Intern Spotlight: Nabila Wilson

Nabila has started her undergraduate degree, the latest step in her winding journey as a climate advocate.

Nabila Wilson is from Texas, growing up around Houston. This year, she began her undergraduate studies in Sustainability Science at Furman University. Nabila’s climate journey was prompted by the catastrophic events of Hurricane Harvey. The reality of climate change dawned upon her, realizing she needs to be a part of the movement to save our planet.

Throughout the semester, Nabila has been supporting our Chapter Development team. Her primary duties consist of providing technical support for weekly informational sessions, tracking volunteer media work, working on op-eds, articles, and assisting with our monthly Letter Writing Zoom Parties. She also researches climate articles and newspaper submission details for regional media training sessions. By the end of her internship, Nabila hopes to gain valuable skills regarding climate advocacy and environmental policy. Most importantly, she wants to help other people in their climate journey. 

Nabila’s climate efforts don’t just stop at CCL. At university, she’s an Eco-Rep, secretary for the Environmental Action Group, and an active member of the Outdoors Club. Besides climate work, Nabila’s is interested in hiking and martial arts. She loves reading and watching movies, some of her favorites being made by Studio Ghibli. We have loved having Nabila in CCL!

Intern Spotlight: Georgeanna Cannon

Georgeanna has been working to curate our Summer Conference in June!

Georgeanna Cannon is a senior at Missouri State University pursuing a BA in Political Science with a double minors in History and French. Originally from the city of Los Angeles, Georgeanna now calls Springfield, Missouri home. Her initial draw to climate advocacy came from personal fears regarding the future of the planet. By embracing climate advocacy, Georgeanna discovered its power to unite diverse voices in conversations about the future of sustainable living.

As a National Events Intern, Georgeanna plays an important role in organizing CCL’s upcoming Summer Conference slated for this June. She collaborates with various departments in CCL, liaises with potential speakers and congressional members, and will attend the conference herself to see through its operations. Beyond the responsibility, Georgeanna sees her role as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. She aims to gain insights into grassroots non profit organizations, enhance her project management skills, and deepen her knowledge as a young advocate. Prior to, and at the conference, she hopes to develop her relationship with CCL staff.

Apart from her involvement with CCL, Georgeanna is an active member of Phi Eta Sigma and The National Society for Leadership and Success. In her downtime, she enjoys reading a good book, listening to music (Beyonce is her favorite), and attending ballet classes! She’s a big fan of entertainment like the Princess Bride and Bob’s Burgers. We are so excited to see Georgeanna’s hard work come to life this summer!

Intern Spotlight: Cristine Lin

Cristine showcases her love for the outdoors!

Cristine Lin is a long-time Florida native. Though she grew up in Orlando, she now resides in Gainesville to study at the University of Florida. Her major in Sustainability Studies and Political Science came from a growing concern around environmentally harmful business practices. Climate advocacy and sustainable policy soon became an interest for Cristine as she observed our culture of overconsumption, which in return led to pollution and resource scarcity. 

In this semester, Cristine will be assisting in our Chapter Development team. She helps with meeting reminders, follow-ups on information sessions, and other general duties. Additionally, her and fellow Chapter Development intern, Isidora, are working to launch a CCL chapter at the University of Florida. Through CCL, Cristine hopes to gain more experience on the non-profit aspect of climate advocacy through lobbying.

Cristine dabbles in  a multitude of fun hobbies. These include embroidering, up cycling, and pickleball! For the last few years, she’s had her dog, Sawyer, to keep her company. Cristine has brought all her positive energy to CCL this spring, we are happy to have her!

Intern Spotlight: Isidora Lea-Plaza

Isidora moved from Chile to the States to continue her environmental studies!

Isidora currently lives in Gainesville, Florida. She’ll be attending the University of Florida next semester for her master’s in Forest Resources and Conservation. In her home country of Chile, Isidora worked as an environmental activist and conservation professional upon witnessing the effects of climate change on her country. When she moved to the United States to pursue her studies, she wanted to continue her involvement in climate work. Isidora found CCL and immediately knew it was a place she could take action and a way to meet others with similar values.

As a Chapter Development intern, Isidora works with general organizational tasks for CCL. Her and her co-intern, Cristine, are also working to reactivate CCL’s University of Florida chapter as a common passion project. Besides her work in Chapter Development, Isidora is a member of the Latino Action Team. She assists with translating CCL materials and information sessions in Spanish. Isidora is passionate about the different ways to get involved with climate action. Most importantly, she wants to know the actions she can take in a new country where she’ll pursue her graduate studies.

Isidora is still getting involved back in Chile. Remotely, she collaborates with Ciem Aconcagua, a local NGO from Central Chile that supports conservation initiatives within farm communities. When she’s not supporting climate efforts both home and abroad, Isidora loves to skate and explore the outdoors. She is an avid movie watcher, her favorite director being Wes Anderson. She’s a huge cat lover, having two of her own—Ágata and Tomás. We have loved to see how Isidora has brought her passion and enthusiasm towards CCL!

Intern Spotlight: Aana Shenai

Aana is passionate about being a positive influence on youth climate advocates!

Aana is a current freshman starting off her studies in Environmental Science and Policy at Loyola University Chicago. Back at her hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio, Aana worked at a local farm’s summer camp. Her experience was composed of teaching youth in an interactive setting about the environment, sparking her interest in helping others learn more about how to protect it.

Aana’s role as an intern at CCL revolves around supporting the Great School Electrification Challenge. She collaborates closely with high school teams participating in the challenge, offering guidance and monitoring their progress. Throughout her internship, Aana aims to deepen her understanding of the policy aspects of climate activism.

Apart from her role at CCL, Aana is deeply engaged in various other organizations. She serves as the Director of Collaborations at Our Youth for the Climate and sits on the board of 350 Chicago. Additionally, at university, she plays an important role in leading the DEI Campaign at Loyola’s Student Environmental Alliance. In her leisure time, Aana indulges in thrifting, spending time outdoors, watching Parks and Recreation, and reading—her current favorite book being An American Marriage. Aana’s dedication to empowering youth makes her a welcomed addition to CCL, and we’re thrilled to have her on board!

Intern Spotlight: Simon Stratton

Simon has many unique interests that make him a well-rounded climate leader!

Born in Watertown, New York, Simon Stratton brings with him a steadfast commitment to making a climate difference. Currently a senior at SUNY Binghamton, Simon is pursuing his studies while immersing himself in the world of climate advocacy.

Simon’s involvement with CCL lies in his role as a Resilience and Education Intern. Tasked with expanding our resilience hub and crafting impactful training programs, Simon is dedicated to fostering discussions and activities that promote resilience within our communities. From organizing forums to leading initiatives, Simon is hard at work. With a desire for personal and professional growth, he hopes to refine his project management skills, delve into website development, and cultivate leadership qualities that will serve him well in his journey as an advocate for change.

Beyond his work with CCL, Simon has many interests. Whether he’s facing off opponents on the rugby field, drumming, or surfing waves, Simon is a keen explorer. His faithful companion, Cooper, a Chocolate Labradoodle, keeps him company. When it comes to music, his favorites are Dave Matthews and Greta Van Fleet. If there’s one word Simon would use to describe himself, it would be ‘curious’. He has a love for nature and is committed to conserving it for generations to come. We are excited to have him on the team!

Intern Spotlight: Erica Valdez

Erica is enjoying nature and wants to take actions to protect it!

Erica Valdez is from Southern California but has found a home in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona. Currently a senior at Northern Arizona University, she is pursuing a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Her awakening to the climate crisis came during her late high school years, igniting a passion for environmental advocacy that continues to drive her forward. She’s a proponent of clear climate communication and hopes to support others in their journey.

As an intern with Citizens Climate Radio, Erica channels her passion into action, contributing to a podcast dedicated to educating and inspiring climate activism. Collaborating with peers, she crafts content, provides feedback on episodes, and generates ideas for future broadcasts, all with the aim of empowering others to join the cause. As an overarching goal, she aims to shift the narrative on what sustainable living entails, and how others can get involved.

On campus, Erica is an active member of the local NAU chapter of the Fossil Free movement, advocating for divestment from the fossil fuel industry and a transition to renewable energy sources. Additionally, she facilitates undergraduate research initiatives as part of the Sustainable Communities Master Program, promoting community engagement and environmental sustainability within Flagstaff. Despite the chilly weather, Erica can often be found outdoors or exploring local coffee shops. When she’s not on campus, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her dog, Buddy. Tune in to Citizens Climate Radio to support Erica and her team’s efforts in shaping a more sustainable future!

Intern Spotlight: Sophie Yang

Even after a big move, Sophie is continuing her environmental studies no matter where she is in the world!

Sophie Yang is a current sophomore, studying Environment and Sustainability along with Global and Public Health Sciences, at Cornell University. Though she’s from Westchester, New York, Sophie has gone abroad! She recently moved to Shanghai, China but is continuing her studies in the States. Similar to many young adults in this generation, Sophie is fully aware of how critical of an issue climate change is. She believes that advocacy and education are the most important efforts in engaging communities with the environment—whether that be back home or at university. 

This semester, Sophie is working as a Chapter Development Intern. Every Wednesday evening, she assists with CCL’s weekly National Informational Sessions. While applying her passion for climate advocacy, Sophie hopes to gain valuable communication and outreach skills. She’s focused on both the technical aspects, such as implementing plans and policies. Simultaneously, she hopes to reach her goals of working with her community through CCL. 

Sophie likes to stay busy during the semester. Back at Cornell, she’s also a member of the Cornell Epsilon Eta and Alpha Xi Delta. Besides her involvement in CCL and the university, Sophie is a dancer! She’s a part of the LOKO Korean hip-hop and dance team. She enjoys reading, recommending a few of her favorite books like When Breath Becomes Air and Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Besides dancing and reading, Sophie enjoys being spontaneous with traveling and trying new cuisines. Welcome to CCL, Sophie!

Intern Spotlight: Isabella Regelean

Isabella is having a busy semester, with climate action at the forefront!

Isabella Regelean is a Dallas, Texas native, now going to school at the University of Arkansas. This year she’s a junior, majoring in Political Science and International Studies. Her interest in climate advocacy comes from her strong convictions about preserving the environment, particularly in waste management. Believing the Earth should be well taken care of, Isabella aims to be apart of this change regarding our global effect on the environment.

As an education and engagement intern, Isabella is a key member of CCL. Every Tuesday, she helps lead our climate meetings, along with tracking member completion of the Climate Advocacy Certificate Program. She plays a large role in recruitment by keeping up to date with our climate jobs forum and welcoming people into the program. Isabella is maintaining an open mind, as she is excited to gain knowledge in climate reform. She hopes to become more familiar and put into practice our goals, such as effectively communicating with Congress members to pass climate bills and discovering new possibilities for reducing global carbon footprint.

Besides CCL, Isabella is involved with several other organizations. Back at the University of Arkansas she is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Beta, Pre Law Society, and the Arkansas Dance Marathon, a non profit that raises funds for children’s hospitals. After all the hard work she puts in towards her community, she loves to read science fiction novels and watch thriller movies to wind down. As you can gauge from above, Isabella is an incredibly driven individual that we are fortunate to have on the team.

Intern Spotlight: Anna Seifert

Anna is ready to use her previous skill set in environmental science to make a positive impact for CCL youth!

Anna Seifert, originally from Chelsea, Michigan, now studies at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. She’s currently a junior and her major, environmental science, is a perfect fit for our work. Similar to many people in this generation, she wants to ensure a healthy, environmentally focused future. She’s passionate about environmental education and inspiring more youth to become climate advocates.

She is pursuing a CCL internship in our National Youth Action Team. Her previously mentioned passions shine through; her focus this semester will be to help new members in their assimilation to CCL, along with providing avid encouragement in their involvement. She hopes to be a role model for our youth and is excited to collaborate with other members of the National Youth Action Team. Anna will also play an active role in our communications team to further social media engagement.

Anna is no stranger to climate advocacy. Back at school, she’s involved in the Eastern Michigan University’s Sierra Club as Vice President! This is no surprise, considering she loves to spend time outdoors and taking care of her plants. Besides her environmental work, Anna is an avid reader. You can also find her cuddling up with her pets while watching her favorite show, Gilmore Girls. We are looking forward to having a dependable person like Anna in CCL!

Intern Spotlight: Emily O’Keefe

Emily is returning to CCL and avidly continuing her work in climate advocacy, particularly for the Carbon Fee and Dividend Movement!

Emily O’Keefe is from Falls Church, VA and a current senior at William & Mary. Initially, she thought she wanted to be a doctor, but quickly realized the value in climate advocacy. She has found this minimalist perspective on life to be more personally fulfilling. Helping the environment is now her focus. 

This is not Emily’s first year in CCL, she has worked as a college outreach intern prior and is the current founder of the student-led Carbon Fee and Dividend Movement within CCL. Her primary roles are contributing to the expansion of the Higher Ed infrastructure, working on our social media platforms, and building out our network. She’s passionate about getting college students involved in CCL and grassroots engagement for the carbon fee dividend.

While her main focus is on CCL and climate advocacy, Emily is also an avid rock climber. Her favorite book is “Ask and It Is Given” by Esther Hicks, crediting much of her optimism and passion for climate work towards this text. Other than that, you can find her hanging out with her dog Beau! We are so fortunate to have Emily in CCL, her plans are limitless. We cannot wait to see what more she has to offer. 

Intern Spotlight: Jenny Jang

Jenny is having a blast exploring southeast Asia while taking a gap semester to focus on her climate advocacy!

Jenny Jang is a long-time resident of Ann Arbor and a sophomore at Eastern Michigan University where she is majoring in Environmental Science. Like many young people, Jenny grew up confronting the reality that our planet’s future was uncertain. She views climate advocacy as a way of regaining some control over what the future holds. Jenny is eager to be a part of this change, and believes that advocating for pro-climate legislation is one of the most important things we can do to drive it.

This spring, Jenny will be applying her passion to CCL’s work as a college outreach intern. She will primarily be supporting our efforts to directly reach out to institutions, faculty, and students. Jenny will also be hosting welcome meetings with new college student members of CCL. This is Jenny’s first internship, and she’s approaching it with curiosity and an open-minded. She is particularly looking forward to meeting like-minded people that she can both support and learn from.

Jenny is also keeping pretty busy this semester, even as she’s taking a gap semester from classes. She’s spending the spring traveling across southeast Asia! This is no surprise, given that one of her hobbies is exploring new places. She also enjoys listening to music and watching movies, and one of her favorites is 10 Things I Hate About You. When she’s home, you’ll also see her taking walks with her two pet maltese! We are so excited to work with Jenny and see how she brings her candor and taste for exploration to our work.

Fellow Spotlight: Mabel Travis

Mabel is majoring in environmental science and conservation at Concordia University Texas and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in environmental policy!

Like many of us, Mabel Travis is no stranger to the paralyzing impacts of extreme climate anxiety. That’s why she’s so passionate about climate solutions that will help people and the planet. An Environmental Science and Conservation major at Concordia University Texas, she is minoring in Communication so that she can improve her advocacy skills. For the last couple years, she has been hard at work to introduce her peers to Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Why, you might ask? Because she credits us with giving her hope that she could do something to turn the tide on climate change.

This year, Mabel has been supporting our team as our Third Coast Climate Advocacy Fellow. She has been a valuable addition to the vibrant third coast team, helping to plan their fall 2023 regional conference held in New Orleans which was a huge success. She even helped plan and spoke in a youth panel during that conference! In addition to her work in the region, which will soon be expanding to supporting group start workshops and engaging more in state legislature engagement, Mabel has also been helping our campus leaders in the region with their efforts to engage more students on campus. This is a part of the job she is especially well-suited for, as the founder and leader of our CCL campus chapter at Concordia. They are hoping to focus their efforts on DEI work, providing an inclusive environment where all students can act on climate.

Mabel is also passionate about connecting climate action with creation care. She even hosted a recent higher ed call that explored how college students could reach out to evangelicals and have productive conversation about climate action. This spring, she is doubling down on her efforts to bring CCL to more of her classmates by working with her professor and undergraduate dean to make our Climate Advocacy Certificate Program a credit-earning option at Concordia. After graduation (Spring 2025), she would like to pursue a graduate degree in Environmental Policy. We are so grateful for Mabel’s leadership on her campus and beyond, and look forward to seeing what she will accomplish next!

Intern Spotlight: Kieran

A native Californian, Kieran is studying in Iowa and serving as our national Chapter Development Intern!

Kieran is a senior at the University of Iowa, where he is completing his bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing. Through previous internship experiences, he had discovered a passion for community outreach and communication, and the spaces where they overlap. And when it came to applying those skills to climate, the choice was simple: as Kieran said, “I simply feel that it is the biggest crisis facing the world today.”

This year, Kieran has been serving as our chapter development intern. For the first time ever for someone in this role, he has focused his energy on doing outreach activities in his local community in Iowa, like hosting tabling sessions. And if you’ve joined CCL recently, you might already have seen Kieran before because he helps to run the weekly info sessions for new members on Wednesday. He took on this internship because he wanted to start doing his part to address climate change. As an added bonus, he’s also excited to be learning about different technologies and how to work with people of different backgrounds.

When he’s not studying or busy doing outreach, Kieran describes his tastes as eclectic. In true creative writing major fashion, Kieran loves to read and write fiction. His favorite book is “The Stories of Breece D.J. Pancake,” required reading for any aspiring author. He also describes himself as a collector, and enjoys TIG welding. And of course, his dog, Zona, is never far behind. Kieran has been such a valuable addition to our team that he has been offered (and accepted!) to extend his internship to two semesters, so we will continue to see his great work throughout the spring!

Fellows Spotlight: James Bradford III

A committed youth mentor and coach, James has been a wonderful addition to our higher education team!

James Bradford III is certainly no stranger to CCL. In fact, he was a volunteer long before starting his fellowship! Now, he is an undergraduate at Saint Paul College majoring in communications, and he credits his passion for climate advocacy to his curiosity about how climate and environmental issues affect our everyday life and decisions. In particular, he is driven by a desire to help children and his community on a broader scale than he had previously - which is saying a lot, as someone with nearly ten years of experience coaching, mentoring and volunteering in his community. James is especially passionate about serving minoritized youth in all of his outreach efforts.

This year, James has been serving CCL as our North Wind Climate Advocacy Fellow. In this role, he helps both our higher education and regional outreach efforts. Since we don’t have as many active campus chapters in the region yet (though please reach out to us if you’d like to start one!), James has been coaching campus leaders in the Great Lakes Region as they either continue building up their already vibrant chapters, like at University of Michigan, or are just getting one started, like University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. However, this focus on the Great Lakes doesn’t mean he isn’t still giving back to the communities in his region. In fact, James has leveraged his communication and youth outreach talents to help plan a panel for the North Wind Regional Conference featuring youth voices sharing their experiences in the climate movement. He is also planning a youth action day in Saint Paul for the spring term as his passion project!

When he’s not busy with his classes or his fellowship responsibilities, James remains highly involved in his community. As a lifelong athlete, he provides coaching and mentoring to young Black and Brown youth in his community. He leads by example, staying active even when his schedule might be busy. You’ll often see him walking around on Zoom calls! He is also the president of the Diversity Real student group on his campus, which frequently hosts community events (which James of course invites his CCL chapter to table at). We have been so delighted to watch James grow from an energetic volunteer to a faithful climate advocate and fellow!

Intern Spotlight: Megan DiFranco

Megan DiFranco is musician, bird nerd, and climate advocate!

Megan DiFranco is a senior studying biology at the University of Rochester. She became interested in climate advocacy as a result of her interest in improving the way we communicate scientific and political concepts to the general public. Seeing the strides CCL was making to communicate about climate change in a nonpartisan way, Megan was drawn to intern with us.

Megan served as the Education and Engagement Intern this fall. As part of her responsibilities, she assisted with running seminars and trainings, like our weekly Core Volunteer Trainings. In addition, she supported CCL’s numerous online forums, like the discussions our participants in the Climate Advocacy Certificate Program engage in throughout the semester. If you joined CCL this fall, you might even have had Megan respond to your introduction post! Her efforts were invaluable to making people feel welcome this semester.

When she’s not busy studying, she serves on the executive boards for her university’s Birding Club and the Transfer Student Organization. She also has a creative streak, playing clarinet in the pit orchestra for Off Broadway on Campus. If she manages to find a few extra hours in the day, you’ll find her reading, horseback riding, or hanging out with her dog, named Bear. Megan’s adventurous spirit draws her to stay busy and active in a lot of different communities. We’re grateful she chose to channel this energy into CCL this semester!

Intern Spotlight: Tupelo H

Tupelo’s gap year took her to Aotearoa this year to work on climate justice issues. Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand.

When Tupelo H decided to take a gap year after high school, she knew she wanted to dedicate her time to climate justice. She spent three months in Aotearoa (New Zealand) with conservation volunteers and a youth climate voting campaign before starting her training for Project Inside Out. Tupelo was drawn to climate advocacy through her emotional connection to the environment, galvanized by the 2020 lockdown. In the face of the fear and grief of that time, she came to understand the impact of climate change and committed to taking action. Now, climate advocacy continues to draw her in through her pursuit of creating a sustainable, just, and compassionate world.

This fall, Tupelo interned with our Resilience team as the Resilience and Education Intern. She helped volunteers handle the challenges of climate advocacy, prevent burnout, and foster joy and connection in their work. Her role included helping to bring resilience into the wider CCL community by posting in forums, creating tabling resources,updating the resilience hub and trainings, and so much more. She even edited a couple of videos to help educate volunteers on the steps to build resilience and become a resilient climateer! She has learned a lot about what resilience means and how to build it, and hopes to use that knowledge to help others in the climate movement. Young people in particular, she says, are burnt out and overwhelmed by the problems of our time. Tupelo hopes that by helping them feel validated, supported, and equipped to handle these challenges, they will build resilience and feel empowered to continue taking action.

Tupelo is back in her hometown of Gainesville, Florida with her two cats and chickens. To unwind, she loves taking pictures of organisms for iNaturalist and listening to podcasts. She also enjoys British Comedy Shows like Taskmaster. Her favorite music artist is AURORA, a Norwegian electropop artist. We were delighted to work with Tupelo this semester and cannot wait to see the world that her resilient, empathetic leadership will create!

Intern Spotlight: Karina Taylee

Karina is graduating from Florida International University with her master’s degree in December 2023!

Karina Taylee is completing her Master’s in Global Strategic Communications and a certificate in Science Communication at Florida International University. Her interest in climate advocacy is tied to her Miami roots, where she could enjoy nature year-round. But even in her lifetime, Karina has seen the effects of climate change, like flooding, stronger hurricanes, and marine biodiversity loss. Growing up in a climate-changed world with a meteorologist abuelo instilled in her a curiosity to understand what was happening to her world - and what she could do about it.

This fall, Karina interned with our Citizens’ Climate Radio team. She researched topics and future guests to develop questions and plans for episodes. She is also editing parts of the episodes, and shares that she continues to learn and expand her duties every week. She hopes this experience will hone her journalism and producing skills. She wants to be a better researcher, interviewer, and radio producer so she can tell stories that inspire others to care and advocate for their planet. Karina is especially passionate about creating content that shows people that they have a role in the climate movement. She wants “everyone to know that their skills, experiences, and perspectives are needed and welcome in our movement.”

When she is not busy with graduate school or producing great episodes of CCR, Karina loves to read and write novels, poetry, and short stories. She also enjoys traveling as a way to learn about the world, and loves to be active. If that wasn’t enough, she’s learning how to sew to upcycle clothing! When it comes to music, she sticks to the classics - Queen! Her current favorite movie is “The Trial of the Chicago Seven,” and she has been enjoying the book “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer. She’s currently binging the t.v. show Frasier with her three pitbulls - two sisters and their mother! -, Lyla, Angie and Noir. Karina is an ambitious climate advocate, leader, and storyteller and we are so grateful for her talent!

Fellow Spotlight: Minerve Jean

Minerve also runs a blog website, visit it at https://minervejean.com/.

Minerve Jean graduated from the University of Florida in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising with an English concentration, and has since then played a pivotal role in the fields of social action, communications and publishing, and climate advocacy. She was drawn to climate advocacy because she learned how deeply everything is intertwined with the environment and how important it is to protect the only home we have. She acknowledges that when we protect Earth and its resources, that protection is extended in a variety of ways. Minerve is currently pursuing environmental studies.

Minerve is one of our Diversity & Inclusion Fellows. She is responsible for taking part in advocacy methods to bring awareness to the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act to local and national politicians to gather support. She also engages, inspires, and galvanizes the community to help advance local, state, and national diversity and inclusion initiatives and elevate unrepresented voices.

Minerve is an author and writer, having published a lovely poetry book titled “For The Secrets That Gave Themselves Away” and more recently, her bilingual children’s book “The Ayiti We See” which debuts in January 2024. Her work as an author revolves around supporting underrepresented communities, reflected in her efforts to launch bilingual children’s books aimed at supporting literacy among children. Minerve describes herself as a genuine person who hopes to grow in her climate advocacy journey and continue to push for greener solutions while helping underrepresented communities have a voice in the space.

Intern Spotlight: Lathan Smalley

Lathan is from Rogers, Arkansas!

Lathan Smalley is currently a Sophomore at Hendrix College, double majoring in Politics and Mathematics. After becoming a member of CCL in 2020, Lathan was encouraged to see more bipartisan support for issues regarding climate change policy solutions. Seeking support from both sides of the political spectrum is what drew him to take a personal stance in climate work, after seeing that there were actual paths to climate change policy solutions regardless of the political affiliation of those in the legislature.

Lathan is one of our interns on our National Youth Action Team, primarily working on the Electrification Challenge. The Electrification Challenge encourages schools across the United States to electrify school heating, cooling, and cooking systems and begin installing solar panels to reduce their carbon emissions. Lathan hopes to hone in on his professional communication skills, time management, and aims to allow himself to act as a resource for other people who might be interested in the work he is doing, all of which are critical aspects of his current work on our National Youth Action Team.

In his free time, Lathan really enjoys reading, and his favorite book is The Overstory by Richard Powers. He is a very deliberate individual who plans on developing his personal and professional skill set to allow him to succeed in future opportunities the same way that he is currently succeeding with CCL.