About The National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program

The National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc. (NEJC) a Non-Profit Organization, through its annual National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, brings together community members, academia, the private sector and state and local officials, as well as Federal and State government representatives to examine the state of environmental justice (EJ) and share best practices. The overall conference theme is “Enhancing Communities Through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance.” The Board of Directors of NEJC, an independent, volunteer group of EJ business leaders and community leaders, along with the U.S. Department of Energy’s and US Department of Agriculture’s EJ Programs initiated this conference over fifteen (15) years ago. We have been joined since that time by several members of the Interagency Working Group on Environment Justice as sponsors and planners. The previous EJ conferences have been quite successful, with between 400-500 registrants annually, including federal government employees, state and local government officials, and tribal officials. The conferences have explored an array of topics including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Health Disparities, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, Climate Justice, and Chemical Facility Safety and Security.

Since 2011, due to the sponsorship of some Federal agency partners and the private sector, the conference has been able to make attending the conference free of charge to all Federal, State and local government employees; grassroots and tribal community members; and faith-based organizations, academia and youth. Since 2012, the conferences have conducted training segments that focus on EJ training, grant writing, technical assistance and more. The NEJC’s agenda provides workshops, panel discussions, Q&A segments, training opportunities, as well as networking lunches and receptions. It explores a plethora of topics including the growing presence of youth in EJ and the future of the EJ movement; incorporating EJ into the NEPA Process, increasing the use of film, storytelling and social media, and the use of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address EJ. It focuses on interactive and innovative ways to enhance communities and provides ways for improved productivity and efficiency. The NEJC, through this annual conference, continues to produce an array of networking opportunities among Federal and State employees and stakeholders, students, faculty, community, business and other government leaders and includes EJ presentations from international participants.

The 2024 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program will be held April 16-18, 2024 in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with Race Forward’s “Sustaining Racial Equity Across the Federal Government” Training Program for Federal Civil Servants. Leaders from various sectors will engage in 3 days of free exchange of ideas and approaches to achieving environmental justice. These interactive training sessions will feature voices of experience, research, discussions, and thought-provoking dialogue. The program format will feature the needs and challenges of communities, governments, municipalities, tribes, faith-based organizations, and others with an interest in environmental justice. It will highlight programs and collaborations that work, as well as initiatives that have not proven successful. Program speakers will feature representatives from Federal and state agencies, local governments, tribes, community groups, business and industry, public interest groups, academia, and other entities. This interactive forum will give conference participants the opportunity to network with a variety of interests from diverse quarters. All conference participants will realize informative and productive resources that can support their individual program goals and objectives. Conference participants will also see examples of approaches that produce positive results through innovation and collaboration. All in all, the conference will prove beneficial and informative to participants.