Overview 

Water is essential for human life, both individually and collectively - from the very basic requirement of maintaining life, to hygiene and cleanliness, to recreation and sport, to growing food and cooking nutritious meals. Beyond even the physical and communal, water plays an important role in spirituality and creating meaning. Water is life, and there is no substitute. At the same time, water systems are fraught with challenges and inequities, particularly impacting Black communities – from contaminated water to climate change induced droughts. This program will examine these issues from cultural, historical, and political perspectives, providing community-based approaches to advocate for clean water access as part of Black Liberation. Ultimately, participants will gain tools to design and implement policies and practices that advance just and equitable water systems.  ote policies rooted in the principles of Black Liberation and a Just Transition Framework.  

Advancing Water Justice Course Objectives 

• Summarize the needs for water justice models and practices to advance equitable outcomes for Black communities.
• Explain current inequities and disparities in water access, management, and use. 
• Assess the utility of various community engagement and advocacy approaches to advance water justice.  
• Examine existing policies, practices, regulations, and advocacy activities that govern water use and resources.  
• Formulate a racially justice action plan to advance water justice in marginalized communities.