Fellow Spotlight: Yasmin Yacoby
Why did you choose GFA?
In my senior year of college, I wrote a thesis on the flaws within the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that lead to and exacerbate environmental injustice in marginalized communities. The final chapter of this 100-page document focused on policy and regulatory suggestions for improving NEPA and elevating community voices. As I was writing this chapter, and other parts of the thesis, one thought constantly resonated in my head: I need to do something.
Govern For America filled exactly the niche that I was looking for. I wanted hands-on experience in a field I cared about, that would make a difference for the frontline, low-income communities of color that have consistently borne the burden of the climate crisis. My position at the Office of Energy Resources in Rhode Island has allowed me to meaningfully start to do that work.
What does “public service” mean to you?
Public service to me means equity and justice. It means intentionally undoing the past laws, policies, and regulations that have created disadvantages and barriers to frontline communities of color. Public service means, by its name, to serve the public, but those who have been most impacted by the United States’ history of slavery, Jim Crow, redlining, and everything in between, should be who we target in our service.
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone who’s interested in government?
Government is for everyone. Government needs more perspectives, opinions, and voices that differ from the status quo. In order to make a difference — in order to achieve the social and systemic change we want to see — we need all hands on deck, and we need your voice.
If you could change one thing about government, what would it be?
I would remove some of the politics and bureaucracy. There is so much we could get done if political agendas did not interfere, and if historically bad relationships between groups or agencies could be mended.
What’s the best book you’ve read this year and why?
One of the best books I read this year was recommended to me by another GFA fellow. It is called There There, by Tommy Orange. This book follows the stories of twelve urban Native Americans living in Oakland, California. This book paints a masterful portrait of culture, identity, and history that I had never known before, and was simultaneously educational, witty, and gut-wrenching.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As with all kids, the answer to that question changed drastically during my childhood. I never thought about it between the ages of 6–10 — it was not a typical question in my household, and my anxious little self didn’t want to commit to anything, anyway. From ages 10–13, I thought I wanted to be a professional musician — I was playing my cello in orchestras, participating in youth competitions, and practicing every day. From ages 13–17, I was sure that I wanted to be a professional theatre artist — specifically, I wanted to be a light designer.
And now? I still don’t know what I want to be when I “grow up.” All I really know is that I want to make a difference, even if just for one person.
Yasmin Yacoby is the Program Manager for Energy Justice issues at the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Rhode Island’s lead state agency on energy policy and programming. Her role focuses on the equitability and accessibility of Rhode Island’s energy systems, programs, and policies. She works to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have access to clean, affordable, and dependable energy, and a voice in shaping their energy future. She is working together with members of her department, other state agencies, and community members to strengthen support for low-to-moderate income households and communities of color. Yasmin graduated from Harvard University with Honors in May 2019 with a BA in Environmental Science and Public Policy. She wrote her Honors Senior Thesis on the flaws within the National Environmental Policy Act that lead to and exacerbate environmental injustice in marginalized communities. In her spare time, Yasmin loves to hike, knit, and is a freelance light designer for various theatres in the Boston and Providence area.