(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — The DC Environmental Film Festival recently announced Hip Hop Caucus’ President and CEO, and host of the award-winning climate justice podcast The Coolest Show, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., as the recipient of the Environmental Champion Award for his long-standing environmental and racial justice advocacy.

“It’s an honor to receive this important award at such a crucial time in the fight for climate justice,” said Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. “Hip Hop Caucus has been at the forefront of the fight for climate and racial justice, from our early days organizing along the Gulf Coast during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, to working with our partners to stand up against Big Oil and protect frontline communities. Our work is far from over, and we’ll never stop advocating on behalf of all people impacted by environmental harm.”

A White House Champion of Change for Climate Leadership and Senior Advisor to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Beyond Petrochemicals campaign, Rev. Yearwood Jr. has launched innovative, national climate campaigns throughout his career. Under his leadership at Hip Hop Caucus, the Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign advocated for justice in response to Hurricane Katrina and the group’s award-winning activism platform, Think 100%, shifted the narrative around fossil fuels.

The festival’s award celebration will include a screening of Hip Hop Caucus’ upcoming short film “Underwater Project,” narrated by comedian Wanda Sykes. The film underscores the coastal urban flooding in the heart of Virginia’s largest economy, shedding light on the urgent need to address environmental justice issues impacting Black communities and the U.S. Naval base in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Rev. Yearwood joins past award winners such as Dr. Jane Goodall and Pulitzer Prize winner, Juliet Eilperin. The event will take place on March 24, 2024 at the Naval Heritage Center in Washington, DC.

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About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

Source: Hip Hop Caucus