Full Name: Aissa Dearing

Age: 18

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Organization: Durham Youth Climate Justice Initiative

Bio: My name is Aissa Dearing and I am a native of Durham, NC. I'm currently studying History and Environmental Science at Howard University. I am passionate about sustaining the environment because I took solace in spaces of naturalness when I was younger to escape the chaos of home. Because I want to ensure that these spaces are available for young people of color for years to come, I founded the Durham Youth Climate Justice Initiative (DYCJI). I began organizing in racial equity about five years ago, and I realized that many in the environmental justice movement did not prioritize the needs of Durham's frontline and vulnerable community members. DYCJI sets an intentional space for young people of color in climate justice by using a racial/socioeconomic justice lens to tackle sustainability issues in Durham.

1.What was your understanding of your "purpose" when you were in high school, and how has that evolved over time?

My understanding of purpose was very unclear in high school. I didn't really see how my actions could create tangible change in my community. After having intimate conversations with my neighbors and doing some grassroots organizing in my community, I realized that not all significant change can be quantified. I've come to realize that my purpose is to use the position of power I am in to uplift the good work that others are doing.

2. Why do you do the work you do? What impact do you hope to create?

I do the work that I do in order to keep all life sustained and healthy on Earth. I know that this fight will exist for the entirety of human existence, and I am only holding the 'baton' for a lifetime. I hope to fundamentally change the race for young people of color to come in environmental sciences and climate justice.

3. How did you discover your current career path, and what support did you receive along the way?

I discovered my career path (I hope to become an Environmental Engineer) by studying racial and socioeconomic inequality! When I first began studying Environmental Sciences, it was so boring -- I found it super unrelatable to the issues in Durham. After seeing and experiencing environmental injustices in my community, I realized that I could combine both my love for history and social justice by tackling an issue that disproportionately affects people of color. I have always had support from my fellow organizers (best friends) that have helped me host forums on issues in climate justice, reach out to Durham's youth to attend 'climate conversations' and start demonstrations on problems we felt needed to be addressed promptly.

4. What have you learned from any professional or personal challenge(s) or failure(s) that you have experienced in your life?

I've learned that young voices are often tokenized when allowed in the halls of power. Adults sometimes claim that young people do not have the expertise needed to be the vehicles of change. This is absolutely not true! I've learned that in order to show people in positions of power that young people are serious about the issues they are advocating around an ask must be made. Whether it's visiting your city council, county commissioners, or state representatives -- young people should make a tangible ask from these community leaders.

5. What do you think today's youth has to look forward to?

I think young people will look forward to holding more positions of power! Young people have so much expertise in their lived experiences with climate change and I think adults are starting to realize the power of the youth perspective.