Greetings!
This Summer, I have been pleased to be Faith in Texas’s Equity and Environmental Justice Fellow. I am a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, where I earned my Master of Science specializing in Environmental Justice. I am pursuing a career supporting frontline communities in the fight for a just transition, building economic and political power to move us from an extractive economy to a regenerative one.
The Beginning – A Graduate Student Research Project
My work with Faith in Texas began in 2023 through my graduate capstone project alongside fellow students Naajia Shakir (MS and MURP ‘25), Tre’Nard Morgan (MS and MURP ‘25), Latia Leonard (MS ‘24), Danielle Moore (MS ‘24). We sought to develop a deep understanding of the social justice landscape in North Texas as it relates to Environmental Justice (EJ). We met with seasoned EJ practitioners to understand the political, economic, and social realities at work in the region. Those we interviewed expressed a need for increased funding, coordination among organizations, base building, and consciousness-raising to create the environment that will allow the community to thrive.
Summer Fellowship
Although the research project came to an end, I was eager to continue this work and enhance the opportunity for greater impact. I applied for and received funding through the University of Michigan’s Marshall Weinberg Internship Program to continue this work for a few months following my graduation. This Summer, my work has focused on the following key projects:
- Making the research we conducted more accessible to the public
- Reducing barriers for environmental justice and social change organizations to apply for grant funding
- Speaking with community leaders to co-create a proposal for a future student capstone project with the University of Michigan.
I am pleased to share that I created a database of funding opportunities that are applicable to social justice organizations in the region and supported Faith in Texas’s fundraising efforts. I created a streamlined research report which you can read here. Finally, I worked with community leaders to identify projects that a future team of students could help support. Through this work, we strengthened the relationships between Faith in Texas and partner organizations and we have made plans to continue collectively building environmental justice strategy for the region.
The Future of Faith in Texas’s Environmental Justice Work
Through my work this summer alongside Edwin Robinson and Jamie Kowlessar, we have clarified Faith in Texas’s role in the EJ movement and crafted our strategy, focusing on the strengths of Faith in Texas and the needs of the movement. Faith in Texas is committed to fighting for environmental and human rights for all residents of Texas. Assisting people to radically imagine and bring about collective change in their community is a crucial component of the work to provide community-based solutions to community problems while fostering a sense of belonging. Faith in Texas desires to build a movement of people who can exchange innovative ideas, strategies, and principles across various organizations, paving the way for collaborative, sustainable social progress. As people of faith, Faith in Texas is particularly well positioned to break down barriers and develop skilled leaders equipped to engage with existing organizations while remaining connected to a broader coalition of progressive residents and allies dedicated to pivotal causes.
My Experience
I am overwhelmingly grateful for the time I have gotten to spend working alongside the incredible staff of Faith in Texas. I gained a better understanding of how to imbue the values of justice into the way I work, and not to recreate systems of harm. Before coming to grad school, I had primarily worked in corporate for profit spaces and I think it’s easy to enter a space with good intentions and want to do good things and still not know how to operate in a different kind of space. My time with Faith in Texas has deeply impacted my approach to justice work, and prepared me with the skills I need to be effective. Although my fellowship has come to an end, I am excited to see the work that Faith in Texas will continue doing with the strong foundation we have built together. Having gotten the chance to work here, I know that this is the kind of organization I want to work for in the future.
Warm regards,
Tyler LaBerge
Environmental Justice and Equity Fellow
