Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Patel.
Kevin J. Patel has fought as an intersectional climate justice activist from Los Angeles, CA for the past eight years. Growing up with severe heart issues due to Los Angeles’s poor air quality, Kevin is one of the millions of people across the world who are already victims of the climate crisis. In 2019, he founded OneUpAction International — an organization that supports and empowers marginalized youth by providing them with the resources they need to be changemakers. Through his work with One Up Action, Patel collaborated with the community to create the first of its kind Youth Climate Commission in LA County to amplify youth voices on the climate crisis. Patel is a UN Togetherband Ambassador for Goal 14 and currently serves as a 2020 National Geographic Young Explorer. Patel also serves on the Youthtopia_world: Circle of Youth council, the ClimatePower2020 council, and the Intersectional environmentalist council. Patel is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Loyola Marymount University.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth having to deal with rampant racism and discrimination is only a fraction of what I have had to go through to fight for climate justice within my community. A lot of the struggles I faced were stemming from the system is oppression. That caused my issue of heart palpitations due to air pollution since I live in a marginalized community.
Please tell us about OneUpAction International.
OneUpAction is unique in its own right as we have the MISSION to support marginalized youth by providing them with the resources needed to take innovative steps to tackle the climate crisis within their local communities for a regenerative future. We have three programs launching in August and September to do just that! We want to make sure that BIPOC youth have resources to take climate action within their communities.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think integrity is an important characteristic for me to have. When you are honest, people will believe in you, they can help you and you can also take pride in knowing that you are honest with yourself and others. Also, compassion is another one just being there emotionally for everyone is really what I love doing it’s the type of person I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oneupaction.org/
- Email: kevin@oneupaction.org
- Instagram: @imkevinjpatel
- Twitter: @imkevinjpatel
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