SustyVibes Founder Profiled Among 33 Extraordinary Changemakers Creating a Better Future for the Planet, According to National Geographic
Fellow Honorees Include Actress Michelle Yeoh; EnduranceSwimmer Lewis Pugh; Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard; Africa’s First Chief Heat Officer in Sierra Leone Eugenia Kargbo; and More
National Geographic today has launched the National Geographic 33, a dynamic list honoring 33 extraordinary individuals whose imaginative ideas and unstoppable drive are making the world a better place.
From Hollywood heavyweights and fearless scientists to climate warriors and trailblazing entrepreneurs, National Geographic 33 highlights a wide range of innovators and icons whose work ranges from saving our winters to advocating for mental health and revolutionizing high fashion to make it more sustainable.
Following an expansive nomination and vetting process, Jennifer Uchendu was named as one of the National Geographic 33 by National Geographic’s editors upon the recommendation of the magazine’s staff, contributors and members of the National Geographic community. Uchendu was selected for her creation of a youth-driven initiative aimed at making sustainability understandable and achievable for Nigerian youth: SustyVibes.
In homage to Nat Geo’s 33 founders—who, in 1888, saw an urgent need to deepen humanity’s understanding of our world and protection of our planet— National Geographic 33 celebrates a diverse group of 33 changemakers actively addressing this need today. The inaugural class works across a range of fields, from botany to film to space, and has collectively raised and distributed millions for climate action, social equity, scientific research, humanitarian aid and more, among their other achievements. Uchendu’s fellow honorees include actor, advocate and entrepreneur Jason Momoa; actress, singer and philanthropist Selena Gomez; outdoor adventurer Pattie Gonia; professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones; Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr; and many more.
“For more than 137 years, National Geographic has been driven by the belief that bold thinking and collective action can change the world,” said Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Content. “Since then and across all our platforms, National Geographic has believed in the power of visual storytelling to spark curiosity and inspire a deeper connection to our world. National Geographic 33 represents an exciting milestone for us, as it embodies the very essence of our brand—sharing the stories of extraordinary individuals whose work is making a meaningful impact in the hope of inspiring others to help shape a better future.”
“With the National Geographic 33, we’re honoring a diverse group of changemakers, from all over the world and different walks of life, who aren’t just recognizing the urgent challenges of our time, they are taking action to address them,” said Nathan Lump, SVP and editor-in-chief of National Geographic. “In shining a light on them and their contributions, we hope to elevate their work and showcase to a wide audience the positive impact they’re making.”
“If young people feel completely powerless and crippled, it’s not just public health crisis but a disaster for climate change” – Jennifer Uchendu; Founder and Director, SustyVibes.
The list of National Geographic 33 honorees includes:
- Adam McKay: The filmmaker using biting satire to illuminate the dire realities of climate change
- Alexis Nikole Nelson: The social media star sharing the wonder of wild plants with a wider audience
- Arlo Parks: The singer-songwriter using music to campaign for mental health
- Björk: The otherworldly musician offering a lesson in environmental pragmatism
- Carla Pérez: The pathbreaking mountaineer helping climbers with disabilities reach new heights
- Carlos Magdalena: The rescuer of plants that are on the brink of extinction
- Cole Brauer: The pioneering sailor bringing her sport to a new wave of fans
- Don Cheadle: The acclaimed actor battling climate injustice one at-risk community at a time
- Edward Norton: The actor imagining a new way to conserve African wildlife
- Emily Liman: The scientist deepening our understanding of human senses
- Gabriela Hearst: The designer bringing climate consciousness to high fashion
- Hamdi Ulukaya: The business leader matching refugees with good jobs
- Héctor Bellerín: The soccer player dreaming up an eco-friendlier future for sports
- Isabel Cristina Gámez & Oscar Andrés Méndez: The builders finding a novel use for plastic waste around the world
- Jason Momoa: The actor using his superpowers to protect our oceans
- Jennifer Uchendu: The climate activist creating spaces for Africans to process their eco-anxiety
- Jeremy Jones: The snowboarder uniting athletes to save our winters
- Lewis Pugh: The endurance swimmer on a diplomatic mission to protect the world’s fragile places
- Lucie Basch: The app co-founder who built an online marketplace for food waste
- Maya Gabeira: The big-wave surfer attacking the scourge of plastic waste
- Michelle Yeoh: The Oscar® winner shining a spotlight on the plight of women in disaster zones
- Dr. Muhammad Mansoor Mohiuddin: The doctor discovering an unlikely new breed of heart donors
- Oksana Masters: The gold-medal-winning Paralympian and disability rights advocate
- Pattie Gonia: The activist making the outdoors a more welcoming space for the queer community
- Sana Javeri Kadri: The entrepreneur inspiring a more sustainable and ethical spice trade
- Selena Gomez: The superstar supporting mental health on a global scale
- Dr. Shu Yang: The scientist finding solutions in the structures of nature
- Sterlin Harjo: The storyteller spotlighting Indigenous voices
- Tayshan Hayden-Smith: The guerrilla gardener bringing horticulture to a new generation
- Victor Glover: The astronaut launching a new era of space exploration
- Yara Shahidi: The actress unpacking the psychology of optimism
- Yvon Chouinard: The unlikely mogul who built the ultimate outdoor brand, then gave it away to save the planet
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr & Eugenia Kargbo: The local leaders saving their city from a climate emergency