Today we’d like to introduce you to Nia Bowman.
Nia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It was my junior year at Prairie View A&M University. I had just watched a documentary on the amount of plastic in our oceans when I decided I had to do more for our planet. After learning about the amount of harm we as humans do to the earth, I didn’t understand why no one in my community talked about it.
In late October of that year (2018), I began entertaining the idea of starting an environmental club after seeing a lack of recycling resources on my campus. During the 2018 midterm elections, I worked with a local candidate running for office, after telling them I wanted to start an environmental club on campus they told me it was “too late for that”. This fueled me to do the necessary paperwork and prove them and many others of that mindset that it wasn’t too late to make the change our world needs.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it has not. We gained a lot of members early on, far more than I could have anticipated. Our first semester we had over 100 students sign up. As a new organization on campus it was difficult to establish a name for ourselves as well as make change. Social media has been the number one tool for us. Our biggest challenge is making sustainable living practical for students at our university. Students who have financial issues, limited fresh food options and no recycling program. We had and still have to travel in order to recycle because know recycling company comes to our school.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about PV Green Team – what should we know?
We are an environmental club at Prairie View A&M University. We educate students and the community on ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. We are most known on campus for our community service and interactive social media. This is where we share most of our information. We try to make being sustainable as simple and affordable as possible since we are college students after all. We do giveaways at all of our general meetings as well as on our instagram to give people the tools for success.
I am most proud of the community I have created through our organization. It is more than a club we are a family. Our members have made being green a lifestyle change and make more conscious decisions. I am both overwhelmed and grateful for the amount of support we gained in such a short period of time and that is because of our amazing team. I nicknamed us the PV Green Team because in order for us to make an impact it takes a group effort. We couldn’t do anything without our amazing members!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
We have gained so much support in our short lifetime. A big thank you to all of our supporters.
We never would have been founded if it weren’t for advisor Dr. Michael Royster.
To all of our past and present eboard members: (2018-19) Izzy Castro, Artaja White, Alexis Hamilton, Lauren Bogamy, Jordan Owens, Hannah Falls, Lena White, Denese Roberson, Emi Adebayo, Coy Pitts. (2019-20) Hannah Falls, Lena White, Alexis Hamilton, Alex Vincent, Ines Frazier, Taylor Howard, Indigo Cowley, Chancei White
The City of Prairie View who have collaborated with us on community service projects.
Lastly, our Campus Activity Board who will be sponsoring our Earth Day Fest in 2020!
Contact Info:
- Email: pvamugreenteam@gmail.com
- Instagram: @pvgreenteam
- Twitter: @pvgreenteam
Image Credit:
@_Fashionfvsion
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
