Tolmeia Gregory is an artist and climate justice activist working at the intersection of climate and creativity. She is also a campaigner for Clean Creatives, working as an Associate Creative Director.
My name is Tolmeia Gregory; I’m a 24-year-old artist and climate justice activist, working at the intersection of climate and creativity. My activism journey started in 2015 after I watched the documentary, The True Cost, which opened my eyes to the devastating negative impacts of the fashion industry.
Originally an aspiring fashion designer, I have taken my ambition and drive to focus on environmental and social justice issues in the age of the Climate Emergency. I use my online platform as a way to educate others in an engaging and relatable manner, using digital art as a powerful tool to spread messages.
My online journey began in 2012 at the age of just eleven when my knowledge of climate-related issues had yet to grow.
In 2018, I launched my collection of animated stickers as a Verified Artist on the GIPHY platform. My stickers (that can be used on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat) have amassed over 10 billion views, enabling my environmental, climate justice-related and sustainable fashion messages to reach a global audience.
Alongside my activism, I now work as a artist and illustrator, collaborating with brands and clients on a variety of different projects and campaigns.
As an artist, I have recently completed a residency at The Wilson in Cheltenham as part of the We Are Creators programme providing me with my own studio space for a year and a half.
I am also the host of the podcast, Idealistically, where I ask people what they would idealistically want in an ideal world, in hopes to inspire visions for a more radical future. I have hosted live recorded episodes at events such as the Cheltenham Festivals.
Since 2019, I have also had experience as part of non-violent-direct-action through the likes of Extinction Rebellion, Green New Deal Rising, Stop Cambo and more, calling on governments and big industries to take drastic climate action.
I currently campaign for Clean Creatives, a campaign working to stop the advertising industry from working with fossil fuel companies. As an Associate Creative Director, I create and lead on actions that have generated international industry press. My work as part of a team at Cannes Lions 2022 for Clean Creatives was recognised as a Shorty Awards finalist for the Non-Profit Impact category.
My work has been recognised by the likes of The Washington Post, Ad Age, Teen Vogue, The Guardian, Stylist Magazine, DAZED, i-D, Glamour and BBC Politics. I have also contributed as a writer, to online publications such as Eco Age.
My former blog ‘Tolly Dolly Posh’ is now an open archive of my past work and writing.
“My mission has always been to inspire people to become more confident in themselves and what they wear. Now, I hope to inspire people to fight for their futures, in order for us to continue sustainably expressing ourselves in a healthy and prosperous world.”
You can read my resource page which includes definitions and people I recommend following, alongside my work.
