Kerene N. Tayloe, Esq. Joins WE ACT for Environmental Justice as Director of Federal Legislative Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2019
Contact: Chris Dobens, 212-961-1000 ext. 320, chris@weact.org

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — WE ACT for Environmental Justice (WE ACT) welcomes Kerene N. Tayloe, Esq. as Counsel/Director of Federal Legislative Affairs, a new position based in the organization’s Federal Policy office in Washington, D.C. She served as a WE ACT’s Federal Policy Associate before becoming the Policy Director for Green For All.

“We are excited to have Kerene back at WE ACT because the recent changes in Washington, D.C. present to renewed opportunities to push for a broader policy agenda around climate, jobs, and justice,” said Cecil Corbin-Mark, WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Deputy Director and Director of Policy Initiatives. “Her years of experience, law degree, vast network of connections within the beltway, and familiarity with our organization and the environmental justice movement as a whole makes her the ideal choice to represent the needs and interests of our community on the Hill.”

“I am incredibly proud to return to WE ACT for Environmental Justice in this new role,” said Kerene N. Tayloe, Esq., Counsel/Director of Federal Legislative Affairs at WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “Having had the privilege of working with both the previous directors of WE ACT’s Federal Policy office, I hope to continue their work to bring a needed environmental justice perspective on climate change, environmental health and policy in Washington, D.C.

“In addition to advocating for the Northern Manhattan community, I will work to connect our environmental justice allies to opportunities to make their voices heard in policy and legislation at the federal level. I look forward to working with the members of the Environmental Justice Leadership Forum on building the capacity of these grassroots organizations to more effectively impact policy outcomes in Washington, D.C. as we move to 2020 and beyond.”

Tayloe began her career helping elect New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first African American to represent the city of Yonkers in the State Senate and the first woman in New York State history to lead a conference in Albany, NY. She went on to serve on a number of campaigns, working to help elect women and people of color, before becoming an Election Protection Fellow at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She was also a fellow in the highly selective Clean Energy Leadership Institute whose mission is to empower young professionals for careers in clean energy.

Passionate about the fight for climate justice and environmental justice, Tayloe has shared her insight and experience as a speaker at various events including Afropunk, Broccoli City Fest, The Clean Energy Leadership Institute and The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. She is also a member of many organizations and associations, including the world’s largest and most influential sorority founded for Black women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“This is an exciting time, as the national dialogue around climate and addressing our failing infrastructure is becoming a kitchen table issue,” added Tayloe. “My goal is to participate in this important discussion with a lens for equity and creating green jobs for the communities directly impacted. At the same time, we are witnesses to the weakening of our U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from within as industry lobbyists are undoing years of progress. It is imperative that communities of color are able to voice our concern and hold these agencies accountable.”

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WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a Northern Manhattan membership-based organization whose mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and/or low-income residents participate meaningfully in the creation of sound and fair environmental health and protection policies and practices. WE ACT has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Visit us at weact.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.