Announcing the 2026 Cohort of the Sustainable Justice HBCU Fellowship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please reach out to media@sustainourfuture.org for any media inquiries.
June 17, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) proudly announces the 2026 Sustainable Justice HBCU Fellows. The Fellowship places students from Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) in environmental organizations for summer internships. In addition to their internships, this initiative provides HBCU students with invaluable professional experiences, leadership development coaching, and opportunities to connect with industry experts in sustainability. Fellows also engage in a comprehensive sustainability curriculum created by SOFF.
The 2026 cohort includes ten HBCU students. SOFF will provide each student with a $5,000 internship stipend and a $10,000 scholarship upon successful completion of the fellowship.
“The challenges facing our communities require leaders who can bridge technical expertise with a deep commitment to justice,” said Naadiya Hutchinson, Program Director of Sustain Our Future Foundation. “Through this fellowship, we are creating pathways for students to gain meaningful experience, deepen their expertise, and contribute to building solutions that advance sustainability and equity.”
A key aspect of this program is its focus on strengthening the capacities of organizations that promote healthy people and environments. Internship host organizations benefit not only from the skills and dedication of the interns, but also from a $10,000 general operating grant to support their positive community impact.
Selected Fellows and Host Organizations include:
Aliyah Jackson is a Clark Atlanta University student pursuing a Dual Degree with majors in Physics and Aerospace Engineering, and a Dual Minor in Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics. Aliyah will intern with Southface Institute.
Michiya Young is a Texas Southern University student majoring in Biology, with a minor in Communications. Michiya will intern with Bayou City Waterkeeper.
Evan Harvey is a Morgan State University Student majoring in Economics with a minor in Legal Studies on the Pre-Law Track. Evan will intern with the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative.
Kelsey Harpe is a Spelman College student majoring in Health Science. Kelsey will intern with West Atlanta Watershed Alliance.
Afia Sefaa Boaitey is a North Carolina A&T State University student majoring in Agricultural and Environmental Systems. Afia will intern with North Carolina Environmental Justice Network.
Tyrone D Wallace is a Morehouse College student majoring in Biology with a minor in Public Health. Tyrone will intern with Community Health Aligning Revitalization Resilience & Sustainability (CHARRS).
Yasmyn Sutherlin is a Xavier University of Louisiana student pursuing a double major in Political Science and History, and on the Pre-Law track. Yasmyn is interning with Alliance for Affordable Energy (AAE).
Gianna Pearson is a Tennessee State University Student majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising and Product Development. Gianna will intern with SEEED Knoxville.
Jule' Boudreaux is a Howard Law Student. Jule’ is interning with WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
Kayla Bonds is a Delaware State University Student majoring in Chemistry, with a minor in biology. Kayla is interning with the Environmental Justice Health Alliance.
For more information about the Sustainable Justice HBCU Fellowship Program or to support Sustain Our Future Foundation’s mission, please visit sustainourfuture.org or contact Chanel Barnes-Osula at chanel@sustainourfuture.org.
About Sustain Our Future Foundation
Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) is a national not-for-profit organization that collaborates with corporate sustainability teams to de-risk and deepen the impact of sustainable infrastructure projects by ensuring that local communities' priorities are part of the planning, siting, and development phases of these projects. Our goal is to raise the standard of sustainable development to promote economic development, community partnership, local self-determination, and environmental health for all communities.