Stephen Fitch, IT Business Systems Analyst with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), tests the voltage produced by a handmade electric generator as part of the Generator Build Competition hosted by the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School.
Submitted By Luisa Martinez
In recognition of Black Energy Awareness Month, members of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), Florida Chapter, partnered with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), and others, to host and conduct a Generator Build Competition at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Jecory Ellis, Project Manager with NextEra Energy, assisted students from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School during a Generator Build Competition as part of an energy career workshop. The event was hosted by the American Association of Blacks in Energy – Florida Chapter, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME.
During the event, high school students were provided with an overview of the energy industry and introduced to the field of engineering. The students met with and heard from engineers and senior managers in the industry, and took part in the generator build competition, where they learned the basics of generator theory and how electric voltage is created. Each member of the competition’s winning team received a $50 gift card.
Whitney Walker, Lead Community Relations Specialist with NextEra Energy/FPL (far left), and Jasmine Govan, Community Relations Specialist for NextEra Energy/FPL (far right), pose with the winning team of a Generator Build Competition. On November 14, 2024, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME, hosted an energy career workshop at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. The workshop included a hands-on Generator Build Competition, in which the students learned how to generate voltage in an engaging way.
“It is such a joy and delight to witness the determination of these young and ambitious students who are focused-driven and eager to excel,” says Whitney Walker, Lead Community Relations Specialist with Next Era Energy/FPL.
Whitney Walker, Lead Community Relations Specialist with NextEra Energy/FPL, interacts with students from Palm Beach Lakes Community High School as they prepare to participate in a Generator Build Competition. On November 14, 2024, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME, hosted an energy career workshop at the school. The workshop provided selected high school students with an overview of the energy industry.
Other empowering speakers included: Dr. Michelle Saunders, Lead Project Manager – Distribution, Next Era Energy/FPL; Norman Riemer, SECME District Coordinator – Palm Beach County School District; Dion Watson, Director – Next Era Energy Resource Development – Next Era Energy/FPL; Oleg Andric, Department Chair & Professor, Electric Power Technology – Palm Beach State College, and Jasmine Govan, Community Relations Specialist, Next Era Energy/FPL.
AABE, FPL and Partners Hosted the Blacks in Energy Event and Generator Build Competition at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
Oleg Andric, professor at Palm Beach State College (PBSC), shared insights with students at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School about the Electrical Power Technology AS Program offered by the college. On November 14, 2024, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME, hosted an energy career workshop at the school.
This event was made possible by the generous support and involvement of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, Florida Power & Light Company, NextEra Energy, Inc., the University of Florida – SECME of Palm Beach County School District, Palm Beach State College and Palm Beach Lakes Community High School.
About AABE
Dion Watson, Director of Energy Resources Development at NextEra Energy, participated in the energy career workshop hosted by the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME, at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School on November 14, 2024.On November 14, 2024, Dr. Michelle Saunders, Lead Project Manager for NextEra Energy/FPL, delivered an inspirational presentation at the energy career workshop hosted by the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, in partnership with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. 40 selected students received an overview of the energy industry and participated in a hands-on Generator Build Competition.
Established in 1977, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) is an association founded and dedicated to ensuring the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations. The national membership includes more than 1,600 professionals representing every sector of the energy industry. There are 40 chapters located in states, metropolitan areas and college campuses around the country. AABE utilizes the expertise of their members to analyze energy policy and serve as a resource for community leaders, consumers, policymakers and regulators on the impact that these policies have on underrepresented communities.
On November 14, 2024, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) volunteers participated in a youth career exposure workshop at Palm Beach Lakes Community High School. The workshop included information about careers in the energy industry and a hands-on Generator Build Competition. The event was part of the Blacks in Energy Awareness Month initiative, a partnership with the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) – Florida Chapter, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), Palm Beach State College (PBSC), and the University of Florida SECME.
The members of AABE are committed to building the pipeline of African Americans in leadership positions in the energy industry. Through scholarship programs, students who plan to major in science, mathematics, engineering and technology have the opportunity to receive scholarships on the local, regional and national level. The AABE members have the opportunity for professional development at chapter meetings, regional and national conferences. For more information about the association, visit www.aabe.org.
