NAACP Celebrates Earth Day with Panel and Launch of Film Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 23, 2025

Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org

LOS ANGELES — The NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) commemorated Earth Day with a panel discussion on the intersection of environmental advocacy and creative expression, highlighting the essential role that filmmakers, entertainers, and creators play in raising awareness and driving change. 

Sponsored by Climate Power and hosted by Abre' Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, and the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, the panelists included:

• Vic Mensa - Grammy award-nominated rapper and activist
• Allison Begalman - writer, entrepreneur, and social justice communicator 
• Bryce Cracknell - writer, producer, and director
• Adrian Martinez - deputy managing attorney of Earthjustice California Office
• Logan Coles - writer, producer, director, and co-founder of media company X•ception Content
• Dr. Jazmine Nicholson - executive director, EARTHGANG Foundation 
• Jeanell English - founder and CEO, impact agency, Elizabeth, LLC
• Meredith Milton - creative director, NRDC's Rewrite the Future  

 During the panel discussion, the NAACP ECJ also launched NAACP Climate in Color: Reframing our Future Short Film Grant. The short film grant seeks artists to produce films showing their take on environmental justice issues impacting Black communities and to highlight future climate innovation. Guided by mentors, the filmmaker will be awarded a grant, including a production budget and film equipment, to write, cast, shoot, and edit their short film.

"As we celebrate Earth Day, we're reminded that the impacts of environmental harm are not shared equally — Black and Brown communities have long endured the harshest impacts of pollution, disinvestment, and climate disasters," said Abre' Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice. "We're especially excited about this year's Climate in Color short film grant, which gives our communities the power to tell their stories, reclaim their narratives, and inspire collective action. This Earth Day, we stand committed to building a just, sustainable world for all."

The film guidelines require that at least one of the following pillars of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice be incorporated:  

• Right to a toxic-free environment (including removing contaminants from air, water, soil, and everyday items such as clothing) 
• Energy Democracy (including imaginative ways for communities to consider relationships with energy sources) 
• Sustainable Communities (Including disaster resiliency work, water infrastructure, tree canopy, food eco-systems) 
• Zero Emissions

The NAACP Cinematic Short Film Grant provides a robust, intensive, transformative experience during all phases of production. Culminating during Climate Week in September 2025, participating filmmakers will present their finished short films to industry professionals in New York. The filmmaker will also receive support to distribute their work to film festivals. 

Photos from the event are available here (photo courtesy of NAACP/Jonathan Arthurs).

For more information on the NAACP's environmental and climate justice work, visit our website. And, click here to apply for the NAACP Climate in Color Short Film Grant. The deadline to apply is May 16, 2025. 

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.