Clean Energy Spotlight: Donavan McKinney

Our latest #cleanenergyspotlight is a newly elected Michigan state representative who is passionate about clean energy. It’s Donavan McKinney. In January, he’ll officially join Michigan’s House of Representatives, where he’ll represent Michiganders from northeast Detroit, Warren, and Center Line. 

Born and raised in Detroit, Donovan is a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, with a B.A. from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. 

Growing up, his mother and grandmother taught him the importance of community, leadership, and service. “My grandmother always instilled in me this quote: ‘Never fight the urge to give,’” he said at a University of Michigan panel. “From that point on, I decided to dedicate my life to service, dedicate my life to giving back, because I didn’t want people to go through the same things I had to go through.”

To serve others and better their lives, he’s worked as the National Political Director of Climate Power, a national, non-profit organization seeking to move leaders to address climate change. And since January 2020, he’s served on the state’s first Environment Justice Council; he was appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. In the role, he was instrumental in several clean water initiatives, including Gov. Whitmer’s $2-million Water Restart Grant Program and her statewide Water Reconnection Executive Order.

Now, his service grows. Congratulations on your election, Donavan. We’re excited to follow your work to make clean energy more accessible to more people.