Critical Ecology Lab presents the Eco-Afro Futures summit! A Community Activation Event
On Saturday, February 17th, 2024, Oakland locals joined Critical Ecology Lab and held a day-long summit-turned-celebration.
Critical Ecology Lab is a non-profit founded by Dr. Suzanne Pierre in 2020 to integrate the scientific and generational knowledge of oppressed communities to fight against social and planetary crises. They do this by facilitating informal education resources, creating novel scientific research, and activating communities towards climate action.
This momentous gathering explores Black-led environmental science, memory, imagination, and audacious joy to ask necessary questions and build a liberated and liveable future.
Amidst the prevailing uncertainty regarding how climate change will reshape society, Black communities continue to be marginalized, globally, within mainstream sustainability movements and lack access to climate science information. In the United States, there is an urgent need to foster collective awareness, shared objectives, and community support around the distinct experiences of Black people in the face of climate change.
To amplify, connect, and celebrate the voices of Black environmental scientists, sustainable business leaders, educators, and conservationists, Critical Ecology Lab launched its first edition of "Eco-Afro Futures," an annual summit that brings together the Black community and allies to establish connections, enhance environmental knowledge, develop collective strategies, and unleash creativity.
Eco-Afro Futures asks "What questions must we ask to build the future that we need?"
Drawing upon the aesthetics of Afrofuturism and organizing principles of Freedom Schools, Eco-Afro Futures is a Black History Month mobilization of Black culture towards just, sustainable futures. The summit provides entry points for individuals at all levels of environmental knowledge, featuring speeches and panel discussions from prominent Black environmental thinkers, creatively designed spaces for facilitating conversations and learning, and a showcase of Black-owned, Earth-centered businesses.
Talks and Panel Discussions by
Dr. Suzanne Pierre, Critical Ecology Lab Founder and Director
Dr. Karen Bailey, Interdisciplinary environmental social scientist
Ms. Margaret Gordon, Founding member of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project
Dr. Camille Gaynus, Chief Science Officer at Black in Marine Science
Dr. Chris Schell, Urban Ecologist, Professor and Afrofuturist
Nautica Jones, Black traditional ecological knowledge researcher and PhD student
The Experience Includes
Environmental Learning Activities
Music by DJ Haunabauna
Films by Destyn Fuller-Hope
Black-owned Market
Goods by: Divine Roots; Sistah Scifi Books; Ramesses Art Garden; Yani Made It Candle Co.; Iyoba Handmade; Peace Love Light Art
Food by: Chef Ooo Wee; The Vegan Hood Chefs; Tony the Baker's Man; Rize Up Sourdough Bakery; Chestnut Street Granola
Beverages by: Soul Blends Coffee; Hella Juiced; Togun Wine Collective (21+)Community Groups
West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project
People's Programs
Movement Generation
Critical Ecology Lab
Big City Mountaineers
Acta Non Verba Youth Farms
Mandela Grocery CoopCritical Ecology Lab Free Library
Books from: Heyday Books;Milkweed Books;Oregon State University Press; Orbit; Counterpoint Press; University of Georgia Press;AK Press; One World Press; University of Chicago Press;Beacon Press; Library of America
This event was made possible through the support of the community groups mentioned and the following organizations
Patagonia; Science Sandbox & Simons Foundation; Peace Love & Flight; Peninsula Open Space Trust; Ida B. Wells JUST DATA LAB.
Details
Date: February 17, 2024
Time: 11 am - 4 pm PST
Location: 2323 Broadway, Oakland, CA (Oakstop)
The science literacy, partnerships, and collective agenda that emerge from this event are poised to transform the way we collectively shape our ecological future.
PRESS CONTACTS
Sacha Medjo-Akono
Assistant Lab Manager, Critical Ecology Lab