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Join Us in New Orleans!

Our 10th Anniversary Conference

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in collaboration with Texas Southern University will host the IN-PERSON 10th Anniversary HBCU Climate Change Conference March 5 – 9, 2025.  The purpose of the conference is to bring together HBCU faculty and students, researchers, climate professionals and environmental justice and coastal community residents impacted by toxic facilities and severe weather events related to climate change in order to bridge the gap between theory and the experiential realities of climate change. The conference will address issues related to climate justice, adaptation, community resilience, global climate issues, and other major climate change topics (i.e. transportation, energy sources, carbon emissions, green jobs/green economy, just transition, and community economic development).

Another goal of the conference is to engage local middle and high school students in the activities of the conference. Middle school and college-bound high school students will be introduced to climate science, within the context of how their daily life activities affect climate. The sessions will be interactive, including computer-simulated games.

Co-Conveners

Our co-conveners are environmental justice pioneers who also currently serve on the The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC).

Dr. Beverly Wright, Founder & Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

Dr. Robert Bullard, Founder & Executive Director, Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, Texas Southern University

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Experience

Our conference provides a safe space for reflection and evaluation of where we are now and what paths we should take moving forward in our quest to fight climate change and to build climate-resilient communities.  

The Conference will Feature:

  • Community-based organization led panels
  • Nationally-acclaimed keynote speakers
  • Climate Science panels
  • Environmental Justice community tours
  • Sessions dedicated to emotional health and wellness
  • Book signings
  • A wealth of opportunities to network and connect

2023 Conference Highlights

Registration

HBCU students attending the conference are required to have a faculty mentor.

The conference registration cost is $250 general registration and $100 for students.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OFFER -$200 general registration and $75 for students (Offer expires January 10, 2025).

All ticket sales end on Friday, February 21, 2025.

There will be NO ONSITE REGISTRATION. 

Student travel scholarships are available to students whose abstract has been accepted for oral/poster presentations. Travel scholarships include lodging and transportation (per diem is not included).

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

Accommodations

CONFERENCE HOTEL
JW Marriott
614 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

HBCU Conference Discount Group Rate: $265

CONFERENCE CONTACT
HBCUCONF@DSCEJ.ORG

Contact: 504-475-6170

Hotel Discount Registration Link Coming Soon

Call for Student Abstracts

College Students
High School Students

The goal of our conference is to create an opportunity for African American youth and students to learn about climate change while providing a platform for students to share their research and innovation. 

Students, faculty, staff, and environmental leaders from across the country join together at this conference to discuss the devasting effect climate change is having on vulnerable communities and what we must do to protect communities and our planet.

All of these students; middle school, high school, undergraduate and graduate students alike, are being challenged  to become the future generation of research scientists, scholars, teachers, and leaders in environmental and climate justice. The future of our planet depends on the next generation.   

We asked our student attendees:

“What has attending this conference meant to your career journey?”

Call for College Student Abstracts

Student abstracts are now being accepted for oral and poster presentations for our 2025 conference. Each year, student attendees have an opportunity to present their research as well as interact with environmental experts and community members experiencing environmental exposure and negative impacts of climate change.

HBCU students and majority institution students will present on student panels and during the student poster session. Awards will be given for the top three undergraduate poster presenters and the top graduate student poster presentation. 

STUDENTS WHOSE ABSTRACT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR AN ORAL PRESENTATION MUST ALSO GIVE A POSTER PRESENTATION.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, students must submit an abstract via our online form.

University Students at Our 2023 Conference

College Student Abstract Submission Instructions and Guidelines

Students are encouraged to present an abstract that has been conducted in the following subject areas:

  • Climate Change/Climate Justice
  • Adaptation and Mitigation
  • Community Resilience
  • Green Jobs, Green Economy
  • Energy Sources
  • Carbon Emissions, Cap and Trade
  • Just Transition, Just Sustainability
  • Campus Sustainability
  • Global dimensions of climate change
  • Sea Level Rise
  • Food Security
  • Faith-based Advocacy and Activism
  • Theologics of Resistance

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Abstracts will be accepted via electronic Online Abstract Form ONLY. Abstracts will not be processed for review if they are not submitted using the Online Abstract Form. Abstracts that do not conform to official guidelines will not be accepted.

PRESENTATION FORMAT

Individuals should select oral/poster or poster presentation on the abstract submission form. The final decision of assignment to oral or poster presentation will be determined by the abstract reviewing committee.

There will be a monetary award for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place undergraduate poster presentations and a 1st place monetary award for the graduate poster presentation. 

Acknowledgment: Notification of receipt will be sent to the email address provided by the submitting author. Notification of acceptance will be sent no later than January 15, 2025.

ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS

  • Maximum of 300-word count in Georgia 11 point font (excluding title, authors, and affiliations).
  • Define all abbreviations the first time they appear in the abstract. 
  • Avoid formulas, tables, and charts.
  • Do not include references or credits.
  • Your abstract should be typed into the form single-spaced with no spaces between paragraphs.
  • Proofread your abstract carefully before submitting; no corrections will be allowed.

POSTER SESSION GUIDELINES

  • Use  36 X 48  Foldable Fabric Poster (www.posterpresentations.com)
  • Posters may be developed by teams of 2 – 3 students representing a single school.
  • The names of each student on the team and the name of the school should be displayed on the poster and on any handouts.
  • Each team should bring their final printed poster to the conference.
  • Posters can be set up Friday evening between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm.
  • During the poster session reception, students must stand by their posters to discuss their research with conference participants.
  • Posters not removed by the end of the conference will be discarded.

POSTER DEVELOPMENT TIPS

  • Posters should include the title of the presentation and the list of authors.
  • Letters in the title should be at least 1 inch high.
  • Include visuals – text, figures, tables, color photographs, maps, and/or charts.
  • The material should be well labeled and legible from a distance of 2 yards.
  • Lettering should be bold.
  • If you will be posting typed material, use a large font size (20 to 24 point font) on white, pale yellow or cream-colored, non-glossy paper.
  • Use 1-inch margins.
  • Avoid the use of “fancy” fonts.
  • Use upper and lowercase letters.
  • Simple serif fonts such as “Times New Roman” are easier to read than sans (without) serif fonts such as “Geneva.”

HBCU TABLE DISPLAY

There will be a six-foot table available for each school to display your school paraphernalia. Please bring your University table skirt and items to decorate your table.

NOTE: STUDENTS WHOSE ABSTRACT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR AN ORAL PRESENTATION MUST ALSO PRESENT A POSTER PRESENTATION.

Submit Your College Student Abstract

Call for High School Student Abstracts

The Generation Next (High School Students) component of the conference, co-sponsored by the Crescent City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, consists of high school students who have answered the call to learn more about climate change. These students will have the opportunity to engage in training and mentorship with college students and experienced climate and environmental professionals.

Our Generation Next participants will also have the opportunity to participate in the poster session and panel presentations.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three high school students. 

Submit Your High School Student Abstract

Generation Next Students at Our 2023 Conference

Whova is Back! 

For our anniversary conference, we are bringing back the Whova Event App! This valuable networking tool empowers participants to connect prior to, during, and following the conference. Here are a few standout features:

Free for Attendees
The conference app comes at no cost for all attendees. Explore the schedule, expand your network, and fully immerse yourself in the app’s capabilities.

Get Real-Time Updates
Utilizing the app ensures you’ll stay informed with real-time notifications, keeping you updated on crucial changes like room adjustments, delightful snack offerings, or gentle reminders when the lunch break is nearing its end.

Visit Sponsor Booths
Explore our sponsors’ virtual booths to discover more about their offerings. Engage with videos, access brochures, communicate via chat, or schedule meetings with representatives.

Network Beyond the Conference
Begin exploring attendee profiles, initiating conversations with other attendees, and expanding your network weeks before the event commences. Utilize Whova’s Community Boards to connect with fellow attendees, arrange meetups, introduce yourself with ice breakers, and join or establish discussion groups.

History

​​​​​​​This annual conference was developed by the HBCU Climate Change Consortium to bring together HBCU faculty and students, researchers, climate professionals and environmental justice and coastal community residents impacted by toxic facilities and severe weather events related to climate change in order to bridge the gap between theory and the experiential realities of climate change. The conference addresses issues related to climate justice, adaptation, community resilience, global climate issues, and other major climate change topics (i.e. transportation, energy sources, carbon emissions, green jobs/green economy, just transition, and community economic development).

The conference also engages local high school students in the conference activities. High school students are introduced to climate science within the context of how their daily life activities affect climate. The sessions are interactive, including computer-simulated games. To date, the Consortium has hosted nine conferences.

Learn More About Our History

Our Most Recent Conference

Read the Recap

Watch the 60 Second Summary