Wawa Gatheru is a climate advocate and the 25-year-old founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, a US-based organization dedicated to creating pathways and fostering retention for Black girls, women, and gender-expansive individuals in the climate movement. Her trailblazing leadership has been widely acknowledged: she has been named Glamour College Woman of the Year, L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth, and included in Forbes 30 Under 30. Through Black Girl Environmentalist, Gatheru is reshaping the climate movement by centering and uplifting the voices of underrepresented communities, ensuring that emerging leaders of color can unlock their full potential and drive lasting environmental change.

Gatheru was part of the Young Climate Prize Cycle 02 Cohort, where she was mentored by The World Around board member Mariam Issoufou, the award-winning architect known for her socially grounded, context-driven approach to design.