(L-R) – Van Jones; Collin Yip (Founder and Managing Partner of Rafi Properties); Majic Alphonse (Director of The Dojo at Somernova); Havilah Nimako (Student/The Dojo); Tatiana Arroyo (Student/The Dojo); Delmy Janet (Student/The Dojo); Joe Curtatone (President of The Alliance for Climate Transition and Former Mayor of Somerville).

The Alliance for Clean Energy (ACT – formerly Northeast Clean Energy Council), hosted its Green Future Gala on September 19 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. The Gala gathered hundreds of climate champions, activists, policymakers, corporate leaders, and the startup community to celebrate the power of civic engagement and its role in shaping the clean energy future.

Members of the Somernova team and students from The Dojo, the pilot youth community at Somernova, attended the event. The students were able to meet with several climate leaders such as Van Jones, CNN host and climate champion.

Students from The Dojo (Tatiana Arroyo and Havilah Nimako) speaking with Shalaya M. Morissette, Winner of the Environmental Justice Award presented at the Green Future Gala. Morissette is Chief of the Minority Business and Workforce Division at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).