OGDEN, Utah – There are not a lot of people who look like Kandyce Perry working in the environmental sector.
She’s always recognized the disparity but it was a conference in which she was the only Black woman leader in the room where it became apparent that there’s a lot more that needs to happen to make working in the field more equitable.
So as the director of stormwater management for Trenton-based nonprofit future, which advocates for sustainable policies and practices across multiple sectors, Perry will tell you her work covers multiple facets.
“Basically, the theory of change or thinking is that there could be a sustainable future,” Perry said. “Our role is to make sure people aren’t washing over the policy made and decided upon at the state level and at the local level, that would prevent getting to that that ultimate vision of having a safe future.
But the other part of her work is the advocacy role in spurring more engagement specifically from people of color and chipping away at the culture shock of working and advocating in such a white-dominated field. Perry has pushed this message in schools, community organizations and at national conferences. Recently, she sat down with Green Philly to explain what’s currently being done and all that’s still left to do.