Texas Southern University Students Shine at the 11th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference

Texas Southern University students made a powerful impact at the 11th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference, a national convening hosted by the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice in New Orleans, Louisiana. Designed to bridge academic research with community-driven solutions, the conference brought together scholars, students, and environmental justice advocates to address climate resilience in frontline communities. Throughout the multi-day gathering, TSU students demonstrated why the next generation of environmental justice leadership is poised to meet the moment.

TSU Senior Evan Henderson, an emergency management and homeland security major, was among a group that earned first place in the undergraduate abstract poster competition. Their research focused on air quality monitoring in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood. The findings revealed that air pollution levels in the community frequently reached extremely unhealthy levels, at times nearly three times the level considered safe for breathing. The research drew a direct connection between poor air quality and elevated rates of asthma and chronic respiratory illness, reinforcing the urgent need for policy reform, improved green infrastructure, and stricter regulation of nearby industrial and transportation emissions.

Additionally, Joseph Carter, a junior TSU political science major, placed second for his research examining the neuroimmune effects of mold exposure in under-resourced communities. Carter’s work, informed by both scientific analysis and his own health challenges stemming from mold exposure, highlighted how environmental neglect continues to shape health outcomes for marginalized populations. His presentation brought a powerful human lens to policy and environmental decision-making. Additional undergraduate poster presenters representing the University included Bryden Mitchell (criminal justice) and Johnjuana Fisher (political science). Graduate Student Isaiah Allen was on hand to showcase his research titled “An Action Plan for Cultural Resource Climate Adaptation Research and Funding”.

Members of the Bullard Center’s HBCU Environmental Justice Climate Corps summer program, including Caszhmere Chaison (Elizabeth City State University) and Kynsington Hobbs (Morehouse College), were featured on a student panel focused on air quality, food security, and disaster preparedness. Their presentations highlighted the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by vulnerable communities. They emphasized the importance of equipping young leaders with the tools, research, and mentorship needed to drive long-term resilience. Their work underscored the role of students not only as learners but also as active contributors to the environmental justice movement.

Chloe Weber, a Texas Southern University graduate student, sat on a panel exploring how environmental exposure, infrastructure gaps, and climate stressors intersect in vulnerable communities. As a Hurricane Katrina survivor, she proposed resilience strategies centered on knowledge and preparedness. Then, TSU graduate student Michaela Dixon-Peltier (urban planning and environmental policy) addressed the rapid expansion of data centers. She noted that 85% are clustered in or near minority communities, raising concerns about water use, energy demand, and pollution. Her final question lingered with the audience: who pays the price for “progress”? Dr. Glenn Johnson, Urban Planning and Environmental Policy professor, served as her faculty mentor.

Together, these students exemplify the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University’s long-standing commitment to environmental justice, community-engaged scholarship, and leadership development. Their work at this year’s conference reflects the University’s vital role in shaping solutions that are rooted in equity and community resilience.