Journey to Hollywood: Green Carpet Fashion Awards LA
Amplifying Voices to Diversify Narratives for Climate Action
GCFA Sharing the Table cocktail event - (L to R) Zara Odu, Paul Redman, Leo Cerda, Yurshell Rodriguez, Leah Thomas, Founder of GCFAs and Eco-Age Creative Director Livia Firth, Alessandro Giuggioli, Mariel Jumpa and Kalpona Akter. Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eco-Age)
Yurshell and Mariel wearing Farm Rio
Events such as the Green Carpet Fashion Awards are crucial for climate action and sustainability. These spaces allow youth activists and artists working for change to share real stories from the ground. In the case of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples and Local Communities, it is crucial to amplify their voices in climate conversations. By spotlighting these stories to decision-makers, we not only raise awareness and empower local communities to lead meaningful change but also create opportunities to fund local solutions. One of the NGOs supporting these connections and fostering action is “If Not Us Then Who,” a US-based organization dedicated to climate action and impact-driven storytelling from creatives, filmmakers, and photographers from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Our founder, Mariel Jumpa, serves as the Communications Manager and was present at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Hollywood on March 6th, 2024. There, we gained insights from the event, connected with people outside the digital space, discussed collaborations, and stood alongside inspiring activists like Yurshell Rodríguez, advocating for climate justice and ocean protection rights for Raizal Communities.
Yurshell Rodriguez speaks at the GCFA Sharing the Table cocktail event held at Juniper Garden at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on March 5, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eco-Age)
“As an Afro-Indigenous Raizal activist, it is important to recognize that this moment is an opportunity to build collective resilience as inhabitants of this planet. Events like the Green Carpet Fashion Awards highlight the urgency of intersectionality and diversity in climate actions.”
Exploring Sustainable Fashion and Climate Justice: A Journey with Yurshell in LA
Embarking on an adventure in the bustling city of LA, two Latin American women, Mariel Jumpa and Yurshell Rodriguez, set out to explore Second Hand and Vintage fashion spots and connect with local artists between Venice Beach, Melrose Place, and Hollywood Boulevard. Their mission: to make the best use of the time to learn about local fashion, build networks around climate justice, and understand the intersection of sustainable fashion and climate activism. Reflecting on their journey, Mariel stated the significance of collaborating with professionals with multifaceted skills, whose passion and creativity blend academia, science, and environmental engineering to amplify stories like Yurshell Rodriguez. Yurshell’s journey of becoming a mother ignited the fire even more for actionable change as she channels her energy into projects restoring community coral reefs, advocating for ocean protection, and spearheading local initiatives for climate justice. Originating from the archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia, Colombia, Yurshell's commitment to her roots fuels her environmental activism. Beyond their work together, Yurshell actively engages with various organizations and initiatives, advocating tirelessly for the protection of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. During their time in LA, Yurshell brought Raizal designer jewelry collections. Take a look at some snapshots sharing our time together and Yurshell wearing her Raizal Design from her community in Colombia.
Photo in LA Free Day:
Wearing patchwork design skirt by Greta Huffington, Raizal Design.
GCFA Sharing the Table cocktail event
Wearing dress by Farm Rio and sea horse earrings by Entrelazos of the Ocean collection inspired by the biosphere sea flower reservation and providence island coral reefs.
Green Carpet Fashion Awards Ceremony
Wearing green dress by Vanessa's closet, a Colombian women's clothing brand, and earrings by Santa Catalina and Providence Earrings Raizal Brand Coocoshell
“Shopping consciously with Mariel from Slow Fashion World (SFW) was more than just a trip to the stores; it was a transformative journey. From thrift shops to sustainable boutiques like Farm Rio, each purchase carried intention and awareness of its impact. With Mariel’s guidance, I understood the importance of the stories behind the garments, exploring their journey and environmental footprint. It’s not just about following trends; it’s about making choices that align with our values and support a sustainable future.”
About the GCFA Awards
The annual GCFA honorees witnessed the selection of change-makers based on six cultural archetypes: the visionary, the messenger, the rebel, the healer, the sage, the futurist and the change maker. These awards, representing these roles in the sustainable landscape, recognize those who bring together the next generation of global leaders driving political, social, and environmental solutions for a more livable collective future in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Receiving the honors this year are co-founder and Chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson, garment worker and union leader Kalpona Akter, musician and social justice activist, John Legend, Ugandan presidential candidate and Oscar nominee, Bobi Wine, and his wife Barbie Kyagulanyi, Greenland Indigenous leader Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, and Donatella Versace.
Photo: (L-R) Law Roach, Vanessa Nakate, and Zendaya (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Green Carpet Fashion Awards)2024 GCFA Young Leader Honorees
Photo by Stefanie Keenan - Getty Images for Green Carpet Fashion Awards
The 2024 GCFA Young Leader Honorees received a special mentioned and the chance to share a key message to the cocktail event “Sharing The Table”. Young Leaders include grassroots environmental justice organizer and scholar Alexia Leclercq, Macedonian social entrepreneur, innovator, and founder of EnRoute Angela Busheska, Ugandan environmentalist, tourism goodwill ambassador and fashion model Judith Heard, climate justice activist and social entrepreneur Kevin Patel, leading climate activist and Founder of Justice Environment Saad Amer, Afro-Caribbean climate activist and researcher Yurshell Rodríguez, former competitive swimmer, refugee of the Syrian civil war and member of the Refugee Olympic Athletes Team Yusra Mardini and visionary founder of Designers Consociate and champion of sustainable development Zara Odu and poet Rupi Kaur.
“Recognizing that the climate crisis intersects with various social, economic, spiritual, and cultural factors, spaces like this offer our communities the opportunity to generate a more inclusive dialogue that acknowledges the diverse perspectives and challenges we face in our territories. Industries like fashion and entertainment play a vital role in driving change narratives, making their participation in climate solutions crucial.”
Yurshell has participated as a spokesperson for climate justice in spaces like Cop 25 Madrid, Cop 26 Glasgow, and Cop 27 in Egypt, where she highlighted the importance of the fund for losses and damages. In 2018, after a hurricane destroyed her home on Providencia Island during her childhood, she became one of the 25 young activists who sued the Colombian government to stop deforestation in the Amazon, and they won. While she acknowledges the importance of "being where decisions are made," her tireless commitment at If Not Us Then Who? stands out, a platform that amplifies the voices of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities protecting our planet.
Slow Fashion World (SFW) works and collaborates with organizations and NGOs supporting activists, ambassadors, and fashion creators to promote intersectionality in fashion. Events like GCFA and working along with If Not Us Then Who showcase how organizations can help with networking and opportunities to amplify Indigenous voices and foster an understanding of our interconnected relationship with climate justice, social sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage through seeking partners, alliances willing to focus on funding local solutions.
“Yurshell is a change-maker who has inspired me to connect the social with climate justice and the importance of diversifying narratives from Local Communities and Indigenous and Raizal Peoples. Being alongside her, Aditi Mayer, Amber Valetta, Livia Firth, who honors activists such as Yurshell for their great work as Young Leaders, is inspiring.” - Mariel Jumpa
Mariel is wearing Galera Peru
Spaces like the GCFA are setting an example by showing how these industries can be part of the solution. They use their influential platforms to amplify the voices of indigenous peoples and local communities while creating bridges to understand the interconnected relationship between humanity and the environment.
About the Green Carpet Fashion Awards
The Green Carpet Fashion Awards made their debut in the United States during Oscar week last March. The GCFA was co-founded by Livia Firth and in 2024 co-chaired by key figures like Amber Valletta, Tom Ford, Kate Blanchett, Sonia Guajajara, Zendaya, and other prominent names from the music, fashion, and entertainment industry.
Photo by Stefanie Keenan - Getty Images for Green Carpet Fashion Awards, featuring Founder of GCFAs and Eco-Age Creative Director Livia Firth.