Commonwealth Club of California Podcast CLIMATE ONE: ENCORE: Gloria Walton and Wawa Gatheru Believe in Grassroots Change, Not Just Charity
Jan 2, 2026
Gloria Walton, President and CEO of The Solutions Project, and Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist, explore the intersection of climate justice and grassroots activism. Walton emphasizes reframing frontline communities as victors and the need for philanthropy rooted in solidarity. Gatheru shares her journey to empower Black youth in climate spaces, advocating for nuanced storytelling and emotional literacy to drive action. Together, they highlight the importance of community resilience and collective care in the fight against climate change.
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Create Local Resilience Hubs
- Build resilience hubs by mapping local assets like homes with backup solar and designated food or water providers.
- Coordinate neighbors, organizations, and businesses to act as first responders during outages or disasters.
From Victims To Victors
- Walton warns frontline communities are often portrayed as victims because others tell their stories and misinformation spreads.
- She argues communities should reclaim narratives as victors, highlighting solutions and self-determination.
Direct Philanthropy To Frontline Groups
- Gloria Walton advises philanthropy should practice 'love of humanity' and fund frontline solutions, not just institutions.
- She says funders must move resources to local, predominantly BIPOC-led groups advancing real-time solutions.