Thursday, June 11, 2026 6 - 9pm
The Garland|4222 Vineland Ave|CA 91602
We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Environmental Justice Awards, an evening dedicated to honoring individuals and organizations leading the way in environmental justice. This special event is our opportunity to celebrate their incredible efforts and shine a spotlight on their unwavering commitment to a more just and sustainable future.
This year, our theme, “Seeds of Belonging,” reflects the resilience and strength of our community in the face of ongoing challenges. Like seeds, immigrant communities carry stories of perseverance and hope, taking root and thriving even in difficult conditions. At Pacoima Beautiful, we believe that environmental justice is deeply connected to this journey: everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and connected to the places they call home. By nurturing inclusive spaces, we honor the resilience of our community and work toward a future where both people and the environment can flourish together.
Join us in celebrating environmental champions whose tireless work is making a lasting impact across communities.
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A Snapshot of PB's EJ Awards
Honorees
Imelda Padilla
Councilmember, Council District 6
Environmental Justice Champion Award
Councilmember Imelda Padilla proudly represents the Sixth Council District of Los Angeles, often considered the heart of the San Fernando Valley. A lifelong Valley resident, Padilla brings over two decades of experience in community organizing, advocacy, and public service to City Hall. Before joining the Council, she dedicated her career to uplifting working families, expanding educational opportunities, and advancing environmental justice. She played a key role in launching the L.A. County Women and Girls Initiative, mobilized a coalition to raise the minimum wage while working with the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, and led environmental justice initiatives with Pacoima Beautiful.
Now, as a member of the Los Angeles City Council, Padilla remains committed to delivering real solutions for the communities she serves. She prioritizes expanding access to city services, improving neighborhood safety, tackling homelessness, and increasing transparency in local government. In 2025, Mayor Karen Bass appointed Councilmember Padilla to the Metro Board of Directors, marking a historic milestone for the San Fernando Valley. Padilla is the first Latina from the East Valley to represent the City of Los Angeles on the Metro Board, ensuring that one of Los Angeles’ most transit-dependent regions has a strong voice in shaping its transportation future.
Tom De Simone
President & CEO of Genesis LA
Environmental Justice Leader Award
Tom De Simone grew up loving cities, and Los Angeles in particular. He served as a John Gardner Fellow in the Office of Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn working on issues of affordable housing and economic development. He went on to earn a Master of Urban Planning at Harvard University Graduate School of Design after which he joined Genesis LA as a program manager working on real estate loans. In 2013, he moved into the role of President & CEO. In this capacity, he cultivated deep collaborations with community development partners, helping to expand Genesis LA’s role in the city’s community development ecosystem. He has positioned Genesis LA to be one of the most active CDFI loan funds in Los Angeles, consistently identifying new and innovative projects, programs, and partnerships to drive capital into the region’s most underinvested communities. Over the past few years, Tom and his colleagues have been working with Pacoima Beautiful to envision a more vibrant Van Nuys Blvd and increase investment in Pacoima’s downtown district. He is driven by his love of this city and inspired by its cultures, its people and its potential.
Mission Community Hospital
Environmental Justice Ally Award
Owned and operated by Deanco Healthcare, LLC, Mission Community Hospital has been providing high-quality healthcare in the San Fernando Valley community for more than 50 years. Mission Community provides a full range of medical, surgical and mental health care, including 24-hour emergency services.
Artist
Jesse Renderos
Artist
Jesse is a Panorama City multi-talented artist who is instrumental in transforming blighted areas into vibrant community landmarks and expressing proactive commitment to connect with diverse populations. Jesse creates and serves as a visual heartbeat for the neighborhood signaling that a space is cared for and culturally rich.
About Pacoima Beautiful
Mission
Pacoima Beautiful is a grassroots environmental justice organization that provides education, impacts public policy, and supports local arts and culture in order to promote a healthy and sustainable San Fernando Valley.
Program Areas
Pacoima Beautiful was founded in 1996. We work to create a healthier, more sustainable and equitable environment; participate in public policy issues like climate change and water conservation; and strengthen the economy in Pacoima and surrounding areas of the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Our programs focus on leadership development, environmental education and advocacy, including:
- Community Organizing
Our community organizing team strives to fortify frontline communities by understanding and addressing community identified issues and putting forward resident informed solutions. - Youth Organizing
Our youth organizing team fosters a facilitated leadership development safe space centering young people of color as environmental justice champions contributing to change in their community. - Planning
Our planning team conducts a community informed process for the design of land use, transportation and infrastructure, so community relevant planning projects get built in the San Fernando Valley. - Casa Esperanza
Casa Esperanza is a a youth and family services center that aims to empower and uplift the families in Panorama City. - Arts & Culture
Our Arts and Culture team works to cultivate and showcase the creative talents of the community and proudly uplifting the rich cultural identity of the community.
