The Black Environmental (BE) Initiative began in 2019 as a volunteer-led network founded by Naolo Charles, bringing together dozens of committed volunteers across Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. In the years that followed, Naolo Charles partnered with Dr. Ingrid Waldron to co-found the Canadian Coalition for Environmental and Climate Justice (CCECJ)—a national alliance that played a pivotal role in mobilizing civil society and advocating for the successful passage of Canada’s first environmental justice law in June 2024.

 

In 2020, BE Initiative joined the MakeWay shared platform alongside Dr. Waldron’s ENRICH Project and the CCECJ, gaining operational support to expand its work. After four years of growth and movement-building, BE Initiative transitioned into an independent nonprofit organization in August 2024, officially leaving the MakeWay platform. At the same time, Naolo Charles stepped down from the leadership of the coalition he helped establish, dedicating himself fully to building out BE Initiative’s vision and programs.

 

In February 2025, the inaugural board of BE Initiative—called the General Circle—held its first official meeting to chart the organization’s future.