The Solutions Project Celebrates 5th Annual Black Climate Week From Monday, Feb 17 - Sunday, Feb 23

This award-winning campaign raises awareness about the climate& societal benefits of Black-led climate solutions

OAKLAND, Calif.,Feb. 19, 2025/PRNewswire/ -- FromMonday, Feb 17throughSunday, Feb 23,The Solutions Project(TSP) is celebrating its 5th annual Black Climate Week, anaward-winningcampaign designed to raise awareness about the vital role of Black leaders in combatting the climate crisis.

As the federal government now undermines essential climate policies, The Solutions Project's goal for this year's Black Climate Week is to inspire the general public to recognize the value of Black-led climate solutions, which will continue to grow from the ground up in communities across the country. The campaign already has momentum. Last year, Black Climate Week reached nearly 150 million people with dozens of groups around the country participating. Now, in addition to online participation, nonprofits across the South and in the city ofNewark, NJare hosting events.

"Five years into Black Climate Week, it's powerful to see that more cities, organizations, and movements are uplifting Black leadership in the fight for climate justice"saidGloria Walton, CEO& President of The Solutions Project."This campaign is more critical than ever—especially as the federal government threatens to cut vital services for workers, seniors, and children, and funding for frontline communities. Black Climate Week isn't just a celebration; it's a call to action. The solutions we need are already here and underway, grounded in communities, rooted in generations of wisdom, resilience, and innovation. Now, let's resource them!"

Climate change is a racial justice issue. It disproportionately impacts Black communities. If the planet warms 2°C, Black people are40% more likelythan other groups to live in places where climate-fueled extreme temperatures will cause more deaths. Sixty-eight percent of Black Americanslive within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant. So it's no wonder a new survey found that 88% of Black votersare concerned about climate change - much higher than the national average.

From 2021–2024, The Solutions Projectinvested$42 millionin grassroots climate organizations, the majority of which are led by women of color who are too oftendenied philanthropic supportfor their innovations. During that time, TSP-funded groups secured 53 climate policy and campaign wins that are expected to benefit 106 million people, significantly reduce carbon emissions, and implement over$350 billionin public funding for climate solutions—if they can survive the federal administration's illegal attempts to claw back committed public funds.

"Black Climate Week is about uplifting, investing in, and protecting Black-led climate solutions that not only safeguard our communities but also build a stronger, more just future for everyone. These solutions—like community-owned energy, climate disaster-resilient infrastructure, and affordable green housing—are already transforming lives. But recognition isn't enough. It's time for action and investment at the scale this moment demands. The frontline isn't waiting, and neither should we."saidEna Coleman, The Solutions Project's lead organizer for Black Climate Week. 

Throughout Black Climate Week, The Solutions Project will highlight Black climate leaders and organizations, such as:

  • Naomi DavisofBlacks in Green, who works at the intersection of climate and sustainable community development. Naomi is leading the charge to develop"Sustainable Square Miles"in Black communities, first inChicago'sSouth Side and then across the country. Coined as the gold standard for Black community economic development, Sustainable Square Miles are walk-to-work, walk-to-learn, walk-to-play, walk-to-shop neighborhoods where Black people own the homes and businesses and live a"conservation"lifestyle. The crown jewel of the Chicago Sustainable Square Mile will beEmmett Till'schildhood home inWest Woodlawn, which Blacks in Green is turning into a zero-emission community theater and museum about the Till-Mobley family and the Great Migration.



  • GASPinBirmingham, Alabama, works to enhance people's health by reducing air pollution, advancing environmental justice, and promoting climate solutions through education, advocacy, and collaboration. InBirmingham, industrial pollution has left a lasting legacy. GASP is starting a Smoke School to empower community members to hold polluters accountable.



  • Black Voters Matteris dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement, fighting voter suppression, and ensuring that marginalized communities have the tools and resources to exercise their fundamental right to vote. As part of Black Climate Week, they will host a virtual postcard party to educate volunteers about climate solutions. In addition to voter engagement, Black Voters Matter organizes around environmental justice issues. TheirBlock Is Hotinitiative was created to support and educate Black communities by raising awareness of three key environmental justice challenges that disproportionately affect them: food insecurity, poor-quality housing, and access to clean drinking water, which is increasingly threatened by rising utility costs.

The Solutions Project also released a video featuring TSP board memberDon Cheadle,Brian Jointerof SCOPE LA,Dawn Wells-Clyburnof PUSH Buffalo, Ena Coleman, andGloria Waltonabout how Black communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and dirty energy. It also highlights the benefits of Black-led climate solutions, such as lower utility bills, affordable, green housing, climate resilience, and strong climate policies. SCOPE LA is a TSP grantee that's been at the forefront of providing support to Black, Brown, and working-class survivors of the LA wildfires.

Among the events planned for Black Climate Week:

  • TheCity of Newarkis hosting aseries of eventsincluding a book discussion and thrifting workshop.
  • TheCity of Baltimore'sOffice of Sustainability is promoting Black Climate Week.
  • InNew Orleans, Black Girl Environmentalist and Hip Hop Caucus arehostinga cocktail mixer and screening the film"Underwater Projects."
  • InCharlotte, NC,Sol Nationwill host acommunity clean upin the Historic Westend neighborhood.
  • InBirmingham, AL, GASP will host anature walkand discussion about pollution and environmental justice inBirmingham'sSuperfund Communities.
  • InSt. James Parish, LA, RISE St. James willhostthe 6th Annual Black History Month Celebration& Awards Ceremony.

Media Contact:Carina Daniels

carina@storyandreach.com

510-847-1617

SOURCE The Solutions Project