2024-2025 Environmental Justice Cohort

In October 2024, HOPE Collaborative launched it's first Environmental Justice Cohort (EJC). The EJC is an 8-month long program focused on political education, advocacy and grassroots organizing training for East Oakland residents interested in expanding their knowledge on air quality and pollution issues in their community. 

East Oakland has a long legacy of emissions and poor air quality due to many factors: historic redlining in the cities lower-income and BIPOC communities, industrial facilities, the Oakland Airport, and the high volume of cars and diesel trucks on the 880-freeway. All of these factors have lead to increased emissions exposure and increased rates of respiratory and cardiovascular issues, childhood asthma, cancer, and lower life expectancy rates. Though many people deal with the health impacts of air pollution, many residents are not aware of the sources of pollution or its human health and environmental impacts.   

This cohorts goal is to educate East Oakland residents on air pollution, find community-based solutions for emissions reductions, larger policy and systems change, and understand the legacy of environmental justice issues with East Oakland. 

Cohort participants will receive a monthly stipend of their participate in the program in order to increase their capacity to join. If you are interested in the program, please contact Janina Turner at [email protected]. ​