Marcus Scribner Joins Tom’s Of Maine To Highlight Five BIPOC Rising Environmental Leaders

In conjunction with Earth Day, April 22, 2023, numerous Gen Z leaders are emerging and adopting environmental justice to effect change and address the need for minority communities to have sustainable strategies.

A Princeton report states, "Communities of color are disproportionately victimized by environmental hazards and are far more likely to live in areas with heavy pollution. People of color are more likely to die of environmental causes, and more than half of the people who live close to hazardous waste are people of color."

BIPOC communities across the U.S. must constantly endure living through the effects of climate change with record-high temperatures and devastating storms. Unfortunately, despite the severity of the ongoing extreme environmental crisis impacting BIPOC communities, their voices are rarely reflected or engaged in finding solutions.

Most recently, Marcus Scribner, most known for his portrayal of Andre Jr. on the hit comedy series Black*ish and Grown*ish, teamed up with Tom's of Maine to help raise awareness for issues of climate change affecting people of color who face socioeconomic inequalities are often impacted greater because they are less likely to be prepared for or able to recover from these events. Scribner is passionate about influencing his generation to vote, supporting student debt relief campaigns, and climate. By joining Tom's of Maine, he helped to highlight the manufacturing company of natural personal care products in announcing the five winning members of the 2022 Tom's of Maine Incubator, including Aliyah Collins, 24, Wawa Gatheru, 24, Alexia Leclercq, 22, Bodhi Patil, 20, and Sanjana Paul, 25. These young leaders have incredible stories and missions to share, from elevating Black women in sustainability and hosting climate change hackathons to protecting kelp forests and establishing green spaces on HBCU campuses.

The seven-month program provided each inspiring activist with $20,000 to fund their environmental causes, grant them access to expert mentors and "opportunities to collaborate with and receive support from Tom's of Maine in amplifying their work in sustainability," and the chance to meet Scribner, according to the brand's press release.

"The Tom's of Maine Incubator was created to elevate the next generation of BIPOC climate leaders who are rarely reflected or engaged in finding climate change solutions. Each of our winners have already accomplished so much, and we are honored to work with them toward even more impact," said Cristiane Martini, General Manager, Tom's of Maine. "With the additional funding and mentorship, our Incubator provides, Tom's of Maine looks forward to helping our Incubator members drive environmental solutions and empower others to make a positive impact."

"The Incubator showcases the brand's priorities of doing good for people and the planet. Doing good isn't new—it's been a part of who we are since 1970. And it's been just as important for the brand to continuously evolve and do better," says Michelle Theodat Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good, Tom's of Maine. "So, to advance the brand's sustainability commitment, we also revisited our goals this year and refined them to guide further efforts. The result is the Tom's of Maine 2022 Goodness Report."

Scribner spoke with Forbes on the importance of tackling environmental issues and how it affects us all, why giving back is necessary, and his latest humanitarian award.

Yolanda Baruch: How did your partnership with Tom's of Maine develop?

Marcus Scribner: Every day, we see the impact climate change has on our communities, especially BIPOC communities, and we don't talk about it enough. The young, diverse voices trying to find environmental solutions are not receiving equal opportunities to be heard and supported. That's why Tom's of Maine created their first-ever Incubator program to address these gaps and give young BIPOC leaders the resources and mentorship to build solutions that address environmental issues.

When Tom's of Maine approached me to help launch the Tom's of Maine Incubator, I jumped at the chance to support and use my platform to get the word out. I'm passionate about finding ways, big or small, to address climate change, and I've seen the impact of climate change firsthand growing up in LA. Plus, the opportunity for rising BIPOC leaders to have this type of funding and access is critical. Given Tom's of Maine's ongoing commitments to the planet, people, and health, I knew they would be the right partner to address such an important issue and create a real impact.

Baruch: How do you plan to raise awareness of climate change in BIPOC communities by partnering with Tom's of Maine?

Scribner: Since helping to launch the Tom's of Maine Incubator this past fall, they selected five Incubator Members who are part of the seven-month program to build their environmental solutions. Each receives funding, mentorship, amplification, and Tom's of Maine support to scale their work. After recently learning what each member is doing, from water conservation to building green healing spaces on HBCU campuses to empowering other young BIPOC voices, I'm inspired! Understanding the importance of this work motivates me even more to spotlight the incredible progress these future leaders make and what we need to keep working towards to keep this momentum going.

Baruch: What particularly drew you to become environmentally conscious and involved?

Scribner: It's hard not to be environmentally conscious with all the natural disasters around us daily caused by planet warming. We must live in this world and create a future that we can live in, and our children can live in; this is the only way forward I can see, so I became more environmentally conscious.

Baruch: Tom's of Maine created an incubator campaign that selected five environmental innovators, and they will engage in a seven-month program designed around helping them come up with solutions. Can you expand on what they will learn and do during this initiative?

Scribner: Throughout the winter and spring, the Incubator Members will participate in multiple virtual workshops and training, plus one-on-one meetings with their mentors to continue collaboration and amplification efforts. With each intentional engagement, members will learn new ways of communicating their mission, setting goals, making connections, and more - all designed to propel their work. This spring, incubator Members were invited to the Tom's of Maine Incubator In-Person Summit in Kennebunk, Maine. The three-day event will provide one-on-one interactions, service learning, and leadership discussions to help workshop each member's vision and action plan.

Baruch: You received the Backstage Vanguard Award for your professional achievements and humanitarian endeavors. How important was it to you to be recognized in this manner?

Scribner: It was huge for me. I love doing my voiceover work and the reach it has and the people it has inspired. To also be recognized for my humanitarian work was an even bigger bonus. That's the stuff that has an impact. I feel like a tiny cog in the machine doing my part to push environmentalism forward, as it should be by anyone with a platform. I feel so honored.

Baruch: What would you say to other Gen Zers who may feel they cannot be as impactful because they do not have a large platform but still want to make a difference in their community?

Scribner: It starts with small life changes, such as transitioning to more reusable products made holistically and sustainably and trying to get things done as efficiently as possible. When it comes to the more significant policy scale, it starts with voting and making sure that your elected officials represent what you believe in. We can all make moves and take steps toward a better tomorrow.

Read more about each recipients initiatives at www.tomsofmaine.com/incubator.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.