The Bullard Center’s programs are dedicated to dismantling systemic inequities by centering environmental justice in climate action, renewable energy deployment, and policy advocacy. We work alongside frontline communities and partner institutions to foster long-term resilience and ensure a just transition to a sustainable future for all.
The Bullard Center’s HBCU Environmental and Climate Justice Corps Summer Internship program provided mentorship, training, and research opportunities for 20 undergraduate HBCU students from across the country during a five-week session focused on climate-related issues and associated impacts on vulnerable people of color communities. Students learned about research methodologies and were introduced to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental and climate related tools and communication techniques that were instrumental in their community-focused research. Summer projects were presented by the interns at a culminating event, and student interns plan to attend the annual HBCU Climate Change Conference. The internship is part of a grant funded by the Macquarie Group Foundation, which drives social impact work for Macquarie Group.
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The project is led by the Bullard Center and the Deep South Center who also serve as Co-Leads of the HBCU Consortium. The urban and rural communities selected for this initiatives have a range of shared experiences and infrastructure challenges: highway expansion development, flooding (stormwater management, subsidence, stormwater management, drainage, overflowing sewer and septic systems, loss of protection (levees, wetlands, green space), highway expansion and residential displacement, damage to homes, loss of use of property, legacy pollution, and social and environmental determinants of health—including mental stress.
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The BIT for Resment HBCUs Project (BIT for HBCUs) is a three year pilot partnership between Sustain Our Future Foundation and Southface Institute designed to support five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in overcoming environmental challenges. Southface Institute's Building ImRrovement Toolkit (BIT) is a program and online platform that provides anyone charged with operating and maintaining buildings with easily accessible tools and resources to optimize their building operations and achieve their sustainability goals.
BIT for HBCUs will establish five HBCUs as central hubs to demonstrate and catalyze climate action in their communities. By providing resources for campus and community climate action planning, HBCU student career development, and grant funding, the initiative strengthens institutional capacity for sustainability action.
The Catalyst Grants provide financial support to Climate Leadership Network member institutions leading innovative sustainability and climate initiatives. The program continues to ensure that at least one grant is awarded to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or Tribal Institution, and at least one to a Community College. The Catalyst Grant Program is funded by Second Nature, a national nonprofit committed to accelerating climate action in and through higher education.
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The Bullard Center is collaborating with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Houston to address pollution, injustice, and health disparities in Houston neighborhoods by providing data and support to community-based organizations working on mitigation strategies that address long standing environmental issues in their individual neighborhoods. This collaboration focuses on actionable science, such as air quality monitoring, and leveraging data to fight systemic racism. This program is funded by the Environmental Defense Fund.
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The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University (TSU) launched an E-Bike Proposal aimed at providing education, outreach, and training to TSU students and surrounding communities on the use and benefits of electric bikes. Supported & funded by Evolve Houston eMobility microgrants, the initiative focuses on sustainable, equitable transportation for underrepresented communities.
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The program is designed to engage Houston based entrepreneurs and small business owners in a structured discussion to better understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities related to clean, green, and resilient business practices. This focus group will explore how environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience impact business operations, costs, and long term growth.
Participants will share their experiences with extreme weather events, infrastructure disruptions, environmental regulations, and access to resources that support sustainable transitions. The goal is to identify gaps in technical assistance, funding, training, and infrastructure that can help businesses reduce environmental impact while strengthening operational resilience. This program is supported & funded by Elevate Energy.
The Environmental Career Pathways (ECP) Program is designed to train unemployed and/or underemployed individuals in the Houston area in the environmental services field. The training is free and provided at Texas Southern University and other selected sites.The ECP Program recruits unemployed/underemployed women and men from Houston to attend a seven-week training program at Texas Southern University for career opportunities in the environmental or construction field. The program has a 92-96% job placement rate.
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The Community Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) is a dynamic, community-based training initiative designed for grassroots leaders across Texas that champion environmental and climate justice. CELP provides a powerful platform for learning, connection, and action. The multi-week program centers the lived experiences of Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other historically overburdened communities and equips participants with advocacy tools to fight pollution, influence policy, and protect public health.
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