Climate Champion #4 is mom, community organizer
Nailah Pope-Harden is a community organizer in south Sacramento who focuses on environmental justice and community development. She serves as an appointed member of the Mayors’ Climate Commission and participates in the commission’s Community Health and Resiliency Technical Advisory Committee. She is also part of the environmental justice group advising the city on its new general plan.
She frequently brings her infant son, Naeem, to climate-related meetings, reminding everyone of why it’s important to take strong action.
Nailah is active in social justice campaigns in Sacramento and across the country. She believes that people are moved to action by building relationship and creating a shared vision.
“Not only am I interested in passing down family traditions to my son, I'm interested in passing down a healthy planet,” she says.
Nailah received her bachelor’s degree in government and journalism from California State University, Sacramento in 2015 and is a voice for the Sacramento community to become more inclusive. She leads this work through one-on-one interactions and by serving on the boards of various environmental organizations. She says her most important belief is in the power of community and that the time she donates to the recommendations that will be incorporated into city plans and policies reflect this principle.
