Damu Smith, National Black Environmental Justice Network, 1400 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 265-5422, NBEJN029@aol.com

The National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) is a non-profit organization that was formed in December 1999 during an emergency gathering of Black community activists, labor groups, farmers, educators, youth, lawyers and health professionals. People from more than 30 states came together in New Orleans, Louisiana to map out strategies to defeat a pro-environmental racism campaign led by industrial associations and business lobbying groups and to strengthen our work for environmental justice. NBEJN has undertaken a four-point strategy to combat environmental racism that focuses on the following: 1. Safe and Healthy Communities; 2. Sustainable Development and Clean Production; 3. Civil Rights and Equal Protection Laws/Policies; and 4. International Human Rights Protections. This presentation will provide information on key issues and strategies being used by NBEJN members and opportunities for collaboration with public health practitioners and advocates.

Learning Objectives:

• To provide information on diverse communities across the nation confronting environmental justice issues.
• To learn about community-based strategies to address environmental issues.
• To obtain an understanding of approaches and opportunities for public health groups to partner with communities in community based participatory research efforts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.