ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT PUBLISHER Amir Shirazi EDITOR IN CHIEF Denise Koprich Shirazi EDITOR Raye Mocioiu CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sergio D. Spadavecchia GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelly Laufer PRODUCTION MANAGER Allie Murray FINANCE DIRECTOR Marie LaVoie BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER Jonathan Ramlal
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CONTRIBUTORS Raye Mocioiu, Allie Murray, Jill Gralow, Ben Shaberman SALES DIRECTOR Stephen McDermott ADVERTISING Heibrie Barron, Daniel Sette, Barbara Lamarshe, Emile Galarneau, Kent Batson, Stephen Fletcher, Rick Morris Cover Photo Don Cheadle © Chris Pizzello; Gloria Walton © Will Utley care of The Solutions Project
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DON CHEADLE
&GLORIA WALTON
DON CHEADLE FOR THE SOLUTIONS PROJECT © BIRDS EYE PHOTOGRAPHY
Global Heroes (GH): Gloria, you have been a key figure in the fight for climate and racial justice. Can you share how you became involved in this intersection of issues? WALTON: Growing up, I remember seeing my mom, a single mom, struggle to support our family and make ends meet. Within and beyond my nuclear family, I experienced and witnessed the harsh realities of underemployment and unemployment, not having paid sick leave or vacation, choosing between paying utility bills or putting food on the table, living in neighborhoods with poor air quality, and lacking access to affordable healthcare. Growing up in poverty made me passionate about pathways out of it. When I got to college, I discovered a path for creating change I didn’t know existed: community organizing. I started as a community organizer for economic justice in Black and Brown communities in South Central Los Angeles. In 2006, I came across the climate sector while researching pathways out of poverty. The more I learned about the climate sector, the more I understood it was the most intersectional issue of our time. Climate was about more than the economy; it was interwoven into all facets of society and the systems in which we live. It was about clean water, the clean energy transition, public transportation, health, food justice, and equitable access to resources for everyone. I organized for 16 years on the ground and learned so much from grassroots leaders. I recognized and experienced the depth of under-resourcing in frontline communities. It was clear that I needed to seek ways to move resources to communities on the frontlines, which led me to The Solutions Project. GH: How do you see the intersection between climate justice and racial justice, and why is it important to address both issues? WALTON: Communities of color, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian-American and Pacific
January • 2024 The power of positive, solution-based journalism.
ON CLIMATE JUSTICE, RADICAL CHANGE, AND SOLIDARITY PHILANTHROPY RAYE MOCIOIU
Award-winning actor and part-time superhero Don Cheadle says that storytelling can vividly paint a picture of a better future in which audiences can see themselves, their families, and communities reflected in an inspiring light. The UN Global Goodwill Ambassador sits on the board of directors for the Solutions Project, a national non-profit organization that funds and amplifies climate justice solutions. Co-founded by Mark Ruffalo in 2013 and led by president and CEO Gloria Walton, honorees of the 2023 TIME Inaugural Earth Award, the Solutions Project takes a socially informed approach to climate justice solutions, leading with the knowledge that climate change goes
hand-in-hand with systemic racism—and real, lasting change requires talking about difficult issues. It’s a method they call Solidarity Philanthropy, centering equity and justice at the heart of their grantmaking. Crucially, too, it’s an impactful method of storytelling that shifts the narrative and gets people to listen. “Storytelling shapes the broader narrative and public imagination,” said Cheadle. “Stories emerging from communities, especially unlikely places for innovation in most people’s minds, act as a catalyst for transformative change, inspiring others to join the movement for climate justice.” Looking ahead to a year of incredible impact, Cheadle and Walton sat down to talk about storytelling, solutions, and the path to radical change.
GOOD LIFE GARDEN © COURTESY OF THE SOLUTIONS PROJECT
GLORIA WALTON AT BLACK CLIMATE WEEK © ISAIAH CLAYTON EVERETT
Islander, are disproportionately harmed by the compounding impacts and burden of racism, poverty, and the climate crisis. These same communities face a heightened risk of heat-related deaths, health impacts, climate-related disasters, and exposure to pollution. They also lack access to clean air, safe drinking water, and healthy foods. Studies have shown that 68 percent of Black Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, leading to disproportionate rates of cancer and asthma. Furthermore, they are 40 percent more likely to live in places where extreme temperatures contribute to a higher mortality rate. The Solutions Project’s mission is to close this funding gap and ensure that the most impacted communities have the resources to develop, implement, amplify, and scale effective climate solutions. We offer multi-year “self-determination” grants and funding to frontline communities. We also believe in the importance and power of storytelling; by supporting communities to develop robust narrative strategies, we aim to bring attention to everyday success stories, ensuring that the experiences and triumphs of these communities are heard and acknowledged widely. CHEADLE: As a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Agency and as a board member at The Solutions Project, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the direct impact of the climate crisis on communities of color. The intersection between climate and racial justice is unmistakable; it’s evident that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are often hit first and experience the hardest consequences of climate change. That’s why they are at the forefront of creating innovative climate solutions. Their lives literally depend on it. There is a tangible link between climate and racial justice that crosses economic disparities and historical injustices. The urgency to address these issues collectively stems from the fact
that they are connected—we cannot separate the two. There is no racial justice without climate justice, and no climate justice without racial justice. GH: What is Solidarity Philanthropy, and how can it reshape the philanthropic industry? CHEADLE: Gloria and I often talk about the roots of the word Philanthropy, which is the Greek ‘Philanthropia’ and has come to mean “love of humanity.” Given the substantial funding disparity for climate justice solutions created by Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, The Solutions Project’s commitment to disrupting traditional philanthropy is pivotal in redirecting resources to the communities that need them the most—and can frankly deliver the greatest impact. The Solutions Project understands that the only way forward is to actively listen to the communities on the ground. It’s a true honor and hopeful endeavor to support so many grassroots communities all across the country. We all share a responsibility to ensure each other's safety and the protection of the planet. Systemic issues require all of us to donate our time, money, and resources, and it’s especially important that individuals, especially those with greater means, join in on the movement. As Too $hort says, Get in Where You Fit In!
WE ALL SHARE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE EACH OTHER'S SAFETY AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PLANET. WALTON: Philanthropy, for me, is a call to put more love into everything we do and leverage love as a powerful force to reshape the philanthropic industry. Solidarity Philanthropy reaches for the
highest impact and integrity in grantmaking. We cultivate meaningful relationships with our grantee partners and move in alignment with the movements we support. In a time when many communities face threats, whether from climate change or war, we recognize that change doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires all of us to do our part in formation with frontline communities, and that’s what solidarity is: showing up for each other when it matters most and being in it for the long term. As a movement-accountable intermediary, The Solutions Project serves as a crucial bridge and gate opener between major donors and the communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis. We play this role while maintaining accountability to grassroots groups and alliances. For us, solidarity is not just a concept; it’s a practice, a lived value, guiding us to become better long-term partners in the growing social change movement. We do our homework, listen deeply, seek feedback, and share our learnings with the field. GH: Can you share a story or example of a climate changemaker from an underrepresented community of color that has inspired you or that you believe deserves recognition for their innovative environmental work? CHEADLE: Absolutely! There are so many climate activists and leaders who inspire me. Zelalem Adefris, the dynamic CEO of Catalyst Miami, is a long-time grantee partner of The Solutions Project. She has been a champion of climate, social, and racial justice and has played a critical role in steering the organization’s programs, policy agenda, and strategic planning. Catalyst Miami delivers three kinds of impact: it provides health and financial services to Black and immigrant families, supports small businesses in building community wealth, and advocates for policy change.
RESOURCE CLIMATE JUSTICE AT THESOLUTIONSPROJECT.ORG
Zelalem’s leadership goes beyond her role as the CEO of Catalyst Miami. She also serves as the co-chair of Miami Climate Alliance, which has locally passed incredible climate resilience and affordable green housing laws. She is also a philanthropic trustee of The Solutions Project, meaning she brings community voice and wisdom into the governance of our grantmaking. WALTON: One of the many grantee partners that inspires me is Casa Pueblo, a community-based organization that protects Puerto Rico’s natural ecosystems, community infrastructure, and culture. Since 2017, the island has faced three major hurricanes, floods, and an earthquake. After Hurricane Maria, 80 percent of Puerto Rico’s power grid was damaged, and outages lasted for months. To this day, the central grid is still in disrepair. Casa Pueblo responded by installing community solar systems across the island as part of their broader commitment to energy democracy and equity in disaster resilience. When Hurricane Fiona hit in 2022, their projects provided critical energy support, keeping the lights on in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods even as the larger electric grid failed. To date, they have powered over 400 homes and businesses, including nearly 20 percent of fire stations on the island. They’ve donated 14,000 solar lamps and spearheaded more than 250 solar projects to help local communities prepare for future disasters. Casa Pueblo also built Puerto Rico’s first community-powered solar grid and aims to decentralize reliance on fossil fuels, striving to provide Puerto Rico with 100 percent clean energy by 2050. There are so many amazing community organizations to name. We are proud to resource over 300 partners across the country, and we celebrate them every single day! Bold and effective solutions emerge when philanthropy hears and responds to the voices of those directly and most affected by the climate crisis. Resource climate justice at thesolutionsproject.org and get involved.
