Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) cordially invites you to their 5th Annual Student Graduation on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Yonkers Riverfront Library in the Main Auditorium (1st Floor), NY. News 12 Long Island Meteorologist Julian Seawright will serve as our Master of Ceremonies. The program will begin promptly at noon.
The Award Winning Meteorologist & Reporter describes his role at News 12 as “curating hyper-local forecasts for the Tri-state region. Providing on-air and online forecasts for the local communities and communicating how the weather will impact your daily lives.” He has served as the Weekend Meteorologist for New 12 Long Island since July 2021. Before that, he served as a Meteorologist for WISC-TV in Madison, Wisconsin, the Morning Weather Anchor & Weekend Weather Anchor at CBS News Channel 5 – KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Renowned Meteorologist Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd -Distinguished Professor at the University of Georgia to Speak at ELOC’s Student Graduation
Before the main event, the student showcases will be held in the atrium of the Library from 10:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. We hope you can join us for this inspiring day! Guest speakers will include distinguished climate scientist, meteorologist, and former president of the American Meteorological Society, Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, who will serve as the keynote speaker, and Rickey Petty, a retired meteorologist from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Dr. Shepherd will speak on critical environmental issues, including climate change, extreme weather events, and community resilience in the face of ecological challenges. A brief audience Q&A will follow his presentation, offering attendees an opportunity to engage directly with one of the nation’s foremost voices in climate science.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a globally respected authority on meteorology and climate science. He has authored numerous scholarly articles and books and has spoken at leading institutions and forums worldwide. Dr. Shepherd is recognized for his ability to translate complex scientific topics into clear, actionable insights that resonate with both academic and general audiences. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, he was the 2nd African American to preside over the American Meteorological Society.
This event is part of the Environmental Leaders of Color’s Student Summer Graduation program. The Graduation will be hosted at the Yonkers Riverfront Library, the main branch of the Yonkers Public Library, located at 1 Larkin Center. The library is dedicated to fostering education and culture through inclusive community programming.
ELOC is a pioneering Westchester County, N.Y. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. ELOC provides educational programming through which it aims to incubate the next generation of environmental advocates, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the county’s underserved communities. ELOC educates youth about climate change, offers pathways into climate fields, and empowers communities with strategies for resilience. We advocate for climate education, support impacted areas, and promote clean energy solutions for a sustainable future.
