Cynthia Malone is a PhD, activist, environmentalist, and scholar. Her current research unpacks scientific racism in the applied natural sciences and how Black peoples across the diaspora contest this racism in land-based struggle, scholarship, and music. Cynthia has been invested in political education and direct action organizing in the movement for Black lives since 2015.  She is a member and former organizing co-chair of BYP100’s NYC Chapter. In 2017 she was named one of Grist magazine’s 50 “Fixers” in recognition of her leadership in advocacy for equity in conservation and STEM.

We were honored to have her speak at our 20th bi-annual Educating For Sustainability. During her talk “Fear of a Black Planet”, she chronicled her experiences in conservation – a space that has consistently subjugated and excluded people of color. The world of conservation isn’t exempt from the realities of privilege – what species are deemed important, what areas are protected, and who gets displaced? These decisions are often made at the expense of black, brown and indigenous peoples.  Science has validated and justified genocides, biological racism, and displacement for generations. Conservation spaces can only be made safe after these systemic issues are addressed.