Nora Olagbaju

Nora Olagbaju is the Groundswell Media & Communications Associate, and she works with Groundswell to share resources and information with communities on the frontlines of climate change. Nora believes that climate change is not only an environmental issue but a racial equity issue. She is committed to using her community organizing and creative experience to accelerate the clean energy movement.

Passionate about social justice and equity, Nora advocates for the advancement of the black community, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and international human rights work. She gained a multifaceted perspective on how to make direct and positive change while uplifting communities through work experience with Amnesty International, Michael Moore, and Mainstreet Films, Jobs with Justice, and the Greater Washington Community Foundation. As a creative, community organizer, and activist, Nora is committed to service, empowerment, structural reform, and amplifying the voices of those who continue to fight for equity and justice in their own communities. 

Nora is a graduate of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and minor in African studies.

As a black woman who is part of the LGBGTQ+ community, Nora uses her lived experience to bring a valuable perspective at the intersection of creativity and advocacy. 

18 Articles

  • SOUL: An Investment in Housing Equity & Rural Resilience
    Spring is here, and as temperatures rise, utility bills will increase to keep households cool in the warmer months. In rural areas, many older homes have massive energy burdens due to out-of-date appliances, air leakage, poor infrastructure, and other energy inefficiencies. Groundswell is revitalizing rural communities through energy-efficient upgrades with the Save on Utilities Long Term (SOUL™) program. An investment in energy efficiency is an investment in housing equity. Creating comfortable homes, and reducing the financial burden on households leads to thriving and sustainable communities.
  • Making a Difference one Household at a time with SOUL
    In Georgia, many low- to moderate-income households face disproportionate energy burdens. Energy burdens are measured by the percentage of total household income spent on household electricity bills. 
  • Celebrating Legacy, Justice, and Wisdom
    Environmental justice and racial justice are deeply intertwined. This Black History Month, we have highlighted those who led the way in this movement and those who are carrying the torch now, addressing energy inequity and working towards restorative justice in their communities. In order to move forward, it is imperative to acknowledge our shared history and the systemic inequities that shape this present moment.
  • Transformative Solutions Through Innovative Research
    Groundswell’s Labs program plays a central role in our approach to clean energy development by purposefully deciphering the story behind the data. This approach supports the development of innovative solutions tailored to the communities we serve — guiding our people-centric approach to community-owned clean energy futures.
  • Announcing Groundswell’s “Year In Review” Report
    As 2023 comes to a close, we are energized to share our “Year In Review” report, which shows how Groundswell has embodied our values while reflecting on the milestones and lessons learned in 2023. We have driven transformative change and expanded our impact across all program areas — including Labs, Subscription Management, Community Resilience Hubs, Save on Utilities Long term (SOUL™), and Solar Project Development.
  • Leadership, Partnership, and Innovation: A Recap of the Rural Renaissance Roadshow
    This month, we hosted the first Rural Renaissance Roadshow in Bentonville, Arkansas. Leaders in clean energy, agriculture, government, media, and more joined us for three days focused on learning, strategizing, sharing resources, and building community.
  • Celebrating a Milestone for Community-Owned Energy Resilience
    This month we celebrate a significant milestone for the City of Refuge of Baltimore, as they will be the first resilience hub in Maryland that will receive the benefits of a solar and storage project allowing them to expand its work. These benefits are made possible by the Direct Pay provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
  • Celebrating Four Years of Community Solar Savings with DC Solar For All
    This month, we celebrate the DC Solar for All program and all the progress we have made to expand access to clean energy in the District of Columbia and beyond.
  • Driving Transformative Change through Labs and Data Science
    This month, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our Labs program, which embodies our commitment to building community power through transformative innovation and research for equitable clean energy futures.
  • Addressing Energy Burdens and Housing Inequity with SOUL™
    Across the country, households with the lowest incomes have the highest electricity burdens, and this energy inequity is even worse in rural communities. Household energy burdens are determined by the percentage of household income spent on energy costs, and research completed in recent years has established a clear tie between the older housing stock that dominates rural communities and high energy burdens. 
  • Groundbreaking Milestones For Community-Owned Clean Energy
    Across the country, communities are beginning to see the benefits of new clean energy projects and initiatives. This growth has the potential to address energy inequity and energy impoverishment in historically underserved communities. However, to achieve the kind of transformative change that addresses community needs at their source, we must listen to individuals in those communities and take their words to heart.
  • YOU are Building Clean Energy Momentum with SharePower™
    Community support is helping community solar — and other clean energy initiatives — build momentum in the US, creating opportunities to make energy cleaner and more affordable. Feedback from subscribers like you and other individuals in the communities we serve is essential to ensuring SharePower by Groundswell projects can meet the needs of the communities where they are located. Thanks to guidance from individuals passionate about their communities and affordable clean energy, we were able to celebrate new subscriptions for more than 173 low to moderate-income households becoming available in June.