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Ahmad Perez is a former presidential appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration who served as the Special Advisor for Implementation and Climate Justice at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Ahmad Perez is a passionate advocate for environmental justice, civic empowerment, and community resilience. His journey is one of transformation—both personal and collective—driven by a deep belief that every community, no matter its struggles, deserves dignity, opportunity, and a voice in shaping its future.

Born and raised in Brentwood, New York, Ahmad grew up in a community too often defined by its hardships rather than its strength. He saw firsthand the impacts of environmental injustice, gang violence, and systemic neglect.

Determined to make a difference, Ahmad has worked to turn obstacles into opportunities for his community. Through digital advocacy and civic engagement, Ahmad has engaged over 150,000 local Long Island residents and is helping to build the voting power of his overlooked hometown.

Ahmad’s passion for environmental justice was ignited by the painful history of Roberto Clemente Park, a cherished space in Brentwood that was turned into an illegal dumping ground for toxic waste. While some saw it as just another example of environmental racism, Ahmad saw a call to action. He has since dedicated himself to reclaiming and protecting public spaces, ensuring that no community is treated as disposable.

His advocacy has taken him from local organizing to working alongside government leaders, non-profits, and even the White House. He partnered with White House officials to host the first-ever Youth Town Hall on Climate for Brentwood residents, creating a platform for young people to engage directly with policymakers.

But Ahmad’s mission is about more than policies and programs—it’s about people. It’s about the young person who feels powerless in the face of injustice, the family fighting for clean air and safe streets, and the communities that have been told for too long that they don’t matter.

 

His vision is clear: to build a future where every voice counts, where no one is left behind, and where justice is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.

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Ahmad being sworn into the

Biden-Harris Administration

Ahmad’s commitment to environmental and social justice has earned him recognition as one of Young Gifted & Green’s 40 Under 40. He has also been honored by Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, for his impactful contributions to advancing equity and environmental justice. Through his work, Ahmad continues to bridge the gap between communities and policymakers, ensuring that every resident has a voice in shaping the future of Islip and beyond.

Ahmad advocating for climate justice with NYS officials.

In 2022, Ahmad Perez set out to tackle a problem he knew all too well—young people in his community were being left out of the conversations that shaped their futures.

 

Growing up in Brentwood, he saw firsthand how decisions impacting his neighbors were often made without their voices at the table. This disconnect left an entire generation feeling unheard, their potential untapped, in a community already grappling with deep-rooted inequities.

Determined to change this, Ahmad founded the District 1 Youth Advisory Board as a platform to empower young people in Brentwood, Central Islip, and North Bay Shore. He believed that by giving them the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage in civic life, they could break the cycle of disempowerment and become the changemakers their communities desperately needed. Under his leadership, the Board has become a driving force for youth advocacy, ensuring that young people are not just part of the conversation but leading it.

But Ahmad’s vision didn’t stop there. Recognizing the need for a broader movement, he launched Islip Forward, a civic engagement initiative that has reached over 150,000 people.

 

What started with Brentwood Votes—a campaign to increase voter participation—has grown into a powerful platform for community-driven action across Islip. As of November 2024, Islip Forward has expanded into Central Islip, Bay Shore, and beyond, mobilizing residents to fight for policies that reflect their needs and values. Through voter education, digital storytelling, and grassroots organizing, Islip Forward is reshaping civic engagement in the town, proving that when communities come together, real change is possible.

Ahmad Perez’s journey from grassroots organizer to public servant is fueled by a deep commitment to ensuring every community has the power to shape its own destiny. His dedication to equity and sustainability led him to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he has worked tirelessly to transform bold climate commitments into tangible benefits for those most impacted by the climate crisis.

At the EPA, Ahmad united cross-regional teams and local leaders, cutting through red tape to ensure communities could access the resources needed to build a more resilient future. He championed frameworks that brought government closer to the people it serves, uplifting voices that are too often ignored in policy decisions.

Ahmad’s creative approach to strategic communications has reached hundreds of thousands, making complex climate policies accessible and inspiring communities to take action.

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Ahmad with EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

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Ahmad with Vice President

Kamala Harris

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