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Sandra Sanchez August 14, 2024
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Energy Justice Award

The 2024 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award Nominees


click on a nominee to jump to their biography

At Vote Solar, we are thrilled to announce the top 10 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. It recognizes outstanding leaders of color who have made significant contributions to their communities through clean energy advocacy and environmental justice. These nominees have been long-time leaders, dedicated coalition builders, and passionate advocates for a just and sustainable future.

Meet the nominees

Antonio Butts

Organization: Walnut Way

As a key figure at Walnut Way Conservation Corp, Antonio Butts has spearheaded numerous renewable energy projects, particularly focusing on solar energy, which have significantly reduced the community’s carbon footprint and enhanced energy independence. His initiatives have not only expanded clean energy, but also created educational opportunities and jobs for local residents, addressing both environmental and economic disparities. Antonio’s work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice ensures that the benefits of renewable energy are accessible to underserved communities, fostering resilience and adaptation to climate change. Through his dedication to education, advocacy, and community development, Antonio exemplifies the qualities of a true energy justice champion.

 

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.  

 

Tanksi Clairmont

Organization: GRID Alternatives

Tanksi Clairmont is an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota) from Sisseton, SD, and Sicangu Lakota Oyate from Rosebud, S.D. She is deeply rooted in Lakota/Dakota culture through ceremony, language, and social dancing (pow-wow). Tanksi enjoys exercising, sewing and beading traditional regalia, reading, traveling, and best of all being a mother.

In the last 10 years, she has developed clean energy programs for tribal college/university environmental sustainability fellowships for junior and senior level students pursuing an energy career pathway. Following that experience she worked with 19 tribes to develop policy and establish consultation between tribes and the Department of Energy, and finally she was challenged with an opportunity to conceptualize, build, launch, implement, and sustain the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, a seed funded, tribal focused, grant making program that is now part of GRID Alternatives National Tribal Program.

From a program administrator of environmental sustainability fellowship programs 10 years ago, to a Tribal Working Group Coordinator at the National Conference of State Legislatures, and starting at GRID nearly 6 years ago as the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund Director, Tanksi has a rich history in renewable energy work. She currently serves as the Co-Executive Director of the National Tribal Program at GRID Alternatives. She has identified goals for herself each year and this year she shared that people and department leadership is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to effectively co-leading, co-managing, and supporting staff to ensure effectiveness, healthy work environments and opportunities for career progression.

Tanksi has expanded her presence in the renewable energy field, gaining recognition as a tribal energy leader. She has spoken at national events and conferences about her extensive work in Indian Country to advance and address the unique economic, social and environmental needs, while also developing, strengthening and enhancing relationships with tribal partners, government relations, funders and industry stakeholders.

 

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.

Tonyisha Harris

Organization: The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter

Inspired by a climate assembly at her high school, Tonyisha became a youth climate and environmental justice activist at just 13 years old. Her early passion for environmental advocacy led her to pursue a B.S. in Environmental Science from Loyola University, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago, and other BIPOC, low-income, and marginalized communities.

Tonyisha is a strong coalition builder, actively contributing to multiple advocacy groups working to drive positive impacts for people and nature including with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin, Youth Climate Policy Council, and the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program Alumni Network. Her work is characterized by a vocal and impactful presence at the intersection of racial, queer, economic justice, and clean energy access. Additionally, she nurtures the growth of youth climate activists through her work at Action for the Climate Emergency.

In her role at The Nature Conservancy, one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world, Tonyisha works to increase the adoption of solar and wind power in Illinois. Using science and effective communication, she works with policymakers, conservation experts, and communities to promote a just clean energy transition. She is passionate about community revitalization, especially in areas overburdened by compounded impacts of climate change and disinvestment.

Tonyisha is currently leading two solar and wind pilot projects in Illinois focused on energy sovereignty and is developing a documentary illustrating the joy and sustainability of clean energy for frontline communities. Through her unwavering commitment, Tonyisha continues to inspire and drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change and for environmental justice.

 

Crystal Huang

Organization: Energy Democracy Project

Crystal Huang is a distinguished leader in energy democracy and environmental justice movements, known for her dedication to empowering overburdened communities. With over a decade of experience, Crystal has made significant contributions to advancing clean energy solutions that prioritize communities’ needs.
As the leader of the Energy Democracy Project, Crystal has fostered collaboration among nearly 40 diverse organizations, working to democratize the U.S. energy sector. Her efforts have been instrumental in ensuring that clean energy is accessible to all, particularly in communities historically excluded from these resources. Through her leadership, Crystal has improved community health by advocating for renewable energy sources that reduce pollution and enhance the quality of life.

Crystal’s work is deeply rooted in the intersection of racial justice and clean energy access. As a co-founder of the People Power Solar Cooperative, she has championed community ownership of energy systems, providing a framework for everyday people to reclaim power over their energy futures. Her influence extends to grassroots advocacy, where she has worked with numerous local organizations to shape state and local energy policies that reflect the needs of those most affected by energy injustices. Crystal’s vision of energy democracy places the voices of everyday people at the center of designing a more equitable and sustainable future.

 

Fatima Iqbal-Zubair

Organization: California Environmental Voters

Fatima Iqbal-Zubair is the current chair of California Democratic Party’s Progressive Caucus, leading the largest state Democratic caucus in the nation on intersectional progressive policy. She is the first Muslim woman and South Asian woman in this role. In her day job, she is EnviroVoters’ Legislative Affairs Manager. In this role, she works with our elected leaders and stakeholders in the Capitol to pass transformative climate policy that will meet the urgency of this moment.

Living in a frontline community in South Los Angeles, Fatima brings with her lived experiences as a former teacher, former California Teachers’ Association member and current youth nonprofit STEAM leader and special needs mom in a community that has struggled with the impacts of environmental and systemic racism for far too long. Her activism stemmed from her work as a high school Science teacher in Watts working in a school that has contaminated water and land. Since then, she has grown to be part of numerous coalitions and is excited to use her experiences and focus on youth to create communities all across our state that are healthy, livable, and thriving. In her free time, she loves supporting her South LA nonprofit Robotics program that she founded and fighting for justice wherever she can.

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.

 

Ruth Santiago

Organization: Queremos Sol

Ruth Santiago is an exemplary Energy Justice Champion whose dedication and impactful work in Puerto Rico highlight her as a leader in environmental and energy justice. As a long-time advocate, Santiago has tirelessly fought for the rights of marginalized communities, addressing the severe environmental and energy injustices they face. Her work spans legal actions, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing, reflecting her unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice.

Santiago has been at the forefront of efforts to transition Puerto Rico to distributed renewable energy, particularly through public and community-owned systems. Her advocacy was pivotal in opposing the construction of an LNG Terminal, which posed significant health risks to nearby communities. By leading legal actions against this polluting energy source, Santiago not only protected public health but also highlighted the critical need for sustainable energy solutions.

As a coalition builder, Santiago has successfully mobilized diverse groups to support community-based rooftop solar energy initiatives. She played a key role in forming the Queremos Sol coalition, advocating for a decentralized, renewable energy system for Puerto Rico. This coalition work exemplifies her ability to unite community members, policymakers, and organizations around a common goal of energy justice.

Santiago works at the intersection of racial justice and access to energy as a human right, recognizing that marginalized communities disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental degradation. Her advocacy emphasizes the importance of equitable energy solutions that provide health benefits, job opportunities, and economic savings for these communities.
Moreover, Santiago’s grassroots advocacy has significantly influenced local energy policies. Her efforts have brought attention to the need for a just transition away from extractive, polluting energy economies toward democratic, decolonized, and decentralized renewable alternatives. Through her leadership, Ruth Santiago exemplifies what it means to be an Energy Justice Champion, inspiring others to pursue equitable and sustainable energy solutions.

 

Cody Two Bears

Organization: Indigenized Energy

Cody Two Bears is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and is the inspiring voice behind Indigenized Energy. His work centers on the collaboration of Western science with Indigenous traditional knowledge. Cody is the Founder and Executive Director of Indigenized Energy which is actively helping tribes develop long term energy plans and pursue strategies that will enable a just transition to renewable energy. The Cannon Ball community of the Standing Rock Reservation, where Cody grew up, is one of the poorest counties in the nation, and energy costs there are among the highest. 

In the wake of the #NoDAPL protests that gripped his community in 2016, Cody merged his cultural knowledge and desire for climate justice to create the Indigenized Energy organization. He created the largest solar farm in the State of North Dakota on Standing Rock in 2019, which now serves as an example for other tribes that it is possible to move away from fossil fuels. At age 28, Cody became the youngest elected tribal council member in its history on Standing Rock. In 2013, he helped bring President Obama to the reservation in what became the only visit to a Native American reservation in the President’s two-term tenure.
Cody and his organization, Indigenized Energy, created the very first of its kind Northern Plains Coalition of Tribes that will focus on energy sovereignty with renewable green energy and were recently awarded a historic 136 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund led by the Environmental Protection Agency. This will play a big role in helping these communities break cycles of poverty in some of the most difficult places to deploy green energy in the country. Cody speaks regularly in native communities and universities, and has been featured in People Magazine, Rolling Stone, AlJazeera, Parade Magazine’s 2019 renewable project of the year, USA Today, Solar Power World Magazine and other national news outlets.

 

These nominees serve as powerful examples of environmental justice leadership, inspiring us all to work toward a just clean energy transition. The winner of the Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award will receive $10,000 and be featured in a short film to highlight their story, work, and accomplishments.

Honorable Mentions

We are also delighted to acknowledge several outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities. These honorable mentions have shown remarkable dedication to clean energy access, community health, and environmental justice.

P.S. Stay tuned for the announcement of our top three finalists! We’re excited to invite the public to participate in the voting process and help us select the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award. Keep an eye out for more details on how you can cast your vote and support these incredible leaders!

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