About Solstice Initiative - Solstice Initiative

OUR MISSION

Solstice Initiative is a nonprofit that revolutionizes the energy system by centering climate-impacted communities through clean energy projects, policy advocacy, and education.

Racist, discriminatory, and prejudicial government and policies have created a landscape of racial disparities perpetuated to this day. These policies have led directly to the social, economic, climate, and health burdens felt in climate-impacted communities. While Federal and State governments have made commitments to achieving net-zero emissions in the coming decades, without a community-led energy justice movement, we are at risk of electrifying our energy system using methods that will further perpetuate a cycle of high energy burdens for climate-impacted communities.

While Federal and State governments have made commitments to achieving net-zero emissions in the coming decades, without a community-led energy justice movement, we are at risk of electrifying our energy system using methods that will further perpetuate a cycle of high energy burdens for climate-impacted communities.

As a direct example, despite rapid electrification in Massachusetts over the last decade, access to clean energy and related programming is far from equitable. We have repeatedly seen infrastructure projects with negative externalities built without community input and a general lack of clean energy built to benefit climate-impacted communities. Furthermore, decades of discriminatory and predatory practices have dissuaded many from finding agency in advocating for a better system, and programs designed to address equitable access to clean energy have not been administered effectively.

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OUR VISION

Co-designing a just transition that serves all communities

OUR VALUES

Equity

We must do what’s right, not what is easy, to build trust and center communities. We are rebuilding the current extractive energy system by centering people in climate-impacted communities. We hold ourselves and each other accountable to the people we serve, not to profit. Solstice Initiative is committed to prioritizing diverse perspectives in a just transition to clean energy.

Innovation

An entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving through risk-taking. Creativity, curiosity, and adaptability are key to advocating for climate, economic, and racial justice. Solstice Initiative pushes the boundaries of the status quo by co-designing innovative solutions that cultivate access and accountability in the energy system.

Community

An inclusive, accountable environment that facilitates respect, compassion, empathy, and gratitude across academia, clean energy development & finance, community organizing and policy. Us, all, our loved ones, our neighbors, a localization of humanity. Solstice Initiative connects with our communities to understand and reduce barriers in the energy system by co-designing clean energy solutions that enhance people's power to break the reliance on fossil fuels.

Access

When energy is not determined by race, education or economic status. Solstice Initiative centers the expertise of climate-impacted communities and makes sure their voices lead.

Revolution

Energy justice is impossible to achieve without confronting racial injustice. Solstice Initiative believes in a just transition led by climate-impacted communities provided with the knowledge and tools to succeed.

Our Story

Solstice Initiative is a nonprofit led by women of color. In 2014, we were founded by Steph Speirs and Sandhya Murali, on the belief that every household should be able to access affordable clean energy. In 2022 and beyond, our Executive Director Yesenia Rivera leads us in centering climate-impacted communities through clean energy projects, policy, and education.

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Solstice Initiative is a nonprofit that revolutionizes the energy system by centering climate-impacted communities through clean energy projects, policy advocacy, and education​​.