This week, the environmental movement lost a great leader much too soon with the passing of Cecil Corbin-Mark, the Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Cecil worked tirelessly to ensure that people of color and low-income residents were directly and purposely involved in the development of policies that impacted their communities. Cecil’s extraordinary commitment to fighting on behalf of communities for nearly three decades has directly improved the lives of millions. His legacy will live on to inspire future generations of advocates and activists committed to racial and environmental justice and uplifting frontline communities.

Cecil was a fierce advocate who fought for justice in international, federal, state, and city arenas. He helped to shape policies centered in equity and justice, including  New York State’s enactment of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act as a member of the Climate Justice Work Group, the signing of the best-in-the-nation Child Safe Products Act, and New York City’s action to become the first municipality in the nation to adopt congestion pricing. Cecil also was a leader in the development of programs to advance a just, energy efficient, clean energy future, including WE ACT’s Solar Uptown Now (SUN) and energy efficiency and equitable building-electrification initiatives. 

Energy Foundation extends our sincere condolences and love to Cecil’s family and to WE ACT, and will continue to support the important work that he led to secure a clean and equitable energy future—for everyone.