Jennifer R. Blanks, Ph.D.

Dr. Jennifer Rochon Blanks is the Program Coordinator for Outreach and Community Engagement for the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program at the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University. Jennifer is an environmental scientist, environmental planner, cultural resource management expert, environmental justice and critical geographies scholar. Jennifer’s work bridges the gap between protecting natural environments and cultural heritage by preserving African American burial grounds and memorializing landscapes, particularly in communities vulnerable to climate change. Her research involves analyzing geo-ethnographic data to assess risks and vulnerabilities found within the cemetery, recover and document landscape cultural knowledge, and identify sustainable cemetery management strategies to improve critical management issues commonly found in African American cemeteries. Jennifer’s mission is to amplify the stories of marginalized communities while ensuring that their cultural legacies endure for future generations. Through her work, she fosters both environmental stewardship and the preservation of historic resources.

Jennifer is a proud New Orleans, Louisiana, native who enjoys being in nature, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. Jennifer holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and a certificate in Environmental Management from Northern Arizona University, an M.S. in Environmental Science from Jackson State University, a PhD in Urban and Regional Science, and a certificate in Digital Humanities from Texas A&M University.

‍