Climate solutions do not begin with data or policy. They begin with culture, identity and a deep sense of who we are and where we come from.

In March 2026, more than 100 grantees, partners and Kresge staff gathered in Memphis for the Climate Change, Health & Equity (CCHE) initiative convening “Reclaiming the Moment: Using Cultural Power and Policy to Advance Climate and Health Justice.”

Over three days of learning, connection and renewal, participants:

• Explored how artists, storytellers and community leaders serve as doorways into climate and justice work, especially for communities who have long been excluded from technical or policy conversations.
• Visited Memphis neighborhoods to learn about food access and land use through urban farms and orchards; innovative approaches to climate-resilient building reuse; and the ongoing health impacts of industrial pollution on frontline communities.
• Engaged in workshops and sessions about topics ranging from the environmental and health impacts of AI data centers to community land trusts, to how youth are using hip-hop and storytelling to translate complex flood research for their neighbors.

In a moment when the very systems our country has built to protect health, advance equity and address climate change face unprecedented challenges, the convening served as a reminder that the power of community has always been our greatest resource.

Browse the photo gallery below to see the moments that made this gathering unforgettable.