Southwest Louisiana environmental justice leader brings frontline community perspectives to the world’s largest climate gathering September 21-24
NEW YORK, NY — Dr. Roishetta Sibley Ozane, founder and CEO of The Vessel Project of Louisiana and co-director of the Gulf Fossil Finance Hub will attend Climate Week NYC 2026 (September 20-27) with five scheduled appearances representing communities on the frontlines of climate change in Southwest Louisiana.
Climate Week NYC brings together over 100,000 attendees, including heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, UN officials, and leading climate scientists. This year’s focus on energy, impact, and action offers a key platform to highlight the Vessel Project of Louisiana’s intersectional work on mutual aid, community resilience, and climate justice.
The Vessel Project of Louisiana and Dr. Ozane are co-hosting and participating in several Climate Week-related events, including creator roundtables, documentary screenings, and a virtual advocacy training on child health.
Climate Week NYC 2026 Schedule (All times are Eastern Standard Time Zone)
| Fight LNG Creator & Activist Roundtable Mon, Sept 21 1:30-3:00 PM | The Bench, 49 Elizabeth St, NYC | Registration Required. Learn more here |
| In My Backyard Doc Screening + Panel Tue, Sept 22 1:30 PM | IFC Center 323 6th Ave, NYC | Free Register here |
| PGCC: Frontline Stories from the Permian Gulf Wed, Sept 23 12:30-2:30 PM | Ya-Ya Network 135 W. 26th St., PH, NYC | Free and Open to Public Register here |
| This Is Not A Drill Documentary Screening + Panel Wed, Sept 23, 6:00 PM | Angelika Film Center & Café | Learn More and Purchase tickets here |
| Child Health Champion Training Thu, Sept 24 3:30-5:00 PM | Children’s Health Environmental Network (Virtual) | Free Training Register here |
“We cannot talk about climate solutions without listening to the frontline communities living with the consequences every day,” said Dr. Ozane. “Climate Week is our opportunity to share our stories, solutions, and power with other communities and changemakers from across the world.”
What to Expect
| Frontline Voices | Events will uplift and highlight community organizers who are fighting back against the industries and companies that are taking land and polluting their neighborhoods. |
| Environmental Disaster Resilience | First-hand tips on building mutual aid networks and disaster response coordination when government assistance is limited. |
| Visual Storytelling | Two documentary screenings (In My Backyard and This Is Not A Drill) that feature panel discussions with other noted climate voices and philanthropists, including Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson, and Miranda Kaiser, a fifth-generation Rockefeller who is using philanthropy to fight oil companies. |
| Emerging and Youth Leadership | PGCC Panel and Content Creator roundtable offer space for intergenerational, and Gen-Z led conversations and perspectives. |
About The Vessel Project of Louisiana
The Vessel Project of Louisiana is a grassroots mutual aid, disaster relief, and environmental justice organization founded in Southwest Louisiana after Hurricanes Laura/Delta (2020), Winter Storm Uri (2021), and May 2021 floods. This October, The Vessel Project will celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary by hosting a community gala in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Learn more at www.vesselprojectoflouisiana.org
About Dr. Roishetta Sibley Ozane
Roishetta Sibley Ozane, PhD., is an award-winning advocate with over two decades of experience working at the intersections of environmental justice, public health, racial equity, and community resilience. Dr. Ozane’s career spans grassroots organizing, nonprofit leadership, public policy, and community engagement centered on transforming challenges into opportunities for equitable communities. Dr. Ozane is also a proud mother of six children and shares her life experiences as a motivational speaker and author. Learn more about Dr. Ozane at www.roishettasibleyozane.com
Past Coverage
Yale Environment 360 • Louisiana Illuminator • Houston Public Media • The Chisholm Legacy Project • EarthJustice • CNN • Democracy Now • KPLC-TV Louisiana
For Interview Requests and Press Coverage
Media Inquiry Lead | Kari Fulton | Check The Weather LLC |Kari@checktheweather.org | 202-340-0976
Spokesperson | Dr. Roishetta Sibley Ozane | The Vessel Project of Louisiana | info@vesselprojectoflouisiana.org | 337-426-0198 –
High-resolution photos, event materials, and community testimonials available upon request.
Note to Editors: Dr. Ozane is available for interviews during Climate Week NYC. For media inquiries and additional information, please contact info@vesselprojectoflouisiana.org
