The purpose of the conference is to bring together HBCU faculty and students, researchers, climate professionals and environmental justice, coastal community residents, and faith organizations impacted by toxic facilities and severe weather events related to climate change in order to bridge the gap between theory and the experiential realities of climate change. The conference will address issues related to climate justice, adaptation, community resilience, global climate issues, and other major climate change topics (i.e. transportation, energy sources, carbon emissions, green jobs/green economy, just transition, and community economic development).