BIPOC Leaders Come Together to Launch New Ocean Equity Collective
For Immediate Release: February 09, 2022
Jessica Loya, Next 100 Coalition Manager
comms@next100coalition.org
(323)947-1802
Washington, D.C. — Today, February 9, 2022, the Next 100 Coalition announces the launch of the Ocean Equity Collective — a new Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) coalition focused on advancing equity, justice & inclusion in federal ocean and coastal policy. Additionally, the Ocean Equity Collective will work to amplify and support the leadership of BIPOC leaders on ocean, coastal, and marine issues. The collective calls for a community-centered and led sustainability movement, where the ocean’s ecosystems are conserved, accessible, protected, and cherished by all people.
The collective will work to ensure all communities can participate in the protection and enjoyment of the ocean’s ecosystems by addressing the current and historical inequities built into ocean conservation policy and movement practices. It’s mission is to continue cultural traditions, center communities, and work to build and support a movement that includes those who have been historically marginalized.
As part of the launch, founding members of the Ocean Equity Collective will participate in a virtual event from 6:00 – 7:30 pm EST hosted via Zoom. Registration is required and can be done at the following link: bit.ly/oeclaunch
The founding members of the Ocean Equity Collective share the following statements:
“Coming from an ocean-faring and ocean-dependent people, I am honored to be part of the Ocean Equity Collective as we work collectively towards advancing BIPOC leadership, and recentering communities in the ocean conservation movement. This is work we can only do together.” – Jane Lokomaikaʻikeakua Au (she/her), Program Director, ʻĀina Momona
“I look forward to the Ocean Equity Collective’s leadership, support, and relationship building of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color leaders and organizations focused on enhancing community centered priorities and equity in ocean conservation,” – Carlos Ochoa, National Policy Associate, Azul
“We, Creation Justice Ministries, are excited to be a founding member of the Ocean Equity Collective because of the unique and much needed equity-centered approach to ocean conservation. We are eager to work to center the voices of BIPOC leaders and ensure that equity and accessibility are the baseline of this work.” –Helen Smith, Ocean Climate Action Associate, Creation Justice Ministries
“I’m so excited to be a part of the Ocean Equity Collective. It is powerful to see BIPOC people and organizations come together to protect our communities and the ocean.” – Karyn Bigelow, Co-Executive Director, Creation Justice Ministries
“Historically overlooked communities have deep-rooted connections to the ocean that define cultures and sense of place. The Ocean Equity Collective is important because it aims to center comunidad in the ocean protection movement. By centering our communities, we can address current and historical inequities so that all communities can participate in the enjoyment and protection of the ocean.” – Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes, Clean & Healthy Waters Program Manager, GreenLatinos
“KUA is proud to be a founding member of the Next 100 Coalition’s Ocean Equity Collective (OEC). Through the OEC we hope to build greater bridges toward building a national voice for local and indigenous people, their places and relationships with the ocean.” – Kevin Chang, Executive Director, KUA
To learn more about the Ocean Equity Collective visit next100coalition.org/ocean-equity-collective.
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The Next 100 Coalition was established in 2016 as a collaborative national network of Black,
Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC ) leaders from community-centered conservation, outdoor
recreation, environmental education, public health, environmental justice organizations and
dedicated equity leaders. Together, we work towards a shared vision of a more diverse
and inclusive lands and ocean conservation movement(s).