Surname: Saad Amer
Age: 28
Hometown: Medford, NY
Now lives: Shares a two-bedroom walk-in apartment in Midtown Manhattan with a roommate and a dog.
Claim to Fame: Saad Amer is a socially connected climate activist and founder of Plus1Vote, a non-profit organization that mobilizes young voters through social media, fashion designers, celebrities and old-fashioned campaign advertising. Previous initiatives include an Instagram Live with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an Instagram filter that allowed Bella Hadid and 300,000 other users to project the word “vote” onto their faces, and free Uber rides to the polls. “There is a lack of resources for young people and people of color to speak authentically on the issues we care about,” said Mr. Amer.
Big break: Mr. Amer’s environmental activism began when he was 13 years old. With the help of his high school biology teacher, he campaigned to save a 98-acre property near Brookhaven, NY from development. His efforts led to the establishment of the Fish Thicket Land Preserve, where local students can learn about climate change and ecology. The campaign was “very formative in my perspective and understanding of my own ability to organize and bring people into the natural world,” said Mr. Amer.
Latest project: For next month’s midterm elections, Mr Amer led a voter mobilization campaign with V Magazine, in which celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum and Iman spoke about the importance of voting. “Because fewer people vote in midterm elections than in general elections, our votes count even more this November,” Mr Amer said.
Next thing: Last month, Mr. Amer founded Justice Environment, a New York-based consulting firm that works with businesses, governments and non-profit organizations to become more sustainable. “We are seeing the effects of the climate crisis around the world, from Pakistan to Puerto Rico to Florida,” he said. “And we’re finally seeing multi-billion dollar government investments. They need guidance on how to move forward.”
Open doors: As the son of Pakistani immigrants, Mr. Amer brings an outsider’s perspective to the political organization. “I grew up not seeing people who looked like me,” he said. “I was often the only person of color. But with every door opened, I tried to keep my foot in the door so others could come in behind me.”
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