HAZEL M. JOHNSON FELLOWSHIP

Empowering the Next Generation

To help combat historic discrimination and lack of compensation in the environmental and climate space, Black Girl Environmentalist launched the Hazel M. Johnson Fellowship to uplift early-career Black women, gender-expansive people, and others in the United States.

This fellowship aids industry progress by working with this demographic to combat concerns about obtaining well-paying jobs, the availability of diverse work environments, the lack of green job visibility, and more.

Hear from our fellows!

“That intentionality is exactly why other young Black women and gender-expansive folk should apply.”

-Destiny

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Hazel M. Johnson Fellows are placed with a partner organization for a 10-week summer internship placement and cohort experience where they gain the skills, resources, and connections necessary to enter and stay in the environmental and climate sector. 

  • $5,000 living wage stipend

  • A minimum hourly wage of $18

  • An all-expenses-paid, in-person retreat

  • Guidance from an industry mentor

  • Weekly digital professional development training

This program’s support combined to empower our fellows to thrive and positively contribute to their internship organizations. Learn more about fellows’ experiences below. 

Nnennaya tackled 6 main projects at Stanley Corporate: Crafting a brand-aligned sustainability narrative, Emissions Calculations, Recycled Material Standards, Global Giving, College/influencer marketing, and The incorporation of environmental justice within the business.

Destiny traveled to Seattle for the inaugural Bloomberg Green Festival with her internship advisor, and while there, she had the opportunity to learn from climate leaders across disciplines— even meeting and speaking with Stacy Abrams.

FELLOW INFORMATION

  • The application open on December 16, 2024 and closes on February 21, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

    You must submit using official application link to be considered.

  • This fellowship program is for early-career women and gender-expansive professionals. We encourage self-identified Black women and gender-expansive people to apply. Other women and gender-expansive people are also eligible to apply.

    Early career professionals include: rising juniors, seniors, recent graduates (up to 2 years out of undergrad) and/or first-year grad students (entering the first year of grad school in fall 2025).

    Eligible Hazel M. Johnson Fellows

    Must demonstrate an interest in the environmental and/or climate field(s)

    *BGE fellows do not need to have an environmental science degree or formal training in this field. We are looking for individuals who are committed to justice and equity, who are passionate about working for an environmental or climate-focused organization, and who are excited about developing new skills.

    Applicants must reside and be eligible to work in the United States or a United States territory for the duration of the fellowship.

  • Fellowships will range from 32-40 hours per week for a total of 10 weeks depending on the organization that you are paired with. All applicants must be able to fully commit to this fellowship.

  • All 50 states, with a focus on the HUB cities. Click here to learn more about what a HUB city is.

  • Development of skills necessary to be successful in the climate and environmental space.

    Compensation which includes an hourly wage, a living wage, and a wellness stipend.

    Mentorship from a full-time mid to senior level staff member within their assigned organization.

    Participation of 3 hours of professional development each week.

    Cohort networking opportunities, including an end of summer in-person retreat.

    Access to the entire BGE network and events.

  • December 16, 2024: Fellowship application opens

    February 6, 2025: Fellowship Info Session RSVP here

    February 18, 2025: Fellowship Info Session. RSVP here.

    February 21, 2025: Fellowship application closes

    April 7, 2025: Fellow Selection

    May 31 - August 18, 2025: Rolling fellowship program dates

    Mid August 2025: In-person fellow retreat

  • Please email us at fellowships@blackgirlenvironmentalist.org for any questions or concerns.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DATES

College end dates for the spring semester vary. Because of these varied dates, the fellowship will have rolling start dates. The exact start and end dates will depend on the partner organization.                                                                                                               
The earliest start for a fellow begins on May 27, 2025 and the latest start date will be June 9, 2025. All fellowships must end on or before August 18, 2025.

September 23, 2024: Partner organization application opens

October 9, 2024: Prospective partner org webinar #1

November 8, 2024: Prospective partner org webinar #2

November 15, 2024: Partner organization applications close

December 6, 2024: Partner organization decisions made

December 16, 2024: Fellowship application opens

February 21, 2025: Fellowship application closes

April 7, 2025: Fellow Selection

May 31 - August 18, 2025: Rolling fellowship program dates

Mid August 2025: In-person fellow retreat

OUR WHY

“If we want a better future for our children and grandchildren, we must clean up our act, no matter how hard a task it may be.”

-Hazel M. Johnson, The “Mother of Environmental Justice”

Hazel M. Johnson is the mother of environmental justice and proof that any person with enough resolve can hold institutions accountable for environmental injustice.

After raising a family in Los Angeles, Hazel and her family decided to move to Altgeld Gardens, a public housing project on the South Side of Chicago. Her husband passed away from lung cancer after living there for several years.

This loss, amidst her observations, led Hazel to investigate her neighborhood’s high rate of cancer, respiratory illness, and foul odor. She came to realize that her neighborhood was surrounded by factories and landfills that spewed toxic fumes in what she dubbed “The Toxic Donut”. It was after this discovery that Hazel became determined to fight for her family and neighbors.

With the aid of the People for Community Recovery (PCR), which she founded, she waged war against the Chicago Housing Authority and major polluters in the area, eventually gaining support from the EPA to pass legislation in favor of environmental justice.

We are working to strengthen Hazel’s legacy and put more Black women in positions to create environmental change. By 2030, The International Labor Organization estimates that 24 million jobs worldwide could be created by the green economy alone. This fellowship ensures that Black talent soars as green jobs rise across industries. 


Information provided by People for Community Recovery and the Chicago Public Library.

2025 INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

“To know that I was a part of something that represented Black women being fierce advocates for the environment is something I will always hold with me.”

-Jayla 

PARTNER ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

  • All organizations that are interested in hosting a fellow are expected to:

    Ensure that fellows are placed in an inclusive, diverse, and equity-centered space.

    Agree to the Elemental Excelerator’s EDICT (Empowering Diverse Climate Talent) Pledge

    Provide a sample job description for fellow(s). (Scope of work template)

    Host and provide mentorship to a fellow for 10 weeks for 32-40 hours per week. (Whatever your organization determines is full-time).

    Support at least 3 hours per week of professional development and community building experience for fellows.

    Designate time to meet regularly with a BGE staff member.

    Support their fellow(s) by providing them with essential work supplies i.e. laptops and internet access.

    Cover the hourly cost of a fellow(s) as well as pay a one-time program fee. (See program fee breakdown)

  • Enhance your organization's visibility within Black and environmental justice communities.

    Meaningful investment towards building a just transition that centers and nurtures emerging Black climate leaders.

    Access to emerging talent without having to invest in coaching, curriculum, professional development, and other benefits that larger companies often offer fellows.

    Actively contributing to creating a diverse pipeline of talent for the climate and environmental sector.

2024 HMJ FELLOWSHIP COHORT

  • Nnennaya Ihejirikah

    Stanley Corporate Sustainability Fellow

    Howard Unviersity

  • Arianna Lawrence

    Beyond Petrochemicals Campaign Fellow

    Pomona College

  • Sophia Boyd

    Good Energy Collective HBCU Energy Fellow

    Spelman College

  • Sydney DuBose

    Incite.org Investment Fellow

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Allyah Keith

    Climate Trust Forestry Fellow

    Mississippi State University

  • Aiyana Washington

    Hip Hop Caucus Storytelling Fellow

    Stanford University

  • Amelia Linton

    Harvard Climate Action Accelerator Fellow

    Williams College

  • Semawit Ayele

    Air Company Innovation Fellow

    University of Texas, Austin

  • Reihan Abar

    Harvard Climate Action Accelerator Fellow

    Brown University

  • Emma Abercrombie Peters

    Coachtopia Sustainable Fashion Fellow

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Kikelomo Sanni

    Hip Hop Caucus Storytelling Fellow

    Columbia University

  • Jayla Sheffield

    World Wildlife Fund Food Warrior Fellow

    Howard University

  • Raianna Grant

    Rare Center for Behavior and the Environment Fellow

    Southern Connecticut State University

  • Destiny Nash

    Regulatory Assistance Project Policy Fellow

    California State University of Sacramento