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Agenda
Tuesday | September 10, 2024
7:00 - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
7:30 - 8:00 AM
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Yoga/Meditation
8:15 - 8:30 AM​
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY ADVOCATES
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8:30 - 8:40 AM
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Plenary Session: Expediting Equity
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Carla Walker-Miller
Founder & CEO
Walker-Miller Energy Services
8:40 - 9:05 AM
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Climate Mayor's Keynote
Keynote
Mayor Mike Duggan
City of Detroit
9:05 - 10:20 AM
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Climate Mayors Panel
Cities are on the frontlines of tackling climate change. Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network that has mobilized more than 750 mayors demonstrating climate leadership in their communities, ensuring that the benefits of the green economy are distributed to everyone, regardless of background or social status. Join national climate mayors as they discuss their leadership in addressing the opportunities in the Inflation Reduction Act and other legislation.
Panelists
Mayor LaToya Cantrell
City of New Orleans, LA
Mayor Martha Guerrero
City of West Sacramento, CA
Mayor Sheldon Neeley
City of Flint, MI
10:20 - 10:30 AM
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Break
10:30 - 10:50 AM
The Clean Energy Health Nexus
Keynote
Bob Riney
President & CEO
Henry Ford Health
10:50 - 11:30 AM
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Justice 40 and the Clean Energy Transition
For the first time in our nation’s history, the Federal government has set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments in climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, energy efficiency, clean transit, workforce development, and other areas flow to disadvantaged communities. This panel will explore how to ensure these funds reach the most vulnerable communities, discussing strategies, challenges, and success stories.
Keynote
Shalanda Baker
Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action
University of Michigan
11:30 - 1:15 PM
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Lunch Plenary
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY INNOVATOR PARTNERS​
12:00 - 1:05 PM
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The Necessity for Radical Collaboration with Utilities
There was a time when the primary obligation of a utility was to keep the lights on, and that obligation overshadowed everything else. In today’s environment, utilities are increasingly required to answer to disparate stakeholders, lead the charge to renewables, all while driving equity in collaboration with most vulnerable communities. Learn how these utility leaders are working to address the distinct challenges of clean energy transition.
Moderator
Kristol Simms
Vice President of Clean Energy Transition, Economic Business and Community Development
Ameren
Panelists
Rodney Cole
President, DTE Foundation and DTE Corporate Citizenship
DTE Energy
Tonya Berry
Senior Vie President of Transformation and Engineering
CMS Consumers Energy
Kwafo Adarkwa
Director of Public Affairs
ITC Holdings Corporation
1:15 - 2:15 PM
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Breakout Sessions
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY CONNECTOR PARTNERS​
Track 1
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Business Innovation: Clean Energy Entrepreneurship​
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Financing Energy Equity
Location: Cabot
Unprecedented economic opportunities lie within energy equity. Individuals can thrive financially while contributing to a more sustainable world. By emphasizing energy equity, businesses can tap into a growing market for renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient technologies. This session will explore various financing options and strategies to support the clean energy transition.
Moderator
Kenneth Kelly
CEO
First Independence Bank
Panelists
Cory Connolly
Chief Climate Officer, Head of the Office of Climate & Energy, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Bill Grice
Executive Director,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency
Chanell Scott Canteras
President & CEO
Michigan Saves
2:30 - 3:30 PM
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Introduction to the Department of Energy Home Energy Score
This workshop will introduce the Carbon Accountant Certification, which prepares individuals to conduct carbon audits and help organizations reduce their carbon footprint.
Key Topics:
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Overview of the Carbon Accountant Certification
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Training and certification process
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Role of carbon accountants in sustainability and climate action
Presenters
Ben Dueweke
Director of Public Partnerships
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Darrius Fells
Energy Auditor
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Jerrell Wiley (Invited)
Energy Analyst
City of Ann Arbor
Track 2
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Upskilling & Education Credentials to Empower the Clean Energy Workforce
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Powering Careers: Credentials and Education for the Clean Energy Workforce
Location: Cartier
This session explores the various credentials and educational pathways that can empower the workforce in the clean energy sector. It will cover key areas such as mobility, building decarbonization, solar energy, and cold-weather heat pumps.
Moderator
Dr. Michael Dorsey
Co-Founder
Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS)
Panelists
Dr. Janell Hills-Thomas
Director, Workforce Programs
IREC (Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
Derrick Meeking
Director of Workforce Development
Walker-Miller Energy Services
Brynn Cooksey
Owner
Air Doctors Heating and Cooling, LLC
Track 3
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Sustainable Development: Driving Equity and Environmental Justice
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New Technologies for the Built Environment
Location: LaSalle
As we navigate the complexities of urbanization and climate change, the built environment stands at the forefront of innovation. This panel will explore the latest advancements in technology that are revolutionizing how we design, construct, and manage our buildings and infrastructure.
Panelists
Shantonio Birch, Ph.D.
CEO and Founder
Thermoverse, LLC
Darren Riley
Co-Founder and CEO
JustAir Solutions
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Ali Dirul
Founder & CEO
Ryter Cooperative Industries
Kara Sau Rinaldi
President & CEO
AnnDyl Policy Group
2:25 - 2:45 PM
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Advocating for Change Within Indigenous Communities
Keynote
Dr. Brandy Brown
Vice President
Michigan Energy Management Energy Systems, DNV Energy Services USA, Inc.
2:45 - 3:00 PM | Renaissance Foyer
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Break
3:00 - 4:00 PM
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Breakout Sessions
Sponsor Spotlight
EQUITY CONNECTOR PARTNERS​
Track 1
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Business Innovation: Clean Energy Entrepreneurship
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Urban Climate Science - Addressing Environmental Justice and Community Resilience
Location: Cabot
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This panel, hosted by Argonne National Laboratory, will delve into the pressing urban climate challenges faced by communities, particularly those in environmental justice areas. The discussion will focus on scientific insights, community experiences, and innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change in urban settings.
Moderator
Robyn Grange
Director, Office of Community Engagement
Argonne National Laboratory
Panelists
Rao Kotamarthi
Science Director, Center for Climate Resilience and Decision Science
Argonne National Laboratory
Nina Idemudia, AICP
CEO
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Nedra Sims Fears
Executive Director
The Greater Chatham Initiative
Brianna Dubose
Executive Director
Eco Works
Track 2
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Upskilling and Education: Empowering the Clean Energy Workforce
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Building an Inclusive Workforce for a Sustainable Future
Location: Cartier
In this breakout session, we have the opportunity to delve into the benefits, share valuable tips, and explore ideas on how to actively promote and increase diversity within the clean economy workforce. By championing inclusivity and empowering a diverse talent pool, we can truly shape a sustainable future that benefits everyone. Training a diverse workforce is key to driving innovation, fostering creativity, and ensuring representation from all walks of life in the green economy. Embracing diversity not only enriches the industry with a variety of perspectives but also leads to more inclusive solutions that cater to a wider range of needs.
Moderator
Scott Alan Davis
Vice President of Inclusion and Economic Development
SEEL, LLC
Panelists
Byron Osbern
Business Representative
IBEW Local 58
Tammy Black
Founder and CEO, Communities Power and Community Treehouse Center Detroit
Track 3
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Sustainable Development Driving Equity and Environmental Justice Community
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Advocating for Hispanic Communities in the Clean Energy Transition
Hispanic communities are among those on the frontlines of climate change, and the need for community advocates has never been greater. This panel will explore the role of Latin communities in driving equity and environmental justice, highlighting the importance of community advocacy during climate change.
Panelists
Tanya Salvidar-Ali
Business Development Director
AGI Constructiion
Maria Lewis, MHS
Affiliate and Allied Partner Manager
Building Performance Association
4:10 - 5:00 PM​
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Decarbonization for Developers, Residents, Realtors, Investors and Owners
Most buildings are being retrofitted with technologies from the past. It is necessary that incentives are used to build and retrofit buildings for long-term economic value that exceed traditional first cost considerations and minimize energy waste while maximizing health, safety, comfort, and sustainability. This panel will explore the strategies, challenges, and opportunities in decarbonizing buildings to create value for all stakeholders.
Moderator
Rod Hardamon
CEO, URGE Imprint
Founder/CEO, Urge Development Group
Panelists
Trace Allen
Community Implementation Manager
Rewiring America
Dena Jefferson
Director of Regulatory Affairs
Franklin Energy
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Robert Mattler, JD
Manager
Green Portfolio Solutions, LLC
Tepfirah Rushdan
Director of Sustainability
City of Detroit
5:00 - 9:00PM | Renaissance Ballroom and Foyer
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Reception with Panel
6:00 - 7:00 PM
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AI and the Clean Energy Revolution
This session will explore the transformative potential of AI in the clean energy sector, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and representation of Black and Brown communities. The discussion will highlight innovative AI applications in clean energy, address challenges, and propose actionable strategies to ensure equitable participation and benefits.
Panelists
Pam Isom
Founder and CEO
IsAdvice & Consulting, LLC
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Johnnie Turnage
Co-Founder
Black Tech Saturdays
De'Lon Dixon, M.A.
Founder
Think Technologies
Conference Hours
Mon: 5 pm - 8:30 pm ​​

Tuesday: 7 am - 9 pm​
Wednesday: 7 am - 3:30 pm
Contact us for more information.
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