Students to tackle climate challenges at Sustainable Solutions Summit
The Black Student Fund and Forbright Bank are hosting the second annual Sustainable Solutions Summit for high school students in the Washington D.C. area from 24th - 28th June.
The weeklong event will unite students and environmental experts to create business plans addressing local sustainability issues. Students with the best ideas will receive scholarships and career support.
The Black Student Fund supports academically motivated African American and underserved students, providing the advocacy and resources needed for their successful admission to and graduation from member schools.
Throughout the week, students can engage with experts in various environmental fields, such as ocean conservation, plant-based food production, and energy-efficient construction. Participants will work collaboratively to develop their own sustainable business ideas, which they will present to a panel of judges at the end of the summit. Winning teams will be awarded scholarships to support their educational and professional development.
The summit will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including:
Alfred Carr, D.C. Department of Energy & Environment
Daron Coates, Co-Founder, ThinkBox Group
John Delaney, Founder and Chairman, Forbright Bank
Seth Goldman, Co-Founder of Just Ice Tea, PLNT Burger, Honest Tea, Eat the Change
Lina Gomez, National Geographic Society
Mark Haver, Sustainable Ocean Alliance; BlueGreen Generation
Larissa Johnson, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
Ashley McEvoy, National Park Foundation
Leroy Nesbit, Black Student Fund
Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, Founder and CEO, RIFE International
Liz Perera, U.S Department of Energy
Elijah Perry, Formerly GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
Rebecca Ballard, Rebecca Ballard Advisory; Rooted Communities
The summit aims to inspire students to develop innovative solutions for environmental issues by providing them with the necessary knowledge and tools. The event will culminate with student presentations to a panel of judges who will evaluate the feasibility and impact of their proposals. Scholarships will be awarded to the top teams to support their future educational and career pursuits.
Natalie Chapman, Director of Community Impact at Forbright Bank, emphasised the summit's significance:
“We’re excited to partner with the Black Student Fund to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders to tackle one the most meaningful challenges of our lifetimes. We look forward to building on the success of last year’s Summit with more great speakers and students excited to learn.”
