Call to Action: Shaping Our Climate And Environmental Justice Future.
October 22, 2025 | Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT
Building Power. Strengthening Communities. Advancing Justice.
Join us for a full-day gathering that connects grassroots organizers, community leaders, nonprofits, and funders working across housing, food and farming, clean energy, and public health. Together, we will share knowledge, build coalitions, and take bold steps toward environmental justice. This event is proudly supported by the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, New England Environmental Finance Center, Aquarium Conservation Partnership, the African American Society, Bailey College of the Enviroment at Wesleyan University, as well as Local Environmental Groups, and Community Partners whose commitment to equity and resilience makes this Convening possible.
Event Details
On October 22, 2025, we are gathering at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT for a full-day Environmental Justice Convening that brings together grassroots organizers, nonprofits, funders, labor, policymakers, and community leaders.
This convening is designed to:
- Develop an infrastructure of resilience that meets the needs of frontline communities.
- Build connections between funders and community-based organizations.
- Map shared priorities and next steps in the EJ movement.
- Expand the table to welcome organizations not yet identifying as EJ but deeply connected to justice issues.
- Create shared language rooted in collective visioning, mutual aid, and community power.
- Uplift frontline leadership through a panel featuring local and regional voices.
- At a time of political uncertainty and funding cutbacks, this convening will be a space to reimagine what’s possible and organize with urgency, clarity, and purpose.
We want this convening to reflect the needs, priorities, and visions of the communities and organizations attending. To help shape the day, we’re inviting participants to complete a short pre-event survey.
Why Attend?
The Environmental Justice Convening is more than an event—it’s a movement. Participants will:
Engage in interactive workshops and panels on climate, equity, and resilience.
Connect with leaders across sectors to strengthen collaboration.
Amplify community voices through storytelling and shared strategies.
Learn actionable tools for building stronger, more equitable communities.
Who Should Attend?
Grassroots organizers
Nonprofit leaders and advocates
Community advocates and mobilizers
Funders and philanthropy groups interested in equity and resilience
Students, media members, and residents passionate about environmental justice
State, local, and municipal leaders interested in advancing about environmental justice
Support the Convening & Advance the Movement
Donate today and be a catalyst for change. Together, we can build power, create solutions, and advance environmental justice for all.
Where do our contributions go?
Your contribution ensures that the Environmental Justice Convening is accessible, well-organized, and impactful. By donating, you are helping to:
Fund event programming – cover the costs of workshops, panels, and interactive sessions that equip participants with the tools to create meaningful change.
Support organizers – ensure the team running the Convening can deliver a high-quality, seamless experience for all participants.
Strengthen coalitions – provide resources for networking, storytelling, and collaboration across sectors, amplifying the impact of the movement.
Expand the movement – help us engage more participants, highlight diverse voices, and foster long-term environmental justice initiatives.
Giving Tiers
Donate what you can. Every gift matters. Together, we can turn ideas into action, connections into collaborations, and challenges into solutions. Join us in building a stronger, more just, and resilient future.
Seed Supporter — $50+
Helps cover basic event materials and supplies. Your gift ensures participants have what they need to fully engage.
Growth Champion — $150+
Supports workshops, panels, and session resources that make the Convening impactful and educational.
Movement Builder — $500+
Supports coalition-building activities, community storytelling, and shared learning experiences that amplify voices and ideas.
Visionary Leader — $1,000+
Empowers the full Convening experience, including key speakers, innovative programming, and expanded outreach to grow the movement statewide.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
We’re honored to welcome Shantha Ready Alonso, the first-ever Executive Director of the America the Beautiful for All Coalition (ATB4A), the nation’s largest conservation and public health coalition.
Shantha Ready Alonso Short Bio
- Shantha has deep experience working at the intersection of conservation and environmental justice, bringing insight from her leadership roles in government, faith-based, and nonprofit sectors.
- Before ATB4A, she served as Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior under Secretary Deb Haaland. She previously led Creation Justice Ministries as Executive Director for five years.
- Shantha holds a Master of Social Work (Washington University in St. Louis), a Master of Pastoral Studies (Eden Theological Seminary), and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
- Her keynote will guide us in asking: Where do we go from here as a movement?
