She’s Been Fighting for the Planet Since She Was 8 — Now Maya Penn’s Environmental Animated Short Is In Collaboration with Viola Davis & Whoopi Goldberg

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Season 1 | Episode 24

In this vivid and electric episode of Compost, Cotton & Cornrows, Dominique Drakeford is joined by the incomparable Maya Penn — youth climate solutionist, award-winning animator, founder, and unapologetic disruptor shifting culture through creativity and care.

Maya opens up about the realities and responsibilities of being a youth activist at the forefront of climate justice — carving space in a movement that often tokenizes youth while demanding labor without systemic support. With nearly two decades of experience (yes, starting at age 8), Maya reflects on how her early curiosity became a catalyst for global advocacy — and why today’s youth activism must go beyond awareness to radically rebuild systems from the root.

They dive deep into the need to center climate justice — not as a trend, but as the core framework for collective liberation — reminding us that climate is not a siloed issue, it’s the multiplying force behind everything we care about.

Maya also shares her passion for animation as activism, lifting the veil on her groundbreaking film ASALI: Power of the Pollinators — a visually lush, emotionally charged environmental short she wrote, directed, and animated, featuring a powerhouse cast (Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, and more). Through Upendo Productions, Maya is proving that art, especially from the margins, can shift the world.

MORE ABOUT MAYA

Maya Penn is a youth climate solutionist, award-winning founder, filmmaker, multidisciplinary artist, and three-time TEDTalk speaker who began her journey at just 8 years old. Now in her early 20s, she’s spent nearly two decades creating impact through her nonprofit, Maya’s Ideas 4 The Planet, and her production company Up-ennd! Productions, where she leads nature-based storytelling projects like ASALI: Power of the Pollinators, executive produced by Viola Davis. A global changemaker, Maya’s work has reached 11+ countries, earned her commendations from President Obama and the United Nations, and inspired educational curricula worldwide. 

Maya Penn is a youth climate solutionist, award-winning founder, filmmaker, multidisciplinary artist, animator, 3 time TEDTalk speaker, and author. Starting her work in 2008 at just 8 years old, now in her early 20s Maya has been working for nearly 17 years. Through her nonprofit Maya's Ideas 4 The Planet founded in 2011, she’s launched humanitarian and environmental justice initiatives in the US, Haiti, Senegal, and Cameroon. Through her production company Upenndo! Productions, Maya is creating the next generation of nature-based storytelling and media, and has written, directed, and lead animated an original short film titled ASALI: Power of The Pollinators executive produced by Viola Davis featuring the voice talents of Whoopi Goldberg, Monique Coleman, and more, and creating job opportunities for young artists and storytellers in 11+ countries around the world on the frontlines of the climate crisis. 

Maya is a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Champion. Maya was awarded the Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. Award at 16 years old, by Dr. Bernice King. As well as the SCLC drum major for Justice award in 2012 and 2025, first receiving the award at 12 years old from civil rights and environmental justice trailblazers Evelyn Gibson Lowery and Reverend Joseph Lowery. Maya is a global change maker and educator with talks that have been translated into over 40 languages, and books on sustainable entrepreneurship that have been used in curriculum in schools around the world. She is certified by Cambridge Business School in Circular Economies and Sustainable Strategies, and has consulted global companies and nonprofits. Maya was a judge for the 2024 Berlin Fashion Film Festival, and Junk Kouture’s world finals in Dublin. Maya was inducted into the first ever Youth Impact Council by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and was an early ambassador of the Royal Foundation’s Earthshot Prize. Maya graced the Cover of Vogue alongside musician Billie Eilish speaking together on climate action. Maya received a commendation from President Barack Obama at 16 years old for outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship. 

“But I think it’s just like people have this idea that humans are not nature inherently, somehow, or humans are not a part of nature. And I think it’s important to figure out what in your life already that is familiar to you is directly connected to that work and to humans as nature. We’re always going to be impacted by everything that happens on earth in some capacity, whether we know it or not.”

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