On May 6th, the NAACP filed a request for a preliminary injunction to stop air pollution from Elon Musk’s company, xAI, and its parent company, MZX Tech. The request comes after the organization filed a Clean Air Act enforcement last month. The Clean Air Act requires major sources of pollution to obtain air permits, which include stringent pollution limits and require the use of pollution controls before being constructed or operated. xAI violating the Clean Air Act The NAACP informed xAI and MZX Tech that their personal power plant, comprising 27 gas-fired
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed an appeal challenging the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s plan to issue an air permit to xAI’s affiliate company, MZX Tech. The appeal was filed on behalf of the NAACP, Young Gifted & Green, and the Safe and Sound Coalition, who believe the permit violates the law and threatens the health of families living in North Mississippi and South Memphis. The permit allows xAI to allow 41 polluting methane gas turbines—essentially a personal power plant—at a site in Southaven, Mississippi. The power plant would
On Tuesday, 9th March, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued an air permit allowing Elon Musk’s xAI to operate tons of gas turbines at its facility in Southaven, Mississippi. The permit board’s decision comes weeks after community members held a hearing to share concerns about xAI’s potential health effects, according to a press statement. Internal documents from MDEQ and EPA indicate that the agency faced intense pressure to approve xAI’s air permit swiftly. “We are outraged that, despite the community’s clear demand to move the Election Day hearing,
R&B singer SZA raised the alarm about the environmental impact of AI, especially on Black and brown communities, in a series of Instagram Story posts on July 16. The R&B singer said the only AI she is interested in using is “actual imagination,” according to a screenshot captured by Vibe. “AI is killing and polluting black and brown cities. None of you care cause your codependent on a machine. Have a great life,” the singer added. SZA Calls Out Environmental Racism Fans had flocked to SZA’s page in search of
The NAACP and other civil rights groups have filed an appeal against a permit that would allow Elon Musk’s xAI to use gas turbines to power its massive data center. The complaint was filed by The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of the NAACP and the youth-led group Young, Gifted & Green. The NAACP appealing a permit against xAI After xAI began operating in Memphis in 2024, the startup stated that the turbines at the data center were temporary and small enough not to require permits. But, residents living near
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing the NAACP, has sent a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, over its unpermitted use of gas turbines at a data center in South Memphis. The letter, dated June 17, alleges that xAI violated federal law by installing dozens of methane gas turbines without the required permits or pollution controls. This notice is a necessary step before filing a lawsuit under the Clean Air Act. “Over the last year, these turbines have pumped out pollution that threatens
The NAACP is demanding an immediate shutdown of Colossus, a Memphis-based supercomputer built by Elon Musk’s AI company xAI, citing violations of environmental regulations. NBC News reported that a letter was sent to the Shelby County Health Department and Memphis Light Gas and Water from the civil rights group on Thursday, May 29. In a letter addressed to Dr. Michelle Taylor, director of the Shelby County Health Department, leaders from the NAACP criticized the organization’s “lackadaisical approach to the operation of this dirty data center.” They urged them to “issue
The NAACP, in partnership with Adobe, has announced the return of its NAACP Cinematic Shorts Competition and the launch of the NAACP Creative Fellowship. The NAACP Creative Fellowship The NAACP Creative Fellowship, in partnership with Adobe, is a 14-week paid program that provides upcoming post-production professionals with video editing, motion graphics, sound design, and content creation skills. Four people will be selected for industry mentorships, Adobe Creative Cloud training, hands-on work experience, and exclusive networking opportunities. The fellowship will kick off with a week-long retreat in Los Angeles from June 2nd to 6th.
The NAACP has announced the launch of the Black Consumer Advisory to help Black consumers stay informed on which companies promote diversity. As more companies continue to scale back their DEI programs, Black consumers should spend their money where they are valued. However, they can only do this if they know which companies value diversity and inclusion. This is why the NAACP is creating the Black Consumer Advisory, to remind Black consumers that their money is valuable. “The NAACP stands firm in our belief that, in a global economy, those
The NAACP has announced the launch of NAACP Capital, a new fund of funds aimed at empowering fund managers and startups focused on closing gaps facing communities of color. Developed in collaboration with Kapor Capital, Kapor Center, and nine venture fund managers, the fund seeks to raise $200 million to reshape the innovation and investment landscape. Driving Impact Through Inclusive Investing The initiative is part of the #KeepAdvancing campaign, a modernized approach to civic engagement aimed at building a more inclusive economy. “Investment is the backbone of impact, and impact
