06/02/2026
It’s with a grateful heart I announce that after twelve years on the team, I’m transitioning out of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. I leave believing myself to be one example of our leadership development process. I joined the organization as a community member in 2012 after learning that the toxic facilities surrounding my community of Westside Long Beach directly contributed to my asthma and the health issues of my neighbors. In 2014, I became a Research and Policy Analyst intern under one of EYCEJ’s co-founders, Angelo Logan, where I witnessed just how crucial policy is to the development of our communities. The following year, I joined the team as a full-time Research and Policy Analyst. And in these roles, my concepts of fighting for justice, collaboration, connection, and advocacy greatly expanded. In a lot of ways, EYCEJ is where I grew up; twelve years is a third of my life after all.
Historically at EYCEJ we take great care and intention with internal transitions, and this time is no different. Thanks to the horizontal structure we operate with, and the culture of collectivism we hold, my transition in and of itself will not negatively impact the functioning of our organization. The EYCEJ team is strong, capable, and wise, and because we have a flat structure and have shared responsibilities, EYCEJ is incredibly stable and able to endure what may look like a large gap created by my transition. Nevertheless, EYCEJ appreciates your continued support, and I’m asking you to do so by supporting our Capital Campaign whereby we are looking to remove a freight-focused warehouse in a pollution burdened community and convert it to a community resiliency hub where we can actualize our shared dreams of energy democracy, community-led disaster resiliency, and land sovereignty. My last official day will be August 1st at our annual Fighting for Life Celebration. I’d love to see you there and be sent off with a hug and a smile.
Taylor 💚
