Join us for an event that’s more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action. In alignment with the University of Michigan’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium's 2025 theme of "Restless Dissatisfaction: An Urgent Call for the Pursuit of Justice and Equality," we invite students, staff, faculty and the greater community to a powerful and inspiring gathering.

This panel will spotlight leaders who are transforming the fields of environmental justice, energy and sustainability. These trailblazers are challenging the status quo, breaking down barriers and carving out their own paths toward a more just and sustainable future. Their journeys reflect the spirit of Dr. King’s vision for "divine discontent"—never settling, always striving for a better world.

Meet Our Featured Speakers:

Shalanda H. Baker, U-M’s first vice provost for sustainability and climate action, who served as the director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the U.S. Department of Energy, is leading the movement for climate justice and pushing for inclusivity in policy and practice.

Tony G. Reames, SEAS associate professor, who served as deputy director for energy justice and principal deputy director for the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, U.S. Department of Energy, is a driving force behind energy justice initiatives that ensure all communities have access to clean energy.

Carla Walker-Miller, CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, who is reshaping the energy landscape with a focus on equity and sustainable solutions.
Jalonne L. White-Newsome, the first Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, has helped deliver President Biden’s ambitious environmental justice agenda while elevating environmental justice work across the federal government and beyond.

Maddie Miller (Moderator) SEAS PhD Candidate; founder and CEO of NexTiles, a Detroit-based textile recycling company that converts textile waste into building insulation and other eco-friendly products.