J u s t C l o u d s

Brenda Becerra is an 18-year-old Chicana who attends DePaul
University. She is studying Journalism and Environmental Policy.

Brenda lives and grew up in Little Village, a predominantly Mexican-American community in Chicago’s southwest side. Her community is home to one of the only two coal power plants in Chicago, which are some of the biggest polluters and contributors to climate change.

Brenda knew that the injustice faced day to day in Little Village had to change so she became an active youth member at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO). At 8-years-old she was organizing, outreaching, and networking as well as working with the community to help change policy.

Brenda participated in creating a Google Map of Environmental Justice, which is an interactive map with pictures and video created by youth to document the injustices that are not covered by the mainstream media.

All her experiences have shaped her into the socially responsible leader that she is today. Brenda aspires to obtain a Ph.D. that merges her passion for Journalism and Environmental Justice.