Sovereignty In Advocacy
How communities shape systems, policy, and public narrative.
Sovereignty in Advocacy centers collective power, the ability of communities to influence decision-making, policy, and the stories told about their lives and futures. This pillar elevates advocacy as a solution, not just a response to harm. It connects grassroots leadership, media, and policy engagement into a coherent strategy for systemic change. Sovereignty in Advocacy ensures that communities are not just impacted by policy, they are shaping it, telling their own stories, and influencing the systems that determine climate outcomes.
Events & Programs
This commitment to Sovereignty in Advocacy is reflected in the ways SOL Nation shows up in public spaces, collaborates with partners, and supports initiatives that amplify community voices and influence systems. Through participation in annual Earth Day events, involvement in the TEEM cohort, advocacy and support efforts following Hurricane Helene, the West Charlotte Calming Room Initiative, and the Green Prints: Corridors of Opportunity, SOL Nation continues to help shape conversations around environmental justice, community wellness, and equitable development. These efforts represent advocacy not just as protest or reaction, but as proactive work that builds relationships, influences decision-making, and ensures community voices are included in shaping policies, programs, and the future of their neighborhoods.
TEEM
Towards Equitable Electric Mobility or TEEM is a peer-to-peer community of advocates that share policy goals, build capacity, and develop a mutual commitment towards advancing racial equity in electric mobility and climate change goals. The cohort includes organizations from Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Green Prints: The Corridors of Opportunity
Green Prints is an initiative aimed at addressing environmental injustices and climate equity issues in six underfunded corridors of Charlotte, NC. With the collaboration of the City of Charlotte, Clean AIRE NC and the Knight Foundation, the objective is to cultivate vibrant communities for residents, enhance overall equity, and empower community members to develop their own solutions through the Green Print documents tailored to address the specific injustices in each corridor.
West Charlotte High School Calming Rooms
Imagine a space where students can step away from the chaos, process their emotions, and find peace—without fear of judgment. For many high schoolers, this could make all the difference in their studies and social lives. Sol Nation has partnered with the faculty and staff of West Charlotte High School to give students a chance to become emotionally independent and lessen the amount of students that are sent to the office and/or ISS.
Hurricane Helene Relief Initiative
Hurricane Helene caused devastating damage to the northwestern Carolina area, with historic flooding and widespread destruction. Homes were flooded, cars were stranded across town, and many roads became impassable. Power outages affected thousands, while the town issued a boil water advisory due to compromised water systems. Starting with the partnership of Cornerstone Summit Church, SOL Nation is committed help set up and supply resources for aid to not only Boone and Asheville but anyone in NC who has been effected by this catastrophic event.
