Doing the Work: How to Center Climate Justice In the Face of the Climate Crisis

Join Net Impact, in partnership with Medgar Evers College, on Thursday, September 21, at 1-2 pm ET / 10-11 am PT for Climate Week 2023! This hybrid event will feature social impact practitioners from across the public and private sectors who are passionate about climate justice.

Attendees will learn about the landscape of climate justice and how it materializes across urban, rural,domestic, and international contexts. No matter your job title, this conversation will help you center the experiences and voices of communities that are most vulnerable to environmental racism and outline how you can take action to center climate justice.

Attendees will walk away with

• An understanding of the historical context of environmental inequity.
• An understanding of the ways that climate justice is taking place across rural, urban, and international contexts across both the public and private sector.
• Knowledge of tangible ways to advance climate justice in their own communities and careers with specific resources, organizations to follow and skills to develop.

Event Speakers

Mohan Sivaloganathan - Moderator 

CEO of Our Turn | Hip-Hop Artist and Social Activist

Mohan Sivaloganathan – aka Ahmen – is the Batman of Social Impact as a nonprofit leader by day and hip-hop artist by night, while never losing sight of his most important roles as father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He has built a reputation as a Troublemaker for the status quo, orchestrating sustainable transformation and systems change for education, social, and racial justice. In his Bruce Wayne world, Mohan serves as the CEO of Our Turn, the nation’s leading movement of students fighting for education justice. Since 2019, Our Turn has trained and activated young people as changemakers in 35 states; secured the endorsement of 20+ social justice institutions and influencers; and been featured in Teen Vogue, HuffPost, Fast Company, The 74, and more. As Batman, Mohan uses the power of music and public speaking to spark changemaking. Mohan’s footprint has impacted thousands of students, young professionals, philanthropists, and corporate leaders worldwide. His music has been featured on ESPN, EARMILK, and HipHopDX.  

Professor Byron E. Price

Professor of Public Administration at Medgar Evers College | President of African Views Organization USA

Byron E. Price, Ph.D., is the President of African Views Organization, a nonprofit international NGO with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He is professor of public administration at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York in Brooklyn and the former Lillie and Nathan Ackerman Chair of Social Justice at Baruch College. An Endowed Visiting Professor in the Center on Equality, Pluralism, and Policy, Dr. Price is a highly sought expert on implementing ecologically conscious infrastructure and restructuring efforts in Africa. Price has been tapped by the NASDAQ corporation American Resources Corporation (AREC) ReElement subdivision to evaluate and develop new relationships in Africa, where ReElement believes its patents and technology can be used to produce high value, purified critical elements, and benefit local economies. His research focuses on social impact investment, emphasizing long-term investment in strategic sectors of the economy that create economic prosperity and social wealth. He is a published and respected author in public-private partnerships. 

Karen Y. Johns 

CEO of the GOOD Institute, Home of Net Impact 

Karen Y. Johns serves as the CEO for GOOD Institute, the parent organization of Net Impact. GOOD Institute is a thought leader and social action think tank, empowering socially responsible organizations and individuals through strategic partnerships with Net Impact, Leaps.org, GOOD Worldwide, and Upworthy. Net Impact, the action-oriented network of GOOD Institute, supports over 300 Net Impact Chapters located across 40 countries worldwide, training and leading university students and young professionals to take action and make a positive impact on people and the planet. Karen is a seasoned professional in the education and nonprofit arena with expertise in fostering business development and philanthropy, and has assisted a wide variety of organizations, from the Gates Foundation to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. A graduate of Tufts University, Karen is founder of the Tufts Black Alumni Association and remains an active alumna. Karen is a native of Jamaica and serves in an advisory capacity with several Caribbean-based organizations.

Rossalyn K. Quaye, Esquire

Project Manager, State Regulatory Affairs, Con Edison 

Rossalyn K. Quaye, Esq., is a project manager in State Regulatory Affairs at Con Edison. In this role, she serves as a policy advisor to internal groups within Con Edison and Orange & Rockland. She also manages relationships with staff of New York State agencies that regulate the Company, third-party stakeholders, and regulatory staff at other utilities in the State. She serves as co-chair of the Con Edison Environmental Justice Working Group. Rossalyn has held a variety of roles in law, finance, and engineering at Con Edison and National Grid. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in chemical engineering and materials science & engineering from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, a certificate from The Ailey School, and a JD/MBA from Fordham University. Outside of work, Rossalyn serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the New York City Bar Association, and of the Corporate Counsel Section Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association. She is also an avid dancer and yoga practitioner.