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Moderator: Evalina Sain

Evalina is a senior at Omaha Central High School and will pursue a degree in Sustainable Development on a pre-law track beginning in the fall. She serves as the Executive Director of Students for Sustainability (SFS) which is dedicated to environmental advocacy at both national and regional levels. Evalina has contributed to the planning team for the Omaha City Climate Action Plan, OPPD's environmental policy and she co-authored the Omaha Public Schools Environmental Stewardship Plan. She also interns with Nebraska Conservation Voters, focusing on the election of candidates who champion sustainable policies and she conducts environmental research at Creighton University.

Panelists:

Mia Perales grew up in South Omaha and she is a sophomore Environmental Engineering Student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She is also minoring in Political Science. Currently, Mia serves as a Sustainability Ambassador for the Office of Sustainability at UNL and the Outreach Liaison for SustainUNL. Mia has been active in lobbying efforts for environmental legislation both locally and nationally with the Citizens Climate Lobby Organization. In 2023 Mia was awarded the Friends of the Earth Youth Award and the Sierra Club Youth Leadership Award. 

Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright is a Fannie Lou Hamer Vision Policy Fellow with the Movement for Black Lives.  He previously served as the Policy Coordinator and Green New Deal Policy Lead with the Climate Justice Alliance. Anthony was selected as one of Grist.org “50 Environmentalists You’ll Be Talking About” in 2016, and recognized as one of New York City's 100 most influential environmental leaders in 2022 and 2023 by New York’s City and State Magazine. He’s written numerous articles discussing the climate crisis and racial injustice, and has spoken on these subjects at universities throughout the U.S. and in Europe. 

Cheryl Weston is a business entrepreneur, public speaker, long-time North Omaha resident and community advocate. Cheryl has helped advocate for Black/brown Americans and low and marginalized communities in Omaha. She serves on numerous boards including the Governors’ Omaha Advisory Council for Lead Safe Neighborhoods. She is currently working with the Omaha ad hoc group in response to OPPD’s continuation to burn coal at the North Omaha Station for three years longer than promised. She has her own YouTube program called Conversations with Cheryl.

Resources:

Click here to see the extended bios of the moderator and panelists.

NFWblog, EPA’s Decision to Shutter Its Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Office Puts Communities at Risk

The New York Times, These Words Are Disappearing in the New Trump Administration