Multiple Grammy-winner and music idol Billie Eilish announces she is giving away $11.5 million to organizations working to address the climate crisis at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York on Oct. 29. A tiny amount of that donation is headed to Selma High School. (Photo courtesy of YCI.)
Multiple Grammy-winner and music idol Billie Eilish announces she is giving away $11.5 million to organizations working to address the climate crisis at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York on Oct. 29. A tiny amount of that donation is headed to Selma High School. (Photo courtesy of YCI.)
Multiple Grammy-winner and pop star Billie Eilish announced last week she is giving away $11.5 million to organizations working to address the climate crisis, and a little of that money is coming to Selma.
Among the organizations receiving a donation from Eilish is a Maryland organization with a chapter at Selma High School.
Howard County (Maryland) Conservancy’s Youth Climate Institute (YCI) is a climate leadership program working to build the next generation of climate leaders founded at the Howard County Conservancy in 2020.
Since then, the program has worked with more than 700 students and now has 50 active chapters in 10 states including Alabama. These chapters combine climate education and action to prepare students to become effective environmental stewards, pursue green jobs and combat the climate crisis.
Selma High School was one of the first implementers of YCI and hosted the first out-of-state chapter in 2023. The Selma chapter has worked on creek clean-ups, native plantings and field experiences for students at local gardens and nature centers free of charge, according to YCI officials.
The donated funds will allow YCI to waive Selma High School’s annual fee and provide the two Selma High School chapter leaders Eshwaa Godfrey and Sharonoa Moss with a cash stipend to compensate them for their work. It will also help pay for supplies, according to YCI Executive Director Meg Boyd.
“This (donation) is a huge vote of confidence for YCI,” Boyd said. “Billie Eilish’s commitment to climate action and amplifying youth voices aligns perfectly with our goals. Our student ambassadors are elated to have their work recognized by Billie, who uses her platform for climate justice and sustainability.”
Eilish announced her donation at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards on Oct. 29, and she encouraged other wealthy entrepreneurs to donate some of their fortunes as well.
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