April 6, 2023  |  8:00am – 5:00pm  |  Charlotte / Hybrid

Join us for North Carolina’s premier climate health conference at the 658 Center in Charlotte on April 6, 2023. Conference attendees will:

* Learn about the key challenges climate change poses to NC communities
* Discover innovative strategies that are advancing health and equity in NC
* Network and build partnerships with leading voices in health, science, and policy
* Shape recommendations for NC decision-makers to support those most vulnerable to air pollution and climate change

2023 Keynote Speakers

aaron levy atrium health

Dr. Aaron Levy

Pediatrician, Levine Children's Hospital

Pediatrician Dr. Aaron Levy has a firsthand perspective on how climate change and air pollution impacts our most vulnerable population—including environmental justice communities and children struggling with asthma. In his opening address, Dr. Levy will explore the role of healthcare providers to lead on this public health issue through education and patient care. He will then turn toward the role medical institutions play in driving the climate crisis, and how the healthcare industry can take steps to reduce its footprint.

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Mustafa Santiago Ali

Executive Vice President, The National Wildlife Federation

As a thought leader and strategist, Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is focused on propelling our most vulnerable communities toward economic and environmental justice. In his address Dr. Ali will discuss his decades of experience in the environmental justice movement. He’ll also look at the role we all play in achieving a truly equitable future, offering guidance on partnering with environmental justice communities and sharing tools for community-driven projects.

Health Equity Panel Discussion

This panel discussion will highlight how health professionals are partnering with environmental justice communities to advance community-driven research and solutions through collecting and utilizing environmental health data that supports interagency and promotes health and equity through policy advocacy.

crystal dixon

Moderator: Crystal Dixon

Wake Forest University

Arlinda Ellison, DHSc, MS

Alamance County Health Department

Virginia Guidry, PhD, MPH

NC Department of Health and Human Services

Chris Heaney

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Voices from the Frontline Panel Discussion

Hear from community leaders and groups who are working on the frontline to address the impact of climate change in their communities and beyond. This session could include policy, education, or research efforts.

Moderator: Sherri White-Williamson

NC Conservation Network

Crystal Cavalier-Keck

7 Directions of Service
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Omega Wilson

West End Revitalization Association
ana flores

Ana Flores-Dolbow

Toxic Free NC

Youth Panel: Future Climate Justice Leaders

Join this discussion and hear from the next generation of climate leaders as they discuss the evolution of their strategies and experiences working with their communities. This panel will focus on how youth are engaging in the environmental and climate justice movement through leading and collaborating with other student-led and community-based organizations for an intergenerational movement that promotes healthier communities and sustainable changes.

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Moderator: Yancey Fouche

Davidson College
harmony mason

Harmony Mason

Catawba College

Shruti Agrawal

New Normal X
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Bailey Scarlett

Davidson College

Closing Remarks with Lisa Sorg

lisa sorgBring your vision for environmental justice and health equity into focus with closing remarks by Lisa Sorg, environmental journalist with NC Policy Watch and co-winner of the National Press Foundation Thomas L. Stokes Award for Best Energy and Environment Writing.

Conference Agenda

In-person and virtual

8:00 AM - 9:00 AMRegistration & Breakfast

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9:00 AM - 9:10 AMWelcome | Land & Water Acknowledgement

9:10 AM - 9:50 AMHealth Keynote: Dr. Aaron Levy

 Dr. Aaron Levy, DO, a pediatrician at Atrium Health, will kick off the event, sharing his perspective on caring for children who struggle with asthma — and how air pollution and climate change can exacerbate the health conditions of the patients he treats. He’ll offer a call to action to encourage other health professionals to become advocates and help find solutions.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AMHealth Equity Panel Discussion

This panel discussion will highlight how health professionals are partnering with environmental justice communities to advance community-driven research and solutions through collecting and utilizing environmental health data that supports interagency and promotes health and equity through policy advocacy.

11:10 AM - 12:00 PMEnvironmental Justice Keynote: Mustafa Santiago Ali, PhD

Mustafa Santiago Ali, founder of Revitalization Strategies and executive vice president of the National Wildlife Federation, will offer guidance on partnering with environmental justice communities and sharing tools for community-driven projects like CleanAIRE NC’s Historic West End Green District partnership.

12:00 PM - 12:45 PMLunch & Exhibitor Tour

12:45 PM - 1:05 PMStudent Poster Presentations

1:10 PM - 2:10 PMVoices from the Frontline Panel Discussion

This panel discussion will focus on how community members and groups are working to address the impact of climate change in their communities and beyond. This session could include policy, education, or research efforts.

2:20 PM - 3:20 PMYouth Panel: Future Climate Justice Leaders

The panel discussion will focus on how youth are engaging in the environmental and climate justice movement through leading and collaborating with other student-led and community-based organizations for an intergenerational movement that promotes healthier communities and sustainable changes.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PMClosing Remarks with Lisa Sorg

Lisa Sorg, environmental journalist with NC Policy Watch and co-winner of the National Press Foundation Thomas L. Stokes Award for Best Energy and Environment Writing, will summarize the conference and offer closing remarks.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PMConference Networking | Happy Hour

Thank You to Our Sponsors

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epa logo
catawba college
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About the Conference

CleanAIRE NC’s annual NC BREATHE conference brings together a diverse group of North Carolina stakeholders including health professionals, researchers, students, frontline communities, and policymakers to learn about current issues at the intersection of health, equity and climate change. Using evidence-based science, we make recommendations to decision-makers aimed at protecting those most vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution and climate change to promote healthier communities.

Conference FAQ

1.Where is the conference located?

The hybrid 2023 NC BREATHE conference will be live-streamed online through Zoom Events and in person at the 7,000 square foot 658 Center in Charlotte, North Carolina located at 3646 Central Avenue just 10 minutes from uptown Charlotte.

2.Are there hotel accommodations near the event venue?

The closest hotel accommodations to the venue are in the uptown Charlotte area. Here are a few that we recommend:

Hampton Inn Charlotte 530 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202 (9 min, 4.7 miles)

Hilton Garden Inn 508 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202 (9 min, 4.8 miles)

Home2Suites 610 S Caldwell St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (11 min, 5.1 miles)

3.Where should I park?

There is plenty of free parking available at the event location with overflow parking available across Central Avenue. Look for event signs and volunteer parking attendants to help direct you to the right location. We encourage all attendees to carpool or take public transportation when possible.

4.Is there public transportation available?

Yes. CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) is the public transportation provider in Charlotte which operates Bus routes. Bus Route 9 – Central Avenue will take you from the main Charlotte Transportation Center to a bus stop (at the corner of Carolyn & Central) within a minute walking distance to the venue.

Other public transportation options in Charlotte are:

LYNX Light Rail

Amtrak Station

5.What is the dress code for the conference?

The dress code is business casual or smart casual. We recommend clothing that makes you feel comfortable and layered, allowing you to dress up or down as room temperatures may vary.

6.What does the event price include?

In-person attendee price includes breakfast, lunch, and access to the networking “Happy Hour” immediately following the conference, as well as virtual access to the conference.

Students may attend the conference free of charge either in person or virtually but registration is required. In person participation includes breakfast and lunch.

The virtual attendee price includes online access to the conference, including keynote speakers, panel discussions as well as virtual networking opportunities before, during, and after the conference date.

7.What is the event cancellation policy?

All tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another person or down-graded to virtual access.

8.I need financial assistance in order to attend the conference. What should I do?

For those who feel the registration fee and cost to travel would impede their participation, we may be able to offer a conference scholarship. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.