KBLA Climate Justice Campaign
Caring about the community. Caring about the climate. Convening the conversations.
A must-see historic conversation with an All-Black panel of experts in a rich dialogue about climate justice and racial equity.
Why Climate Justice?
Key Pillars and Objectives
KBLA Climate Justice Campaign
Center the voices of communities of color in the climate conversation
Connect at-risk fellow citizens with advocacy organizations
Increase climate health literacy
Highlight frontline climate justice crusaders of color
How?
By investing more than $2 million and executing a 12-month campaign with key partners
Climate-themed broadcasts and special programming over the next 12 months
Free quarterly community events in Los Angeles
Two nationally televised town halls broadcast live from Los Angeles
A savvy social media and robust marketing campaign
Who?
Public and Private Partnerships across the city, county, state, and nation
Past Events
Black History Month Luncheon
As we continue to journey on our Climate Justice Campaign, we held our annual Black History Month Luncheon which honored Climate Justice Champions; Aerin Monroe, Leah Thomas, Dr. Robert Beckford, and WaWa Gatheru.
The event was a celebration of KBLA Talk 1580’s dedication and commitment to raising awareness and advocating for environmental sustainability in the Black community. Hosted at The London Hotel in West Hollywood, KBLA Talk 1580 host and chief visionary officer, Tavis Smiley, invited Shakari Byerly, managing partner and principal researcher at EVITARUS, Inc. to share key findings from KBLA Talk 1580’s recent survey of 500 Black Angelenos to get their perspectives on the fight for climate justice.
Environmental and community activists, dignitaries, and guests were treated to a delicious lunch, entertainment by Maestro the Vocalinist, and a rousing close from noted philosopher, Dr. Cornel West.
Meet the Honorees
Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru
Founder and Executive Director, Black Girl Environmentalist
Wawa Gatheru is a GenZ climate activist passionate about cultivating a climate movement that is made in the image of all of us. In 2019, Wawa made history as the first Black person in history to receive the Rhodes, Truman, and Udall scholarships.
Leah Thomas
Founder of Intersectional Environmentalist and Author
Leah is a graduate of Chapman University with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy and a cluster in Comparative World Religions. She has interned with the National Park Service and has worked at leading green companies, including eco-friendly soap company Ecos and outdoor retailer Patagonia.
Dr. Robert Beckford
Professor and Director, Institute of Climate and Social Justice, Winchester University
Robert Beckford (PhD) is the Director of Winchester University’s Institute for Climate and Social Justice. Beckford is also a Professor of Black Theology at the Queen’s Ecumenical Foundation in Birmingham and a Professor of Theology in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Vu University in Amsterdam.
Aerin Monroe
Co-Founder & Co-Director Pathways of Purpose
With a horticultural, natural landscaping, and organic farming background, Aerin’s work is focused on Afro-Indigenous land practices and stewardship, climate and environmental justice, sustainable food systems, regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and land/food sovereignty for BIPOC communities.