Deeohn Ferris: Let's Talk About Race, Equity, Climate Adaptation and Driving Community Resiliency

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) leads equity-centered, transformative community-driven climate solutions and sustainability projects in the US, India, China, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. As the first African-American woman to lead a US-based international climate organization, president and CEO Deeohn Ferris is changing the landscape in a white male-led field. In this GundxChange talk, Ferris discusses equitable environmental, economic, social and health solutions in response to climate change driven natural disasters disproportionately affecting the prosperity and resiliency of low income and communities of color. To learn what's possible, visit www.sustain.org.

Deeohn Ferris, President at ISC, is an environmental lawyer, racial and social justice practitioner, and systems change thought leader. She began her career at US EPA and became the first Director of Special Litigation in the enforcement office. As CEO of the Sustainable Community Development Group, she promoted equity, health, land use, and community resiliency best practices. Prior to ISC, Deeohn was the VP for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the National Audubon Society, where she prompted organizational changes to broaden opportunities for people of color, women, youth, people with different abilities and of different cultures.

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