While Black History Month is a time to honor the men and women who bravely and boldly paved the way for the African Americans who came after them, it’s also an opportunity to look to the future and ask yourself: How am I making a difference?
Personally, I see the answer in my kids’ generosity and kindness towards others, but I’m one of the lucky ones who can see it in my work as well.
As a 15-year Duke Energy employee involved with the African American Association of Blacks in Energy, I have the privilege of sharing the energy industry with young people from all across Florida.
Every summer, my colleagues and I host Youth Energy Academies, hands-on programs designed to expose often underserved students to the inner workings of electric utilities while encouraging them to consider pursuing careers in STEM.
They participate in fun activities and demonstrations; engage in conversations with lineworkers, control room engineers and more; and tour towering facilities housing complex equipment that they’ve likely never seen or even heard of before.
The Youth Energy Academy concept was conceived by three Duke Energy employees in 2011 and has since grown from one location with a handful of students to seven sites (Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Lake Wales and South Florida) with roughly 60 attendees each.
With several of these students coming back year after year and some even going on to succeed in the industry, including at Duke Energy, we know it’s helping create a better, brighter tomorrow for underrepresented groups in our communities.
Derick Farfan serves as large accounts manager for Duke Energy Florida.
