Meet Arielle King | Environmental Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arielle King and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arielle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To me, taking risks means stepping outside of your comfort zone and/or taking an unconventional path. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. Very early on my parents instilled in me the notion that nobody is better than me, and that I’m not better than anyone else. That lesson has allowed me to confidently create my own path regardless of naysayers’ opinions or the paths other people have taken. When nobody around me was talking about climate change and protecting the planet, I helped organize my elementary school’s first Earth Day celebration. My guidance counselor in high school told me that I couldn’t graduate early because I’d need four years of gym class to get my diploma, so I dropped out, started college at 16 and got my associate’s degree the same year I was supposed to get my high school diploma. People questioned my decision to major in environmental studies and I felt very isolated in a lot of my environmental courses as the only Black student, but I graduated with a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. After that, I went on to get my Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy, as well as a JD focused on civil rights law and environmental justice. The risks I took early on to dedicate my life and educational pursuits to environmental protection and understanding the ways that low-income communities and communities of color are adversely impacted by pollution, environmental hazards, and climate risks have allowed me to contribute to meaningful, impactful work

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m doing this piece in a time of deep transition for me- where my life is veering from the trajectory I put myself on- and I’ve never been happier. I recently quit a role that I thought would be my dream job. I was leading an environmental justice program at an environmental think tank in Washington DC. A few months into the role I realized that it wasn’t for me and let the fear of feeling like a failure stop me from leaving when I first felt ready. I wasn’t getting paid my worth, I didn’t have the support I needed, and my vision for the organization was much bigger than what those working above me could see. So I left, and I’m now committing to at least half a year of freelancing, content creation, and consulting. I knew that I had to be true to myself and give myself the time necessary to tap into my true potential.

I’m an environmental educator. I share stories, communicate complex science, and use my legal background to make the law more accessible to all people, but especially those who have been excluded from equal environmental protection and enforcement. I talk about the real-world impacts of environmental racism and support people getting involved in the movement to save our planet, regardless of their age, race, ability, or socioeconomic background.

I host a podcast called The Joy Report. This podcast is all about sharing positive climate solutions through the lens of optimism and environmental justice. The world is filled with terrifying statistics and news about climate catastrophes, and when we consume too much of that media, people are prone to become stunned into inaction and feel like they can’t do anything to solve these crises. The Joy Report is a way to share positive climate news, relay information in an accessible way, and support the development of a radically imagined new world that prioritizes people over profit, and community over consumption.

Being a Black woman in the environmental space is difficult, regardless of how many credentials you have. I’ve held two professional degrees since I was 23, and I’ve constantly had to prove why I’m worthy of sitting in certain rooms or leading certain initiatives. The environmental movement in the United States has been dominated by white, wealthy voices since its inception. While I recognize this, I also know that there have been people of color, but especially Black people, who have changed the climate and environmental discourse through scientific research, anthropological and sociological study, building organizations, and so much more. Their work and trailblazing is why I’m able to exist in this space. Their willingness to face injustice and hardship head-on is why I can be who I am today. I’ve been the youngest and the only Black person in board rooms, conference rooms, and classrooms, but I always make sure that I won’t be the last. I am a firm believer in lifting as I climb, and I want to continue being an example of what taking risks and believing in yourself looks like.

Teachers have doubted me, administration at my higher education institutions sometimes actively worked against me, yet I persevered. And so much of that is due to my faith and the community I’ve built for myself. My support system is strong, and I’m grateful every day for my family– those who were given to me by blood as well as my chosen family. Elenor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” I strive to live by that quote. I look forward to continuing to advocate for those who are overlooked and marginalized in politics and governance, I hope to help create self-determination for communities who have been wronged, and I look forward to doing this all with joy. I want to make sure that I always make time for rest, that I explore as much of this beautiful world as I can (I’ve currently visited 18 countries and 17 states), and create opportunities for others to also become their best selves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I moved to DC during COVID so I’m still learning about the best places in the city. I’d definitely make sure we check out a museum or two depending on their interests. Fortunately, there’s something for everyone here, and most of the museums are free! I’d use their visit as an opportunity to try out things I’ve been hearing about for a while but haven’t gotten a chance to try, like a trapeze class in NE, a karaoke night, and visiting some of the many spots you can hear live music for free. We’d check out a farmer’s market on Saturday, and Sunday brunch is mandatory in DC! After brunch, I’d probably have us either go to Drum Circle in Malcolm X park or a day party, but perhaps both depending on the vibe. Every night would be a different type of cuisine for dinner. I’ve discovered that I’m really good at wrapping dumplings, so one day we could stay in and do that. I’d probably also suggest we take a hike one day because I love being outdoors!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, shoutout to my parents, Esther and Henry King. Their love is the reason why I’m here, and why I am so passionate about helping others. They’ve always reminded me, “to whom much is given, much is required”, and I work hard to live by that message.

Second, I want to thank my teachers– and not just the ones in the classroom. I’m grateful for all the people who saw something in me and had a role in nurturing me into who I am today: the church mothers who prayed for me; my mom’s “Sistah Friends” (as she affectionately calls them) who picked me up from school and made sure I was safe; the musicians whose work inspires me; the women throughout history whose stories let me know that I can do anything I set my mind to; the environmentalists and activists who have paved the way for me in this space; and my friends who I deeply admire and will never stop learning from. Notably, thank you to Brother Yusef, who is no longer in this realm, but who taught me invauable lessons and helped me cultivate my love for this planet.

Shoutout to my man, Andrew. Forever grateful for the unconditional love and support that he provides.

Shoutout to the team at Intersectional Environmentalist, the climate justice resource hub dedicated to radically imagining a more equitable and diverse future of environmentalism. Thank you for believing that I was the right vessel to share thoughtful insights on positive climate solutions and help invigorate a generation to get involved in this fight.

Instagram: @ariellevking

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellevking/

Twitter: @ariellevking

Image Credits
Jaleesa Montaque (LMStudios) IKEA USA