Environmental Justice Action Group

Purpose

The EJAG is a regional body of volunteers, living in Michigan’s foremost environmental justice communities (Detroit and Flint), who are strengthening the Michigan Chapter’s capacity to:

  • address environmental justice issues in and with affected communities, starting by building or supporting a regional coalition related to Detroit/Flint water quality and affordability;
  • promote dialogue and understanding of linkages between environmental quality and social justice in Michigan; and,
  • serve as an advisory body to Sierra Club Michigan’s Executive Committee (EXCOM).

History

In 2017, the Michigan Chapter’s EXCOM voted in favor of establishing the EJAG to help deepen and sustain the Chapter’s environmental justice work. This decision came off the tails of a collaboration between Sierra Club Michigan and Sierra Club national staff to address the Flint water crisis with local partners once the water crisis was revealed. Detroiter Rhonda Anderson has been a steadfast environmental justice advocate in Detroit for more than 15 years through her Sierra Club national staff position. Since there is no singularly environmental justice-focused position within Sierra Club Michigan, EXCOM’s decision to form the EJAG represents an intentional effort to more proactively address environmental justice issues and infuse environmental justice as a priority and decision-making principle throughout the Chapter. 

The group developed a set of aspirations, norms and common language (definitions, guiding principles) for working together. 

Recent Actions

Members

Members of the EJAG are intentionally all residents of affected communities. In addition to other active community leaders, these include Sierra Club members:

  • Carma Lewis
  • Melissa Mays
  • Mona Munroe-Younis
  • Dr. Lawrence Reynolds
  • Dr. Laura Sullivan

Contact

Mona Munroe-Younis, Chairperson, mona.munroe.younis@gmail.com  

Links/Resources for Communities