Our Top Three 2026 Dr. Espanola Jackson Energy Justice Award Nominees

We are thrilled to announce the top 3 finalists for the 2026 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 energy and environmental justice. These leaders embody all of the following criteria:

• Long-time leaders in their communities (10+ years of work in energy or environmental justice), located anywhere in the U.S. or territories and are:
  • 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 to stop extractive and/or polluting industry in their community;
  • Working to bring jobs and savings to their community via clean energy opportunities;
  • Influencing the state, local, or federal energy policy agenda through direct grassroots advocacy.

Meet the Top 3 Finalists:

Adrienne Farrar Houël
Role: President & CEO at Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc.

Adrienne Farrar Houël is founder, President, and CEO of Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, where she creates economic opportunities through sustainable businesses, workforce development, and community investment. Her work has helped train and employ low-income residents, expand affordable housing, grow green businesses, and advance environmental justice in Bridgeport and across Connecticut. She has also held numerous state and local leadership roles focused on energy efficiency, climate resilience, recycling, and equitable economic development. 

Eric Walker
Role: Energy Justice Senior Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Eric Walker is Energy Justice Senior Policy Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice and a Buffalo-based leader working to make clean energy more accessible to underserved communities. A co-founder of PUSH Buffalo, he helped champion New York’s first statewide community-driven energy services program and later developed Erie County initiatives supporting energy-insecure families and community solar. At WE ACT, he has helped secure major increases in funding for energy efficiency, building electrification, and programs serving low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.

Joel Iboa
Role: Founding Executive Director at Oregon Just Transition Alliance 

Joel Iboa is Founding Executive Director of the Oregon Just Transition Alliance and a leader in environmental, climate, and immigrant justice. He helped lead Oregon’s Clean Energy Opportunity campaign and the passage of a major climate resilience package that secured $90 million in state funding with $1 billion in matching federal funds. Iboa has also built statewide coalitions, helped direct resources to grassroots environmental justice organizations, and served in leadership roles advancing community resilience, immigrant rights, and equitable climate policy.

Join us on Friday, October 2 at 2 p.m. ET for a virtual fireside chat moderated by our Executive Director, Sachu Constantine, where you’ll hear directly from the finalists about their work, their communities, and their vision for an equitable clean energy future. Reserve your spot:

Register for Fireside Chat

Voting for the award opens after the chat, RSVP now to meet the finalists first.