Building on the Shoulders of Environmental Justice Giants

The Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center builds upon the 150+ year legacy of the Howard University School of Law. In the last 50 years, environmental justice has emerged as an important aspect of social justice because black, brown and low income communities have been disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards.

Over 20 years ago, a small group of attorneys noticed a gap in the environmental law offerings at Howard University School of Law and decided to start teaching the first environmental law courses. Today, the group continues to devote their time and energy into environmental law, environmental justice and building the pipeline of Howard students into the field of environmental protection.

Ben Wilson, Quentin Pair, and Nicholas Targ are pioneers of Howard’s environmental law curriculum. They have collectively mentored and taught over 500 students in the field of environmental law. Over the years, the offerings have evolved with contributions from Patrice Simms, Carlton Waterhouse and Daria Neal.

(Special Congratulations to Carlton Waterhouse on his Confirmation Hearing.)