In Camden, environmental justice advocates lay out election agenda for gubernatorial election and beyond
CAMDEN, NJ (SBN) — Environmental justice advocates, organized by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV), kicked off a series of statewide presentations last week in Camden in what the League called an effort "to spark conversation around the environmental, health, and economic future of the Garden State."
Speakers at the Camden event focused on the urgent need for climate action, environmental justice, and community resilience as Camden faces worsening floods, poor air quality, extreme heat, and public health threats due to climate change.
“In Camden, we see firsthand how the climate crisis is not a distant threat but a daily reality. From extreme heat and flooding to poor air quality, communities are already feeling the effects, especially low-income families and communities of color," said Luke Pavlov, campaigns manager, NJLCV, who chaired the meeting. "That’s why transitioning to clean, renewable energy is not just about protecting the planet—it’s about protecting our neighbors, improving public health, and creating good local jobs. Camden deserves a clean energy future that leaves no one behind.”
State Broadcast News covered the entire conference, and you can watch speaker presentations in the players below.
Opening Remarks - Shaneka Boucher, former Camden council member
Former Camden council member Shaneka Boucher opened the program with remarks about the importance of seeking environmental justice for Camden residents and other beleaguered social justice communities.
SBN news director Steve Lubetkin used a clip from Ms. Boucher's presentation in his Radio Jersey newscast on August 13. You can hear that story in this audio player:
Overview of Green and Healthy Cities - Olivia Carpenter Glenn
Olivia Carpenter Glenn of Baobab-Blossom Consulting gave an overview of green and health cities.
Environmental Tour and Actions Taken - Jon Compton and Maggie Broughton, Esq.
Jon Compton, executive director of the Camden-based Center for Environmental Transformation, discussed the specific environmental issues facing Camden and reviewed advocates' efforts to repair some of the environmental risks stemming from heavy industrial activity near Camden's poorest neighborhoods.
Maggie Broughton discussed the Eastern Environmental Law Center's recently filed lawsuit with CFET that aims aim to compel the DEP to fulfill its statutory obligation to regulate facilities like EMR under solid waste law and the Environmental Rights Act to protect all New Jersey residents equally.
SBN news director Steve Lubetkin used an audio comment from Ms. Broughton in his Radio Jersey newscast on August 15. You can hear that news report in the audio player below.
Shaneka Boucher
Shaneka M. Boucher is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in government programs, education leadership, and community development. Known for her strategic vision and ability to create systems that drive success, Shaneka has dedicated her career to empowering underprivileged communities through innovative initiatives and impactful policies.
As a City Council Member for Camden, New Jersey, Shaneka served over 75,000 constituents in the state’s 12th largest city, overseeing a $280 million budget. She sponsored and passed data-driven legislation focusing on public safety, housing, and environmental justice. As Chair of the Legislative Committee, she championed equity within city contracts and advanced mutually beneficial policies through collaboration with stakeholders.
Shaneka’s achievements extend to education, where she has excelled in roles such as Director of Enrollment and Community Relations at Mastery Charter School. There, she increased enrollment by over 50%, secured $60,000 in funding within six months, and forged critical partnerships with community colleges to expand educational opportunities. At CSMI LLC, she founded enrollment and school programs departments, raised $500,000 in funding, and developed childcare programs that grossed $400,000 annually.
Her extensive nonprofit experience includes founding Social Responsibility Through Me, which provides scholarships, internships, and volunteer opportunities for students, and serving on multiple boards, including Heart of Camden and Rising Stars. A dedicated advocate for equity and community revitalization, Shaneka has successfully raised over $25 million for education, public safety, and community development projects in urban areas across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Shaneka holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hunter College. She is also a certified Business Administrator in New Jersey and a Notary Public. Her affiliations include the Junior League of Philadelphia, Camden City Parking Authority, and various other community-focused organizations.
With expertise in project management, strategic planning, and relationship building, Shaneka continues to drive transformational change, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she serves. She has one daughter Eva who is 18 years old and attending college.
Maggie Broughton, Esq.
Before joining EELC, Maggie worked on zoning and land use cases as a law clerk for Bryan Brice & Associates in Raleigh, NC. Prior to that, Maggie was an extern at the Southern Environmental Law Center in Chapel Hill, NC, where they worked on environmental justice and water quality issues; and a summer intern at Super Law Group, LLC, in New York City, where they worked on Clean Water Act permitting. Maggie graduated from Vermont Law School in 2021 with a J.D. and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy and graduated from Ithaca College in 2018 with a degree in Philosophy/Religion.
Jon Compton
Jon is the Executive Director of CFET. He has been working and living in Camden for the past seven years and enjoys working in CFET’s garden and beehives.
Olivia Carpenter Green
A longtime advocate of ensuring underserved communities have access to the outdoors, Olivia believes every New Jerseyan has a right to experience and enjoy the benefits of nature.
Olivia previously led the DEP’s Division of Parks and Forestry, serving since 2018 as its director and managing its 450,000 acres of natural and historic resources. From 2003 to 2009, she worked as the Division’s Urban Initiatives and Outreach Coordinator and subsequently served as special assistant to the DEP Deputy
Commissioner. Olivia later was a member of the DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council, leading its efforts in outreach, education and land management.
Olivia also has worked with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, making outdoor spaces and trails more readily available to Greater Philadelphia residents, especially people living in Camden.
In 2018, the Camden Collaborative Initiative honored her with the Camden Environmental Hero Award. As Deputy Commissioner, Olivia will chair CCI’s Steering Committee and will be responsible for environmental justice, diversity and environmental education.
Olivia earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Dartmouth College. She holds a master’s degree from the Yale School of the Environment, where she wrote her master’s thesis on park revitalization in Camden.
In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, as well as singing and playing the flute, piano and bassoon. Olivia is married and has three children.