Donna Chavis
 | This article appears to have been generated by a large language model (such as ChatGPT) without having been rigorously scrutinized for verifiability, neutrality, original research, and copyright compliance. It may include misleading or inaccurate claims and fake references that sound plausible. (November 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
Donna Chavis (born August 10, 1960) is an elder of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and an environmental justice activist. She is known for co-founding the Robeson County Center for Community Action and for her leadership in national movements linking civil rights, indigenous sovereignty, and climate justice.[1][2] Chavis played a prominent role in opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, described by Democracy Now! as a "David versus Goliath" struggle, and continues to serve as Climate & Energy Justice Program Manager at Friends of the Earth.[3][4][5]
Raised in Pembroke, the seat of the Lumbee Tribe, her indigenous heritage has profoundly shaped her values, perspectives, and lifelong commitment to justice. She has worked alongside prominent leaders such as Benjamin Chavis, Jane Fonda, William Friday, Tom Goldtooth, Donna House, James A. Joseph, Charles Lee, Helen Maynor Scheirbeck, and Ingrid Washenwatok, contributing to movements that link civil rights, environmental justice, and indigenous sovereignty.[6]
Education
Chavis graduated from Pembroke High School at age 16 and was initially accepted to Columbia University. A serious brain injury delayed her studies, but after rehabilitation she enrolled at Pembroke State University in 1968. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Chemistry and Psychology in 1971. Her academic training provided a foundation for her later work in community organizing, philanthropy, and environmental advocacy.[7]
Career and activism
In 1980, Chavis co-founded the Robeson County Center for Community Action, an organization dedicated to sustainable economic development, environmental education, and civic engagement in southeastern North Carolina. She became a leading voice in campaigns against toxic waste and nuclear projects in the region. Chavis also served as a Commissioner of the Racial Justice Commission of the United Church of Christ and was a member of the planning committee for the First National People of Color Leadership Summit in 1991, which produced the influential Principles of Environmental Justice.[8][9]
Leadership roles
Chavis later served as Executive Director of NC Gives, an initiative promoting inclusive philanthropy, and founded the Red Tailed Hawk Collective, a network supporting indigenous and grassroots activism. She has held leadership positions with numerous organizations, including the Fund for Southern Communities, the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, and the NC Center for Nonprofits. Her work consistently emphasizes equity, sustainability, and the empowerment of marginalized communities
Recent work
In recent years, Chavis has been a senior campaigner with Friends of the Earth U.S., where she led opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline during the Trump administration. She currently serves as Climate & Energy Justice Program Manager for Friends of the Earth, continuing her decades-long commitment to environmental justice. Chavis remains active in the NC Climate Justice Collective and other networks that address the intersection of indigenous rights, climate change, and community resilience[10][11][12]
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedYale - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNCWARN - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedDN - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBS - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMIT - ↑ Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024). https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
- ↑ Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024).https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
- ↑ Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024). https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
- ↑ Peace Sundays. (2021, April 17). Donna Chavis Peace Sundays. https://peacesundays.org/donna-chavis/
- ↑ Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024). https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
- ↑ Peace Sundays. (2021, April 17). Donna Chavis Peace Sundays.https://peacesundays.org/donna-chavis/
- ↑ Jones, A. (2025) Donna Chavis – The Coming Storm. https://sites.duke.edu/comingstorm/donna-chavis/
This article "Donna Chavis" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Donna Chavis. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
