Congressman Jamal Bowman and Tennessee Representative Justin J. Pearson
deliver remarks during recent awards ceremony in Washington, DC
Washington, DC (September 26, 2023) – Diamond Spratling, Founder and Executive Director of Girl Plus Environment, was one of the recipients of Black Millennials 4 Flint (BM4F) 2023 Young, Gifted and Green 40 Under 40 . The annual awards recognize Black, Latinx and Indigenous environmental justice leaders and community activists from across the United States and its territories who grapple with complex solutions to solve the climate crisis and dismantle environmental racism.
“This year’s recipients, including our Honorary Awardee, the Children’s Environmental Health
Network, are a celebration of excellence representing leaders who are positively impacting our communities, especially historically disenfranchised Black and brown communities,” said
LaTricea Adams, BM4F founder, CEO and president. “This marks our 7th year of honoring those continuing the efforts our environmental elders started in their work to end environmental injustices.”
“I am truly humbled to be a recipient of the prestigious Young, Gifted & Green 40 Under 40 Award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of so many who have been part of my journey. As I reflect on this moment, I am filled with excitement about the journey ahead. Environmental justice is not just a passion of mine;” said Diamond.
“it is a commitment to ensuring that every community has access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.”
Girl Plus Environment is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit organization dedicated toward educating, engaging, and empowering Black and Brown women and non-binary individuals to stand up for climate and environmental justice within their own communities.
During the awards ceremony held recently in Washington, DC, Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson delivered remarks.
Congressman Bowman advised each recipient, “You are the revolution that we need. Do not
wait for anyone to give you permission. Do not let anyone tell you to wait your turn. You are
ready to lead right now. And we need your relentlessness and courage as you continue to fight the fight to make our planet completely green, clean, renewable and safe.”
Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson, a past recipient of the 40 Under 40 award,
delivered an inspiring “We the people” call and response message to the standing-room-only crowd, saying: ”We, the people who are going to build this movement. We the people who are going to make sure those who have been left out, locked out and pushed to the periphery get brought to the center. We the people who will demand clean air, clean water and clean soil, not just for us but for our descendants and our descendants descendants. We the people who will fight for our collective freedom and liberation because ‘ain’t nobody free until everybody is free.’ We the people are going to change this country. We the people are going to change the world. I’m so glad to be in this room right alongside you. God bless you, and congratulations!”
A panel of reviewers selected this year’s finalists from nominees, including educators, scientists, artists, policymakers, healthcare/public health professionals, faith-based leaders, social-justice advocates/activists, journalists, entrepreneurs and social media influencers, to name a few. The title sponsor was the Environmental Defense Fund. Other sponsors included Climate Power, Climate Action Campaign, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Earthjustice.
Black Millennials 4 Flint is a national environmental justice and civil rights organization bringing like-minded organizations together to collectively take action and advocate against the lead exposure crisis, specifically in African American and Latinx communities nationwide. Watch the full ceremony streaming on BM4F’s Facebook Live on October 26 .
Contact: Lorraine Thomas, lorraine@girlplusenvironment.org