Black Midwest Justice Hub
A project of the Black Midwest Initiative at the University of Illinois Chicago.
What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental justice (EJ) is a social movement led by people from communities of color, Indigenous communities, and working-class communities who are concerned with combating the disproportionate burden of environmental harm these communities experience.
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Our World
This work examines the Earth’s interconnected systems to develop sustainable strategies for environmental conservation and protections. Categories include climate, land, water, air, and nature.
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Our Communities
This work centers on community resilience, human security, and strengthening the foundational pillars of society to foster long-term stability in underresourced communities. Categories include food & agriculture, housing & infrastructure, disaster, and violence.
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Our Future
This work centers on strengthening environmental justice protections. Categories include sustainability, technology, and law & policy.
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Our People
This work explores personal, communal, and activist responses to the disproportionate impacts of environmental racism. Categories include health, migration & mobility, and activism.
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Our History
This work aims to preserve history, honor lived experience, and foster creative resistance. Categories include archives, stories, and art.
Resources
Resources provided here support the learning of students enrolled in BMI Environmental Justice Collaboratory courses and the general public with regard to environmental justice issues impacting Black Midwesterners and other populations made disproportionately vulnerable to environmental hazards.
Explore Resources
Fellows' Projects
The BMI Fellows are a group of organizers, graduate students, junior faculty members, and emerging artists and cultural producers who were selected from a competitive applicant pool to represent some of the best environmental justice work happening across the Midwest today. Between 2025 and 2026, each Fellow completed an original project for the hub. Utilizing a range of media, literary, and pedagogical forms, these projects highlight the diverse EJ work happening across the region, and are meant to help learners grapple with the most pressing environmental challenges of the day.
Explore All Projects
Student Portal
Collaboratory Courses
The BMI Environmental Justice Collaboratory is a cohort of 11 instructors at various colleges and universities across the Midwest who will all be teaching environmental justice courses at their institutions during the 2026-27 academic year. Here you will find information about each of the courses that is part of the Collaboratory.
Zine Library
In spring 2026, instructors at Michigan State University, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Iowa, and Macalester College worked with their students to develop zines broadly related to EJ issues. Here you will find a sampling of their work.
Syllabus
This syllabus created by the BMI Environmental Justice Collaboratory is meant to be used by anyone interested in learning more about environmental justice.
Get Involved
Visit the BMI website or subscribe to our free newsletter to learn more about our organization.
