Pictured in photo left to right: Justin Real, Sr. Program Manager, PG&E, Allen Fernandez Smith, Manager Customer Energy Efficiency, PG&E, Amelia Ashley-Ward, Publisher, Sun Reporter, Felicia Roberts, Publisher, Central Valley Voice, Dionne Adams, President of Black Employees Community Support, Regina Wilson, Executive Director, CBM, Valerie Bell, V.P. Operations, PG&E, Fiona Chan Integrated Multicultural Communications, PG&E, Jerilyn Gleaves, Manager, Supplier Diversity, PG&E, Julia Dudley Najieb, Publisher, One New Media Group, Pleshette Robertson, Publisher, Sac Cultural Hub, Libby O’Connell,PG&E and Lennice Najieb, One New Media Group.
SACRAMENTO — On Feb. 22, PG&E presented a $53,000 grant to California Black Media to help their efforts in supporting major African-American news outlets within the company’s service area. The endowment was given during a multicultural media event at The California Endowment co-hosted by PG&E and CBM with eight African-American print and broadcast organizations.
“At PG&E, we work hard to support the African-American community all year, but February is a special month because it’s a formal acknowledgement of many unsung African-American heroes who’ve made significant contributions in history. The African-American press is a vital resource in the African- American community. We’re pleased to partner with them to support their work. We look forward to continuing to work with them in 2018 on important PG&E updates and energy policy initiatives,” said PG&E Community Relations Manager Jimi Harris.
Representatives from outlets such as The Post News, Sun Reporter and Sacramento Observer and other media outlets learned about PG&E’s Time of Use rate plan and how customers can better manage their energy usage. During the one-hour session, they also received information about how PG&E’s Black Employee Resource Group supports the community, the company’s PowerPathway workforce development program, the ways PG&E’s supplier diversity program assists diverse suppliers and the role GPS plays in damage prevention to PG&E equipment.
CBM Executive Director Regina Brown Wilson said PG&E’s support shows the company is “all about their customers and the people they serve.” She praised PG&E for their interest in making sure the community is informed about issues affecting them.
“We need the resources so we can continue to do the work,” said Brown Wilson. “We need to empower people with relevant information they can understand. The people must know before they can act and there’s no educator like the press, Ida B. Wells (not sure if how to give her credit I say it but its her words
“California Black Media wants to make sure our community is included in a meaningful way. It’s critical to have partnerships like the one with PG&E so we can continue to educate the community,” added Brown Wilson. “You don’t want to tell them how to think, but you want them to have the information so they can think and then engage. PG&E understands the importance of keeping people informed.”
(By Tony Khing, CBM)
