Advocate. Educate. Make a difference.
The Environmental Justice Table (EJT) is a community-driven initiative, established by UpstreamPgh in 2023. EJT aims to address environmental injustice in marginalized communities across Allegheny County.
The core of this work includes supporting Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and Aborigine Americans of the land by advocating for their access to healthy environments – including clean air and water.
Environmental Justice Values:
- Community
- Inclusive language
- Going beyond Land Acknowledgements
- Community Organization
- Equity
Current Projects
EJT’s work is focused on co-developing community-driven campaigns that shape environmental justice policy, grow community capacity, and build community resilience.
Establishing Water Equity and Accountability
Location: Mon Valley
Goal: Leverage community partnerships to engage residents and Mon Valley water companies in developing customer assistance programs and advisory councils to establish water equity and accountability
Timeline: 2025-2026
Objectives:
- Establish customer assistance programs and advisory councils within the Mon Valley water companies.
- Enhancing communication with Allegheny County officials to hold these water companies accountable.
Transforming Deconstruction Executive Order
Location: City of Pittsburgh
Goal: Transform the City of Pittsburgh’s deconstruction executive order into a policy that benefits environmental justice communities
Timeline: By 2027
Objectives:
- Create a City of Pittsburgh’s deconstruction policy to ensure equity in the rehabilitation of blighted environmental justice communities, particularly those most impacted.
- Ensure access to community resources and tools for managing waste and pollution, such as abandoned vehicles, tires, and other environmental hazards.
Meet the Environmental Justice Table
EJT is a resident/community-driven initiative that aims to address environmental injustice in marginalized communities across Allegheny County. As partners, we take a people-first approach to engage with communities, meeting people where they live and work.
EJT Leaders
Ajaljib-chanal-k’in, Community Lead
Chief Pomaj-chakmam-yajalaji, Advocacy Consultant
JoAnne Tippett, Advocacy Coordinator
Mary Nesby, Advocacy Manager
Community Members
Bianca Barnett-Harris
Ebony Flowers, New Voices
Hannah Hohman, Three Rivers Water Keeper
Jess Friss, Three Rivers Water Keeper
JoAnne Tippett
John Stephen
Laura Kuster, Group Against Smog and Pollution – Pittsburgh
Mary Kate Ranii, The Pittsburgh Foundation
Megan Guy, University of Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory
Mike Hiller
Na’Tisha Washington, Black Appalachian Coalition
Nicokle Nesby
Qiyam Ansari, Valley Clean Air
Rachel Pecharka, Solar United
Romie Yates
Scott Wolovich, New Sun Rising
Steering Committee
412 Justice
Breath Project
Clean Water Action
Fairshake
Grounded Strategies
Mon Water Project
Operation Better Block
Pittsburgh United, Our Water Table
Rayden Sorock
SWPA Hub
Take Action Advocacy Group
Water Now
Upcoming Events
No events. Check back soon!
Past Events
EJT Community Listening Session – ClairtonExpired
Environmental Justice Table: Community Listening SessionsExpired
The Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
EJT Community Open HouseExpired
UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center - East Side, 6401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
