Tom’s of Maine started with a $5,000 loan. This is why the popular natural personal care product brand is paying it forward by supporting the next generation of young change makers.
The Tom’s of Maine Incubator offers financial and professional support to five young BIPOC environmentalists in order to elevate their visions and help them scale solutions that will benefit people and the planet. Their projects span from ocean and river conservation, to creating green spaces, to engaging other BIPOC voices to become involved in environmental efforts.
Here, this year’s five recipients of the $20K project funding award describe their efforts in their own words.
Aliyah Collins, Founder of Eco Healing Project
“After an unprecedented tornado disproportionately affected Black residents in the city where I went to college, I became passionate about climate and the environment. Being intentional and always thinking of ways I could make a difference in my community, I thought of ways to shed light on the impact of climate disasters on students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). I learned that climate change not only affects where we live, but our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, too.
“It has always been my dream to bring my work to HBCU campuses and the Incubator is positioning me for success. Since I’ve been in the program, I’ve been in contact with a few HBCUs, and I look forward to seeing how these relationships will grow throughout the year. Together with Tom’s of Maine, I’m able to amplify my work as a climate healer and use spiritual care as a tool to address the impact of structural racism in Black communities.”
Alexia Leclercq, Co-Founder of the Colorado River Conservancy
“For years, the climate change space has been led by a particular group of people. My purpose is to shift this narrative to bring more diverse voices to the table, to center conversations on Indigenous and local communities who are often disregarded and make sure their climate needs are acknowledged.
“As a BIPOC leader in the climate space, Tom’s of Maine has given me an opportunity to reach more people. Through the Incubator program, I hope to gain new community relations skills to address local concerns that are impacting my city of Austin. For example, I believe that housing and sustainability efforts go hand and hand. Getting more involved with housing rights and other community issues will be a priority for me in the months ahead.”
Bodhi Patel, Founder of Inner Light and Co-Creator of Ocean Uprise
“We know that restoring a thriving ocean is one of the greatest solutions to climate change. At Ocean Uprise, our mission is to regenerate the inextricable connection between ocean health and human health. This is possible by integrating solutions from meaningful, youth-led ocean organizations and intergenerational collaboration into the current UN Decade of Ocean Action. We are building a movement of movements to protect the ocean, transform water connection, and defend the deep sea!
“Support and mentorship from the Tom’s of Maine Incubator has allowed me to scale up ocean impact, while centering justice in the projects and collaborations I lead. This helps me to empower my generation of changemakers towards effective ocean-climate action. Everyone has a key role to play in this voyage. I dream of taking the helm on our ship that sails for environmental and marine justice.”
Sanjana Paul, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Earth Hacks
“Earth Hacks works with college students and organizations to host environmental hackathons focused on creating innovative, equitable, and just solutions to the climate crisis. With the Tom’s of Maine Incubator program, I’m excited to learn new skills to apply to my role as Executive Director, as well as work with my mentor and fellow cohort participants to grow as a leader. With the number of hackathons we support each year growing in scope, scale, and geographic reach, this opportunity will allow me to support the Earth Hacks team in educating more students, creating environmental justice resources for tech practitioners, and strengthening relationships with our global community.”
Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist
“My purpose is to help create an inclusive, representative climate movement – truly made in the image of all of us. By empowering and equipping Black women in the environmental space, Black Girl Environmentalist is working to address the pathway and retention problem in the green workforce for Black girls and women through curated content creation, programming, and mentorship.
“Through Tom’s of Maine, I’m able to grow my existing platform and reach more Black women about climate change. When I look back on the Incubator, I want to know that I took advantage of every opportunity to amplify the work we are doing at Black Girl Environmentalist. Black women are here, we are valuable, and we are making a difference in the environment today, to love a better world into existence.”
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