CCAN Fellowship Program
Earth Rising has been pleased to support a new round of fellows assisting Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) in Virginia and Maryland during the 2021-22 academic year (you can read about the work of one of last year’s fellows here).
Fall 2021 Fellowship Program
Nikia Johnson, Virginia Grassroots Fellow
Nikia – a Health Sciences sophomore at Howard University – contributed valuable outreach and research skills to CCAN's Virginia team in the Fall semester. Nikia grew up in Norfolk, VA, and has first-hand knowledge of living in a community that faces multiple environmental threats. She is a solution-oriented activist dedicated to communities like her own that are feeling the effects of the climate crisis every day.
During her time with CCAN, Nikia contributed to the No New Fossil Fuels campaign (including grassroots outreach and legal support to stop the Mountain Valley and Chickahominy Pipelines), Mobility for All campaign (to prioritize public and alternative transportation), and statewide flood resilience work. She participated in meetings with local government officials, NGO coalitions, and helped to develop educational resources.
Schanaque Watson, Maryland Grassroots Fellow
Post-graduate fellow Schanaque assisted the Maryland grassroots team with valuable support throughout the Fall semester in preparation for critical Maryland state campaigns, as well as implementation of CCAN’s new membership structure.
During her time with CCAN, Schanaque broadened her advocacy horizons by learning from their experience advocating for state-level policy. She helped conduct power-mapping research into key votes for top-priority policy, and assisted the grassroots team in recruiting for and conducting lobby trainings with activists. She also participated in phone-banking and other outreach efforts to help build a strong membership base in key districts.
Spring 2022 Fellowship Program
Jada Pender, Virginia Policy Fellow
Jada – a third-year political science major at Hampton University – is focusing on supporting CCAN’s legislative goals in the 2022 general Assembly session. She has already helped to defend the Virginia Clean Economy Act and Virginia's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. She will also gain grassroots advocacy and organizing experience related to CCAN’S legislative priorities as well as other goals, including stopping the Mountain Valley and Chickahominy Pipelines.
Davonte Douglas, Maryland Policy Fellow
Davonte – a junior environmental science major at Howard University – has already done extensive environmental work in his academic and professional career, and is working alongside CCAN’s Maryland team to promote comprehensive climate policy during the 2022 legislative session. Born and raised in Maryland, he described how meaningful it is to have the opportunity to impact environmental and climate progress in his home state.
His projects at CCAN will include creating policy factsheets, drafting and presenting testimony on behalf of CCAN, and attending coalition meetings and meetings with legislators. Maryland has just passed two major climate bills, ensuring good green jobs and raising the greenhouse gas reduction goals to 60% by 2031, and Davonte is one of many who made this important action possible.
The fellows have been able to increase their skills and knowledge of grassroots advocacy and organizing, CCAN has gained valuable assets in their fight for climate solutions, and we all benefit from the important work that they have accomplished. It's a win win win.