Anyela León González
Colombia
Anyela León González, a passionate psychologist from Colombia, is dedicated to empowering Afro-descendant communities in northern Cauca. With a background in community social psychology, Anyela works as a territorial promoter with Grupo Semillas Corporation and plays a key role in the Afro-North Caucasian Territory Defense Committee. This grassroots platform addresses socio-environmental conflicts stemming from sugarcane monoculture and clay mining.
Through her leadership in the committee’s technical secretariat, Anyela spearheads initiatives that defend land and livelihoods. Her work promotes food sovereignty, community savings groups, the preservation of Afro-ancestral knowledge, and environmental stewardship. She is deeply motivated by the survival of Afro-North Caucasian communities, striving for their dignity, resilience, and the right of future generations to a healthy environment.
With the support of the JWH Initiative Grant, Anyela is pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Psychology and enhancing her English skills to deepen her understanding of human-environment interactions and strengthen her capacity to inspire change. These studies will bolster her ability to foster alliances and drive sustainable development in northern Cauca.
Anyela’s dream is to contribute to building an Afro-food corridor—a space for dignified and peaceful living for Afro-descendant communities. She aims to empower youth through environmental education, serve as a university professor, and continue advocating for the defense of territory, water, and food sovereignty. Her unwavering commitment to Afro-ancestral heritage and environmental justice makes her a transformative leader for her community and beyond.
This leadership support has been made possible by the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA)
