Tom’s of Maine Begins 2nd Annual Search for Next Generation of Climate-Justice Changemakers

Tom’s of Maine has put out a call for the second
annual cohort in its Tom’s of Maine
Incubator program, which is designed to
resource the next generation of leaders from underrepresented communities who
are driving environmental solutions. The program provides funding, mentorship,
amplification and support to early-career changemakers to empower them to
further the company’s mission to Do Good. For
Real.

Global communities are experiencing the effects of climate change today with
record-high temperatures and devastating storms and wildfires. Unfortunately,
many of the communities most severely impacted are underserved and
underrepresented in the climate movement. These voices most affected by climate
change are rarely reflected or engaged in finding solutions.

Tom’s of Maine started with a small $5,000 loan and a big dream; and now, the
brand wants to pay it by investing in underrepresented leaders to help them
scale solutions that will benefit all people. The Tom’s of Maine Incubator
program provides $20,000 in funding to each of five Incubator Members to
support their work; as well as access to expert mentors, opportunities to
collaborate in person and virtually, and support from the brand to amplify their
message and engagement with their important work.

“We’re proud to announce the second year of our Incubator program and reach
additional underrepresented voices in the climate movement,” said Michelle
Waring, Steward for Sustainability
and Everyday Good at Tom’s of Maine. “Improving representation in the climate
movement involves
several steps, and our Incubator program is uniquely positioned to address these
challenges through investment, mentorship and education. The Tom’s of Maine
Incubator provides early-career talent with various opportunities for growth and
community building.”

In 2022, Tom’s of Maine introduced the Incubator program to resource the next
generation of leaders from underrepresented communities. The program awarded
$100,000 to five twentysomething changemakers driving engagement in various
aspects of climate justice:

The 2023-2024 cohort will receive mentorship from an esteemed handful of
prominent leaders within the climate movement who are working across sectors to
accelerate environmental solutions:

• CJ Goulding, co-founder of Boyz N The Wood — a nonprofit dedicated to helping Black men connect to the outdoors and build brotherhood, positive masculinity and mental health.
• Ziad Ahmed, CEO of JUV
  Consulting — purpose-driven Generation Z
  consultancy that helps clients reach young people.

• Maya Penn, founder of Maya’s
  Ideas — an award-winning slow fashion brand
  creating sustainable, artisan crafted, accessories and clothing made from
  organic, recycled, and vintage materials.

• Nalleli Cobo,
  co-founder of the South Central Youth Leadership Coalition and People Not
  Pozos (People Not Oil
  Wells) — a
  grassroots campaign dedicated to the prioritization of people over corporate
  profits in the pursuit of a healthy living environment

• Dillon Bernard, Founder and
  Chief Creative Officer at Team DB — a creative
  collective supporting the digital communications and cultural strategy needs
  of purpose-driven brands, organizations, and creators who ignite movements.

To celebrate the launch of this year’s program, Tom’s of Maine has also
partnered with actor and climate change advocate Arsema
Thomas.

“It’s an honor to work with Tom’s of Maine to help identify and amplify
underrepresented voices through the Incubator program,” Thomas said. “I believe
climate change and equity are not separate issues but are deeply interconnected;
and addressing one requires considering the
other.
The Incubator program provides a seat at the table for many who have potentially
never been invited — and I’m proud to use my platform to shed light to this
issue.”

The Tom’s of Maine Incubator application will be open for four weeks, starting
Tuesday, September 19, 2023; and closing on
Sunday, October 15, 2023. The five final Tom’s of Maine
Incubator recipients will be publicly announced in January 2024.

Learn more about the Incubator program and how to apply to the 2023-2024 cohort
at
www.tomsofmaineincubator.com.