By Ava Marshall
In honor of the global climate strike that took place last week, we’ve compiled a list of powerful, inspiring, Black girl activists who are at the front lines of the fight for climate justice. Get your snaps ready for these leading ladies.
Mari Copeny
Better known as “Little Miss Flint,” Mari wrote a letter to President Obama in 2016 inviting him to meet with citizens of Flint, Michigan as they suffered through a water crisis. But, her work didn’t stop there. Ever since then, the now 12-year-old has continued advocating for the people of her city, raising more than $500,000 for Pack Your Back, which helps connect kids with clean water, school supplies, and more.
Isra Hirsi
At 16, this world-changer is the co-founder and executive director of the U.S Youth Climate Strike, a part of the global climate justice movement, which inspired 1.4 million students around the world to strike for action for climate change in March. She also assisted in organizing the most recent global climate strike in September 2019. Aware of the intersections between race and climate change, Isra stays doin’ it for the culture — she’s been a voice of advocacy for climate activists of color, making sure to spread awareness surrounding environmental racism.
Havana Chapman-Edwards
Havana, aka “The Tiny Diplomat,” first made headlines as the only girl in her elementary school to walk out during the National School Walkout for gun control in 2018. Since then, this 8-year-old has taken on the the fight for climate justice. She recently spoke at a sit-in organized by the Sunrise Movement at the Democratic National Committee’s HQ, urging a climate-based debate. You can read her speech here.
Anaiah Thomas
The deputy director of finance for the Zero Hour movement, 17-year-old Anaiah (pictured on the right) helps mobilize other young people to join the fight for earth — and she has the receipts to prove it. Whether she’s managing logistics, applying for grants, or organizing her peers, Anaiah works to hold political leaders accountable for our planet’s future.
Elsa Mengistu
Another Zero Hour team member, Elsa serves as the director of operations. A leader among her peers, Elsa also works to amplify young peoples’ voices through documentaries as a member of the youth advisory board for Young Voices for the Planet.
On a mission to fill that void in the mainstream media, in which Black girls are virtually invisible, Sesi (a quarterly, print magazine for Black teen girls) celebrates them. As an independent magazine with very little advertising, we rely on the support of our community to continue publishing. You can show your support by subscribing or donating. Subscriptions are only $15 a year and you can donate any amount you’d like. ❤️
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