While we welcome the cooler temperatures and vibrant colors of autumn in Washington, DC, we are also appreciative of many other things besides the change in season. Autumn offers a time for reflection – the roads traveled, places explored, and the people we’ve engaged with – and an opportunity to express our gratitude for the incredible efforts and achievements of our office over the past quarter.  

This year has been marked by grit, focus, and relentless dedication. We have faced challenges head-on and emerged stronger and more determined than ever. Our office has shown its commitment to charting the path toward a more clean and equitable energy transition for all. 

Here are some highlights from the past few months: 

1. Engagement: The Minority Business and Workforce Division has been on the road meeting entrepreneurs, leaders of organizations, and people in communities working to achieve America's transition to a clean energy future. From workshops to webinars and one-one interactions, they are making an impact with minority enterprises across the country.  

2. Progress: We have embraced inclusivity and accessibility at the DOE with open arms. New initiatives, programs, and approaches have allowed us to stay at the forefront building a workforce that looks like America and promoting DOE as an employer of choice. We’ve hosted numerous internal events and DOE’s first-ever DEIA Fundamentals Training for 2,000+ supervisors. 

3. Educational Excellence: DOE hosted 55+ students this summer as part of the Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program. Our STEM students continue to shine, demonstrating their intellectual curiosity and hard work. Their achievements while participating in the program have been nothing short of inspiring. We are proud to have nurtured such bright minds. 

4. Gratitude: We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for each member of our community that has worked side by side with us to advance equity and energy justice. Your dedication, support, and unwavering belief in our mission have been the driving force behind our successes. 

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, we know that we will be met with even more exciting opportunities and challenges. We are confident that, with the spirit of unity and purpose of equality that defines us, we will overcome anything that comes our way. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to our shared vision. Together, we will create a future filled with hope, learning, and positive change. 

Wishing you all a wonderful autumn season filled with joy, reflection, and the warmth of community. 

With gratitude, 

Shalanda H. Baker 

Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity and Secretarial Advisor on Equity