About Zakia
Zakia M. Elliott was born in Philadelphia and raised in a union family. Zakia’s work builds upon the foundation of her environmental studies and climate science background to build policies, coalitions, and communities that prioritize health, equity, and justice for the people most impacted by climate change and racial and economic oppression. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University, and studied Visual Arts while attending the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. She is a lifelong student with passions in feminist and womanist theory, urban agriculture and her home garden, spirituality, astrology, tarot, and art.
Zakia’s work is community-centered and driven by her vision for a more just Philadelphia for Black and Brown people. As a collective-worker and coalition-builder, she sees shared leadership, decision-making and politicization as a reciprocal practice that goes beyond age and experience. She believes we will always be better for listening and learning from each other.
Mentorship holds a significant place in Zakia's life, inspiring her to support young individuals pursuing environmental careers. Throughout her undergraduate years and career, Zakia has both formally and informally mentored young people of color. Most recently, in 2021, she served as a Senior Fellow mentor for the Environmental Leadership Program’s Emerging Leaders Program.
Zakia is a skilled facilitator and educator, adept at leading workshops and presentations that highlight her work in environmental, land, food, and climate justice in Philadelphia. She has spoken at various conferences and universities including, We Are ONE: A National Gathering for Environmentalists of Color, United Association for Labor Education’s Women’s Labor Summer School, Columbia University, Temple University, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Science for the People, Green Philly Symposium, Green Building United’s Sustainability Symposium, and Netroots Nation.
Zakia’s impactful contributions extend to multiple organizations as a volunteer and board director. She has served on the City of Philadelphia’s Environmental Justice Working Group, the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Climate Change Advisory Council, and on the Boards of the Philadelphia Area Project on Occupational Safety and Health (PhilaPOSH), Philadelphia Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), and the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia.
