In April, nine students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across North Carolina and South Carolina gathered for the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway Energy Summit, a collaboration between E4 Carolinas and SEI’s Energize Colleges program. Designed to build a more innovative and equitable energy workforce, the Pathway introduces students to industry careers through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development. 
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Working in teams, participants representing Livingstone College, Claflin University, North Carolina A&T State University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Central University, and Shaw University tackled a complex problem: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a city’s transportation sector. Students examined who is most impacted, explored environmental justice impacts, and built solutions grounded in both analysis and lived realities. They presented before a panel of judges, sharing bold, actionable ideas for a more sustainable future.

Students also connected with industry professionals during a career panel and toured the Catawba Nuclear Station in York, South Carolina, bringing their learning to life. 

For many, the shift was personal. Vironika Paul, an environmental studies student at North Carolina A&T University, reflected, “This experience taught me the true meaning of leaving a space better than you found it … and [being] encouraged to do more, simply because you are surrounded by people who believe in you almost more than you believe in yourself.” 

“The Pathway has not only equipped me with industry-specific knowledge, but has also connected me with a community of mentors and peers who are dedicated to ensuring that the future of energy is inclusive,” said Eleojo Usman-Aguda, accounting and business administration student at Claflin University. “It has shifted my career trajectory from a general business professional to a specialized advocate for sustainable energy solutions.”

What began as a one-day summit became a moment of clarity, connection, and possibility for the future of the energy industry.
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The HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway is made possible through support from the Duke Energy Foundation, HASI Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and other sponsors.

A Roadmap Built on Trust
To help you navigate your giving journey with peace of mind, we have committed ourselves to the highest standards of accountability. We are proud to announce that SEI has earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid.

Why the Platinum Seal Matters
This designation is the highest level of recognition awarded by Candid. It ensures that when you choose to partner with SEI, you have a clear view of:

• Our Shared Mission: Strategic priorities that align with your values.
• The Proof: Real-world outcomes and community impact metrics.
• The Foundation: Robust financial stewardship and organizational leadership.

This Platinum status isn't just a measure of SEI's achievements — it's a promise that your partnership is creating real, measurable change in the goal to  build a more resilient world for all communities. 

You can view our full nonprofit profile and learn more about our impact by visiting our Candid page:
SEI Profile

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us continue to grow, improve, and serve with integrity. Ready to amplify your impact? Donate using the button below.  

San Diego’s ambitious clean energy and decarbonization goals demand a skilled, diverse workforce. SEI believes that creating a sustainable future means empowering all communities with pathways to high-wage, high-growth careers in the clean energy economy.

That’s why we are thrilled to announce that SEI, alongside partners Resource Innovations (RI) and the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County (MAAC), has been selected to deliver Spark Your Career, a new program from the San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN). ​This comprehensive, system-wide initiative will serve 2,200 individuals entering or upskilling in energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization industries.
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“With this project, we are focusing on enhancing the great work that is already being done in San Diego through collaboration, refinement and streamlining rather than creating new initiatives,” says SEI Program Director Tiffany Mrotek. “We believe all the pieces are already here; it’s all about creating harmony in the workforce system to better serve San Diego.”

The Pathway's robust virtual modules equipped the students with essential professional skills. Aria Brown, who interned with the City of Charlotte, shared, “The Pathway Program modules were helpful in preparing me for my internship, especially in terms of setting expectations and building professional skills... Topics like workplace communication, goal-setting, and time management gave me a solid foundation.” She added that the focus on self-reflection helped her stay mindful of her growth and feel “more prepared and confident stepping into a professional environment.”

For Atire Miller, an intern with E4 Carolinas, the experience was invaluable: “Not only did I learn about the energy industry but I got to work on my networking skills... I came out with more knowledge of the industry and I became a better presenter and became more confident in my work as time grew on.”

These students are now armed with real-world experience, expanded networks, and greater industry knowledge, ready to make an impact! We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.
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To learn more about the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway, please contact us at energizecolleges@seiinc.org. ​

In this 3-part challenge, students learn about energy and power, then use their newfound knowledge to audit their campus using industry-standards tools and lead a school-wide campaign to conserve energy. Students develop technical energy career skills, as well as transferable project management, team work, public speaking, graphic design, communication, and leadership skills. All challenge materials are available in English and Spanish. Challenge activities also help participants develop leadership skills and can be completed as a class, in small groups/clubs, or even individually!  

100% of students of past SEI challenges have reported that as a result of participating, they are more likely to take action or change their behavior to improve or protect the environment.
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While registration was recommended by early October, registration for the challenge is still open! If you miss this round, keep an eye out for the Spring version of this challenge!

School gardens play an important role in our school communities as a space for learning and connecting with nature. Yet, while 50% of California schools have dedicated garden spaces, fewer than 9% actively use them. 

Not on our watch! SEI has been a long supporter of garden education throughout the Bay Area, and is continuing to do so through their latest program: Energize Schools Garden Hub. ESGH is providing free services to elementary schools throughout San Francisco to help school communities engage with their garden. Teachers and school community members want to be empowered and excited to support their school gardens, and ESGH meets you where you are. We offer training workshops, instructional support, maintenance planning support, and access to garden curriculum and resources.

One partner school, Dolores Huerta Elementary School,  wanted to ensure that their educators felt prepared and ready to teach in the garden at least once a week this school year. In mid-August, two SEI team members facilitated a training with all of Dolores Huerta’s educators (TK to 5th grade) to introduce them to the ESGH Garden Curriculum and how to position themselves for success in the garden. After receiving this training, one educator expressed that they are, “ready to take our students outdoors and teach them!” 
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Are you interested in checking out our Garden Curriculum? Email energizeschools@seiinc.org to request access today.

Dear Friends and Supporters of SEI:

It is with a heavy heart that I share the difficult news that our AmeriCorps grant, which supported SEI’s Climate Corps Education Outside program, was canceled without notice, along with 1,000 other program grants nationwide. This vital program has brought garden-based education to more than 10,000 children in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties each year since 2019. As a result, we face the heartbreaking reality that 29 dedicated garden educators — individuals who have inspired curiosity, nurtured growth, and built community in Bay Area school gardens — will be losing their jobs. 

Despite this sudden and immediate loss of AmeriCorps funding, we are currently able to retain our 29 Fellows until May 15 through alternative funding sources. Our goal is to extend this timeline so that students, teachers, and Fellows can experience as much closure and stability as possible. We are urgently calling on our community for emergency support to help bridge this gap.