Wilhemina Agbemakplido

Climate change affects more than ecosystems and air quality — it directly impacts communities of color and lower-income families more significantly than wealthier, white communities, said climate activist Wilhemina Agbemakplido, this year’s Earth Day speaker. Ms. Agbemakplido’s visit to campus was sponsored by the student groups Lorax and the Sustainability Club. She is the energy program manager for the Mass Climate Action Network. Prior to joining MCAN, Ms. Agbemakplido was a co-founder of Refugees Welcome! and worked as a youth and police dialogue facilitator with YW Boston. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a master’s degree in mediation and conflict resolution. She is passionate about engaging communities of color in the grassroots efforts to organize for community-based climate action.

“If we are to continue to rely on natural resources, we need to start listening to indigenous people who live in the natural world. We cannot turn a blind eye to how rapidly our world is changing.”