We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Executive Director, Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud, was recently featured on waterloop, a nonprofit news outlet that explores solutions to water challenges.

Houston is known as the energy capital—but it’s also the Bayou City, where water flows not just through the environment, but through culture, memory, justice, and resilience. In this powerful episode of “The Color of Water” series, Ayanna shares how her background in art and advocacy drives her bold, equity-focused environmental leadership.

Rooted in Equity and Action

During the interview, Ayanna discusses Bayou City Waterkeeper’s core mission: to protect wetlands, hold polluters accountable, and strengthen our communities’ connection to their watersheds. She highlights our integrated, justice-first approach to water, which includes everything from suing to stop illegal sewage dumping to mapping critical wetlands and advancing green infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods. This strategy ensures environmental solutions benefit all Houstonians.

The Power of Narrative Change

Beyond the policy and legal work, Ayanna also speaks about the importance of narrative change and cultural strategies. She believes that by reimagining how we talk about water, we can restore people’s relationships with the places they call home and create more effective, community-driven water policies.

Check out the episode

The Color of Water series is a collaboration between waterloop and Water Hub and we’re incredibly proud that Ayanna’s voice and our work are part of this important conversation.

To connect with Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud or learn more about Bayou City Waterkeeper’s work, please contact info@bayoucitywaterkeeper.org. Visit our blog to learn of recent updates, and if your believe in our work, please consider making a donation.