The 3rd Annual IBEW 103/NECA Greater Boston Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit took place on November 7, 2024, at NECA Greater Boston in North Quincy. This year’s theme, Powering Inclusion: Building a Diverse Future in Clean Energy, brought together contractors, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss advancing equity in construction and clean energy.
Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC, delivered an inspiring keynote highlighting how diversity drives innovation and growth in clean energy. She emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for everyone and fostering partnerships to achieve shared goals.
The summit featured three engaging panels. The first panel explored clean energy opportunities, with speakers like Oliver Sellers Garcia from the City of Boston and Nexamp’s Chris Perron discussing collaboration between MWBE contractors and clean energy leaders. The second panel focused on increasing MWBE participation, with insights from Kenzie Bok, Rupi Kaur, and Dr. Ingrid Tucker on mentoring contractors and fostering inclusion. The final panel highlighted workforce diversity, offering strategies for equitable opportunities and opening doors for underrepresented groups.
Key takeaways included Kenzie Bok’s focus on inclusive housing, Rupi Kaur’s mentoring strategies, and Dr. Ingrid Tucker’s advice on expanding MWBE access. The event concluded with a networking lunch, leaving attendees inspired to build a stronger, more inclusive clean energy future.