Category: ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP & GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT

Description: Amara Nwuneli is an 18-year-old Nigerian-American social advocate, civics innovator, and performing artist whose work stands at the intersection of advocacy, art, and social transformation. As the Founder of Preserve Our Roots, a youth-led climate organization empowering young people through education, grassroots action, and creative storytelling, Amara has redefined what it means to lead from the frontlines of climate resilience. Her award-winning documentary, The Heat of Change, has been recognized across international film festivals — from the UAE to the U.K. — for its unflinching portrayal of environmental injustice and human resilience. Named the Canon Young Champion of the Year, Earth Prize Africa Winner, and Young Climate Voice by the Young Climate Prize, Amara’s impact spans continents, bridging policy, art, and activism. Beyond the screen, Amara has served as a research assistant to the Senior VP for Climate Change at the World Wildlife Fund, a fellow at the Bezos Earth Fund, and a delegate at COP27, 28, and 29. She uses storytelling — through film, poetry, and performance — to challenge apathy and ignite empathy. Through projects like Oversized Baggage, Amara continues to craft narratives that humanize the climate crisis and redefine the stories told about Africa as testaments of courage, creativity, and change.