Environmental Justice Coordinating Council
Region
Minneapolis and Saint PaulTimeline
2017 - presentTopics
Created by Public Policy Project, the Environmental Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) is an entirely black and brown leadership base of environmental and social justice agents of change, working cooperatively to understand and address environmental justice overburden in their communities. The work is grounded in the belief that those most affected by systemic injustice have the greatest reason to invest in generating alternative outcomes.
Environmental Initiative is partnering with EJCC to:
- Improve community air quality and advance environmental justice.
- Connect local businesses to emission reduction resources.
- Provide air quality and public health information to communities in North Minneapolis and on the East Side of Saint Paul.
There are currently six EJCC cohort members working in Minneapolis and six on the East Side of Saint Paul.
We collaborate to conduct outreach, raise awareness, leverage funds, and implement projects to benefit those living in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution and other environmental injustices.

EJCC's Vision
The vision of EJCC is to eradicate environmental and economic injustices in Minnesota and beyond. EJCC visualizes, creates, and implements ecological, economic, and strategic investments to end environmental racism.
EJCC believes “all issues are environmental issues, and all environmental issues are ours.”

The partnership between Environmental Initiative and EJCC is fulfillment of a vision I had when EJCC was created in 2017. I believe authentic partnerships between larger, well-resourced organizations and companies with black and brown communities which are underfunded and under resourced is critical to the success of black and brown communities to address the multiplicity of issues our communities face. Environmental Initiative has shown their willingness to sacrifice important relationships they’ve had for years to engage in this partnership.
– James Trice, CEO Public Policy Project
Minneapolis Cohort Members
- Thomas Berry, Jr.
- Jayda Pounds
- Ra’Essa As-Sidiq
- Hillary Thomas
- Vanessa Willis
- Pearll Warren
East Side of Saint Paul Cohort Members
- Sina Black
- Aida Hickman
- Kartumu King
- Delora Lothenbach
- Damone Presley
- Wendell Ward
Recent accomplishments
The Environmental Justice Coordinating Council harnesses the perspectives of black and brown residents and stakeholders to reduce the environmental justice burden in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and other environmental hazards. EJCC cohorts have:
EJCC Contacts
Partnership manager Tonya Draughn works with James Trice to coordinate with EJCC cohort members to share ideas and resources for air pollution reduction in communities. Contact Tonya to learn more about our partnership with EJCC.

Tonya Draughn
Partnership Manager she/her Email Tonya Office: 612-334-3388 ext. 8121 Cell: 612-425-4944Support the Environmental Justice Coordinating Councils
If you are interested in fostering collaborative power within and across communities of color and within organizations that work in communities of color, consider financially supporting the Environmental Justice Coordinating Council. Contact James Trice with questions or to learn more.