Conclusion

As Founding Director of Lifers, and through his years of dedicated service, strategic leadership, and scientific advocacy, Mr. Charles stands as one of the Bay Area’s foremost community environmental justice voices. His lived experience, combined with technical knowledge and policy leadership, position him as a leading expert in the fight to recognize and regulate illegal dumping as an air pollution source. Mr. Charles continues to champion a vision of cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods, and empowered communities across East Oakland and beyond.

Overview

Mr. Charles began his environmental justice journey in 2020, after meeting Ms. Margret Gordon, widely regarded as the Queen of Environmental Justice in Oakland. Inspired by her leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment, he attended his first environmental justice meeting—and, in his own words, “never left.”

This moment became the catalyst for five years of continuous, disciplined EJ work, learning, advocacy, and community protection. It shaped his purpose, expanded his vision, and positioned him as a rising voice in the Bay Area EJ movement.

Mr. Charles is a highly respected Environmental Justice (EJ) leader, strategist, and community advocate in the Bay Area. As the Founding Director of Lifers Leaving A Legacy (Lifers), he has emerged as one of the region’s strongest voices on illegal dumping, air pollution, environmental health, and community driven solutions. His leadership is grounded in lived experience, community accountability, and nearly three years of direct involvement in regional air quality governance and policy development.

With over 600 hours of committee work, study, policy development, research, and community engagement, Mr. Charles has built the equivalent of a full year of college-level environmental justice and policy training—qualifying him as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the fields of illegal dumping, outdoor mold emissions, PM2.5/PM1.5 pollution, VOC exposure, and community-level mitigation strategies.

Leadership Roles & Appointments

Co-Chair, East Oakland Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP)

(3 years) As Co-Chair, Mr. Charles has provided strategic direction, scientific inquiry, and community accountability to the regional planning process under California’s AB 617 Community Air Protection Program. His leadership directly contributed to elevating illegal dumping as a priority emissions source, reframing it as an air quality and public health issue rather than merely a municipal waste problem.

Committee Member, Community Advisory Committee (CAC) (2 years)

Mr. Charles has served with distinction on the CAC, where he analyzes data, reviews proposed actions, evaluates air district performance, and advocates for EJ communities impacted by particulate matter, toxic emissions, and chronic environmental neglect.

Subcommittee Co-Lead, Land Use Committee

West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) In this role, Mr. Charles helped shape land use recommendations, policy interpretations, and environmental planning strategies, ensuring land development and zoning decisions align with community health and justice priorities.

Subject Matter Expertise

Mr. Charles is recognized for his deep expertise in:

• Illegal dumping as an air pollution source

• Outdoor mold as PM2.5/PM1.5 emissions

• VOC emissions from decomposing waste

• Environmental justice policy

• Community-led cleanup and green workforce development

• Air monitoring and data interpretation

• Health impacts of particulate and biological pollution

• Regulatory and legal frameworks (BAAQMD, CARB, AB 617, EPA)

His research and advocacy are supported by extensive review of environmental legislation, air district rules, public health reports, and community-led monitoring efforts. His work connects scientific evidence to realworld community impacts.

Major Accomplishments:

• Elevated illegal dumping as a regional environmental priority under AB 617.

• Advocated for air district responsibility for mold emissions, VOCs, and PM2.5 from dump sites.

• Helped build multi-agency awareness of the health impacts associated with bioaerosols.

• Spearheaded community-driven research identifying mold as an unaccounted-for surface source pollutant.

• Advanced the concept of community-led cleanup as harm reduction.

• Promoted green workforce pathways for impacted communities.

• Delivered consistent leadership across several EJ platforms simultaneously.

600+ Hours of EJ Work

College-Level Training Environmental Justice and Public Health academic programs typically recommend 450–600 hours per academic year of combined coursework, research, and practicum.

Mr. Charles has completed: - 600+ hours of EJ committee service - Extensive policy reading and technical study - multi-year leadership roles - Dozens of meetings, workshops, and hearings

This places him at the equivalent of one full year of focused college-level EJ training, comparable to academic preparation for: - A Certificate in Environmental Justice - A Certificate in Public Health Advocacy - A Certificate in Community Planning & Environmental Policy

His experience therefore constitutes professional-grade EJ expertise.

Commitment + Philosophy

Mr. Charles approaches environmental justice as a matter of survival, dignity, and community self-determination. His work is rooted in the belief that residents most impacted by pollution must lead the process of defining, identifying, and solving environmental hazards. His philosophy emphasizes: - Self-advocacy for EJ communities - Scientific rigor in community-led research - Transparency and accountability in public agencies - Restoration of health and quality of life in Black and Brown neighborhoods