This year, ILFI is proud to be a Conservation Member Organization for the Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Diversity Fellowship Program, a two-year paid fellowship that supports recent college graduates of color in conservation and clean energy-related careers. While the lack of racial diversity within the green sector is becoming widely recognized as a problem, this recognition is only the beginning of the work needed to support a diverse community of environmental advocates. It is imperative that the green building sector centers the voices and perspectives of people of color, which will in turn make its work in the built environment more inclusive, relevant, and impactful.
While social justice has long been at the core of ILFI’s mission, we recognize that we have much work to do to ensure that people of all races and backgrounds are included in our work to create a Living Future for all (you can read about some of the steps we’re taking here).
Please join us in welcoming one of our two RAY Fellows, Inonge Mubita. We are so grateful to have her expertise, experiences, and skills at ILFI.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
IM: I am half Zambian and half Tanzanian but also grew up in Cameroon, Ghana (for a short time), Kenya, and the Netherlands. Growing up in international settings and having a passion for environmental issues inspired me to get my bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, in Environmental Studies with a concentration in International Environment and Development. Economic development is a major focus for many countries in the Global South. I was drawn to the environmental field because it provides a creative and innovative space to think about how we design and envision societies, and think outside conventional economic development practices.
What sparked your interest in the sustainability field, and specifically in environmental justice?
IM: At first, it was all about elephants! Growing up, I was obsessed with elephants to a point where most gifts I received from anyone included a mini sculpture or symbol of an elephant. Tanzania is known for having several national parks filled with various animals, including elephants, and beautiful landscapes. The parks provide a safe habitat for animals and protect specific natural resources. But, the creation of these parks also excludes local and indigenous people who used these lands for their livelihoods. It made me think more deeply about human-environment relationships and how environmental policies meant to protect the environment can also be harmful and need a deep re-analysis.
Environmental policies, particularly those popularized in the west, still have elements of colonialism and racism, which pulled me to learn more about environmental justice. I started to get a sense of what environmental justice looked like in practice during an internship I had with the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota. I was part of a coalition of activists, neighborhood organizations, and city council members who talked about energy democracy and energy justice. I was later thrilled when offered an opportunity to join the International Living Future Institute as a Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Research Manager.
How do you think the RAY Diversity Fellowship is making a difference for young people of color who want to work in the environmental field?
IM: While environmental movements are making efforts to be more inclusive and invest in diversity, there is still quite a lot of work to be done. Studying in an environmental field that was not fully representative or had many people who looked like me, I sometimes found it challenging to really build the necessary confidence and knowledge in environmental leadership.
The RAY Diversity Fellowship is not only committed to addressing environmental issues, but is equally invested in supporting and strengthening young environmental leaders of color. It provides a space to feel supported, ask stupid questions (even though I know there is no such thing), and be vulnerable.
I have loved my fellowship experience so far, as I get to be part of a cohort of super-intelligent and passionate people. The amount of support and resources has been amazing. We get to talk about the state of the world, environmental issues, and how to incorporate equity and multiculturalism in our work. We also get to reflect and discuss our mental well-being. Tips on navigating workplace culture, handling microaggressions, work-life balance, and self-care have all been vital conversations, especially for young professionals of color who are working on their career-driven goals and their personal goals for how they want to grow as advocates.
What are you excited to work on as the Zero Carbon and Zero Energy Research Manager at ILFI?
IM: I am really excited to learn more about innovative energy and decarbonization strategies, and understand what is happening at the local, national and international levels. As someone interested in research and policy, I am eager to dive into topics and collaborate with teams to stay current with energy regulations and continue to inspire decarbonization efforts in the built environment. I am also interested in researching various strategies to make these efforts accessible to multiple projects and communities. Given ILFI’s mission to be international and multicultural, I would love to learn more about how we can partner with local community members and international organizations to make our programs applicable worldwide, with a focus on accessibility, partnerships, and collaboration. There is so much to learn from various international and local efforts that can benefit and advance our work at ILFI.
One thing I admire about ILFI is our mission to not only reduce harm, but also increase positive impact. I am eager to learn more about the difference our programs make in communities, and how we can continue to positively impact these communities and the built environment.
What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
IM: In my spare time, I really enjoy dancing. I was part of a dance group throughout my time in college which focused on African-based movement. I look forward to finding another dance group or class in Seattle soon. I also love to cook! I am by no means a professional, but cooking allows me to slow things down and be creative. Plus, I am vegetarian, so I am always trying to make impressive vegetarian meals that show people that being vegetarian is not boring.
Thank you to Inonge for taking the time to share her story with us. Check out the following links to learn more about ILFI’s Zero Carbon and Zero Energy Certifications and the RAY Fellowship. And, read about our other amazing Fellow, Kelly Baker!
