Yvette Arellano

Founder / Executive Director

Yvette Arellano (they/them) is a Mexican-American Gulf Coast organizer and emerging leader from Houston dedicated to environmental and racial justice. With over a decade of experience advocating for immigrant, reproductive, food access, and environmental justice, Yvette decided to found a community-based environmental justice effort in Magnolia Park, located in Houston's East End.

In 2015, they led the campaign against H.R. 702, which opened the floodgates to U.S. crude oil exports. They were instrumental in the publication of “Double Jeopardy in Houston”, “Air Toxics and Health in the Houston Community of Manchester”, and “Plastic and Health: The Hidden Cost of a Plastic Planet.” This report highlights the disproportionate toxic impact of the petrochemical industry on communities living on the fenceline.

Throughout their work, Yvette emphasizes that access to clean water, air, land, and food is a fundamental human right best pursued through vigorous intersectional thinking and organizing. They understand the importance of a multipronged approach that embraces advocacy methods such as community involvement, policy development, litigation, research, direct action, coalition building, and crisis response. Having experienced health impacts and seen their implications on the fenceline, they understand the importance of breaking the silos of social justice efforts.

Currently, Yvette is leading efforts in Houston, home to the nation's largest petrochemical complex, to help the city's most vulnerable communities resist the petrochemical expansion fueled by plastic production.

Yvette also serves as a co-chair for the Backbone Campaign and is a board member for the Center for International Environmental Law, Greenlatinos, & as the secretary of SuperNeighborhoods 65 & 82 in Houston, TX.