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1. Can you tell us a bit about the work you’re currently doing and how you got to this point?:
After living in Philadelphia for 7 years, I moved back home in 2022, and became part of the collective at theQueer Ecojustice Project with Vanessa Raditz as well as an organizer under QReady with Out for Sustainability. I'm currently doing Education and Organizing work with Queers4ClimateJutice which is based in Borikén aka Puerto Rico. My life and work will always be dedicated to thinking about ways we can have all we want and grow how we want as Black Queer Caribbean folks in Borikén, both as a collective and as individuals.
2. What are your (climate) superpowers?:
Honesty, Intentionality, Transparency, and connecting others
I try to be honest and intentional in everything I do in life, with myself and others. Ibuild foundations based on truth and transparency to create sustainable strong networks in order to better organize.
3. Who are your (climate) superheroes?:
My grandmother Lucía Martinez is my biggest hero and inspiration and who taught me to love and care for plants.
Every single one of my friends and people in the margins doing Intersectional Queer Climate Justice work, creating things out of magic, and making things happen in colonized territories, specifically in Borikén.
4. Can you tell us a story of a catalyzing moment in your journey to climate work?:
For me it was attending the Allied Media Conference back in 2018 after Hurricane María. I was a part of the diaspora living in Philadelphia and the conference was in Detroit. There, I met Dania 'Betún' Warhol (@espicynipplez) during a facilitation by Colectivo Ilé and we SAW each other.. I also attended a presentation called Fantasy Island: Decolonial Futures & Puerto Rican Response, about the mobilizing of artists in response to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. From that point on I was intentionally working with a Queer Climate Justice lens.
5. What recommendations do you have for people reading this to get involved in climate work?:
Start home and in your community, think about the smallest ways you can make changes and go from there. The big picture can be overwhelming BUT we all can connect with a friend who is involved at the community level and it can turn into something you do together moving forward!
6. What is inspiring you these days?:
The ocean breeze, my four legged companions, listening to the birds in the morning, el coquí at night, my friends, family and my community will forever be my inspiration.
TO LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED:
Follow @QUEERS4CLIMATEJUSTICE and organize a screening of Can’t Stop Change!