IMPACT REPORT 2024
LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDERS
This year, we embarked on a transformative journey, evolving from People over Plastic to Counterstream Media.
This rebrand is more than a name change—it’s a powerful reaffirmation of our dedication to produce media for Environmental Justice and to challenge the narratives that dominate mainstream media.
Too often, environmental stories are told through a lens that centers whiteness, sidelining the experiences of frontline communities. When we co-founded this organization in the fall of 2021, our vision was to create a media hub that centers the voices of Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, recognizing that amplifying their stories is essential to driving meaningful change. Reflecting on the past year, we are filled with gratitude and pride in bringing this vision to life, guided by our Executive Director, Michael McKenzie.
Our impact this year was powered by four key multi-media initiatives.
Our flagship People over Plastic Podcast produced its fifth season, achieving new heights in listener engagement and exploring environmental justice through the lens of democracy.
This season featured candid conversations with environmental justice thought leaders who have complex and differing relationships, histories, and hopes for democracy.
Solidarity Rides inspired a national dialogue around Environmental Justice. Participants from the Gulf South and Appalachia shared stories and solutions to the environmental injustices in their communities. This movement continues to reframe environmental narratives, challenging the perception of “toxic communities” and celebrating resilience and solidarity.
With The Margin, the focus centered on investigative reporting and data that champions Indigenous sovereignty and rights.
By sourcing reliable data and centering the experiences of those most impacted, The Margin has become an essential resource for understanding the realities faced by frontline communities.
And finally, our newly launched zine, Peace & Riot, highlighted powerful stories on themes like Gulf South solidarity against plastic and petrochemicals, Palestinian liberation, and housing justice for all.
The first and second edition brought together voices that challenge the status quo, advance narrative justice, and redefine environmental activism through art and storytelling.
To our supporters, partners, and listeners—your belief in Counterstream has propelled our work. And to our dedicated team and advisors, your commitment to this mission has been both inspiring and humbling.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each of you who played a role in making this year one of growth and transformation.
As we continue our commitment to sharing our lessons and learnings with you, we hope you enjoy digging into this year’s Impact Report.
In gratitude,
Shilpi Chhotray, Co-Founder and President
Patrice Simms, Co- Founder and Strategic Advisor
Pictured (from top to bottom, left to right): Samuel Getachew, Sunni Patterson, Casey Camp-Horinek, Wawa Gatheru, Josh Mori, Destiny Barnes, Dr. Beverly Wright, Frank Johnson, Dr. Joy Banner
Our focus on Environmental Justice spotlights the connections between racial, social, and climate justice.
MISSION & VISION
spark meaningful conversations and shift narrative power from extractors to justice.
Through our diverse and expansive media initiatives including podcasts, investigative journalism, and live storytelling events, we uplift voices and share stories that have long been sidelined and overlooked.
As the sole multicultural media platform of our kind, we’re proud to bring together community organizers, journalists, activists, and creatives to tell stories that reflect the diversity of human experiences — and we do so in a way that is nuanced, sensitive, and in-depth.
When we change the narrative, we change the world.
Environmental Justice.
Our vision is a future where the stories we tell as a society are inclusive, truth-based, human-centered, and power a just and equitable society.
Pictured: Jericho, a youth urban farmer from the Food Literacy Project in Louisville, KY.
VALUES
MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
We make digestible and shareable media that emphasizes key connections around social, racial, and climate justice.
DECOLONIZE NARRATIVES
We center counter-narratives to the stories often guided by whiteness.
PASS THE MIC
We amplify the stories of climate justice voices and their calls-to-action, with a focus on untold and historically excluded narratives.
CREDIBLE
We focus on trust by emphasizing lived experiences and research that act as a starting point for people to learn more about Environmental Justice.
Pictured: Attendees at the BLAC Policy Summit in partnership with Counterstream Media.
PODCAST, SOLIDARITY RIDES, PEACE & RIOT
THE MARGIN, STORY SALON
PODCAST
Our internationally recognized Podcast is a safe space for activists, changemakers, organizers, and innovators to hold raw, unfiltered conversations about Environmental Justice.
This year we produced our fifth season, which achieved new heights in listener engagement and explored Environmental Justice through the lens of democracy right before the U.S. election.
DEMOCRACY & DISSENT
Democracy and Dissent explores the intersection of Environmental Justice & Democracy. The urgency surrounding democracy is at an all-time high.
But this is about more than politics, who wins the presidency, or maintaining the status quo. It’s about ensuring democracy delivers on its promise—for everyone, not just those in power.
We tackled three of the most critical aspects of democracy through the lens of environmental justice: Participation, Protections, and Protest.
Co-Founder and Host Shilpi Chhotray had candid conversations with Environmental Justice thought leaders who have complex and differing relationships, histories, and hopes for democracy.
Because the fight for environmental justice is also a fight for democracy itself.
Our Podcast asks questions and amplifies narratives that challenge the norm — bringing listeners closer to justice movements that are reshaping our world.
POWERFUL VOICES
SEASON 5 GUESTS
Thalia Cachimuel
Director of Philanthropic Networks, NDN Collective
Kizzy Charles-Guzman
Chief Executive Officer, Center for Environmental Health
Abre’ Conner
Director, Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP
Dr. PennElys Droz
Power Building and Curriculum Coordinator, NDN Collective
Candice Fortin
U.S. Campaigns Manager, 350.org
Chris Tandanzo
Poet and Former New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance organizer
AMPLIFYING VOICES FROM FIVE ORGANIZATIONS:
In-depth conversations with activists, changemakers, organizers, and innovators.
CHART TOPPING
Listened to in 58 Countries
Ranked in Spotify’s Top 10 Podcasts for Society & Culture (2022)
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating on Apple Podcasts
Our most listened to Season ever
“Must listen. Hard hitting stories directly from the frontlines.”
- Podcast Listener
“It’s politics, it’s racism, it’s greed, and it is the intersection of every evil that is destroying our global culture and resources every second. Counterstream is the first and only media source that is talking about this issue from the human perspective.”
- Podcast Listener
Our podcast is a resource used by:
FROM FREEDOM RIDES TO SOLIDARITY RIDES
just to tour frontline communities, but to strategically bring leaders together, in Solidarity to catalyze Environmental Justice.
Freedom Riders were groups of civil rights activists who participated in bus trips through the American South in 1961 to defeat inequality and Jim Crow.
Freedom Riders employed various tactics such as using “whites-only” restrooms and sitting at lunch counter stations at segregated restaurants in Southern states. However, Freedom Riders drew international attention to the civil rights movement and inspired change.
environmental injustices in their communities.
Solidarity Rides uplift frontline voices who outline solutions to pressing environmental health and community concerns.
In 2024, we held two Solidarity Rides, one in Louisville, Kentucky and another in Angleton, Texas.
Pictured: Freedom Riders in 1961.
In July, Counterstream Media and Black Appalachian Coalition hosted the BLAC Policy Summit in Louisville, Kentucky.
During the summit, Counterstream organized its first Solidarity Ride which was a power-building experience under the theme of healing, convergence, resurgence, and justice.
Riders shared their stories, showcasing hope and strategies to achieve healing, food justice, and for overcoming environmental injustices specific to the region.
The heavy petrochemical and coal mining industry presence in Appalachia have long been concerns for residents.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Pictured: Convening at Food Literacy Project, where youth farmers are bringing solutions to food insecure communities in Louisville, KY.
STOPS ALONG THE SOLIDARITY RIDE
Food Literacy Project (pictured top left)
Whose mission is to see young people transforming their communities through food, farming, and the land.
Bear Fruit and Grow (pictured top right)
LeTica Marshall is the founder of BearFruit and Grow, a food justice organization that creates pathways for food access, land acquisition, and distribution of resources.
Rubbertown (pictured left)
A cluster of chemical and petrochemical manufacturing facilities along the Ohio River front, in close proximity to homes, schools, and neighborhoods.
In August, Solidarity Rides visited Angleton, Texas to highlight, amplify, and catalyze Environmental Justice voices, solutions, and strategies in the Gulf South.
Angleton, TX is a community located in the Gulf South, just outside of Houston. Located in Brazoria County, it is a community with a rich history and a strong and vibrant community spirit.
In particular, concerned citizens in Brazoria are raising a petition against Freeport LNG and Gulf Link.
ANGLETON, TEXAS
But it is also an area where residents face extractive industries (like the petrochemical and oil and gas industries) that exacerbate the climate crisis and pollute their air, water, and environment in the process.
Frontline communities along the Gulf Coast are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which resulted in widespread flooding, downed trees, and power outages affecting nearly 3 million Texans.
In the spirit of giving, roof tarps will be provided for homes in need. Additionally, backpacks and school supplies will be given to youth in partnership with Safe Diversity Communities, Texas Campaign for the Environment and First Missionary Baptist Church.
Pictured: Solidarity Riders from the Texas Campaign for the Environment, Freeport Haven Project, Safe Diversity Communities, First Missionary Baptist Church, Liberty Road CRC, and other Environmental Justice advocates and voices..
The premiere of SolidarityRide: Convergence,Resurgence, Healing&Justicetook place in Houston, Texas with an audience of nearly 80 community members converging at the historic Deluxe Theatre in Fifth Ward Houston.
The event was free, included a panel discussion before the film, with catering and an opportunity to network afterwards. Documentary content, including our trailer social assets are nearing 100,000 impressions and counting, with distribution on Instagram, Linkedin, YouTube, Counsterstream Newsletter, and Peace & Riot.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE
The film fostered solidarity of environmental justice, social justice, climate justice activists, and advocates across various organizations including:
● Adaapta
● Air Alliance Houston
● Beyond Petrochemicals
● Brazoria Climate Conversations
● City of Houston Healthy Communities Initiative
● Cooperative Group Economics
● Coalition for Environmental Equity and Resilience
● Fifth Ward Community Development Corporation
● Kimberly Lane Properties
● Liberty Road Community Development Corporation
● SAFE Diversity Communities
● Texas Campaign for the Environment
● Texas Southern University Bullard Center for Environmental Justice
● The Raices Collab Project
● Weststreet Recovery
“It was an honor to attend the premier of this film. The Solidarity Ride was a literal connector between communities — between Louisville and Freeport, between Freeport and Fifth Ward, all unique, but uniquely navigating the injustice of decades-long environmental health harms. The film was also a powerful reminder of how we can be truly united to stand up and speak out against polluters.
I really appreciated the discussion panel, too. I am always amazed at the many different approaches to advancing environmental health in Houston. The links that were made between toxic air and soil, economic development, and land use were particularly eye opening.”
Jennifer Hadayia
Executive Director at Air Alliance Houston
Pictured top right: Michael McKenzie, Gwendolyn Jones, Dominic Chacón. Pictured bottom left: Dr. Thelma Scott, Kimberly Dixon, Lloyd C. Ford.
This year we launched Peace & Riot: a zine for the Environmental Justice community to stay informed, inspired, and connected.
Each issue contains powerful features and deep dives with Environmental Justice leaders and Community members. These critical conversations are combined with fresh aesthetics, covering a wide range of environmental and social justice issues like:
Plastics & Petrochemicals Abolition
Indigenous Activism Water Rights
Food Sovereignty Housing Justice
We produced 20 stories over two issues. Our Peace & Riot content has been seen more than 75K times and engaged with by some of the most influential figures and organizations in Environmental and Social Justice. Including: Patrisse Cullors, Rise St. James, Hanif Abdurraqib, Hip Hop Caucus, Kiese Laymon, and Slow Factory — to name just a few.
PEACE & RIOT
CONTRIBUTORS
Black, queer, and trans writer
Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Appalachian Coalition
Mary Annaïse Heglar, Writer and Podcast Host Aris Kian, Houston Poet Laureate
Frankie Orona, Society of Native Nations Lorena Quiroz, The Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity
The Margin is an award-winning environmental justice publication and an independent project at Counterstream.
Every story in The Margin combines personal narratives with data analysis and visualizations.
By pairing in-depth reporting with data, we immerse readers in the issues and look back historically to see how the landscape has changed.
Stories backed by data help us understand where we are now, how we got here — and where we go next.
SUMMER ISSUE
This summer we produced a special issue that has a growing readership of 100K people with support from our partnership with The Nation.
The issue featured two groundbreaking stories.
Pictured: Women dancing during a salmon ceremony in Warrenton, OR, on June 14, 2024. Photography by Chona Kasinger for The Margin.
A RIVER OF DECEPTION” BY RICO MOORE
The Margin is the first publication to uncover how for over one hundred years Seattle City Light made efforts to deny the existence of migrating fish on the Skagit River to maintain its dams without providing fish passage.
The Margin developed a new interactive module publishing never-before-seen primary source documents with annotations and map indicators.
Pictured (right): Rainbow Trout at Marblemount Hatchery on June 26, 2024. Scott Schuyler, Upper Skagit Tribe, holding an ancestral paddle.
Photography by Chona Kasinger for The Margin.
Pictured (above): The dewatered bypass reach on June 27, 2024. The SCL signed agreement from 1947, acknowledging that its dams blocked anadromous fish. Photography by Chona Kasinger for The Margin.
ERODING INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY” BY OTTAVIA SPAGGIARI
The Margin remains the only publication illuminating the catch-22 non-federally recognized Tribes are stuck in as they seek funding for climate adaption and recognition of their sovereignty.
The Margin created the first map of non-federally recognized Tribes and their respective climate risks.
Following our 2022 reporting on the United Houma Nation’s fight for federal recognition and climate adaption, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $56.5 million to advance climate resilience.
"Long-form investigative and data-driven journalism continues to be one of the most transformative forces for change in our society. This year, we’ve been privileged to work alongside remarkable journalists, photographers, data scientists, and designers who illuminate truths that are too often ignored.
Together, we’re shedding light on critical environmental and climate injustices while amplifying the voices of communities who understand what justice truly looks like. To our partners and funders—thank you for making this work possible."
Bryce Cracknell, Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Pictured (right): Map of Climate Risks and Non-federally Recognized Tribes in the Continental United States. Women dancing during a salmon ceremony in Warrenton, OR, on June 14, 2024. Photography by Chona Kasinger for The Margin.
STORY SALON
Counterstream’s storytelling events aim to shift the narrative and uncover the untold stories of environmental racism. These powerful stories generate empathy, raise awareness and ignite action among the public.
Our in-person gatherings across the nation stoke dialogue, fuel strategic collaborations and build movement in culturally-relevant spaces. More than two-thousand people have attended our live storytelling events. In 2024, we produced a special Story Salon for New York City Climate Week.
“It’s the highlight of Climate Week, one. And two, such a wonderful way to kick things off with joy and hope. Something we don’t talk about enough in EJ.”
Pictured (left to right): Chris Tandazo, Thalia Cachimuel, Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Michael McKenzie. Photography by Chess Jakobs for Counterstream.
Rachel Marston Research Project Manager at Environmental Defense Fund
SEASON OF DISSENT: EXPRESSION & UNITY IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT
In Season of Dissent, we spotlit voices at the forefront of the fight for environmental justice and democracy, centering the essential freedoms of expression and assembly.
Counterstream featured stories from activists and organizers who have taken bold stands against environmental injustices that threaten their communities and our shared future. Their stories were ones of resistance, resilience, and creativity as they use art, protest, and unity to defend our collective rights.
STORYTELLERS INCLUDED:
Thalia Cachimuel, Director of Philanthropic Networks, NDN Collective
Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Environmental Health
Chris Tandazo, Former Statewide EJ Organizer, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
Our story salon was hosted by Counterstream's Executive Director, Houston-based community strategist Michael McKenzie.
“I thought it was incredible. I was inspired. I’m motivated to work even harder to protect my community.”
Jo Banner Co-Founder of The Descendants Project
Pictured (left to right): Patrice Simms, Chris Tandazo, Thalia Cachimuel, Kizzy Charles-Guzman, Michael McKenzie. Photography by Chess Jakobs for Counterstream.
“This is a powerful moment of storytelling and one that we really need to center in the conversations around climate action.
The takeaway that I have is how everyone is really settled in the work continuing for generations. It doesn't have to happen in this moment. But we are part of this process and it is going to happen, period and stop.”
Heather McTeer Toney, Beyond Petrochemicals
This story salon was made possible with support from our partners:
Pictured: Thalia Cachimuel (center) with members from NDN Collective. Photography by Chess Jakobs for Counterstream.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our funders and the many individual donors who have generously supported our efforts to advance Narrative Justice.
FUNDING IMPACT
Our funders’ unwavering commitment to fostering equity and justice has empowered us to challenge dominant narratives and amplify underrepresented voices.
TOGETHER, WE’RE ADVANCING NARRATIVE JUSTICE
Amplified historically marginalized voices: By providing platforms for historically excluded communities from mainstream narratives, we ensure their stories are heard and valued.
reshaping the
stories that define our society.
Fostered critical dialogues: We’ve created spaces where diverse perspectives can challenge harmful stereotypes and promote understanding.
Driven systemic change: We influence policies and practices that uphold equity by shifting public discourse toward inclusivity and justice.
Thank you once again for standing with us.
Together, we are rewriting the story of justice.
Through these generous contributions we have: systemic inequities and build a more inclusive society.
Pictured (left to right): Thalia Cachimuel, Chris Tandazo,and Alexia Leclercq.
This year’s achievements would not be possible without the guidance and expertise of our Advisory Committee.
Their insights, strategic thinking, and commitment across HR/People, Multi-Media Production, and Fundraising have been instrumental in shaping our initiatives and driving our mission forward.
We are deeply grateful for their time and dedication, which have helped us navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve our most impactful year yet.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Bakeyah Nelson Community Health Collaborative Consulting, LLC
Frankie Orona Society of Native Nations
LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Power of Narrative Justice in 2025 and Beyond
From his prison cell, Nelson Mandela wrote, "A good pen can also remind us of the happiest moments in our lives, bring noble ideas into our dens, our blood & our souls. It can turn tragedy into hope & victory." There is so much meaning to Mandela's powerful quote. My takeaway is that narratives drive change.
Narrative justice emerges as a crucial tool for marginalized communities in a world where stories shape our understanding of reality. The equitable representation and amplification of diverse voices have historically been silenced or misrepresented. Narrative justice seeks to correct these imbalances by ensuring that all stories are authentic and respected, particularly those from communities facing racism and climate injustice.
At Counsterstream Media, we understand that narrative justice empowers marginalized groups. Our narrative justice strategies are embodied in Solidarity Rides, our Podcast, Peace & Riot Zine, and The Margin, respectively.
We are honored to provide platforms where communities can share their stories on their own terms. 2024 has been a year of significant wins and milestones in our work.
This empowerment is vital for several reasons:
Visibility and Representation: When marginalized voices are heard, it challenges stereotypes and broadens public understanding. Accurate representation can dismantle harmful narratives that contribute to discrimination and exclusion.
Policy Influence: Stories can influence policy by humanizing abstract issues like climate change or systemic racism. Personal narratives can compel policymakers to consider the real-world impacts of their decisions on vulnerable populations.
Community Resilience: Sharing stories fosters community solidarity and resilience. It allows individuals within these communities to see themselves reflected in broader societal narratives, validating their experiences and encouraging collective action.
Cultural Preservation: For many marginalized groups, storytelling is a means of preserving cultural heritage and identity in the face of external pressures that seek to erase them.
In 2025, we hope that you partner with Counterstream Media to — as Nelson Mandela suggests — "bring noble ideas into our dens..." and do our part to "turn tragedy into hope and victory."
Peace & Movement, Michael McKenzie, Executive Director, Counterstream Media
