Meet our Experts

Welcome to The Brown Moon Project’s Expert Contributor Network. Our network brings together leading specialists in climate research, policy, and advocacy to drive change. From intimate conversations in our Fireside Chat Series to thought-provoking papers and blogs, our contributors help bridge the gap between research and real-world action.

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  • Belinda Archibong is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

    Her research areas include development economics, political economy, economic history and environmental economics with an African regional focus. Her research investigates the role of historical institutions and environment in inequality of access to public services and the development of human capital, particularly in the areas of education, labor and health. Research topics include studies of the effects of epidemics on gender gaps in human capital investment, the economics of epidemics and vaccination, and the impacts of air pollution from gas flaring on human capital outcomes; with a focus on the ways in which institutions mitigate or exacerbate the impacts of climate change and environment on inequalities around gender and marginalized groups. Other work focuses on the effects of institutions around prison labor, protest and taxation on socioeconomic inequality, and a recent body of work studies how to leverage access to digital markets to improve employment and firm productivity and reduce gender inequality in labor markets.

    Archibong is a Fellow with the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). She was previously an Associate Professor of Economics at Barnard College, Columbia University. Her research is published/forthcoming in numerous academic journals, and her work has also been cited by various media outlets including the New York Times, NPR and Al Jazeera, and informed testimony on vaccine policy to US Congress.

    She received a B.A. in Economics/Philosophy and a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development from Columbia University. Her CV and further information can also be found on her personal website.

  • Originally from North Carolina, Jasmine Jennings is an attorney for over six years, focusing on environmental law. In the early stages of her career, Jasmine worked on air and water quality, municipal and hazardous waste management, renewable energy, transportation electrification, and novel legislative efforts including the New Jersey Environmental Justice Law and the New York State Plastic Bag Ban. In recent years, Jasmine pivoted to federal climate and energy policy with a focus on clean energy deployment, transmission and grid reliability, energy democracy, decarbonization, energy efficiency standards, artificial intelligence and environmental impacts, Inflation Reduction Act implementation and more. Inherent in all of her work is a focus on environmental justice, equity, climate justice, and community-forward advocacy.

    Jasmine began her career as a Senior Associate Attorney at Earthjustice in New York, New York, and transitioned to a Climate and Energy Attorney at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Currently, she is Senior Legislative Counsel at Earthjustice in the Washington, D.C. office. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina School of Law. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with beloved friends and family, travel, service in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., mentorship to young women and girls, and naturally, college basketball.

  • Judene is a 1st year PhD Economics Student and Graduate Research Assistant at Georgia State University. She is interested in economic research at the intersection of environmental and public economics.

    Before attending Georgia State, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Economics, summa cum laude at Howard University. At Howard, she was an inducted Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon member. She was also an AEA Summer Program Foundations Scholar in Summer 2023.

    Originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, Judene aspires to work with developing countries to amplify the issues and disparities they experience and support them in economic and sustainable development on the ground through research and policy.

  • Sarah Nesbit is an advocate, storyteller, and creative passionate about advancing social impact. Nesbit earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from the College of Charleston in 2018 and is an alumna of the prestigious Congressional Black Caucus Leadership Institute, where she worked for the Honorable former Whip James Clyburn. She then completed a dual master's program in business and global luxury management at North Carolina State University and the SKEMA Business School of Paris, where she focused her research on sustainable and social impact practices for luxury corporations.

    Her entrepreneurial spirit, creative mindset, and passion for social impact—centered through an advocacy lens—drive her work ethic. She has a diverse background that includes experiences within the arts, public policy, sustainability, social justice, small business advocacy, and activating communities at the grassroots level. Most recently, she was named a 2024 U.S. Black Chambers Power 50 Under 40 leader, a 2023 GreenBiz 30 Under 30 honoree, and is actively a Re/Make 2024 ambassador, advocating for ethical, sustainable fashion practices within the industry.

    As the co-founder of BlackOak Collective, a networking community of Black advocates and professionals within the environmental and sustainability industry, Nesbit has created an organization that fosters a sense of community and belonging. BlackOak promotes job opportunities by providing community, creating employment pathways with partnering corporations, fostering mentorship, amplifying the voices of Black environmentalists, and expanding networks through strategic programming and social events.

    She has been a featured speaker for several events hosted by DMV-based HBCUs, the DC Democratic Party, and extensive community organizations across the District of Columbia. In May of 2024, Nesbit was a featured speaker at Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR)’s 3rd Annual Sustainability Forum presented by H&M, Macy’s, and Victoria’s Secret & Co. As an advocate, eco-creative, and a self-proclaimed fashion enthusiast, she shared the story of BlackOak Collective with industry executives, creatives, and enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainability and inclusion. Her work at BlackOak is a testament to Sarah's commitment to building a more inclusive and diverse industry.

    She is currently at Capital One, where she is a social impact thought leader on the community advocacy & risk team within the external affairs strategy and engagement department. In her role, she brings the stories, perspectives, and priorities of key external stakeholders, advocates, and elected officials to internal partners to advance inclusion and the impact of the company within the communities it serves. Before coming to Capital One, Sarah wrapped up a stint as an associate at JP Morgan Chase & Co., where she worked on the amplified stories on the small business philanthropy, corporate sustainability, and impact finance teams.

    Before JPMC, Sarah previously built and managed the storytelling program at Climate Power. Her work and stories were all featured and uplifted in national publications throughout the nation and powered by the support of the Center for American Progress, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Sierra Club during the 2020 election cycle. Right ahead of that, Sarah worked as a political organizer for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign.

    Nesbit is a proud native of Columbia, SC, and was driven to work in the environmental space after experiencing the devastating effects of natural disasters at the home of her Gullah-Geechee grandparents on the coast of SC, where she spent her childhood summers. Environmental racism has been a reality for many communities of color along the coast of the Carolinas for generations. As an advocate for Black women, Sarah is committed to implementing positive change by continually speaking up and speaking out on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  • Mina Mohammed is a passionate advocate for health equity, civic engagement, and cultural awareness. A recent Vanderbilt University graduate with a degree in Medicine, Health, and Society, she has been deeply involved in community outreach, serving as a leader in Volunteers for Health, where she worked to provide health education to underserved elementary school students in the Nashville community. She also held key roles in Vanderbilt’s Ethiopian-Eritrean Student Association, including Director of Civic Engagement and Awareness and Senior Advisor, focusing on mobilizing and empowering diaspora communities.

    With a strong interest in maternal and child health, she is committed to addressing disparities in healthcare access and advocating for culturally competent care. As a Black woman navigating the healthcare space, she brings a unique perspective on the intersections of identity, systemic challenges, and public health advocacy. Through her experiences, she hopes to champion initiatives that uplift marginalized communities and drive meaningful change.

Auburn Bell


  • Auburn Bell is a Legislative Representative at Earthjustice working to stop the greenwashing of false solutions to the climate crisis that perpetuate the build out of fossil fuel infrastructure, including hydrogen, carbon capture, and biogas. Prior to joining Earthjustice, Auburn was a policy analyst at the Center for American Progress working on industrial decarbonization, clean energy technologies, and permitting policy. She also served as a senior legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, dealing with topics such as environmental justice, civil rights, and Puerto Rico, and as an Insular Affairs and Oversight Policy aide for the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. Auburn holds a master’s degree in American government from Georgetown University. She is a proud alumna of Georgia Southern University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in political science and Spanish with honors. Auburn is originally from Colón, Panamá, but also calls Chicago and Douglasville, Georgia, home.

  • Morgan Johnson is senior manager of energy policy for the Data Center Coalition (DCC), the membership association serving as the voice of the data center industry.

    Prior to joining DCC, Morgan was a Senior Staff Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and its Sustainable FERC Project, where she advocated for energy policy priorities across the federal government, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Holding expertise in a variety of energy regulatory, permitting and environmental contexts, Morgan has appeared in panels and presentations hosted by the Environmental Legal Institute, Energy Bar Association, and Pipeline Safety Trust, among others.

    Morgan attended the Ohio State University and its John Glenn College of Public Affairs, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Management, and Leadership. Morgan earned her JD and Environmental Law Certificate from the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she also serves as an Adjunct Professor, teaching a course on federal law and policy to law students learning and working in DC.

    Morgan is active on a number of environmental and education-focused nonprofit boards, and volunteers for Rural Dog Rescue, a DC-based foster and rescue organization.

  • Malayna Nesbitt is a public health researcher, citizen science expert and environmental justice advocate committed to making science accessible and actionable for communities. With a B.S. in Public Health and African American Studies from the College of Charleston and an M.P.H. in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from the Medical University of South Carolina, she specializes in community-driven research, environmental health, and sustainability-focused engagement.

    As Research and Engagement Coordinator for the Charleston Community Research to Action Board (CCRAB), Malayna led air quality monitoring initiatives in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, equipping communities with citizen science tools to assess environmental health disparities. She has facilitated environmental justice workshops, citizen science sessions, and participatory research initiatives, ensuring that local residents play a central role in addressing pollution and public health concerns.

    Recently, she completed her role as Inclusive Initiatives Research Analyst at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in expanding research partnerships with emerging institutions. She also serves as the Digital and Student Engagement Fellow at BlackOak Collective, where she manages outreach, event planning, and content strategy to connect Black professionals to climate and environmental careers. This year, she is curating a sustainable fashion show for DC Climate Week, fusing creativity with environmental advocacy.

    Beyond her research, Malayna is a multidisciplinary artist and founder of Makeba’s Muse, a creative platform for upcycled jewelry, painting, and sustainability-focused art. Her work transforms discarded materials into bold, intentional pieces, reflecting themes of sustainability and cultural storytelling. She has presented at national and international conferences, received multiple research grants, and continues to drive conversations at the intersection of science, art, and activism.

    Through her work, Malayna is redefining citizen science, sustainability, and public health advocacy, ensuring that research is not just about communities—but led by them.

  • Jasmine Fuller is an economics Ph.D student at Howard University in Washington DC. She specializes in urban and environmental economics, exploring the financial consequences of climate change and other environmental issues. Currently she serves as a research assistant at Howard University investigating the economic impacts of severe weather events