Draft:Donna Chavis

  • Comment: Please do not resubmit without addressing the issues raised by reviewers. Hitro talk 11:55, 2 May 2026 (UTC)
  • Comment: Not written neutrally, sounds like ChatGPT. Note the bold red citation errors in your references. Bobby Cohn 🍁 (talk) 20:01, 12 November 2025 (UTC)

Donna Chavis (born August 10, 1960) is an elder of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and an environmental justice activist. She is known for co-founding the Robeson County Center for Community Action and for her leadership in national movements linking civil rights, indigenous sovereignty, and climate justice.[1][2] Chavis played a prominent role in opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, described by Democracy Now! as a "David versus Goliath" struggle, and continues to serve as Climate & Energy Justice Program Manager at Friends of the Earth.[3][4][5]

Raised in Pembroke, the seat of the Lumbee Tribe, her indigenous heritage has profoundly shaped her values, perspectives, and lifelong commitment to justice. She has worked alongside prominent leaders such as Benjamin Chavis, Jane Fonda, William Friday, Tom Goldtooth, Donna House, James A. Joseph, Charles Lee, Helen Maynor Scheirbeck, and Ingrid Washenwatok, contributing to movements that link civil rights, environmental justice, and indigenous sovereignty.[6]

Education

Chavis graduated from Pembroke High School at age 16 and was initially accepted to Columbia University. A serious brain injury delayed her studies, but after rehabilitation she enrolled at Pembroke State University in 1968. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Chemistry and Psychology in 1971. Her academic training provided a foundation for her later work in community organizing, philanthropy, and environmental advocacy.[7]

Career and activism

In 1980, Chavis co-founded the Robeson County Center for Community Action, an organization dedicated to sustainable economic development, environmental education, and civic engagement in southeastern North Carolina. She became a leading voice in campaigns against toxic waste and nuclear projects in the region. Chavis also served as a Commissioner of the Racial Justice Commission of the United Church of Christ and was a member of the planning committee for the First National People of Color Leadership Summit in 1991, which produced the influential Principles of Environmental Justice.[6][8]

Leadership roles

Chavis later served as Executive Director of NC Gives, an initiative promoting inclusive philanthropy, and founded the Red Tailed Hawk Collective, a network supporting indigenous and grassroots activism. She has held leadership positions with numerous organizations, including the Fund for Southern Communities, the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina, and the NC Center for Nonprofits. Her work consistently emphasizes equity, sustainability, and the empowerment of marginalized communities

Recent work

In recent years, Chavis has been a senior campaigner with Friends of the Earth U.S., where she led opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline during the Trump administration. She currently serves as Climate & Energy Justice Program Manager for Friends of the Earth, continuing her decades-long commitment to environmental justice. Chavis remains active in the NC Climate Justice Collective and other networks that address the intersection of indigenous rights, climate change, and community resilience[6][9][10]

References

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  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NCWARN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference DN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference MIT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024). https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
  7. ^ Yale School of the Environment (2024). Donna Chavis: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative. (2024).https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/donna-chavis
  8. ^ Peace Sundays. (2021, April 17). Donna Chavis Peace Sundays. https://peacesundays.org/donna-chavis/
  9. ^ Peace Sundays. (2021, April 17). Donna Chavis Peace Sundays.https://peacesundays.org/donna-chavis/
  10. ^ Jones, A. (2025) Donna Chavis – The Coming Storm. https://sites.duke.edu/comingstorm/donna-chavis/

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