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At Sustainable Stillwater MN, we know that true environmental progress requires addressing the social inequities that burden our communities. Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks exemplifies this approach. As a pioneering scholar and community advocate, Dr. Jelks has dedicated her career to exploring urban environmental health disparities and empowering communities of color to take charge of their environment.
Dr. Jelks is the co-founder of the National Wildlife Federation’s Atlanta Earth Tomorrow Program—a multicultural initiative that engages urban youth in environmental leadership and community action. In addition, she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Environmental and Health Sciences Department at Spelman College and is the board chairperson of the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance. These roles have allowed her to work on the frontlines of environmental justice, addressing issues from pollution and food insecurity to high utility burdens and poverty.
In an exclusive statement to Green Matters, Dr. Jelks shared her belief that,
“The fights for climate justice and racial justice are connected because Black and other communities of color are often impacted first and worst by the effects of climate change.”
She goes on to explain that combating climate change requires addressing its root causes—social, economic, and systemic inequities. For Dr. Jelks, environmental justice is not merely an academic subject but a lived experience that demands action at every level. Her work includes community-based initiatives like UrbanHeatATL, where students and local residents map urban heat islands to generate actionable data. Such efforts are essential for transforming degraded urban spaces into healthier, more resilient environments.
Sustainable Stillwater MN draws inspiration from Dr. Jelks’ approach. We believe that community-based research and local action are fundamental to creating change. Whether it’s through community gardens, local clean-ups, or educational workshops, our initiatives reflect the spirit of empowerment and inclusion that Dr. Jelks champions. Her insistence on integrating anti-racism into environmental work reminds us that every neighborhood deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of its economic or social status.
Dr. Jelks has been recognized nationally for her leadership. In 2014, she received the White House Champions of Change Award, and in 2017, she was honored with the Spelman College Local Community Service Award. These accolades underscore the impact of her work and the importance of engaging urban communities in environmental advocacy.
As we celebrate her legacy this Black History Month, we encourage you to think about how local actions in Stillwater—such as supporting local sustainability initiatives or volunteering for community science projects—can echo the larger call for equity and justice. Dr. Jelks’ work shows us that addressing climate change is not only about reducing emissions but also about nurturing the human connections that make communities resilient.
Get Involved:
If you’re inspired by Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks and want to contribute to creating a more equitable environment here in Stillwater, consider joining our efforts. Reach out to Ami Voeltz, our DEI team leader at Sustainable Stillwater MN, by emailing ami@sustainablestillwatermn.org. Together, we can work toward a future where both people and the planet thrive.
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