Local Hero: Jacquelyn Badejo, Passionate for Sustainable Environments

Nominee Name: Jacquelyn Badejo
Title: Environmental activist
Organization/Business: Los Angeles Mayor's Climate Emergency Mobilization Office
Website:dpw.lacity.org

"She and her mom (Miss Linda Cleveland) have been fighting for cleaner air through community advocacy for years. Due to pollution impacts, it is estimated that the life expectancy of Watt's residents is 12 years shorter than for those living in other L.A. communities like Brentwood or Beverly Hills. As a result of her community education, outreach and organizing, the L.A. DASH bus is now running all electric buses in Watts and there's a first-of-its-kind electric carshare program being introduced thanks to a state grant she helped shepherd and secure. .... She is a charismatic community leader who is standing up for the people of Watts and South LA."

— Ruben Aronin, nominator

About Jacquelyn Badejo

Jacquelyn Badejo is a South-Central Los Angeles native with southern and Nigerian roots. Badejo has served as a social and environmental activist and City of Los Angeles elected official for seven years and a California State Assembly (AD64) Women's Commissioner for four years. She is committed to organizational and environmental issues on a global scale. She is also well-versed in community organizing, advocacy, nonprofit industry, economic and human capital development and program and policy impact strategizing. She has provided a unique scope of transformative leadership and innovative practices and technologies that will help improve the overall quality of life. To her, the slogan, "Let's make the world great together," encompasses principles of integrity, transparency and accountability.

With a passion to empower people and create sustainable environments, Badejo looks forward to serving as a newly appointed commissioner for the Los Angeles Mayor's Climate Emergency Mobilization Office to advocate for a just transition to green industry for all amid climate change.

Badejo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema & Television Arts and a master's degree in public administration from California State University Northridge, as well as doctorate in Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University