American Association of Blacks in Energy
Steve Mitnick is President of Lines Up, Inc., Editor-in-Chief of Public Utilities Fortnightly, and author of “Lines Down: How We Pay, Use, Value Grid Electricity Amid the Storm.”
Way back in the nineteen-seventies, when Jimmy Carter was the wonk in the White House, the American Association of Blacks in Energy was founded. In the decades since, AABE has convened execs and thought-leaders of every complexion focusing on the role of African Americans in the industry and the industry's service to minority communities.
AABE holds amazing national conferences, which the PUF Staff annually looks forward to attending, but while the pandemic sidelined an in-person event this year, we were there virtually, too. We were transfixed again by the quality of speakers, with an added element of emotion.
Because with recent social unrest, when the national consciousness — and the industry's consciousness — of racial equality and inequality has risen substantially, AABE has taken on a greater responsibility to help us address this challenge. Could the recently-concluded AABE 2020 conference have been any timelier? Below, you can hear what top leaders had to say at this important event, at this important time.
AABE 2020 sessions: