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Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop joined environmental advocates from across this state this week at the 2025 Mellon Environmental and Epistemic Justice Summit hosted by Wake Forest University.

The summit, titled “Environmental Justice in the Midst of Polycrisis: Where Do We Go From Here?”, focused on the history, current status and paths forward for the environmental justice movement. The distinguished civil rights leader Dr Benjamin Chavis jr. keynoted the address and panels featured a suite of inspiring leaders in the environmental justice movement, including executive director Jeffrey Robbins from CleanAIRE NC, Courtney Locklear Steed, a cultural burn coordinator, environmental journalist Lisa Sorg and many more, Samantha said. Topics included the fight for energy justice, mental health in the era of the climate crisis, and indigenous environmental justice.  

Samantha and other members of Waterkeepers Carolina had a table at the event.

“It was truly moving to be in the presence of such powerful voices, many who started the environmental justice movement right here in North Carolina, and continue leading the work today,” she said.