Blacks In Sustainability Awards 2025

Monday, Feb. 4, 2025, Black Sustainability, Inc. held a spectacular event honoring our past, present and future leaders in sustainability.

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This Black History Month, we hosted the first ever Blacks in Sustainability Recognition Awards celebrating the Stewards of the Earth.

Our event was developed to acknowledge the contributions of past, present and future Black innovators, thought leaders, activists, and creators to various fields across sustainability sectors. 

Visit 2025 Awardees to review the 28 awardees and their respective biographies.

Before the awards ceremony started, nearly 60 folks poured into the library from across the southeastern region of the US and overseas. Many attendees were also in town for the SOWTH conference and decided to kick off their time in Atlanta fellowshipping with their peers and honoring ourstory.

Outside of the auditorium, raw, vegan refreshments were provided as attendees toured our educational tables, reviewed the resources:

Black Sustainability Program Bibliography Final.pdf

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displayed by the library related to our industries honored this evening and fact-packed State of Black Sustainability Report boards. The library was buzzing with discussion and reflection with the content curated, relationships developed and networking opportunities.

Photo Credit: Eye of Khalifa Pictured: Oguntoye Ras Kofi Kwayana at the BSI Better Beauty SBSR Exhibit table featuring ReBundle Banana Fiber Hair Extensions & partial bibliography offered by the Auburn Avenue Research Library

In true BSI fashion, we kicked off the formal component of our event with libations led by Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda to welcome in the spirits of all who have impacted our lives and have led this work.

Our Blacks In Sustainability Award Recognition Ceremony was hosted at the historic Auburn Avenue Research Library, emceed by Justin Patton and supported by our dynamic BSI Team members Renee Smith-Nickelson, Justin Nickelson/MasterPeace and Ariel Doty, along with our illustrious board members Cosco Jones, Erica Holloman-Hill, PhD and Nobantu Ankoanda, PhD. Although, this event was live in Atlanta, there were at nearly 20 people who joined the event virtually, as we also streamed the ceremony via Zoom for broader accessibility.

Board member, Dr. Erica Holloman-Hill kicked off the ceremony by outlining who we are as an organization, why we exist and why this evening was so important to host. Then our Master of Ceremony, Justin Patton, for the evening opened up with spoken word and each award category by Industry House and honored our ancestors, living legends and contemporary/future leaders with a lively reading of their biographies and issuance of their respective award.

Gratitude to all of our (s)heroes, leaders and legends in the ancestral realm, as well as those living, contemporary and future thought leaders shaping our reality today.

Nominations for each awardee were offered by the Black Sustainability Network, community members, and via social media.

Handcrafted wooden awards were sponsored by HABESHA, Inc. from Ghanian craftsmen and women and the zero waste gifts that accompanied the physical awards were provided by Black Sustainability, Inc.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EVENT BELOW

​Photo Credits: Eye of Khalifa Photography

​Although this event was full of historical facts, present-day leaders, good vibes and education, it was also part of a larger week of events to support our broader sustainability community.

For a full list of activities this first week of February, check out the flier below and support our brothers and sisters!