about us​

Dr. Sacoby Wilson is the Founder and Director of the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC). Dr. Wilson is a nationally renowned thought leader and scientist in the environmental justice sphere with experience spanning more than 25 years in the areas of exposure science; environmental justice; environmental health disparities; community-engaged research, including community-based participatory research (CBPR), community science, and community-owned and -managed research (COMR); and air quality studies, including building hyperlocal air quality monitoring networks; geographic information systems (GIS), including developing environmental justice screening and mapping (EJSM) tools, built environment, climate change, industrial animal production, climate change, community resilience, and sustainability.

He is also a professor with the Department of Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOH) (formerly known as the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health), School of Public Health, University of Maryland-College Park. He works primarily with community-based organizations to study and address environmental justice and health issues and translate research into action. He has been mentoring students for more than 20 years.

Additionally, Dr. Wilson heads the Mid-Atlantic Climate Action Hub (MATCH), funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Waverley Street Foundation; co-directs the U.S. EPA Region III Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC), and leads the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Justice Fund (MAEJF), the region’s first large-scale participatory fund for assisting front-line and fence-line communities experiencing environmental and climate justice issues. CEEJH INC is focused on providing technical assistance and research support to communities fighting against environmental injustice and environmental health disparities in the DMV region and nationwide through INpowerment and liberation science. Through CEEJH INC, Dr. Wilson is engaging communities in the Washington, DC, region and beyond on environmental health issues, including exposure and health risks for individuals who fish and recreate on the Anacostia River; use of best management practices to reduce stormwater inputs in Chesapeake Bay; air pollution and health impacts due to industrial and commuter traffic in Bladensburg, Maryland; built environment, environmental injustice, and vectors in West Baltimore; cumulative impacts of environmental hazards on air quality in Brandywine, Maryland; goods movement, industrial pollution, and environmental injustice in South Baltimore, Maryland; environmental justice and health issues in the Buzzard Point area of Washington, DC; industrial chicken farming on Maryland’s Eastern Shore; the health impact of assessment in the Sheriff Road community; and other topics. In addition, he is working with schools in the region on pipeline development efforts in the STEM+H disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health).

He has worked on environmental justice issues, including environmental racism, with community-based organizations through community–university environmental health and justice partnerships in South Carolina and North Carolina, including the Low country Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC), in North Charleston, South Carolina; the West End Revitalization Association (WERA) in Mebane, North Carolina; and the Graniteville Community Coalition (GCC) in Graniteville, South Carolina. He has provided technical assistance to REACH in Duplin County, North Carolina; RENA in Orange County, North Carolina; and the NC Environmental Justice Network. He also has worked on environmental justice and air pollution issues with community-based groups in Houston, Texas; Savannah, Georgia; Uniontown, Alabama; Newark, New Jersey; and Wilmington, Delaware.

Dr. Wilson has been very active professionally in advancing environmental justice science, advocacy, and policy. He is on the U.S. EPA’s Science Advisory Board and the Fifth National Climate Assessment (Air Quality Team), is a National Academy of Science’s Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology (BEST) member, and is the Editor-in-Chief of Environmental Justice. He is a member of the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities for the State of Maryland and a former member of the Climate and Environment Subcommittee for Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s transition team. In addition, he is a former member of the U.S. EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), including serving as founding co-chair of its Justice40 and Finances work group, an SAB liaison member of NEJAC’s Cumulative Impacts work group, a member of the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE) program advisory board, a former board member of the Citizen Science Association and Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, a past chair of the American Public Health Association (APHA) Environment Section, a former member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC NCEH/ATSDR, and former chair of the Alpha Goes Green Initiative, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also a senior fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program.

Dr. Wilson has done much work to build environmental justice organizations and coalitions. He is a co-founder of the Mid-Atlantic Justice Coalition (MAJC) and the DMV Environmental Justice Coalition and founder of 17 for Peace and Justice, an environmental justice advocacy organization. He is the faculty advisor for a student chapter of 17 for Peace and Justice at the University of Maryland’s College Park campus. He is on the steering committee for the recently relaunched National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN). Additionally, he hosts an annual environmental justice symposium that brings together community members, advocates, policymakers, researchers, students, and practitioners to discuss ways to address environmental justice issues in the DMV region and around the country.

Dr. Wilson has received many awards for his contributions and achievements as an environmental justice researcher and advocate. He recently won the 2022 Sierra Club Robert Bullard Environmental Justice Award. He also received the 2021 Maryland LCV Changemakers Award and the 2018 Taking Nature Black Environmental Champion Award. He also received the APHA Environment Section Damu Smith Environmental Justice Award 2015. From the University of Maryland School of Public Health, he received the George F. Kramer Practitioner of the Year Award (2014–2015) and the Muriel R. Sloan Communitarian Award (2019–2020, 2012–2013). He also received the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award from the University of South Carolina in 2011. He received a U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Achievement Award from the Low country Alliance for Model Communities and the Mitigation Agreement Committee. Additionally, he received the Steve Wing International Environmental Justice Award in 2008.

Dr. Wilson, a two-time EPA STAR fellow, EPA MAI fellow, Udall Scholar, NASA Space Scholar, and Thurgood Marshall Scholar, received his bachelor of science degree in biology/ecotoxicology with a minor in environmental science from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1998. He received training in environmental health in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his master of science degree in 2000 from UNC-Chapel Hill and his PhD from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2005.

Krys White is a transformative nonprofit executive, political strategist, and environmental justice advocate on a mission to advance equitable policies and empower communities nationwide. In her current role as Associate Executive Director of the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC), Krys leads groundbreaking initiatives that dismantle systemic environmental racism and foster cross-sector partnerships. Working closely with the Executive Director and her team, she orchestrates strategic responses and cultivates programs that ensure front-line and fence-line communities receive the restorative justice they deserve.

With over a decade of experience in political strategy and civic engagement, Krys has a proven track record of building and managing impactful coalitions. As the former Director of Engagement at The Climate Reality Project, she expanded an activist network of more than 47,000 Climate Reality Leaders, pioneering campaigns that contributed to landmark legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Krys is a co-founder of Black Millennials for Flint, now Young Gifted and Green—an environmental justice organization founded in the wake of the Flint water crisis empowering Black and brown communities to take action against lead exposure. Her strategic insights have not only driven high-stakes political initiatives but have also reshaped advocacy narratives both on the national stage and at the grassroots level.

In addition to her executive leadership at CEEJH INC, Krys leverages her expertise as an Equity, Political, and Environmental Justice Advisor for KW Impact Strategies Inc. Through these roles, she provides visionary guidance on political strategies, policy development, narrative-building, and coalition formation, continuously advancing environmental justice and racial equity. A proud graduate of Howard University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication and culture with a specialization in legal communications and a minor in political science, Krys combines analytical rigor with an unwavering commitment to social impact.

Krys’s leadership extends to her involvement on boards and community initiatives, including contributions to a prior gubernatorial appointment with the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, and collaborative efforts that empower marginalized voices. Her work has garnered recognition from national media and advocacy circles, affirming her role as a catalyst for progressive change.

Nicole Jackson leads the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities’s (CEEJH INC) educational programming, directing domestic and international workshops, training initiatives, symposia, and the “CEEJH in the Box” outreach toolkit to empower front-line and fence-line communities in advancing environmental and climate justice. At CEEJH INC, she convenes Think Tank/Do Tank work groups, bringing together fellows, partners, and subject‑matter experts to co‑create innovative curricula and community toolkits. Nicole develops content that extends CEEJH INC’s mission locally and internationally. She applies an applied‑solutions framework, grounded in INpowerment and liberation science, to design and evaluate programs that yield measurable community outcomes.

A recent Senior Climate Justice Fellow with T.H.E. E.J. Lab at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, Nicole joined CEEJH INC after deepening her expertise in community‑centered intervention and solutions science. As a U.S. Army Reserve veteran and certified Racial Justice Facilitator, she blends disciplined project management with a commitment to equity. Nicole has guided racial justice training, hosted “Office Hours” through Toronto-based Diversity in Sustainability, and co‑led national forums on climate and social justice. Her policy and practice expertise spans green building, sustainable procurement, and emission‑reduction strategies. Nicole has partnered with the NAACP Maryland State Conference on Environmental and Climate Justice, municipal governments, and major NGOs to craft equitable action plans.

Beyond CEEJH INC, Nicole remains deeply committed to public service and community engagement. She co‑chairs the Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan Resident Advisory Group and chairs the City of District Heights Sustainability Advisory Committee, guiding policy feedback and local sustainability initiatives. She also leads the AME 2nd District Women’s Missionary Society Environmental and Climate Justice Committee–supporting more than 400 congregations across four states in advancing justice‑focused programming. As an advisory board member of the Sustainable Energy Workforce Development Program at Prince George’s Community College and a member of the Prince George’s County Climate Stewardship Academy Steering Committee, Nicole shapes workforce development strategies and builds capacity for emerging environmental justice professionals.

Nicole is the creator of Climate Chronicles Unleashed, a global storytelling initiative supporting UN SDG 16 that engaged participants from 11 countries, demonstrating the program’s scalability and her commitment to community‑centered advocacy.

Her visionary leadership continues to expand CEEJH INC’s impact, fostering resilient, equitable, and community‑driven solutions across the environmental justice landscape.

Jessica Berger is the Director of Communications at the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC).

Prior to joining CEEJH INC, Jessica served as a project coordinator for the Energy Justice Law and Policy Center and as a research assistant for the Energy Equity Project. Jessica has also interned with the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition and the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.

In 2022, she earned a master of science degree in environmental justice from the University of Michigan. She was selected for the Tishman Center Catalyst Fellowship. Her capstone with the Anishinaabek Caucus focused the threat of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline to the lifeways of the Anishinaabe. Jessica now resides on the lands of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (Washington, DC) and enjoys triathlons, gardening, and yoga.

Frederick Johnson is an urban planner by trade whose work focuses on the intersection of environmental policy and community resilience planning. For the past decade, Frederick has been dedicated to supporting disproportionately impacted communities in realizing their visions for a sustainable and equitable environment. Growing up across the street from an oil refinery, in a community burdened by pollution, he brings both his personal and professional experiences to his work. As the Research and Policy Analysis Lead for CEEJH INC, he collaborates with communities across the Mid-Atlantic region to advance the development and implementation of policy and climate planning that prioritize the health of those most affected. In his leisure time, he runs a local plant sanctuary, where he teaches youth and community members about the significance of self-care and healing through horticulture.

Originally from South Seattle, Vanessa is a Full Spectrum Doula, maternal-infant health epidemiologist, and environmental health practitioner whose research and work uplifts Black, Brown, and Indigenous Doulas, midwives, and ancestral birth workers as front-line climate and environmental justice experts. Her middle name, meaning “power to the people,” is the spirit of who she is and the purpose of all she does.

Since 2010, Vanessa has demonstrated maternal health expertise in non-profit roles with the March of Dimes, Nurturely, Young Gifted and Green, Arizona Birthworkers of Color, Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive, Jacaranda Health, Planned Parenthood, the American Public Health Association’s Maternal and Child Health Section, and many others. She has also applied her expertise in leadership roles at federal health agencies, over a dozen local or state health departments, and several universities, including serving as the Perinatal HIV Research Director at Harvard School of Public Health, where she applied her proficiency in community-based participatory research to the development and facilitation of a vibrant community advisory board. Vanessa served as a gender and environment policy advisor for the Biden–Harris Administration, advocating for resource allocation to pregnant women and the diverse birth workers who support them nationwide.

Vanessa advanced to PhD candidacy at Florida International University, studying maternal and child health promotion and disease prevention as a McKnight Doctoral Fellow. Vanessa is a proud graduate of the University of Washington (bachelor of arts) and Meharry Medical College (master of science in public health), where she studied urban health and diversity, and public health practice, respectively.

Nam Pham is the Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist at the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC). His work focuses on building meaningful connections with grassroots, front-line, and fence-line communities and organizations across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. At CEEJH INC, Nam provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to INpower communities in addressing environmental, climate, and energy justice challenges.

Before joining CEEJH INC, Nam began his journey in climate justice work as a climate policy researcher for the Indigenous Environmental Network, where he co-authored many reports and analyses on policies and initiatives related to climate change, climate finance, and nature-based solutions, with a dedicated focus on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Indigenous Sovereignty; and Indigenous Peoples’ Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Before coming to the United States, Nam was raised and nurtured by the land, water, and people of Vietnam. In 2024, he earned a master of science degree in environmental policy and sustainability management from the New School. Nam now resides in Lenapehoking (New York City) and enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking Vietnamese food, and reading thought-provoking books.

Tamara Dickerson is a mother, educator, entrepreneur, consultant, and advocate for environmental justice. She holds a master’s degree in education, where she used her influence as an educator to bring awareness to environmental issues and topics. In addition to teaching, she has demonstrated expertise in community organizing, community outreach, engagement, and capacity-building. As an educator and activist, she has worked tirelessly to teach the value of environmental literacy and safer, sustainable practices. In addition, she has organized workshops and seminars on a variety of environmental issues and advocates for issues like urban farming, watershed protection, flooding resilience, and land preservation. Her work spans communities, linking people from diverse backgrounds with the common goal of protecting our planet’s rich biodiversity and ending environmental and social injustices. Tamara brings personal and scholarly perspectives to her current position as an Outreach and Engagement Specialist.

Vivek Ravichandran, PhD, is the Director of Research and Policy at the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC) and a trained air quality scientist. In this role, he tracks environmental justice bills in Maryland, works with the Mid-Atlantic Justice Coalition (MAJC) to provide testimony on environmental justice legislation, and collaborates with stakeholders to introduce new environmental justice bills or modify the language of existing bills within the policy stream to ensure benefits reach deserving communities. Dr. Ravichandran has developed an EJ Scorecard series to track Maryland state agencies and legislators over time on their commitment toward environmental justice. Furthermore, Dr. Ravichandran co-manages hyperlocal air quality monitoring projects with community-based organizations (CBOs) representing environmentally impacted regions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. From a quality assurance perspective, Dr. Ravichandran ensures the precision and accuracy of low-cost real-time air monitors through ongoing rigorous collocation processes involving reference monitors and the EPA’s Collocation Guidebook/Macro-Analysis tool. Dr. Ravichandran received his PhD in environmental health from the University of Maryland School of Public Health in 2024, his master of public health degree in environmental health from Emory University in 2021, and his bachelor of science degree in public health from the University of Maryland in 2018.