The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is a national association of energy professionals founded and dedicated to ensure the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussion and development of energy policies and regulations; research and development technologies; and environmental issues. Currently, AABE has 37 chapters throughout the U.S. and consists of approximately 1,600 members. Paula Jackson has been serving as president and CEO of AABE since July 2013 but has been a member of the association for more than 20 years.
“For our association, the mission has not changed in the 37 years of its existence,” Jackson said. “The primary focus of the AABE is to pay attention to energy policies and to evaluate and analyze with a discerning eye its impact on African Americans and the broader communities.”
Jackson emphasized it’s becoming increasingly important for the association to do what it can to encourage members of the African American community to enter this industry.
“We want to make sure there’s a great pipeline of talent that’s prepared to enter this industry and we also work with the industry on issues of diversity and inclusion,” she said. “Oftentimes when I talk with my membership, I tell them the good news is 37 years later our mission is still absolutely relevant, but in some ways that’s bad news because we haven’t arrived there yet. We have more work to do, but we’re making real progress.”
During Jackson’s tenure, one of the biggest successes of the AABE is the success and popularity of its annual conference, which grows each year. The association recently held its 2014 conference in Houston and will hold The 38th Annual National Conference of the AABE in May 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“At our annual conference we bring together industry leaders, subject matter experts to talk about emerging issues,” Jackson said. “We have corporate CEOs who come to our conference and after engaging with our members comment that the AABE conference is one of the most informative conferences in the industry.”
AABE also recently partnered with Hispanics In Energy to convene a series of community-based conversations on the work force opportunities of the energy industry and best ways to prepare diverse constituents to participate in it. “This is the first time these associations have collaborated,” Jackson said. “I’m very proud of the fact we’re talking about how Hispanics and African Americans can collectively work together to ensure access and participation in the energy industry.”
As part of the AABE’s effort to support education in its local communities, AABE chapters bring in students from their surrounding areas to talk about opportunities in the energy industry. According to Jackson, AABE’s Atlanta chapter, for example, has one of the most successful student outreach programs, which will bring in hundreds of students for a one-day event that exposes them to various jobs in the industry.
“Chapters like this one are continuing to hear from schools that want to be included in these outreach programs,” Jackson said. “I am excited about those kinds of initiatives because it’s one way we fulfill our mission on a local level.”
Jackson said one of the AABE’s biggest challenges is finding innovative ways to involve more energy professionals, grow its membership and help diversify the industry representation.
“We are working on how to engage more with industry professionals because we want them to share our mission,” Jackson said. “You don’t have to be an African American in energy to be a part of this association. You just need to believe in what we do. We want to be more involved with this industry and would love to talk more with those in it about how the AABE can help make a difference.”
For more information, visit www.aabe.org or call (202) 371-9530.
