New Leadership at 1SW
Announcing 1SW’s New Executive Director, Vatic Tayari Astahili Kuumba
1SW proudly announces the appointment of Vatic Tayari Astahili Kuumba as Executive Director, succeeding the organization’s founder, Andrea Atkinson after her 10 years of leadership and commitment to environmental justice. [Link to Andrea’s announcement post]
This pivotal leadership transition marks a new chapter in the history of 1SW, and a powerful affirmation of the organization's core values: justice, sustainability, and community power. Vatic’s leadership is grounded in his lived experience of community organizing, a visionary approach toward creative solutions, deeply-rooted connection to communities most impacted by environmental injustice, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.
Vatic has been involved at 1SW over the past 10 years in ways that have evolved over time. From co-founding the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee of the City of Providence and playing an essential role in the design of the City’s award winning Climate Justice Plan, to becoming 1SW’s Director of Facilitation and holding the community stakeholder work for the BERDO Ordinance policy design process in Boston. Most recently, Vatic led the arts and culture strategy of Northeastern University’s Climate Justice Action Plan, among many other powerful community-driven planning and policy projects. His trajectory of work demonstrates an extraordinary combination of visionary strategy, justice-centered facilitation, community-anchored expertise, and cultural sensibilities that will elevate 1SW’s impact and deepen its contributions to movement building in New England and beyond. You can read more about Vatic here.
This leadership transition is a momentous occasion, both for 1SW and for our communities involved in planning for environment, health, transportation, and housing. In a context where we are all experiencing a confluence of urgent societal challenges, the need for leadership that stewards innovative solutions and collaborations deeply rooted in lived experience is essential.
Big thank you to Shey Rivera Ríos and Brandy Brooks as Key Stewards of Our Leadership Transition
As we arrive into this new chapter, 1SW extends deep gratitude to Shey Rivera Ríos and Brandy Brooks, who have have been instrumental in supporting and stewarding a transformative organizational process that saw us through unprecedented times and grounded us in this moment.
Cultural worker Shey Rivera Ríos served in various roles at 1SW over the past 5 years, including the pivotal role of Co-Executive Director this year alongside Vatic. After managing a successful leadership transition from a founder-led model and spearheading an organizational restructure, Shey has stepped down from their executive role to fully return to their artistic practice and cultural organizing. Gratitude to Shey for their significant contributions to the organization and the team, helping us to navigate the challenges of our time with clarity, integrity, and thoughtful leadership.
“I celebrate this moment of organizational resilience for 1SW and Vatic’s rise into a new level of leadership”, reflects Shey. “I leave feeling proud of my contributions toward the sustainability of the organization and its commitment to communities, and I look forward to continuing to be part of 1SW’s network of community partners”.
1SW also wishes to extend gratitude to former Co-Executive Director and former Board Treasurer Brandy Brooks for serving as Interim Director in 2024. Brandy now continues to serve the organization in the new role of Ecosystems Organizer, a key position that supports 1SW’s organizing, partnerships, and new projects across New England.
“We are excited to pass the torch to Vatic,” said Brandy Brooks, Interim Executive Director, former Board Treasurer, and former Co-Director with founder Andrea Atkinson. “His dynamic leadership and commitment to environmental justice are a testament to the strength of our organization. I have full confidence that he will lead with integrity, vision, and an unwavering commitment to justice.”
The Vision
As the new Executive Director, Vatic will continue to strengthen the organization’s legacy of cultural organizing and policy change. 1SW will focus on building stronger relationships with community partners in Boston and across New England; creating new and strengthening existing organizing frameworks for environmental justice and related movements across the region; supporting local and regional efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change; and creating collaborative structures and policies that protect and build power with frontline communities.
“Climate justice is about people. It’s about the interconnectedness of our communities, our health, and the planet,” says Vatic. “I am excited to work collaboratively with community partners to mobilize creative solutions that are rooted in the experiences of the people who are most impacted by environmental harm.”
Vatic brings not only a wealth of experience but a personal investment in liberation work. With his leadership, One Square World will deepen its impact and expand its role in strengthening Just Transition work across New England and beyond. We welcome Vatic in his leadership with much excitement in this pivotal time.
Strengthened 1SW Board
We are also delighted to introduce our board members at this new moment in the organization. Jayson Porter as Board Chair, Sharmon Lebby as Treasurer, and Erin Coates-Connor as Secretary/Clerk; as well as new board members Vick Mohanka and Dr. Frances Roberts-Gregory. You can learn more about this fantastic circle of organizational governance here.
We thank our past board members for their years of service, especially Alexandra Garita who served as an important pillar of institutional knowledge during our leadership transition and board growth.
With gratitude,
1SW Board of Directors and Executive Leadership
