Meet Mari Copeny: NowThis Next 2021 Honoree

Mari Copeny, also known as Little Miss Flint, is breaking boundaries on sustainability rights.

Credit: Mari Copeny
Credit: Mari Copeny

Throughout history, there have always been trailblazers and creatives from every generation who have led the world to the precipice of historical change through grassroots organization, self-expression, reclamation, and so much more. Youth have always been the leaders of our movements toward change, and here at NowThis, we give megaphones to the change-makers of the world.

This year’s NowThis special is dedicated to those who have touched the world by making a difference within their communities, Mari Copeny, AKA Little Miss Flint, is among the 2021 class.

Copeny was only eight years old when she first made headlines for her activism and organizational efforts to end the Flint Water crisis. Now, at 14 years old, she continues to fight and advocate for the future of sustainability rights.

It all started back in 2016, when Copeny penned a heart-felt letter to former President Barack Obama. It was this message that ultimately brought nationwide attention to the Flint Water Crisis.

Now, in 2021, Copeny has kept up the fight by giving away more than 1 million water bottles in the fight for clean water and has raised more than $500,000 for her Flint Kids projects, providing children with school supplies, Christmas toys, Easter baskets, and movie screenings.

As a youth ambassador for the Women’s March on Washington and for the national Climate March, Copeny continues to be a staunch advocate against environmental racism.

“Our greatest threat right now is leaders not taking action in environmental racism and the American water crisis. Sustainability is the ability to be able to maintain our environment for future generation. One thing we can stop doing right now is to stop ignoring the youth and ignoring the fact that the choices that they make today is going to affect my generation's future,” she says.