By D. Thompson
Students listened to entrepreneurs and a corporate executive involved in the energy sector at the BGE Black Excellence in Energy Speaker series inaugural session held at Bowie State on Monday that provided them guidance on growing sustainability and green technology career opportunities. Speakers included Sunny Elebua, senior vice president and chief of strategy and sustainability at Exelon; Natalie King, founder and CEO of Dunamis Energy; and Gilbert Campbell, founder and CEO of Volt Energy.
“More than 70 students who attended this session got a first-hand accounting from these executives of how they navigated to positions of influence in a field with very few people of color,” said Karmalita Contee, director of private scholarships and grants. “They shared that success often requires creating your own path.”
BGE has developed partnerships with Bowie State University, Coppin State University and Morgan State University to award scholarships to students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors and give them early insights on pathways into energy careers. In addition to financial support, BGE also provides the students with internships, job shadowing opportunities and mentors to help them gain a better appreciation of how their coursework will translate into a career.
The BGE Black Excellence in Energy Speaker Series expands BGE’s investment in local HBCUs by offering all students and alumni at the institutions the opportunity to learn directly from leaders in the energy industry about sustainability, clean tech and the other opportunities in the energy industry.
Following the panel discussion, students participated in a career fair and spoke to recruiters about internships and full-time employment opportunities after they graduate.
