The environmental and social justice movements continue to operate in silos. While environmental issues and climate change impacts affect everyone, many marginalized people, particularly racialized communities, don’t see themselves reflected in the narratives, approaches, and campaigns led by ENGOs. This is more than an engagement gap—it's a critical barrier to the collective goals of addressing climate change, maintaining a livable habitat on Earth, and protecting biodiversity.

In this three-part workshop series led by newpact, leaders of participating ENGOs will identify the foundational barriers to the inclusion and engagement of racialized communities in the environmental justice movement and explore how to address them in their programming, operations, and communications.

Workshop #1 : Environmental Exclusion - The History, The Data and The Divide.

July 4, 1-2 PM ET

PRESENTATION SLIDES

Facilitated by Dwaine Taylor and Sarah Cuddie

In this workshop, participants will explore the history of the environmental justice movement and how it continues to shape who leads, engages with, and benefits from environmental justice initiatives. The workshop will provide an in-depth understanding of the complexity of the engagement gap ENGOs face with racialized and other marginalized communities.

Workshop #2: Environmental Exclusion - Internal Policies and People.

July 11, 1-2 PM ET

PRESENTATION SLIDES

SCENARIOS

Facilitated by Dwaine Taylor and Rosalyn Alessi

In this interactive case-study-based workshop, participants will explore how policies and people operations (human resources) may reinforce the exclusion of racialized and other marginalized communities from within ENGOs. The exploration of the internal functions of ENGOs will provide a foundation for examining solutions that cater to the needs of each organization in the third workshop, where organizations will explore how to address the challenges in their external programming and communications.

Workshop #3 : Environmental Exclusion - Programming and Communications Solutions Lab

July 18, 1-2 PM ET

Introduction by Dwaine Taylor; facilitated by Sarah Cuddie and Kelsey Gilchrist.

In this interactive solutions lab-style workshop, ENGOs will share a program or communications campaign they are currently working on, and our facilitators will host coaching roundtables, applying the EDI frameworks discussed in the previous two workshops. This format is a unique, real-time peer-to-peer and expert learning of how to apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles to program design and external communications.

Our Presenters

Dwaine Taylor is founder and Executive Director of newpact. Dwaine has spent a decade helping charities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions successfully develop community impact programs, establish employee engagement initiatives, and implement equity, diversity and inclusion policies. Past clients include the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Carleton University. Dwaine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. 

Sarah Cuddie is Principal Facilitator at newpact. Sarah is an operations nerd, writer and editor, and creative program developer. She’s a proud generalist with experience working with non-profits, small businesses, startups, and government. Sarah believes in life-long learning and personal growth, and centres the power of empathy and storytelling in all of her work, from facilitation to operations and beyond.

Rosalynn Alessi is Principal Strategist & Lead Facilitator at new pact. Rosalynn is an atypical leader with over a decade of experience in business and HR. In her roles as a strategist, manager, and board member, her work is focused on leveraging each team member’s natural strengths. Rosalynn specializes in employee relations, labour relations, talent acquisition and management, training and development, performance management, HR policies and compliance.

Kelsey Gilchrist is Director of Communications, Lead Strategist & Facilitator at new pact. Kelsey is a digital marketing strategist, writer, and facilitator who specializes in working with mission-driven organizations. An experienced communicator, she has expertise in content marketing, SEO, social media, copy writing, branding, and data analysis. Through storytelling and community engagement, she helps organizations hone their brand voice and effectively communicate with their audience.

Presentation Slides