RECESS Conference Seeks to Expedite Equity in the Clean Energy Sector

RECESS24: National Black and Brown Clean Energy Conference is set to take place from September 9-11, 2024, at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan. With the theme “SOS: Expediting Equity in Clean Energy,” RECESS24 aims to invite more Black, Brown, Latino/a, Indigenous, and other people of color into the massive clean energy transition opportunity.

RECESS24 will feature a dynamic and insightful program designed to foster inclusivity and equity within the clean energy sector. One of the program highlights is the Climate Mayor’s panel on Tuesday, September 10, where Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will present an overview of Detroit’s climate action. This will be followed by a panel discussion with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (invited) of Miami Dade County, focusing on the critical efforts in their cities and the significance for Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Shalanda Baker, widely credited as the architect of the federal Justice40 initiative, will also be a key speaker. She will discuss the creation of the inaugural Office of Energy Justice and Equity at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Biden administration and her current role as the first Vice Provost of Sustainability and Climate Action at the University of Michigan.

The conference will also honor more than 50 recent graduates of local clean energy workforce programs on Wednesday, September 11. Additionally, Argonne National Laboratory will present an exhibit related to their EcoCar EV challenge, a collegiate research and experimental learning competition.

“There is tremendous momentum nationally around forging collaborations for projects and solutions to expedite the clean energy economy in a way that leaves no one behind,” said Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services and creator and convenor of RECESS24. “RECESS24 provides an essential onramp for those historically disconnected from the industry to aggressively explore, plan, and innovate to meet this incredible moment in history. It is crucial to advance equity in the clean energy sector and bring together people of color who are shaping the future of clean energy.”

RECESS24 is a key event for those seeking to understand and engage in the clean energy transition, providing invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and pathways to participation. You can register for the event here: https://www.therecessconference.com/register.