"A new day has dawned for women;

a new deal is here. Action has taken place quickly, and women have

come into their own."

Elizabeth Lindsay Davis,
National Historian, The National Association

of Colored Women 1896

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WHO WE ARE

Welcome to the EcoWomanist Institute (EWI)! We are a nonprofit providing restorative and healing justice to communities, founded by Black women FOR Black women and women of color around the world.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the EcoWomanist Institute is to increase the inclusion, ecological awareness, and environmental leadership of African American women within the ecospirituality and ecojustice narratives.

EWI PROGRAMS

EWI C0-VISIONARIES & CO-FOUNDERS

Valerie Rawls

In addition to being a social entrepreneur, new urbanist, mass collaborator, and co-creator, Valerie is a marketing expert by training and a career of more than four decades. Valerie earned a B.A. in Marketing from Illinois State University and in the past decade has engaged diverse stakeholders in sustainability initiatives.

Veronica Kyle

Co-Visionary & Founder

Veronica is a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator on environmental issues, gender-related issues, green economic opportunities, and more. She also works with houses of worship across Illinois to link African American churches to the work of Faith in Place. She holds a B.A. in Religion and Women Studies and a M.A. degree in Gender and Development Studies.

Veronica Kyle

Veronica is a sought-after speaker & workshop facilitator on environmental issues, gender-related issues, green economic opportunities, and more. She also works with houses of worship across Illinois to link African American churches to the work of Faith in Place. She holds a B.A. in Religion and Women Studies and a M.A. degree in Gender and Development Studies.

OUR TEAM

Cicely Garrett

EWI FELLOWS MEMBER & ELM CREATOR

(Emerging Leaders & Mentorship Program)

Cicely is a Creative Strategist & Social Entrepreneur adept at providing thought leadership & consulting on strategy, design thinking, racial equity, environmental justice, food sovereignty, and community wealth building. She spearheaded the transition of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability to Office of Resilience. She served as a community builder, facilitator, and program manager for 8.5 years at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, where she led the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In 2013 she transitioned to Food Systems Innovation Manager working to improve fresh & healthy food access in Atlanta's inner-city neighborhoods via GA Food Oasis-Atlanta initiative. She holds a B.S.B.A degree with a concentration in Finance and New & Small Business Management and has a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management.