Excitement and enthusiasm for the future was evident at the fifth annual Central Maryland HBCU Climate Career Expo. The event brought environmental organizations and entities to Bowie State's campus on Feb. 18, 2026.

The gathering and specialized job fair is the brainchild of Jabari Walker, sustainability and energy coordinator, with a mission to diversify the environmental sector locally and in the wider community. The event was co-sponsored by Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, in partnership with fellow HBCUs Morgan State University and Coppin State University. The goal was to introduce students to employers and other recruiters seeking educated talent to address climate and environmental issues.

Walker said he is proud of the event growth from what was originally a one-time event to an annual program focused on green employment and accomplishments.

"Workforce development is a part of the fight for the environment, a fight to improve the well-being of all living things on the planet. The fight for clean air, water and land is for all of us, which is a fight for justice."

Employers at the expo ranged from nonprofits and local and state organizations to federal agencies and national companies. They offered internships, fellowships and full-time positions in climate and sustainability. This event gave undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to speak directly with hiring teams to learn how they can apply their academic training to organizations and agencies committed to innovation and diversity in environmental sustainability.

Sade Dennis, a Bowie State alumna and the U.S. Green Building Council's director for market transformation & development for Maryland, National Capital Region and Virginia, emceed a brief speaker segment. It included Walker's introductory remarks and featured words from Antoine Thompson, executive director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition and Dr. Mamie Parker, renowned conservationist and the first Black regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

All speakers emphasized the idea of leaving the planet in better shape by doing work in legislation, air quality policy and technology development. They also encouraged HBCU students to embrace their role as pioneers and take advantage of opportunities to address climate and environmental matters.

Their words left an immediate impression on the audience. Raven McClain, a junior Biology major in the Department of Natural Sciences said, "It was really inspiring and motivating to hear from the panel of speakers and hearing their backgrounds. The most impactful thing was to listen to them share their life lessons in real time."

Bowie State continues to embolden its students to be future thought leaders on environmental sustainability and finding ways to combat climate change. Events like the Central Maryland HBCU Climate Career Expo underscore the university's commitment to supporting and preparing the next generation of environmentalists.