Empowering the next Generation

In honor of the mother of the environmental justice movement, Hazel M. Johnson, Black Girl Environmentalist will be debuting its fellowship program in the Summer of 2024. 

                                                                                                                           While many early career Black women and gender-expansive people are interested in pursuing green career paths, concerns around obtaining well paying jobs, the availability of diverse work environments, and the lack of green job visibility reinforces the gap between access and representation in our community. In order for the climate sector to ensure the meaningful involvement of all people, the green jobs sector must create and invest in workforce pathways that meaningfully engage with and onboard emerging climate talent of color.

To help combat historic discrimination and lack of compensation in the environmental and climate space, Black Girl Environmentalist is launching this fellowship program specifically for early career Black women and gender-expansive persons in the United States.

WHY?

The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that by 2030, 24 million jobs worldwide could be created by the green economy alone. And while green jobs are on the rise across industries, Black talent is still underrepresented throughout the green economy. This is an environmental justice concern.
The Hazel M. Johnson Fellowship Program focuses on increasing opportunities for emerging leaders of color to learn about, engage with, and enter the environmental and climate sectors with adequate funding, mentorship, and community building. The Fellowship is designed to attract and support Black women and gender-expansive rising juniors, rising seniors, and recent college graduates  with demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the environmental and/or climate sectors.

Only 138 Bachelor degrees in Environmental Science were awarded to Black women in the U.S.

— Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2021

hazel m. Johnson

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 with her husband, Hazel and her family decided to move to the Altgeld Gardens Homes in Chicago, IL. After living there for several years, Hazel’s husband contracted lung cancer and passed away. It was then that she learned the horrifying truth. 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. 

She began by contacting the Chicago Housing Authority and demanding accountability from them. To help in her fight she ran and was elected to the Altgeld Gardens Local Advisory Council and founded the People for Community Recovery (PCR) committee. With the aid of the PCR 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. 

Hazel was one of the first Black women to have prominence in the environmental justice movement. With her newfound notability she began fighting for other communities plagued by pollution. She mentored college students to ensure the next generation of environmental justice advocates had knowledge and experience to fight, and even mentored a young Barack Obama. For her efforts, she was invited to the first National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit where she was dubbed the “Mother of the Environmental Justice Movement”. Although Hazel passed away in 2011, her spirit and determination lives on in the Black women of today who still strive and fight for environmental justice.

Program Overview

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

All Fellows are assigned mentors, grow their networks, and forge lasting relationships within and between the cohort of fellows. HMJ Fellowship positions are full-time paid positions with a minimum hourly wage of $18 an hour. All Fellows will also receive a stipend of $5,000 (on top of the hourly wage) to go towards living expenses, professional development, and wellness, in addition to weekly coordinated professional development through Partner Organizations and Black Girl Environmentalist. The summer will conclude with an in-person retreat with fellow participants.

Fellow Information

  • The application open on February 19, 2024 and closes on March 29, 2024 at 11:59pm EST.

    You can take a look at the application here. Please note, this is a sample application to give you sense of what the application entails. The official application link can be found below.

    You must submit using official application link to be considered.

  • This fellowship program is for early career self-identified Black women or gender-expansive persons who are aspiring climate and environmental professionals.

    This includes: rising juniors, rising seniors, recent graduates (up to 3 years out of undergrad) and first-year grad students (entering the first year of grad school in fall 2024).

    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 be residing in the United States, or a United States territory, for the duration of the fellowship length.

  • 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.

  • February 19: Fellow application opens

    March 3: Informational Webinar #1

    RSVP here

    March 19: Info Webinar #2

    RSVP here

    March 29: Application Closes

    April 1 - April 26 Interviews

    April 30: Fellow Selection

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

2024 Placements

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 28, 2024 and the latest start date will be June 10, 2024. All fellowships must end on or before August 16, 2024.
December 15, 2023: Partner organization application opens
February 12, 2024: Partner organization applications close
February 16, 2024: Partner organization decisions made
February 19, 2024: Fellowship application opens
March 2, 2024: Prospective fellow webinar #1
March 19, 2024: Prospective fellow webinar #2
March 29, 2024: Fellowship application closes
April 1 - April 26, 2024: Fellow Interviews
April 30, 2024: Partner organizations select fellows
May 28 - August 16, 2024: Rolling fellowship program dates
Mid August: In-person fellow retreat

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.

Our Partners