NAACP Announces Don Cheadle as Ambassador of Climate in Color Short Film Grant

Actor, Director, and The Solutions Project board member Don Cheadle joins NAACP’s Climate in Color: Reframing Our Future Short Film Grant initiative as an ambassador. The film grant, a powerful initiative to uplift Black storytellers and their visions for environmental and climate justice, highlights the critical intersection of culture, climate, and community-focused solutions.

“I’m honored to help bring awareness to NAACP’s Climate in Color short film grant,” said Don Cheadle, Actor, Director, and Board Member of The Solutions Project. “Black communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis — disproportionately affected by extreme weather, toxic pollution, and environmental neglect. Being closest to the problems, Black communities are also often the first to the solutions. That’s why it’s critical to invest in and amplify storytellers who not only understand these injustices firsthand, but who are actively imagining and driving towards the climate justice future we want and everyone deserves.”

The Climate in Color grant supports filmmakers who are reframing the narrative of climate change through the lens of justice, community, and resilience. The following judges and advisors will also participate in the film grant:

• Brittany Bell Surratt – Senior Director of Storytelling & Communications, Hip Hop Caucus
• Antonio Hernandez – Digital Video Producer, Hip Hop Caucus
• Liz Havstad –  Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, Hip Hop Caucus
• JaRel Clay – Associate Senior Director of Digital & Production, Hip Hop Caucus
• Jamaal Bell – Creative Strategy Manager, Kettering Foundation; Director
• Logan Coles – TV Writer, Producer, Director, Founder of Sea Change Entertainment
• Kyra Stephenson-Valley – Organizer & Activist, Deputy Managing Director of Political, Climate Power
• Alexandra Norris, Managing Creative Director, Climate Power
• Daniel Hinerfiels, Director, NRDC Rewrite the Future
• Allison Begalman, Co-Founder, Hollywood Climate Summit, Writer

Abre’ Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice, shared the following statement:

“In addition to Don Cheadle’s career as an award-winning actor, he’s also a prominent environmental activist, and we’re grateful for his support.  With climate champions like him, and our panel of judges, we can help more people  understand the importance of creating a  sustainable future for frontline communities. Black communities have had solutions to environmental and climate issues for years. This grant is about amplifying what we already know — our narratives have the power to change the trajectory of environmental injustices in our communities.”

The NAACP thanks our partners who worked to bring this competition to life: NRDC Re-Write the Future, NRDC’s Environment, Equity, and Justice Center, Climate Power, Hollywood Climate Summit, The Solutions Project, and The Climate Group.

Submission deadline is May 28, 2025 at 8:59 PM PT / 11:59 PM ET. For details on how to apply, visit naacp.org.