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!

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, Kelly Baker. We are so grateful to have her expertise, experiences, and skills at ILFI.

How has the RAY Fellowship impacted you thus far?

KB: The RAY Fellowship has greatly impacted me within the last year. This fellowship is inspired by promoting diversity in the environmental sector and it has meant the world to meet with and learn from some of the brightest environmental leaders of color. I am beyond fortunate to be a part of the 2020 RAY Fellowship cohort, working to promote social equity within the environmental field and other industries alike.

What are you excited to work on as the Certifications Manager for Just at ILFI?

KB: I am incredibly interested in learning how organizations approach social equity in the workplace. As Certifications Manger, I have had the opportunity to work with many organizations across varying industry types and based around the world. They each have unique visions of how they can contribute to bettering employee equity practices and contribute to society’s betterment. It is truly a pleasure to meet people who showcase their dedication to our mission at ILFI and see ways to become more equitable within their organizations. I am also excited about exploring the complexities of the 22 social and equity indicators (under the categories of diversity + inclusion, equity, employee health, employee benefit, stewardship, and purchasing) showcased in Just. I am interested in approaching these topics regarding different complex international, cultural, and ecological lenses as the needs and understandings of equity change and evolve.

What are you most passionate about within the field of sustainability?

KB: I am incredibly passionate about the fight against Environmental Racism and Environmental Classism, phenomena in which government-enacted policies target minority groups for undesirable land uses and result in communities disproportionately exposed to toxic and hazardous waste. Environmental Racism and Environmental Classism can be seen across the United States from Flint Michigan’s Water Crisis to Louisiana’s Cancer Alley, where hundreds of petrochemical plants live between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. These instances of communities suffering from extremely hazardous polluted air, drinking water, and soil are often governmentally approved to occur in communities with high percentages of people of color and in low-income communities. 

I have had the privilege of travelling across the Colorado Plateau, home to the Indigenous tribes of the Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Hualapai, Havasupai, Ute, Apache, and Southern Paiute, to meet and develop relationships with many phenomenal beings of Indigenous heritage. I have listened to their stories of how their people are currently being murdered, undervalued, and disrespected at the United States Government’s discretion. As I am writing this, million-dollar fracking companies are polluting these communities’ potable water sources and disturbing the bedrock that prevents natural disasters like mudslides. These fracking operations bring man camps that normalize patriarchal and colonial culture, sexual violence, and murder against two-spirit and Indigenous women. Many abandoned uranium mine sites degrade Northern Arizona ecosystems while affecting nearby Indigenous tribes. It is unacceptable that people, animals, and the land have suffered from sickness due to exposure to uranium’s toxicity for decades. I cannot imagine a life not fighting for environmental, social-cultural, and economic justice. I share this story out of solidarity with Indigenous communities and all that are suffering from environmental racism.

Do you have any recommendations for books, podcasts, blogs, etc. for the Living Future community?

KB: A fantastic book recommendation that I have is Black Faces, White Spaces by Carolyn Finney, which showcases the relationship between race and the environment from an African American perspective. While many of us are aware of social unrest, police brutality, racism, climate change, and environmental degradation, the book illuminates the intersections between many of today’s problems, especially the interconnections of social and ecological injustice. This book captures the essence of reimagining the relationship between African Americans and the outdoors.

Thank you to Kelly for taking the time to share her story with us. Check out the following links to learn more about ILFI’s Just Program and the RAY Fellowship, and read about our other amazing Fellow, Inonge Mubita!