Nalleli Cobo
Environmental Activist
At just 19 years old, Nalleli Cobo led a grassroots campaign resulting in the permanent closure of a hazardous oil-drilling site in her community in March 2020. This site, infamous for its toxic emissions, had inflicted severe health issues on Nalleli and her neighbors. Growing up in South Los Angeles, Nalleli became an activist at the tender age of 9, spurred by the foul odors emanating from the oil well across the street from her home. Enduring headaches, nosebleeds, and heart palpitations due to the pollution, she began attending meetings and rallies alongside her mother, delivering her first public speech on the matter at just 9 years old. Her natural oratory skills and unwavering dedication eventually positioned her as the leading voice advocating for the ban of oil extraction in Los Angeles.
Co-founding initiatives like People Not Pozos and the South Central Youth Leadership Coalition, Nalleli's activism gained momentum. In March 2020, her tireless work culminated in the permanent shutdown of the AllenCo Energy drilling site, where she had spent her childhood. Furthermore, her advocacy led to criminal charges against AllenCo Energy executives for environmental violations.
Despite facing personal adversity, including a cancer diagnosis at 19, Nalleli persisted. Recognized for her extraordinary contributions, Nalleli received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2022, and was on the 2022 Time 100 Next list.
