By Iza Martinez, Alumna of the B.A. in Environmental Biology at Barnard College
Before sustainability became her formal field of study, Kailynn Williams was already trying to understand why health, infrastructure, and environment were so tightly bound on her undergraduate campus.
Studying urban forestry and environmental science, Williams entered Southern University and A&M College with plans to pursue public health after graduation. However, her goals shifted as her coursework deepened and exposed the institutional and environmental dimensions impacting health, particularly in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). That realization prompted Williams to launch Breathe BR, a nonprofit advancing environmental health and climate justice through community engagement and education in Baton Rouge.
Now a 2025 Columbia HBCU Fellow in Columbia’s M.S. in Sustainability Management (SUMA) program, she has balanced her graduate study with roles in clean energy at Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS) and as a student support intern at the School of Professional Studies (SPS).
“What is needed to combat these barriers is clear: education, awareness, and advocacy,” said Williams. “When communities and business owners understand the systems they are navigating—and have the tools to engage them—clean energy becomes more accessible, equitable, and transformative.”
In this interview, Williams reflects on the experiences that shaped her academic and professional priorities, and her work to build sustainable and equitable systems.
You’ve written at length about HBCUs disproportionately bearing the burden of environmental hazards. What environmental or social conditions at your university most shaped your awareness of environmental justice issues?
My awareness of environmental justice at Southern was shaped by everyday conditions that many people might overlook, but that directly affected student health, dignity, and safety. One of the most striking issues was the complete lack of basic campus infrastructure (water fountains, trash cans, and recycling containers). In Louisiana’s extreme heat, this was more than an inconvenience; it was a public health concern. When I asked why a campus committed to student well-being would lack such essentials, I was told that the infrastructure “was not being used” and funding was reallocated. That moment was eye-opening. It made clear how institutional priorities can override student safety, cleanliness, and sustainable campus life—especially at underfunded HBCUs.
From there, I became more vocal and involved. I helped create an annual water-focused event on campus and advocated for bringing students to the state capitol to speak on environmental injustices we were experiencing, including food insecurity, aging infrastructure, and inequitable funding. My time at Southern was incredibly transferable—ultimately inspiring me to found my nonprofit at age 20, rooted in environmental justice and community advocacy.
How have you found your footing in graduate school, and how has being an HBCU Fellow supported you during this transition?
Finding my footing was made significantly easier by being part of the Columbia HBCU Fellowship community, which has given me a sense of belonging, pride, and support. The responsibility of being the first fellow from my alma mater in this program has motivated me to show up fully—academically, professionally, and within the broader Columbia community.
This past semester, I have stayed affirmed and energized by being deeply involved across multiple spaces. The most valuable support structures so far have been the faculty and staff who genuinely listen, validate student experiences, and guide us toward the right resources even when they don’t have immediate answers. Feeling heard makes a profound difference.
I believe one of the most impactful models for HBCU graduates nationwide is a “pass-the-torch” approach. Fellows can give back by hosting workshops, office hours, or mentorship sessions for current HBCU students and alumni, helping demystify graduate school, professional pathways, and institutional navigation. Access should not stop at admission. It should continue through community, mentorship, and long-term support. I want students coming behind me to see someone who looks like them navigating these spaces with confidence, and to know that access to sustainability careers is not reserved for a select few.
What has your role at BOSS taught you about the barriers Black-owned businesses face in clean-energy markets, and the work needed to combat them?
Working with BOSS has taught me just how challenging it is for Black-owned businesses to access clean-energy markets and financing. The barriers are complex and constantly shifting, shaped by evolving legislative and regulatory policies that determine which grants, incentives, and programs are available in a given market. Access is both technical and structural.
I worked on a Kresge Foundation-supported project, developing an implementation guide for solar and renewable energy in healthcare centers of marginalized communities nationwide. The work demonstrated how powerful the return on this investment can be—financially and in terms of resilience, patient care, staff well-being, and reduced utilities strain.
Peer mentorship is an integral part of your Student Support Internship at SPS. What does effective peer mentorship look like to you, and why do you think it’s so impactful?
Effective peer mentorship is transformative and, to me, rooted in care, consistency, and genuine investment in someone’s growth. It looks like checking in, listening without judgment, and keeping the door open—especially during moments of uncertainty.
Peer mentorship helps individuals stay grounded while navigating complex systems. It fosters community rather than competition, which is essential for long-term impact. I often think of mentorship as creating the conditions for growth, much like sustainability, where support systems allow ideas, people, and communities to take root. My advice to students trying to find their place in sustainability is to intern broadly, connect with professionals whose journeys inspire you, and learn from their experiences. Growth comes from exploration, patience, and care.
How has SUMA strengthened your understanding of what impact can look like in this field?
I had my eye on this program and the Columbia HBCU Fellowship since my sophomore year, and being here has affirmed that this is exactly where I’m meant to be. The program has shown me that sustainability operates as one large supply-chain ecosystem—integrated across industries, geographies, and roles—making ESG literacy so essential. I’ve applied this systems-level thinking directly to my internships in nonprofits, community engagement, communications, and corporate sustainability strategy.
Perhaps most importantly, the program has helped me realize that I belong in this space and that I bring a diverse, innovative perspective shaped by lived experience. I’ve also learned the power of networking. In every space I enter, shared values, passions, or goals create meaningful connections that can shape future collaborations. Sustainability is collective by nature, and progress happens when we recognize how deeply connected we all are.
Looking ahead, I see my work continuing at the intersection of environmental justice, business strategy, and policy—building systems that are sustainable, equitable, and resilient for communities that have historically been excluded from decision-making.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Sustainability Management program, offered by the School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Climate School, provides students with cutting-edge policy and management tools to help public and private organizations and governments address environmental impacts and risks, pollution control, and remediation to achieve sustainability. The program is customized for working professionals and is offered as a full-time and part-time course of study.
The program fosters creativity and adaptability by equipping students with the skills to tackle real-world sustainability challenges through an interdisciplinary approach from the world’s premier sustainability academics, researchers, and practitioners. The up-to-the-minute curriculum and flexibility prepare graduates for careers in the dynamic and rapidly changing field of sustainability.
Learn more about the program here.
