Mark Ruffalo’s ATL100 campaign applauds “Atlanta Power Women” for their leadership on clean energy
Three Atlanta women—Felicia Davis, Malissa “Mali” Hunter, and the Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley— got big surprises last Wednesday, and if you look up as you’re driving around town, you might see them. Mark Ruffalo’s ATL100 campaign surprised these “Atlanta Power Women” by unveiling billboards honoring their leadership in advancing 100 percent clean energy.
The billboards underline the leading role that women are playing in making clean energy more accessible and affordable for all people, regardless of income, zip code or race.
“In communities across the country women are leading the way to a 100 percent clean energy future, and today’s honorees are part of that powerful trend,” said Sarah Shanley Hope, executive director of the ATL100campaign. “We celebrate these ‘Atlanta Power Women’ and leaders like them across America for making our cities, our communities and our nation cleaner, healthier, and more equitable.”
As director of the Building Green Initiative at Clark Atlanta University, Davis helps historically black colleges and universities reduce their environmental footprints. Clark Atlanta University is part of the Atlanta University Center, the largest consortium of historically black colleges and universities in the country.
I was actually speechless, which is not something I experience, probably ever,” Davis said in response to the unveiling of her billboard, which located at 920 Northside Drive NW. “I was totally shocked. I didn’t know why they were running us around the city.
“Reading the messages that were on it, I thought it really capture me,” she continued. “I’m excited because it really does amplify the work I do.”
Davis is not only excited by seeing her face on a billboard, she said she’s also quite inspired.
“I’m hoping that by educating the next generation and acting as a bridge for them to a new future,” she explained. “Development is determined by what energy is being used. Societies who rely on fossil fuels are underdeveloped while societies who are turning to renewable energy sources are highly developed.”
For Hunter, a similar wave of excitement fell over her.
“It was truly surreal. I thought we were headed over to a lunch or something,” she said. “We were walking and then half of my team shows up. That’s when I started to get the suspicion that something was happening.”
Then, with her team and other supporters surrounding her, the billboard was unveiled: her smiling face staring down back at her with the words, “Meet Mali. One woman. 100% determination. Clean energy for all.”
“It was very humbling,” Hunter said minutes after getting off a flight in Las Vegas. “I get praised a lot for things I’m simply passionate about. It seems a little unfair to be honored for something so near to your heart.”
Hunter is a celebrity chef and partner in Tree Sound Studios. She uses her influential platform to promote healthy eating and environmental sustainability, including adopting clean, efficient energy. Powered by on-site solar energy, Tree Sound Studios boasts top talent such as Toni Braxton, Justin Bieber, Drake and Lenny Kravitz on its client list.
And reducing waste and promoting sustainability are very near and dear to her heart.
“The most important thing is that we take the time to reduce our footprints,” she explained. “My team and I take pride in recycling and we try to be as eco-conscious as we can. If it’s anything I’d want people to know is that it’s not that hard to be sustainable.
“Even if it means going to more farmer’s markets and trying to eat clean, that would be something to get out of the billboards,” she added.
Hunter’s billboard is located at 98 Ted Turner Drive, NW.
McGregor Mosley serves as executive director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, which unites the state’s diverse faith community around the moral case for action on clean energy.
She oversees a successful program to help religious institutions across Georgia become more energy efficient in order to reduce operating costs and promote environmental stewardship.
The ATL100 campaign picked up each honoree at work and took her to a prime spot to view the surprise unveiling of her billboard. These “surprise moments” were caught on camera by the ATL100 campaign, and will be posted on the campaign’s website within the next couple of weeks. The billboards will be on view for one month.
ATL100 is a sub-campaign of the national 100 percent campaign, which was launched by actors Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio in 2015 to promote 100% clean energy for 100% of the people. Today’s surprises are part of the 100 percent campaign’s ONE100 Awards program. The program surprises individuals across the country, honoring them for their leadership in the transition to 100 percent clean energy for all. Other ONE100 Awards events have celebrated clean energy leaders from Buffalo, New York; Highland Park, Michigan; and Oakland, California.
Today’s billboard blitz is the second surprise celebration for ONE100 Award winners in Atlanta. Mark Ruffalo attended a September event at the Plaza Theatre honoring local clean energy “superheroes.” It featured an onscreen tribute from Ruffalo (perhaps best known for playing the Incredible Hulk) and his fellow Avengers star Chris Evans (who plays Captain America).
“The ONE100 Awards highlight the fact that people from all walks of life are giving their 100 percent to support clean energy,” said campaign co-founder Mark Ruffalo. “Through the ONE100 Awards, we hope to shine a spotlight on the diverse range of Americans who are spearheading innovative approaches to clean energy in community after community, all across America. They are doing important work, and deserve to be celebrated.”
