The R.A.C.E. Podcast

Racial Equity: Our History and Our Responsibility with Matthew Tejada

• Keecha Harris • Season 2 • Episode 15

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Welcome to Episode 15 of the 2nd season of The R.A.C.E. Podcast. Today I am joined by Matthew Tejada, Director of the Office of Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our conversation was rich and filled with truth, responsibility, and humanness around racial and ethnic justice and how was all can make a difference. I look forward to you tuning in.


Meet Matthew Tejada:

Matthew S. Tejada joined the EPA in March of 2013 as Director of the Office of Environmental Justice.  As Director, Matthew leads the Environmental Justice Program’s cross-cutting work throughout the EPA and federal government. This includes working with communities, other EPA divisions, federal agencies, academic partners, business and industry, and state, local and tribal partners to further the mission of the EPA and its efforts to advance environmental justice.  

Before his career at EPA, Matthew spent over five years in the non-profit world as executive director of the environmental advocacy Air Alliance Houston, where he focused his efforts on environmental justice issues affecting the many overburdened communities in the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast area, regionwide ozone reduction policies and alleviation of toxic and particulate matter hotspots. In this position, Matthew was also centrally involved in local, state, and federal level legislative and policy formation as regards environmental and public health issues. 

Matthew received his Doctorate and Master’s degrees from the University of Oxford where he was a member of St. Antony’s College. His research and dissertations largely focused on environmental and energy policy, international relations, politics, and the development and role of civil society.  Matthew is a native of Ft. Worth, Texas 


Listen in as Matthew shares:

  • How sharing his race and identity has become a touchstone to him and his work
  • What racial equity means to him on a personal level
  • People who have been a support and inspiration in his life and also keep him accountable
  • What he would like people to know, do, or feel when it comes to racial equity and justice


Learn more and connect with Matthew Tejada:

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