Angelou Ezeilo is a passionate leader and social entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience driving change in the environmental, sustainability, and youth development sectors.
Ezeilo is the founder of Greening Youth Foundation (GYF) (www.gyfoundation.org), an award-winning non-profit that empowers underserved and diverse youth to become the next generation of environmental leaders.
Since 2007, GYF has impacted over 25,000 young people globally through innovative programs in environmental education, conservation, and renewable energy. Recognizing the need for a wider reach, Ezeilo established a Greening Youth Foundation Africa branch, currently serving West Africa. Her dedication to diversity in environmentalism is further reflected in her book, Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Diverse Youth as Environmental Leaders.
Beyond GYF, Ezeilo leverages her expertise as an Environmental and Equity Consultant at Engage, Connect, Protect LLC (www.ecpworld.com), guiding corporations towards integrating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) principles, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plans, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their core strategies.
Additionally, as the Co-President of Ashoka Africa, she leads teams across West, East, Sahel, and Southern Africa, seeking out young social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to Africa’s pressing environmental and social challenges.
Ezeilo’s dedication has garnered international recognition, including her selection as a prestigious Ashoka Fellow in 2016. A skilled public speaker, she is a sought-after voice on youth empowerment, diversity & inclusion, and climate change.
Ezeilo holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) from the University of Florida College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College.
Partnerships/Collaborations
Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what others have to say:
Kristine Stratton
President and CEO at National Recreation and Park Association
“I knew after meeting and engaging with Angelou that I wanted her thought, leadership and engagement on the NRPA board of directors, and thankfully our governance committee thoroughly agreed. Angelou is intelligent, thoughtful, engaging and highly strategic. Her presence and perspective at board meetings adds value and deepens dialogue. She in proactive when it comes to asking questions and digging into important topics and insightful and discerning when providing her thoughts and perspectives. She would be an asset on any board she wishes to serve.”
Carolyn Finney, Ph.D.
Author, Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors
“Ezeilo’s book is powerful, personal and practical. Speaking truth to power, she engages our hearts while challenging our comfort zones as it relates to race and the environment. She reminds of what’s at stake with the only home we all know and what becomes possible if we take risks that challenge the status quo. What’s that saying ― when you know different, you can do different? Well, read this book and let’s get started!”
Elaine Brown
Author, The Condemnation of Little B and A Taste of Power, slated for film production by Robbie Brenner Productions and Netflix
“As climate change and race dominate the national dialogue in the United States, Angelou Ezeilo’s Engage, Connect, Protect is right on time. Ms. Ezeilo artfully articulates the obscured problem of racism in the country’s environmental movement and unapologetically sets forth solutions that loom to benefit all of us and the planet.”
Julia Rodgers
Founding Director – EnRoute Consulting
“I thought it was the perfect mix of information, inspiration and an invitation to get real and do the hard work that’s demanded of this moment. It is the message our industry needed and you delivered in a way that I can already tell has resonated with our community. In the famous words of Lin Manuel, “This is not a moment, it’s the movement!”
Billy Connelly
Transforming Food Waste to Renewable Energy & Supporting Local Dairy Farms || National Accounts & New Markets Manager at Vanguard Renewables
“You are a force of nature (and for nature)!”
Aderinsola Amobi-Daniel
Gender Advisor & Programme Coordinator, LEAP Africa
“On behalf of the entire team and the participants of the Leadership Accelerator Programme (Bootcamp), we want to extend our deepest thanks for delivering such an informative session. Words cannot fully express the depth of our gratitude for the invaluable insights you shared. Your timeliness, authenticity, and the powerful lessons you imparted have made a significant impact on the participants.
The feedback from them has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting how your words have sparked a renewed sense of purpose and answered a host of their questions. You have left a lasting impression, and we are deeply grateful for your contribution to the success of the Bootcamp.”