ABOUT MEISHKA
Meishka L. Mitchell, AICP, PP, is President & CEO of Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national nonprofit that advances racial, economic, and climate justice to build communities that are more equitable, economically just, and sustainable. Meishka has over 20 years of visionary leadership experience in climate justice and equitable and inclusive neighborhood development.
An “accidental environmentalist”, Meishka has spent her career tackling environmental injustice in frontline communities, beginning with her hometown of Camden, New Jersey. She has led efforts to address water equity, illegal dumping, air quality, brownfields redevelopment, and green energy with a focus on community education and engagement. She is committed to the expansion of the term “environment” to be inclusive of urban environments and BIPOC communities. Meishka has established several national award-winning sustainability collaborations that have become replicable models for collective impact in underserved communities. She is also a known advocate and sought out speaker for climate justice.
Meishka has a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, and maintains a Professional Planners license with the State of New Jersey, where she lives with her family.
An “accidental environmentalist”, Meishka has spent her career tackling environmental injustice in frontline communities, beginning with her hometown of Camden, New Jersey. She has led efforts to address water equity, illegal dumping, air quality, brownfields redevelopment, and green energy with a focus on community education and engagement. She is committed to the expansion of the term “environment” to be inclusive of urban environments and BIPOC communities. Meishka has established several national award-winning sustainability collaborations that have become replicable models for collective impact in underserved communities. She is also a known advocate and sought out speaker for climate justice.
Meishka has a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, and maintains a Professional Planners license with the State of New Jersey, where she lives with her family.
AWARDS
▪ 2020 Women to Watch, South Jersey Biz magazine, February 2020
▪ Sustainability Hero, Sustainable New Jersey, July 2016
▪ United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey, Stephen C. Ries Community Advocate Award, May 2016
▪ Healthy Kids Champion, New Partnership for Healthy Kids/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, December 2014
▪ Camden County Sustainability Champion Award, Camden County Board of Freeholders, November 2013
▪ Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders Proclamation, 013 African-American Women Achievers, November 2013
▪ Office of Mayor, Camden, NJ, Mayor Dana L. Redd, 2013 African-American Women Achievers, November 2013
▪ African American Woman Achiever, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., November 2013
▪ City Council of Camden, NJ Commendation, 2012 Woman of Purpose, March 2012
▪ Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, US Congressman Robert Andrews, March 2012
▪ Woman of Purpose Award, Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd, March 2012
▪ State of New Jersey, Joint Legislative Commendation, 2012 Woman of Purpose, March 2012
▪ Distinguished Young Planner of the Year, American Planning Association-NJ Chapter, November 2011
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