CHBC Webinar: Community Engagement and Inclusion in Hydrogen Projects
The CHBC presents a special webinar to focus on engagement with our communities in California and to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives of CHBC member companies. There is increased awareness of the importance of inclusion and environmental justice in federal and state energy programs and policy – including the hydrogen hubs – as critical to developing successful projects while ensuring positive benefits at the local level. Panelists will discuss their experiences with hydrogen in their own communities and corporate engagement strategies.
Date: Wednesday, November 8
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am PT
Register Here
Speakers
Tyrone Jones
Senior Manager of Policy & Public Affairs
Bloom Energy
Tyrone Jones is a resourceful and strategic leader in addressing complex social and business development issues by inspiring innovation, change, collaboration, and partnerships that build policies, practices and programs that drive results.
He is employed by Bloom Energy as Senior Manager of Policy & Public Affairs and powered by being a part of something bigger than himself.
Charles Mason Jr.
Environmental & Social Justice Manager
PG&E
Charles (he/him) is the Environmental & Social Justice (ESJ) Manager for PG&E, where he leads company-wide internal and external efforts on ESJ issues, policies, regulations, training, and operations. Charles previously served on the Business and Community Outreach team of the California Public Utilities Commission as a local government and community liaison, collaborating with local governments and community-based and statewide organizations. He has dedicated his life and career to addressing racial equity, social justice, environmental justice, transportation justice, and related issues. This has included working on local, state, and national policies, legislation, and regulations.
Charles was the founder of Ubuntu Green, an environmental justice non-profit in the Sacramento region. Charles founded the Sacramento Environmental Justice Working Group, was active in The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities Initiative, served as a member of the Sacramento City Superintendents Healthy Foods Task Force and sat on the Steering Committee of the Sacramento Regional Food Systems Collaborative. Charles also sat on the Advisory Council for the Center for Regional Change at U.C. Davis and served on the Steering Committee for the Coalition on Regional Equity (CORE). Charles is a Class X graduate of the Sierra Health Foundation’s Health Leadership Program.
His work experience has also included stops at AARP, NAACP, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, and the U.S. Congress. Charles is also a trainer and coach on institutional and structural racism, implicit bias, utilizing these tools to transform organizations and communities.
Charles received B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento. Charles also attended the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management and Howard University. Charles is the father of two beautiful children, Miles and Yemaya. He is active in yoga, biking, genealogy, reading and writing.
Brandon “Stix” Salaam-Bailey
Founder
Thinkwatts Foundation
The Thinkwatts Foundation, a distinguished 501c3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to uplifting underserved communities by providing a comprehensive array of resources and opportunities. Established in 2018, the foundation has consistently delivered a diverse range of programs and services, such as weekly food distributions, entrepreneurship workshops, financial literacy education, environmental justice and sustainability initiatives, sports programs, coding sessions, educational advancement, workforce development, and urban development projects.
Hailing from Watts, California, the foundation’s founder, Brandon ‘Stix’ Salaam-Bailey, has spent the past two decades forging a successful career as a rapper, record producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. His passion for music served as a springboard for his commitment to enriching his community through the Thinkwatts Foundation. As a vital presence within the community, the foundation has cultivated enduring partnerships with prominent corporations like Mastercard, Microsoft, Google, Nike, Toyota, and Bank of America among others.
Recently, as an effort to fight for Hydrogen equity in underserved communities, Stix partnered with Toyota and other organizations to distribute 27 Murai vehicles to low-income individuals. Moreover, Stix and his Thinkwatts Development Group is slated to build hydrogen production facilities, stations, and EV charging stations in the city of Watts and Compton. The foundation’s future vision revolves around urban development in communities affected by redlining, reimagining opportunity zones through affordable housing, comprehensive supportive services, and career opportunities in technology and environmental sustainability.
Denita Willoughby
Executive Consultant
LA Regional Cleantech Career Academy
Denita Willoughby is an accomplished business leader who brings more than 25 years of executive and senior management experience with Fortune 500 companies. She has been instrumental in leading government and community affairs and has helped organizations achieve policy goals and design and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion action plans.
Currently, Denita is the CEO of Big Energy Group, a consulting firm that assists companies with expanding into new markets and serves as a board member for NWS Wireless, as well as a founding board member for Vision to Learn, and a board member for UNITE-LA, a non-profit focused on workforce readiness. As a motivational speaker, Denita engages audiences on topics related to high-performing leadership, wellness, and career navigation. Previously, she has served as the Chair of the Board for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and UNITE-LA. Denita’s past board service includes Green Dot Public Schools, The Los Angeles Urban League, United Way of Greater LA, and California Institute of the Arts. As a board member, she has led and served on executive, nominating, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) committees.
Denita holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also received the Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. She is married with two sons and lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Alexus Merino
Assistant Director
City of Lancaster
Alexus Merino has been an essential part of the City of Lancaster team since 2013, where she is currently an Assistant Director, focusing on alternative green energy efforts, particularly hydrogen development. With prior experience in the Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Community Services Department, she now leads and supports various key initiatives, including leading the city’s communications team.
As a passionate technologist and designer, Ms. Merino excels in fostering collaboration within interdisciplinary teams to drive innovative and sustainable solutions. Her commitment to science and clean energy has led her to work on the Pacific Hydrogen Alliance, aiming to strengthen collaboration and resource-sharing among international stakeholders.
Ms. Merino holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from California State University Northridge (CSUN) and a Master’s Degree in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology from the University of Southern California (USC), providing her with a comprehensive skill set to tackle complex problems and create lasting impacts on the community and environment.