Aura Vasquez (she/her) is an Afro-Latina Colombian immigrant, community leader, organizer, and justice-oriented policy expert. She has worked extensively with the Los Angeles City Council, impacting legislation across Los Angeles county and the broader state of California. Aura’s efforts towards a more equitable and environmentally mindful society have led to successful campaigns, including the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign. She has partnered with dozens of organizations and hundreds of individuals, demonstrating solidarity for causes that she sees as ‘interconnected,’ including affordable housing, renewable energy, immigration reform, amongst many more.

Recently, she began consulting companies to advance environmental regulations in the business sector. No matter what sector, campaign, or cause Aura is advocating for, she does so in a way that’s accessible to the public so everyone’s voice is heard.

We at Closing the Gap podcast acknowledge that Los Angeles lies on unceded Tongva land.

Connect with Aura

Aura's Story

The Impact Hour: Real Talk with Aura Vasquez

Aura’s Instagram

Learn More About Aura’s Work

Aura Vasquez, A Commissioner Shaking Up The System

Life & Work with Aura Vasquez of Council District 10 - Voyage LA Magazine

Aura for the People of L.A City Council District 10 in 2020

Resources

Sierra Club

PICO Network

Definitions

Feminism: the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes .

Environmental Justice: a social movement that addresses environmental harms that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, such as through a neighborhood’s proximity to landfills, hazardous waste, or and other land uses from which they do not benefit.

Biodiversity: the variety of life on Earth.
Community organizing: the strategic collaboration carried out by local residents to promote the interests of the community.

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Cover art by Vivian Garcia (@viv_doodles)

Intro and Outro music: Clocks by Smith the Mister (All rights and credit go to Smith the Mister. No copyright infringements intended)