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Meet Ahmad.

Ahmad Perez is a 23-year-old Brentwood, New York native and presidential appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration serving as the Special Advisor for Implementation and Climate Justice at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Ahmad's work is grounded in environmental justice and community advocacy.

Ahmad's passions around environmental justice has led him to partnering with various non-profit organizations and government agencies, including the White House, where he led the first ever Brentwood Youth Town Hall on Climate with White House officials, designed to bridge youth access to government policy-makers.

Ahmad is the founder of the District 1 Youth Advisory Board, a community group in Brentwood, New York that focuses on providing opportunities and resources for disadvantaged youth. 

Ahmad is also the founder of Brentwood Votes, a local initiative to promote voter turnout in upcoming elections.

 

Brentwood, Ahmad's hometown, has been historically plagued by systemic issues such as environmental injustices and gang violence. Roberto Clemente Park, which is a catalyst for Ahmad's passion in environmental justice, is a recreational community park for the Brentwood community that was turned into an illegal dump site for toxic construction waste.

"For over three years, Roberto Clemente Park was used as an illegal dumping ground, robbing residents of a centerpiece of this community and putting our children in harm’s way." - NYS Attorney General Letitia James

 

The Brentwood community had also been particularly impacted by MS-13 gang violence, which had been responsible for a number of violent crimes and murders in the area - contributing to a narrative that Brentwood is a gang-ridden and unsuccessful community.

 

Despite these challenges, community members like Ahmad have come together to address these issues and work towards a safer, more just Brentwood for all residents.

Ahmad’s vision extends beyond policy—it’s about empowering individuals and fostering resilience.

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Ahmad being sworn into the

Biden-Harris Administration

Through Ahmad's work with the District 1 Youth Advisory Board, Ahmad has worked on ensuring the success of underprivileged youth in the communities of Brentwood, Central Islip, and North Bay Shore - primarily through advocacy, civic engagement, and providing free resources and supplies to members of the community.

Ahmad was recently named one of Young Gifted & Green's 40 Under 40 for his work in environmental justice, and received recognition from the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Brenda Mallory.

In July, 2023, Ahmad was sworn in to the Biden-Harris Administration as the Special Assistant for Implementation and Climate Justice at the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Ahmad currently serves as the Special Advisor for Implementation and Climate Justice, supporting the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, the world's largest investment in climate and energy.

Ahmad advocating for climate justice with NYS officials.

Perez founded the District 1 Youth Advisory Board in 2022 to address the pressing issue of youth disengagement in community affairs.

 

He felt that young people in his hometown of Brentwood were not being given enough opportunities to participate in civic life and have their voices heard in matters that affected them. This lack of engagement had a significant negative impact on the community, as youth perspectives and ideas were not being considered in policy decisions - despite their generation inheriting these very same policies.

Brentwood, Central Islip, and North Bay Shore are communities that have been historically marginalized and are facing a multitude of social issues. These issues are prevalent in these communities and have a significant impact on the residents' quality of life. In response to these challenges, the District 1 Youth Advisory Board has been working diligently to empower young people in these communities to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities.

Ahmad's Work

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