Entrepreneurs And Advocates Donnel Baird And Stephanie Shepherd Join Climate Reality Board Of Directors

Washington, DC (March 2, 2021) – Today, The Climate Reality Project, founded by former Vice President Al Gore, announced that Donnel Baird, founder of BlocPower, and Stephanie Shepherd, co-founder of @FutureEarth, have been appointed as the newest members of the organization’s Board of Directors.

As members of the board, Donnel and Stephanie will help steer Climate Reality’s ongoing work to build a diverse and inclusive movement for climate action and advance just, clean energy solutions to the climate crisis.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Donnel Baird and Stephanie Shepherd to The Climate Reality Project’s Board of Directors,” said Al Gore. “Through their work with BlocPower and Future Earth, Donnel and Stephanie have helped build the movement for environmental and racial justice, working alongside the young people and communities of color who are finding and implementing climate solutions in their own backyards. Their leadership and unique perspectives will be critical to moving our work forward into this new era of climate action, and I am excited to work with them to continue building a truly inclusive and global movement.”

Donnel Baird is a Brooklyn native, Obama campaign alum, and founder of BlocPower, an innovative startup that markets, finances, and installs solar and energy-efficient technology in city buildings of financially underserved communities. Donnel is passionate about his work providing all communities with access to the health, savings, and jobs benefits of clean energy. Under his leadership, BlocPower has completed energy projects in nearly a thousand buildings, and helped small and residential buildings, houses of worship, and nonprofits save 20-40 percent on their energy bills each year while fighting climate change. 

“I’m really excited to join the Climate Reality Board of Directors,” said Donnel Baird. “I look forward to working alongside Vice President Gore and my fellow directors to continue building a global movement dedicated to advancing clean energy solutions at the intersection of climate, racial, and economic justice.”

Stephanie Shepherd is a trained Climate Reality Leader, entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and globally recognized tastemaker dedicated to educating her fans and followers about the power of conscious consumerism. She is former chief operating officer of Kardashian West Brands, and in 2018, she co-founded @FutureEarth, a digital climate education platform. Stephanie also serves as host and executive producer of the Facebook Watch series Steph Shep Says, and brings deep experience cultivating and engaging her young, global audience across a variety of digital and social platforms.

“Vice President Gore has been a driving force behind my climate work, and I am honored to be included among so many climate leaders. Future Earth and The Climate Reality Project share the same belief that education is a catalyst for change, and I look forward to contributing in a more-official capacity,” said Stephanie Shepherd.

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ABOUT THE CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT  

Founded by Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore, The Climate Reality Project is working to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society. With a global movement more than 5 million strong and a grassroots network of trained Climate Reality Leader activists, we are spreading the truth about the climate crisis and building popular support for clean energy solutions. For more information, visit www.climaterealityproject.org or follow us on Twitter at @ClimateReality.