Christiana Figueres
Architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement | Former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC | Co-Founder, Global Optimism | Bestselling Author
Mari Copeny
Youth Activist Known as "Little Miss Flint" | Founder of the Flint Kids Project | Voice for Clean Water and Environmental Justice
Speaker Mari Copeny, "Little Miss Flint," became a national figure as an eight-year-old when her letter to President Obama drew federal attention to the Flint water crisis. Through the Flint Kids Project she has raised over $700,000 for children in her community and partnered with Hydroviv to put clean-water filters into homes nationwide. Audiences gain a generational voice on environmental justice and how to act when systems fail.
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Mari Copeny biography
Speaker Mari Copeny, known to millions as “Little Miss Flint,” became one of the most recognizable youth activists in the United States after writing to President Barack Obama at the age of eight about the water crisis poisoning her hometown. The letter brought the President to Flint, Michigan, and helped unlock more than $100 million in federal relief. Now in her late teens, she has spent nearly a decade building one of the country’s most effective grassroots platforms for clean water, environmental justice, and youth civic power. As a sought-after human rights speaker, she translates the lived reality of environmental racism into a clear call to action for audiences far beyond Michigan.
Copeny’s activism has always been rooted in her community. Through her Flint Kids initiatives she has raised more than $700,000 to fund school supplies, holiday toys, and books by authors of color for local children. Her partnership with water-filtration company Hydroviv has put hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of filters into homes across the United States, particularly in communities still drinking contaminated water. She has donated more than a million bottles of clean water to families in need.
From Local Crisis to a National Platform
Copeny has served as a national youth ambassador for the Women’s March on Washington and the Climate March, and she has been a core voice in the Flint Youth Justice League and the Eighteen by 18 voter-engagement initiative founded by Yara Shahidi. She has shared stages with senators, governors, and a US Vice President to push for safer infrastructure and stronger environmental policy. Profiles in TIME, Teen Vogue, and The Guardian have framed her as a generational figure, and her likeness now lives as an officially-licensed doll celebrating young change-makers.
As a speaker, Mari Copeny brings an unusual combination of moral authority, generational fluency, and operational know-how. She has run national campaigns since middle school, knows how to convert attention into funding and policy pressure, and speaks candidly about burnout, joy, and the long game of advocacy. Corporate, education, and policy audiences leave her keynotes with a sharper view of how the next generation expects companies and institutions to act on water, climate, and justice, and with practical ideas for getting started.
Mari Copeny Speaking Videos
Joe Biden and 'Little Miss Flint' Mari Copeny Discuss Climate Change
'Little Miss Flint' continues to fight for clean water access for all
Mari Copeny Keynote Topics
Copeny lays out what actually works when engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha around climate, water, and environmental causes. Drawing on a decade of grassroots work since age eight, she covers credible messaging, the responsible use of social platforms, and how brands and institutions can support youth-led campaigns without co-opting them.
Copeny walks audiences through the campaign mechanics behind her work: how a single letter became a presidential visit, $100 million in federal relief, and a national platform. She breaks down how to build coalitions, attract media, raise funds, and convert attention into measurable outcomes, with candid commentary on what goes wrong along the way.
Copeny examines how environmental harm concentrates in communities with the least political power, and what genuine justice looks like beyond press releases. She uses Flint as a case study to discuss policy, corporate accountability, and the role of public-private partnerships in delivering safe water, clean air, and healthy infrastructure.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Mari Copeny
Why Mari Copeny?
Mari Copeny is one of the most recognizable young activists in the United States and a powerful voice for clean water and environmental justice. She has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for her community, shaped national conversations on infrastructure and racial equity, and spoken alongside US presidents, vice presidents, and senators, all while still in her teens. Book Mari Copeny through Aurum Speakers Bureau for keynotes that connect senior audiences with the generation that will define the next decade of climate, civic, and consumer expectations.
Who is Little Miss Flint?
Little Miss Flint is the nickname of Mari Copeny, a youth activist from Flint, Michigan, who became internationally known at age eight after writing to President Obama about her city's water crisis. The letter prompted a presidential visit and helped catalyze more than $100 million in federal aid. Since then she has built the Flint Kids Project, partnered with Hydroviv on clean-water filters, and become one of the most visible faces of US environmental justice advocacy.
What is the Flint water crisis?
The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when the city of Flint, Michigan switched its drinking-water source to the Flint River without adequate corrosion control, causing lead and other contaminants to leach into the supply. Tens of thousands of residents, including thousands of children, were exposed to dangerous lead levels. The crisis exposed deep failures in US water infrastructure and disproportionately harmed Black and low-income communities.
What kind of audience is the best fit for Mari Copeny's keynote?
Companies, foundations, conferences, schools, and government bodies that want a credible, on-the-ground perspective on environmental justice, water security, Gen Z civic engagement, and corporate-community partnerships. She is especially effective at sustainability summits, ESG investor events, and leadership programs aiming to connect with younger consumers and employees. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Mari Copeny to your stage.
How to book Mari Copeny as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Mari Copeny as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Mari Copeny's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Mari Copeny or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Mari Copeny speaking fee?
Mari Copeny speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Mari Copeny to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Mari Copeny.
How can I contact Mari Copeny?
We only work with Mari Copeny on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Mari Copeny and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Mari Copeny speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Mari Copeny for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Mari Copeny for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Mari Copeny is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Mari Copeny for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
