Black Excellence in Sustainability 2025

Alexis Armstrong, Sustainability Coordinator for Ford House

Alexis is a sustainability professional, strategist, and community leader dedicated to advancing environmental responsibility and equity. As Sustainability Coordinator at Ford House, she leads initiatives in resource conservation, sustainable procurement, and circular economy strategies.

She plays a key role in the Lake St. Clair shoreline restoration project, organizing collaborative efforts to drive both environmental and community impact.

She is also the Co-Founder & Director of Eco Journey Detroit, a platform focused on sustainability education, community engagement, and actionable change. With a background in environmental science and a vision for integrating sustainability into business strategy, she is committed to advancing policies and initiatives that bridge environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility, and community-driven solutions.

Anita Cobb, MBA Market Leader for Aviation Equity Strategies

Anita Cobb, MBA, is Mead & Hunt’s Market Leader for Aviation Equity Strategies. She has a passion for and specializes in matters related to workforce development, environmental justice, community collaboration, youth education, family empowerment, and mentorship.

She supports and shares creative strategies focused on advocacy, transparency, and resource literacy for individuals who are marginalized and in need of exposure to opportunities to experience and contribute to optimized transportation.

Anita’s recent activities revolve around the importance of accessibility and equity in employment, project teams, and the built environment. This includes collaborating with academics to explore neurodiversity in the workplace, planning, and engineering, developing targeted universalism approaches for disadvantaged and underserved communities, and producing strategies to optimize DBE training, development, and significant project participation. She is also involved in the production of best practice documentation that addresses systemic inequalities in the aviation industry.

Brittanie Dabney, CEO & Co-Founder of Ecosphere Organics

Brittanie Dabney is a scientist and sustainable business entrepreneur. As CEO and Co-Founder of Ecosphere Organics, she leads efforts to convert food waste into high-value raw materials while developing cutting-edge technologies that optimize waste conversion, material selection, and sustainable manufacturing.

With a background in aquatic ecotoxicology and material science, her work bridges research and real-world application, ensuring that environmental sustainability is both scalable and impactful.

Beyond her work at Ecosphere Organics, Brittanie is a Ph.D. Candidate in Biology & Urban Sustainability at Wayne State University, where she researches water sustainability and the ecological impacts of microplastics. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy, Board Member of the Detroit River Coalition, and mentors young people of color in STEAM, advocating for equity in environmental science and technology fields.

Her vision is to leverage science, technology, and collaboration for a future where sustainability is
not just an ideal but an achievable, scalable reality.

Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest

Adrian Lewis was named CEO of Forgotten Harvest in 2023. As the leader of Metro Detroit’s largest food rescue organization, Adrian is focused on building trusting relationships with community members, leaders, and other organizations to strategically fight and end hunger and food insecurity throughout Metro Detroit and beyond. 

Adrian is committed to continuous learning and the development of both his own leadership and the leadership capacity of those serving under and alongside him.

Most recently, he has been participating in the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class 45 and has served as a panelist on the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum’s panel “Reducing Hunger, Building Climate Leadership: The Future of Food Rescue in Michigan” alongside leaders from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Lineage Foundation for Good and more.

With a balanced business acumen honed through an Executive MBA degree from Howard University and over 25 years of leadership experience, Adrian steers Forgotten Harvest’s present practices and ongoing growth with precision and sustainability. 

Under his leadership, Forgotten Harvest is strategically expanding its reach in the region with mobile trailers able to visit the most underserved food-insecure communities, started a partnership with My Green Michigan to turn food loss from the organization’s rescue and donation model into compost, and is conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment to guide environmental efforts to further improve sustainability processes.

Adrian dedicates himself to fostering environments of community engagement, social impact, and mentoring. In past roles, he was a Meijer Credit Union Board Director and has been involved with the Detroit Public Schools Revitalization, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Make-A-Wish America, and has been recognized as one of The Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence.

Alex Little, City Manager for City of Benton Harbor

Alex Little has over 50 years of public sector service in positions of City Manager, HR & Labor Relations Director, and Economic Development Director. He is currently serving as City Manager of Benton Harbor, MI – for the third time.

He has served in East St. Louis, IL., State Econ. Economic Opportunity for State of Illinois under Governor Jim Thompson, Cities of Ann Arbor, MI, Green Bay, WI, Harvey, IL, Gary, IN, Washtenaw County, MI., Broward County, FL., President of Peoria Economic Development Assn. and Comptroller for a large nonprofit in San Jose, CA.

During the most recent three years with the City of Benton Harbor, he has enjoyed working closely with Dan and Dominique of the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. During this time, the City with the help of the State and Governor Whitmer and support of his Mayor and City Commission, has completed a $30 million lead line replacement project; around $29 million in Water Plant improvements, a number of significant development projects including the Ox Creek Project which is in process.

J. Moore, Founder of Grow The Earth

J. Moore, a Lansing, MI native, is the founder of Grow The Earth, a pioneering initiative dedicated to cultivating a culture of sustainability through advocacy.

Rooted in the core values of environment, equity, economy, and humanity, Grow The Earth develops and distributes green products while forging meaningful partnerships with brands, organizations, and individuals committed to prioritizing the well-being of the planet.  

For Moore, sustainability is more than a practice—it is an ongoing conversation and intercultural exchange. By emphasizing awareness, education, and learning, Grow The Earth bridges local initiatives with global collaborations, working alongside diverse communities to promote sustainable practices that create lasting impact.  

Originally launched in 2022 as Lansing’s first Black-owned coffee company, Grow The Earth has since expanded into a distribution hub for sustainable products, empowering consumers to take action in protecting the environment.  

A former educator, Moore remains deeply committed to community engagement and environmental advocacy. He collaborates with the State of Michigan and Michigan Green Schools to host and facilitate the Student Sustainability Summit, inspiring the next generation of climate-conscious leaders. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Committee for the Michigan Climate Education Hub, acts as a Michigan Green School Coordinator, and dedicates time to river clean-ups and environmental advocacy initiatives.  

Through his unwavering dedication and innovative approach, J. Moore continues to push the boundaries of sustainability, ensuring that every effort contributes to a more just and environmentally conscious world.  

Crystal Scott-Tunstall, Affiliate Professor
at Grand Valley State University

Crystal Scott-Tunstall is an Affiliate Professor in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies program at Grand Valley State University.

Crystal is also the Internship Coordinator for the Brooks College School of Interdisciplinary Study.

Crystal is a Standford-trained Design Thinking practitioner and solutions strategist. Crystal serves on the Kent County Food and Nutrition Coalition, New City Neighbors Urban Farm Board of Directors, Mi STEM Advisory Board, and the NAACP Environmental Justice Committee. 

Regina R. Strong, MS APR, Environmental Justice Public Advocate for
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy

Regina Strong is an effective advocate, powerful communicator and skillful negotiator. For more than 30 years, she has been a leader in public relations, public affairs, advocacy and the fight for justice and equity.

As the state’s inaugural Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), she serves as head of the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate. The office focuses on ensuring that all Michiganders benefit equitably from the state’s environmental laws and regulations while advocating internally and externally. Regina is also the Whitmer administration’s chief advisor on environmental justice.

Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan Beyond Coal Campaign. In that role, she led a team focused on transitioning energy generation from coal dependency to clean, renewable energy.

As a passionate voice for change, she previously served the as the director of the Community Development Trade Association in Detroit where she fought to preserve the ability for nonprofit developers to build affordable housing for seniors and families. She also advocated for commercial revitalization and received Main Street Certification from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Regina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in Journalism, as well as a graduate certificate in Strategic Communications Management and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America and is also a Senior Fellow in the Great Lakes Region for the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP).

Regina serves as a member of the Racial Justice Task Force for the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and is a member of the board for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). She is also a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program. Regina is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Jemel Thompson, Environmental Engineer for Fishbeck

Jemel Thompson, a proud Detroit native and passionate environmental engineer, is dedicated to
tackling environmental and community challenges.

A graduate of Renaissance High School and
Michigan Technological University with a degree in environmental engineering, he launched his
career in Grand Rapids, leading groundwater PFAS remediation efforts and conducting stormwater site assessments for local partners and major automotive clients.

Now a water resources engineer at Fishbeck, Jemel is at the forefront of transformative projects, including the Ox Creek restoration in Benton Harbor, the naturalization of the Black River Drain in Allegan County, and a hydrogeomorphic study for the Shiawassee River State Game Area. As an active Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) member, he leverages his technical expertise to drive sustainable community growth. With a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, Jemel strives to be both a technical expert and a valuable resource for his community, strengthening the connection between people and the environment.

Madeline Walker, Miller Founder and CEO of NexTiles

Madeline Walker Miller is the Founder and CEO of NexTiles, a Detroit-based textile recycling company that converts textile waste into building insulation and other eco-friendly products.

Her professional background focuses on reducing textile waste and its harmful impacts to our natural environment.

Her company specializes in creating secondary uses for textiles and engaging Detroiters in creating circular economy solutions. She is an alumna of Spelman College and earned a master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Madeline’s passion lies in empowering young Black people and people of color to embrace environmentally sustainable behaviors. She is a PhD candidate in the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), studying in the Urban Energy Justice Lab.

Miller serves on the boards of the Greenhome Institute and the Ecology Center. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In her spare time, she enjoys family outings and time with her dog, Allie.

Renee Wallace, CEO of Doers Edge

Reneé Wallace is a strategic leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for urban composting and sustainability.

As the Founder & CEO of Doers Edge LLC and Executive Director of FoodPLUS Detroit, she spearheads initiatives that drive composting adoption, food waste reduction, and environmental resilience across Detroit, Michigan, and beyond.

Reneé leads the People’s Compost Initiative, aligning community composting efforts with Detroit’s Climate Strategy and Sustainability Action Agenda.

She plays a pivotal role in state and national composting initiatives, serving as a member of the Michigan Organics Council, an EGLE NextCycle MI ambassador, and a US Composting Council award recipient for grassroots leadership. Internationally, she has collaborated on projects supporting composting as a climate and health solution.

With over three decades of experience in strategic planning, change management, and stakeholder engagement, Reneé specializes in building collaborative systems that advance sustainability and community resilience. Certified in Change Management, Business Process Improvement, and Participatory Modeling, she translates visionary ideas into actionable solutions that drive measurable impact.