Who Gets to Shape the Green Future? | Diamond Spratling on Environmental Justice

Who gets to shape the future of sustainability, and who gets left out of the conversation? In this episode of EcoVisionaries, host Jamiel Hampton sits down with Diamond Spratling, founder and Executive Director of Girl Plus Environment, environmental justice advocate, public health professional, speaker, and author. Growing up in Detroit helped shape Diamond's understanding that the environment isn't just about forests, oceans, or climate statistics. It's also about the air we breathe, the communities we build, the industries operating around us, public health, economic opportunity, and who has a voice in the decisions that affect our lives. Diamond shares her journey from public health and policy work to building Girl Plus Environment, an organization focused on helping historically underrepresented communities become informed participants and leaders in the environmental movement. Jamiel and Diamond explore the intersection of climate, public health, community, business, environmental justice, and leadership, including what it really means to create a sustainable future that works for everyone. The conversation also examines an increasingly important question: Can we build the infrastructure of a greener economy without repeating the inequities of the old one? This episode is about more than environmental justice. It's about participation, opportunity, communication, leadership, and ensuring that communities have a meaningful role in shaping the transition taking place around them. In this conversation: • Diamond's journey from Detroit to environmental leadership • Why environmental issues are also public health issues • The story behind Girl Plus Environment • Representation vs. actual decision-making power • Making sustainability understandable and relevant to everyday people • Community engagement and environmental justice • The responsibilities of corporations and climate-tech companies • Building a more inclusive green economy • Teaching the next generation about sustainability • Diamond's children's book series, Sage Sails the World • What gives Diamond hope about the future About Diamond Spratling Diamond Spratling is the founder and Executive Director of Girl Plus Environment, a nonprofit focused on educating, engaging, and empowering Black and Brown women and communities around environmental and climate issues. Her background spans public health, environmental justice, policy, health equity, geographic information systems, community engagement, and social entrepreneurship. She is also a speaker and the author of the children's series Sage Sails the World, which introduces young readers to environmental issues through exploration and adventure. About EcoVisionaries EcoVisionaries brings together the innovators, corporate leaders, investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers shaping the future of sustainability. Hosted by Jamiel Hampton, founder and CEO of NAKA Industries, the show goes beyond headlines and buzzwords to explore how sustainability actually moves from ideas to implementation. Our goal is simple: Bridge the gap between industry and everyday people, while giving the leaders building the future a place to tell the real story behind the work. Subscribe for conversations about: ♻️ Circular economy 🌎 Sustainability 🏭 Climate technology 💰 Climate investment ⚡ Energy transition 🌱 Environmental justice 🚀 Entrepreneurship and innovation 🌏 Global climate solutions To Connect with Diamond: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diamondspratling -X/Twitter: @diamondsprat Girl Plus Environment Instagram: @girlplusenvironment Girl Plus Environment Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlplusenvironment/ Girl Plus Environment TikTok: @girlplusenvironment -Website: GirlPlusEnvironment.org -Diamond’s website: DiamondSpratling.com Have a question or know an EcoVisionary we should interview? Leave a comment below. #EcoVisionaries #EnvironmentalJustice #Sustainability