The transformation towards clean energy is accelerating, both in America and around the world. This sector, vital in confronting the challenges of climate change, represents a fertile ground for economic progress, innovative job opportunities, and a roadmap to ecological stability. Yet, for all its promise, it also reveals stark disparities.
Predominantly, white people are at the helm of this burgeoning industry, reaping its financial and professional rewards. Meanwhile, Black, Brown, and other minority communities find themselves underrepresented, often relegated to the fringes. This lack of representation for Black and other minority groups isn’t just a numbers issue; it’s a missed opportunity for diverse perspectives, skills, and solutions that these communities can bring to the table. Furthermore, the exclusion of these groups from such a critical industry further exacerbates systemic inequalities and denies them the socioeconomic upliftment that the clean energy sector promises.
Yet, there’s hope that this narrative will change. Birthing the first of its kind, Detroit-based Walker-Miller Energy Services, in collaboration with Real Times Media, introduces a groundbreaking event: the Resilience & Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit (RECESS23). Scheduled from Monday, Oct. 30 to Wednesday, Nov. 1 at Newlab at Michigan Central in Detroit’s Corktown district, the summit seeks to address the disparities within the clean energy arena.
Monday marked the launch of the three-day conference, RECESS23. However, to categorize RECESS23 as merely another conference would be a profound understatement. It stands as a transformative movement, one designed to jolt the clean energy sector towards equitable change with urgency. Walker-Miller Energy Services isn’t merely participating; they’re spearheading this evolution. Breaking away from the shackles of “business as usual”, they’re embarking on a daring venture that uplifts those voices that have historically been muffled and sidelined. Carla Walker-Miller, CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, challenges unique opportunities that fuel clean energy enterprises, pave the way for prosperous careers, and envision a sustainable future, resilient against the menacing shadow of climate change.
Cathy Nedd, the president of Real Times Media, served as the emcee for the evening, and with enthusiasm, she welcomed Hiram Jackson and Carla Walker-Miller to the stage to inaugurate the night’s proceedings. “The partnership of Walker-Miller Energy Services and Real Times Media is a pivotal step towards advancing equity for Black and Brown people within the clean energy industry,” shared Nedd. “Today, we are privileged to have with us visionary leaders who have tirelessly championed the cause of equity in clean energy. Carla Walker-Miller a trailblazer in the clean energy industry has shown that energy efficiency and environment stewardship can go hand in hand with economic empowerment. Hiram E. Jackson has been instrumental in leveraging media platforms to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities. Together, they have set the stage for an inspiring and impactful conference that will shape the future of the clean energy sector.”
The essence of RECESS23 is twofold. First, it aims to spotlight and champion the ingenuity, tenacity, and resilience of communities that were previously left in the shadows during past economic upheavals. Simultaneously, the summit confronts the ingrained disparities that have historically prevented Black and Brown communities from fully harnessing the economic, health, safety, and environmental rewards stemming from the nation’s advancements. RECESS’s ambition is clear: to sculpt a future where everyone, irrespective of their background, is an active participant in the clean energy renaissance. The conference places a keen focus on the latest breakthroughs in clean energy while underlining the importance of paving the way for equitable economic prosperity.
“It’s time out for clean energy as usual, it’s time out for lack of equity as we try to solve climate change and save our planet but more importantly, save our lives,” stated Walker-Miller. “We keep talking about future generations, if the last year or two has taught us anything it has taught us that we’re saving our generation – this is about us. The conference aims to spark meaningful conversation but to invite everyone. No one should be left out of this conversation because no one is exempt from the impact from climate change. We are all experiencing it and we all need to solve it.”
Monday’s session witnessed a vibrant blend of attendees – a testament to the global appeal and significance of the movement. Hundreds gathered, ranging from academics, government officials, non-profit representatives to private sector professionals. They converged with a shared zeal for clean energy and its transformative potential for fair economic development. The speakers’ roster was no less impressive, featuring influential voices like Shalaya Morissette, Chief of the Minority Business & Workforce Division at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Dr. Henry McKoy, Director at DOE, SCEP, and Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Their collective presence underscored the gravity and promise of RECESS23’s mission.
“Why not Detroit?” posed Hiram E. Jackson, Real Times Media CEO and Publisher of Michigan Chronicle. “We had dinner one night and we came up with the idea of having a Black and Brown clean energy summit. Our media platform has been used for over 100 years to inseminate critical information to Black and Brown communities, economic information, and political information. So, we saw this as an opportunity to be a part of an economy that is coming very quickly, and we thought it was important that Black and Brown communities really understand the impact of some of the decisions that are being made now and not be followers but be leaders in new policies that would impact the world – that’s why we’re here.”
On Monday, amidst the energy and excitement of RECESS23’s kickoff, a momentous announcement was made. The organizers took to the stage to highlight a pressing concern: the noticeable disparity in the clean energy sector. Recognizing this gap and understanding the imperative for swift and effective action, Michigan Central, Newlab, and Walker-Miller Energy Services unveiled their strategic collaboration with DTE Energy. The partnership, formed to prioritize energy equity, resonated powerfully with the summit’s overarching theme.
This newly minted alliance is not just a mere agreement on paper but a commitment to tangible change. Together, they are initiating a slew of pioneering projects aimed at producing real-world outcomes. Among their primary objectives is the reduction of energy bills for consumers, a move to higher efficiency standards, and the introduction of state-of-the-art technologies designed to enhance grid resilience.
But the vision of this collaboration extends even further. By promoting broader access to affordable energy, they’re not only targeting immediate community benefits but are also laying down foundational blueprints. These models, borne out of their combined efforts, are designed to be adaptable and replicable, making them suitable for implementation in cities around the world. The announcement added a palpable sense of hope and commitment to the conference, reinforcing the notion that with concerted efforts, a more equitable clean energy future is not just possible, but imminent. This effort is bolstered by the involvement of Our Next Energy (ONE) and up-and-coming startups like Liberas and Pearl. The commitment of these partners was highlighted during Monday’s kickoff of the Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit RECESS. This summit, orchestrated by Walker-Miller Energy Services and Real Times Media, is more than just a gathering. It’s a powerful confluence of national leaders devoted to shaping the future of clean energy, all while ensuring it is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable.
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