On a recent summer Friday, over a dozen of our high school brothers from San Juan Unified embarked on an eye-opening journey to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) Power Academy. This visit offered them a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the region’s most progressive energy providers and their ambitious Zero 30 plan, which aims to achieve zero carbon energy by 2030. The day was filled with both fun and profound learning experiences, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
Throughout the day, they were introduced to the innovative steps SMUD is taking to lead the charge toward sustainable energy. Our brothers also learned about the various internship and job opportunities that SMUD offers, opening their eyes to potential career paths.
Adrian Williams, SMUD Education Specialist, shared his thoughts on the importance of such initiatives: “Giving our young men, especially young men of color, an opportunity to learn about the careers at SMUD and in the industry of sustainability can go a long way in preparing this current generation to be ready to work in this field and advocate for future generations ensuring they have a safe and healthy environment to grow up in. This group will learn the importance of living in a zero-carbon community and will be the ones pushing this goal forward beyond 2030.”
One of the most poignant reflections on the trip came from Tavin Thomas, an 11th grader at Del Campo High School. “It really opened my eyes to what work is like in that type of field. Looking at my life, I never would have had the confidence to say that I could do a job or have a career like this. I’m grateful that IYT exposed me to this and it makes me want to pursue more for myself. If I had stayed home, I would have just been playing video games, so I was definitely thankful for this experience.”
We see these trips as not just expanding our members' horizons but also instilling a sense of possibility and ambition. These initiatives play a crucial role in shaping the future leaders of our communities, encouraging them to dream bigger and reach higher.
We’re planning another trip during the coming school year to extend this valuable experience to even more mentors and brothers. Stay tuned and thank you to our partners at SMUD for helping create such an impactful opportunity.
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