Our Top Three 2024 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award Nominees
We are thrilled to announce the top 3 nominees for the 2024 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award. This award celebrates the legacy of Dr. Espanola Jackson, a tireless community and environmental justice leader. These nominees have been long-time leaders, dedicated coalition builders, and passionate advocates for a just and sustainable future. This award recognizes outstanding leaders of color who have made significant contributions to their communities through clean energy advocacy and environmental justice. These leaders embody all of the following criteria:
- Long-time leaders in their communities (10+ years), may be located anywhere in the U.S. or territories
- Dedicated to improving health and well-being in their community through clean energy
- Strong coalition builders – able to mobilize support both within and around their community
- Working at the intersection of racial justice & clean energy access
- Working both to stop the extractive polluting energy economy and bring health, jobs, and savings to their community via clean energy opportunities
- Influencing the state or local energy policy agenda through direct grassroots advocacy
Meet the Top 3 Finalists:
William “Bill” Casey
Organization: NAACP Metuchen Edison Piscataway Area Branch
William “Bill” Casey has dedicated over 30 years to serving underserved and overburdened communities through his expertise in workforce development. Throughout his career, Bill has advocated tirelessly for employment opportunities for disadvantaged groups, with a particular focus on low-income communities and reentering citizens. His impactful work includes partnering with the Industry Training Department at Lincoln Technical Institute and the Federal Bureau of Prisons to establish vocational training programs for incarcerated and reentering individuals. As his career progressed, Bill’s priorities expanded to include environmental initiatives, leading him to consult with various clean energy advocates in New Jersey. Today, as a clean energy champion, Bill’s mission is to address inequality and build equity through clean and renewable energy workforce development opportunities for underserved communities, combining his longstanding commitment to social justice with the growing potential of the clean economy.
Dayne A. Goodheart
Organization: GRID Alternatives
Dayne A. Goodheart was nominated due to his exceptional dedication and contributions to advancing green energy initiatives, particularly within underserved Tribal communities. For over a decade, Dayne has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to achieving energy sovereignty and environmental justice.
Dayne has overcome significant challenges, including navigating funding constraints for his education and training, to become a pivotal figure in the intersection of racial justice and clean energy access. Because of this exact barrier to education and training, Dayne has committed his life to teaching about photovoltaic systems and their installation to everyday community members. From young people to retirees, Dayne has a unique gift at guiding his trainees with care and consideration, always striving for the success of his students. Beyond his vast technical expertise, Dayne possesses admirable leadership qualities that make him an outstanding community advocate. He is a strong communicator who effectively articulates the benefits of renewable energy solutions to diverse audiences. His passion for community welfare and his proactive approach to problem-solving make him a highly respected figure among his peers and community members alike. His deep understanding of sustainable energy practices and his proactive advocacy for their adoption have significantly contributed to many Tribal communities’ environmental goals and local economy.
By mobilizing community voices and partnering with stakeholders, he has successfully influenced Tribal, local, and political party policy agendas to prioritize equitable access to clean energy jobs and resources. His efforts have not only empowered several Tribal communities but have also set a precedent for inclusive and sustainable energy development across Indian Country. Dayne Goodheart’s unwavering dedication, perseverance, resilience, and leadership in promoting energy sovereignty and environmental justice make him an exemplary candidate for the Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award. His impact not only resonates deeply within his community — Dayne is changing lives and bringing hope to many.
NKwanda Jah
Organization: Alachua County NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee
NKwanda Jah, Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Coalition and Chair of the Alachua County NAACP ECJC, has worked for over 40 years on energy equity and environmental justice issues. NKwanda’s passion for the environment is grounded in her lived experience as a youth on her family’s rural farm and is focused on a broad understanding of sustainability as encompassing social needs, education, healthcare, food and an equitable transition to clean energy.
In 2017, NKwanda established the Alachua County NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee. Bringing together all the local environmental groups, the ECJC has helped to solidify a local environmental movement focused on equity and justice. The group has organized six well-attended community forums since 2018, focused on energy; food; climate change; affordable housing; and equitable transitions to clean energy. This provided information in accessible ways and promoted discussion of concrete solutions for her community.
Most recently, NKwanda led the development of the EMPOWER Coalition team, selected in 2022 and 2024 by the US Department of Energy as a LEAP Community. The Coalition includes city and county governments, educational institutions, local nonprofits and resident associations of three underserved communities where the Coalition is working to expand energy efficiency and weatherization services, electrification, and greater access to green jobs and benefits from solar energy. The EMPOWER project is forging a leadership group of residents from underserved local communities who work together to negotiate solutions for an equitable energy transition and to address the multi-faceted problems faced by these communities of color in Alachua County.
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P.S. Keep an eye out for more information about our 2024 Energy Justice Award Fireside Chat! Every year, we like to introduce the top three nominees via a virtual panel discussion, where they share more about their work and communities, followed by a Q&A held by our Executive Director, Sachu Constantine. More details on how you can register for the fireside chat, cast your vote and support these incredible leaders, coming soon!