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Yolonda Spinks

Environmental Justice Policy Advocate

Yolonda is a connector. She is responsible for preparing and disseminating updates to partners on SELC’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Initiative. She collaborates with environmental justice point people across states and works with staff on projects that build relationships and strengthen goals in communities that have faced greater burdens of environmental harm because of income and racial inequality.  

Yolonda coordinates and attends strategic networking opportunities at conferences and fairs centered on environmental justice, transportation equity, and related topics. She shares the mission, values, and work of SELC, and invites those interested to connect and share the pressing environmental stressors in their communities. In her SELC program work, Yolonda promotes awareness of racial, economic, and health disparities, especially as they relate to environmental stressors.  

“I was born, raised, and still live in South Memphis, in what many call a ‘sacrifice zone,’” she said. “I’m dedicated to doing the work in my community and communities across the southeast dealing with similar injustices. I get to use my expertise, lived experience, and love for my people to fight environmental injustices and health disparities to ensure that we all have equitable access to clean air, water and environment regardless of zip code. Working for SELC only makes sense.” 

Yolonda first connected with SELC through a community partner, Memphis Community Against Pollution. “SELC helped us to stop the Byhalia Pipeline Project, a 49-mile crude oil pipeline project set to run through a lower-income Black community in Southwest Memphis,” Yolonda said. “They also helped us to stop a medical sterilizer from emitting cancer-causing toxins into the air in the community where I was born and raised, also in South Memphis, with cancer rates four times the national average.” 

Memphis remains Yolonda’s sweet spot in the southeast. She mentions the Mississippi River, the rich culture “rooted in barbeque, blues, and good people,” and the city’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement. There’s another lesser-known pride point, too: “Our ‘sweet’ water thanks to the Memphis Sand Aquifer, located beneath the city and running under eight states,” she said. “Memphis is the largest U.S. city solely dependent on an aquifer for our drinking water.” 

  • Former Memphis Community Against Pollution, director of communications
  • Founder and senior digital marketing strategist, YOLOSpin Media
  • LeMoyne-Owen College’s Alumni Hall of Fame Lois DeBerry Service & Community Engagement Award
  • B.A., LeMoyne-Owen College