | Green Latinos

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 8 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Government-Community Ties for Environmental Justice:”. This episode will explore strategies for building healthy intergovernmental relationships with community-based groups, fostering collaboration to address environmental justice issues and empower marginalized voices.HostKayla Shannon | Spelman Graduate c/o 2024Featured GuestKeith D. Jones, Jr. | Outreach Coordinator, Ward 8 Woods

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 7 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Heat Waves and Health: Navigating Rising Temperatures”. This episode will discuss the public health implications of extreme heat events and discuss actionable policy changes that can protect vulnerable communities.Guest HostLaTricea D. Adams, MAT, EdsFounder CEO & PresidentYoung, Gifted & GreenFeatured SpeakerLeslie Fields, Esq.Chief Federal OfficerWE ACT for EJ

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 6 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Food Sovereignty and Urban Agriculture”. This episode discusses the importance of food justice and urban farming initiatives in Black neighborhoods as a means of combating food deserts and promoting health.HostKayla Shannon | Spelman Graduate C/O 2024Featured GuestTambra Raye Stevenson | Founder, WANDA & NativSol Kitchen 

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 5 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Green Pathways: Integrating Environmental Justice in Public Schools”. This episode will examine how Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can incorporate environmental justice principles, preparing students for green careers while fostering awareness of social equity in sustainability efforts.HostKayla ShannonSpelman College Graduate (Spring 2024)SpeakerCandice MottDC Office of the State Superintendent of Education

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5, Episode 4 of The Green Agenda on the topic “Environmental Justice and the Criminal Justice System”. This episode will explore the connections between environmental justice and criminal justice, including how pollution and environmental degradation can lead to increased policing and incarceration in Black communities.HostKayla ShannonSpelman College Graduate (Spring 2024)SpeakerAmber ShermanBlack Voters Matter

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5 Episode 3 of The Green Agenda on the topic "The Future of the Endangerment Finding" as it is potentially being rolled back. The Endangerment Finding is a determination by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2009 that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, thereby justifying regulatory action to mitigate climate change. Our guest will speak about the implications of such a move and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. We'll explore how the Endangerment Finding has been a cornerstone of environmental justice efforts, and discuss the urgent need to protect this essential safeguard in the face of potential rollbacks.HostKayla ShannonSpelman College Graduate (Spring 2024)SpeakerErin MurphyDirector & Senior Attorney,Clean Air & Energy MarketsEnvironmental Defense Fund

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5 Episode 2 of The Green Agenda on the topic "The Impact of Urban Development on Black Communities". This episode will focus on how urban planning and development decisions often overlook the needs of Black residents, leading to gentrification and displacement.HostKayla ShannonSpelman College Graduate (Spring 2024)SpeakerSterling JohnsonPartnership for Southern EquityJust Opportunity Portfolio Director

On behalf of Young, Gifted & Green, Climate Action Campaign, and the Environmental Defense Fund, we would like to invite you to our Season 5 Episode 1 of The Green Agenda on the topic "Keeping Justice40 Alive in 2025". This episode will explore the ongoing implementation and impact of the Justice40 Initiative from a local level perspective and how it addresses environmental justice and equity for marginalized communities in the face of evolving political and social challenges. HostKayla ShannonSpelman College Graduate (Spring 2024) SpeakerLaTricea D. AdamsFounder CEO & PresidentYoung, Gifted & GreenBiden-Harris White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Appointee