[inaudible conversations] i am the congresswomans big fan coming into her and she is a leader Inspiring Women like us. Im going to open the floor. Please give a very large round of applause. She has been working on this. Im delighted to see eachbi and every one of you. Im going to take a moment because i am so happy to see the ochairman of the Democratic Caucus which is the most outstanding. We are the workers of government, the people that seek success not from ourselves but t for all of you. Would you please come we are in the midst of an Energy Revolution and as you all know, we have messages of strength and empowerment in business and you are looking at green energy and energy from around the nation into the continent of africa, but we are looking to find ways to work effectively together for the benefit of the world and the worlds climate. The chair of california, the head of the Democratic Caucus in the nation. [applause] thank you so much. Thank you for the opportunity. I just want to say i look forward to this panel. The leadership in congress is no question. She works for her community and congressog and keeps us togethe. This discussion of how we address climate with the urgency of now means so much and it should be in all of the above strategy working with our communities and our local governments, working as an international partner. So thank you for being here and being willing to listen and learn and thank you so much for your leadership. [applause] you can move up its okay. Let me also think your staff. We appreciate it very much. Im going to let people get in for a moment thank you very much. We have some its coming up, Climate Change, declarations [inaudible] you knowic how difficult it is o make a decision to protect the fossil fuel and in nairobi in september there was a common voice for the decision made and africa is really for business and a big role into the current challenges in having more access to projects to make sure they are able to leadur up to the commitment that was made because we all know theyve been suffering from years of slavery and then today they are still bearing the burden of Climate Change and so we need to make sure our leaders here find ways to partner [inaudible] [applause] youve come to hear the wonderful panel, so allow me to give a few statements, but as i do so, let me acknowledge the Dynamic Panel that we have. And as i said, the founding chair of the lead in africa, lets give the moderator a very big hand. [applause] let me acknowledge the assistant administrator bureau for africa u. S. Agency for international development. At please stand. Are you in the room yet . On the way. Let me thank albert, Vice PresidentCorporate Affairs chevron. Thank you. General manager external affairs. Thank you. [applause] doctor gibson, are you in the room, executive director . Thank you. Ralph cleveland who is president of the American Association and is a very diverse population of energya specialists. Green energy for as long as ive known him. And adam wright, ceo. On the way. We look forward to our congressional guests and we will acknowledge them. The reverend is not in the room yet i dont believe he and Jonathan Jackson is not in the room. We will acknowledge them as they come and with Sheila Mccormick we will acknowledge them as they come. So let me just to speak again with a few provocative words. First of all, the last trip i took, and his last trip i believe with president obama at the end of his term was a delegation of members to lead congressional leadership and to interact with African Leadership on the power and this was 2016 that we were looking at the huge gap of Energy Deficiency on the continent that over the years has had an enormous, how should i say, i will use the polite term of investment from Different Countries around the world and companies around the world. Interestingly enough the region just found new assets in this instance but when we were there, we were dealing with young entrepreneurs trying to project energy and the greenway so that the housing where the villages e of the city, which is the bulk of where many africans live could have some form of energy. That is not even a decade ago. We are longing and what we should be doing asng americans, what we should be doing as people of color, and what we should be doing with of the enormous technology, expertise, and also the affection that we have for democracy. No one else should be on the continent helping them the United States of america. Americans collaborating with a narrow perspective for some of you in your questions. But we must give the best of what wee have and the best of what i have i think i saw him passing by, he is the best of what i have. Please stand up because you are the best of whatt i have and i m so grateful at some moment im going to call you up so dont leave before you you get a word. We are talking to an array of africans, black americans, you know the terminology. It varies and you are an inspiration and educator and certainly one of the places and ways we can be in africa is through education. So let me just quickly indicated many of you know i have shared the energy trust for 28 years. My predecessor the honorary chair of the black caucus energized the brain trust to begin a dialogue that did not leave people of color outside the circle discussion. Isc think jerome ringo may have known mickey and his commitment even today his footprint is in the center, but we have a toxic air centers so as the member of the judiciary committee, the Homeland Security committee, ive kept an active footprint on the question of energy on Homeland Security, i deal with cybersecurity, which is of course both Cybersecurity Infrastructure protection, the transportation security subcommittee, border security. All of these are woven into how we move energy. Energy brain trust is convenient to serve as a platform for all relevant stakeholders, the industry and a variety and mixture of energy. We leave no one out but we want everyones mind to be open minded. The title of this is the Africa Partnership for ensuring a just and equitable transition in africa creating a nexus for the Worlds Energy capital from the gulf coast to the africa coast. Every community in the world depends on energy to power citizens lives, energy Food Production as a stake in addressing theav increasing impt of global Climate Change. He died on the slide of an ethiopian tribe to deliver food to the sahara desert, the area between and today we are still dealing with the drought in that region. Energy can power water, can help produce food and in that region today itck is still lacking. We have work to do. Every community in the world depends on energy to power their lives and has a stake addressing the increasing impact of global Climate Change. Indisputably it is in our everchanging in a challenging world and innovations are charged today head on to the Energy Issues of the day and must not leave outt to people that once we leave here today and turn on lights, get in our vehicle, go to hotels with lights and room service, there are people today deprived of the quality of life because they have no power. And even in the United States, we are challenged for places without the adequate power and many of these places are places in states we know, whether they idare midwest, whether they aren the south, and you know most of us that have hurricanes, we have to rebuild after each and that includes places like louisiana and texas so let me just quickly conclude to say to you think about how you are going to package energy and how we are going to put communities and businesses or thinkers together how do we create Job Opportunities orbited flickering light in a village in tanzania, rwanda and ethiopia where we were. How do we ensure those young entrepreneurs turn their business into an economic engine uncorrupted in their country and how can we assure that those that have and tend to dominate and i will use friends in faraway places some would say china, how do we ensure that the independence of africa continues to produce for themselves. The fact of the matter is in todays domestic and Energy Initiatives it has to be improved and put together. So today we will listen to a number of individuals that i hope will be constructive on the legislative policy, constructive on realizing that we must not ignore Climate Change and constructive numbers. According to the International Agency we need more than 300 billion to achieve universal electricity by 2030. I would venture to say it is much more. What are we going to do before we leave this place . To try to be able to be a problem solver. We are engaged with african president s, we welcomed the president of the democratic republic of ai and in particular precious metal which ties into Energy Production but since im a member of the human rights commission, all of this is wrapped around in the decency of human rights and the ability to lead nations without corruption. As you add questions and think of the global needs that meet the value of distinction that is what i hope that we will hear from our presenters and audience. And as i go to my seat i want tt thank you all that may be in the room. Wave, please. Thank you very much. And i did see i thought representative ron reynolds. Dont sit down so quickly. He is one of our leading voices in houston and heads the state of texas black legislative caucus and a powerful force in the state legislature. We are delighted that you are here and we hope that you will have powerful questionsow for u. And i think i see mr. Cornell davis. Forgive me. Mr. Jerome i indicated may be some of these persons needed to be there, but he has one of the most provocative and impactful expos that ive seen in the United States of america. We hope that you will join him in june of 2024 and amplify the work that he being here. Well my moderator please come so that the reason for the persons here will be elevated. Let us think and believe and do. Im going to ask each of the panelists but the partnership would look like. Thank you, congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee bringing together the industrial community, the Environmental Community for many, many years. I am jerome ringo and the chairman of the global dealing with any efficiency. We are 61 Minority Owned Company and we are in the carbon credit business. Our company developed an alternative like honeywell and dupont. My companys refrigerant is the only one in the world. What does that mean for places like africa . We generate huge amounts of verifiable carbon credits for making an environmentally friendly refrigerant. Nd do you think about tesla they make more money from carbon credits banned from selling cars. They make electric carss but thy get hugeto carbon credits. Tesla has determined that my company is a Super Premium carbon credit, the only Super Premium carbon credit in the portfolio so much so that the chairman of tesla carbon credit which is a part of tesla automotive the president and chairman just went to work for me to weeks ago and now we are setting up tesla. We are going carbon credits. What does that have to do with africa . Doctor paula and logistics was owned by the parliament to set up a Carbon Market in africa. They signed an agreement to assist them inan establishing tt Carbon Market. Many people are growing trees to gain carbon credits because of the exchange but its not verifiable. You cannot determine how much is being taken from the atmosphere from a tree. Ours, we can. We can monitor. We are taking the programs and looking at a dealri to sign with thee parliament that we can change the refrigerant and all government buildings in africa and the 41 owned electricity they save they can reinvest that money into humanitarian issues like eradicating malaria, dealing with covid or whatever they are supposed to do. I am anxious to talk to the gentleman from chevron and make him aware of our carbon credit banks that we are establishing. The energy space. There are efficiencyy that we cn help stimulate the african economy through the trading of carbon credits. That would be a benefit to American Companies and also to african nations. That is basically what i do. Andtu i would love the opportuny to speak further. Especially to the gentleman from exxon and my brother with blacks and energy thank you. Some take a brief moment. And thank you jerome very much. You said some very powerful things. Sure you put the most provocative things on the table. The success of this session will be when you finish the engagement. And i want people thinking in big ways. And you are doing big things. Let me pause for a moment first to acknowledge Bonnie Johnson who is a member of the black Caucus Foundation board. Please stand. Has been a supporter of our work for many, many years. [applause] with any Foundation Board numbers in the room besides mr. Johnson let me welcome you. Let me allow, but you find educators in many interesting places. He serves on one of our subcommittees on energy which he will explain. Ive asked him to give a provocative admit it he is traveling from place to place it pretty go to the reentry please mention my name if you happen to ibe overlapping you make your remarks please call out i am in total support of the work. I know you are in support of what we do here. I would you welcome congressman jim alton woman from the great state of new york. [applause] good afternoon everyone. I will try to provide a provocative minute. It is an honor to be here thank you representative jackson lee for saying a few words. I was blessed enough to win my election 2020 and begin serving in congress in 2021. Of course three days later there was an insurrection and we had a few challenges there. Er during my freshman term i served as a chair of the Energy Subcommittee of the science space and tech committee. The reason why chose to be on that committee in particular is because i want to be at the table front and Center Writing legislation as it relates to green, clean, Sustainable Energy for the future. Not just of america but around the world. So that is our mission. Our mission is one 100 clean green renewable energy. With the human intellectual capacity to get it done. We just have to leverage it not just here but globally. As an africanamerican might connection to africa it goes without saying but i will say it out loud here for everyone to know. I believe i am raised and brought up in the black radical tradition. And i take very seriously the importance of African Americans connecting to the continent of africa. We have to work in order to respond to the historical oppression that happens or people both here and on the continent. I am Crystal Clear the wealth and infrastructure that has been built. We all live within today was built on genocide, enslavement, and colonization here and on the continent. Ed right near as i continue to learn im not an expert yet on energy at africa i want to learn with you and from you i went to plug in their that i can learn so much more. What i read in what i hear is quite disturbing to me. Africa is wealthy beyond measure in terms of its natural resources. [applause] buck, africa needs to benefit from the wealth of its national resource. Right now because of the infrastructure that is in place that i call white supremacy, other may call it western colonialism. So, how can i as the first African American member of congress in the history of my district plug into our brothers and sisters on the continent to do that work that represents what is on the short break which is d colonize africa. [applause] and not just be colonizing the continent but the binds and behavior of us here in america. So looking forward to continued learning. Thank you for allowing me too say a few words. Sorry im dressed down butfe im running all over the place. My panels tomorrow ill be in a suit i promise. God bless you all. I promise you okay have a great day i love you, god bless you, cannot wait to learn from you. Thank you. [applause] thank you very muchss congressman. On the floor of the United Nations the africans biggest asset is the people on the continent here in america. Thank you verynk much for your remarks from jamaica. Thank you, thank you. Good afternoon everyone. It is a pleasure to be here. Congresswoman think of for the opportunity. Here in the u. S. It was actually founded in 2015. We are what i consider a small and robust independent power producer but were founded in japan during tokyo electric and the first and Third LargestPower Production in japan. By combining those assets, that is. The combination of that the first and largest producer, cure and transporter ofoc lng in the nation and in the world. Lng is not the only thing we do. We are also in the renewable space, advancing onshore and offshore wind. Across the world and here globally. We are doing solar, or drink Battery Storage we are doing eb innovation. But what i am most excited about is the innovation and the ammonia and hydrogen space. A lot of times when you think about energy you are left with what you been doing traditionally. The Energy Transition that causes us and should cause us to think what we should be a nontraditional event that is exactly what jared is doing. We are fortifying but not only investing nationally but internationally. I think that is where the conversation with africa comes into play. When you look at the history of japan its resource draft. The fact japan is resource strapped and able to make the commitment to be 60 Carbon Neutral and 0 Carbon Neutral by 2050. That our quote unquote resource strapped and as we all know africa is not resource strapped its rate. How do we take what we have been doing it other parts of the world like japan and making sure with our neighbors. I look forward to the conversation. I look forward to learning and hearing from each of you. We can look at this Energy Transition and away the solid fortifying here in the u. S. But again to our partners and friends in africa. Hello. Hello, i am from earth by way of new orleans and chicago. My grandmother and great aunt worked on the Manhattan Project i am a generational scientist following behind their footsteps. My work is in Rare Earth Minerals which is why i was invited, thank you so much congresswoman for having me. My research has been a Rare Earth Minerals specific around the partnerships and possibilities with africa. I visited maybe one fifth of the 53 nations in africa. Specifics of this work but specifically what i do with i my country which is eco tech visions we focus on supply chain innovation. Providence technology as it relates to supply chain innovation. In Green Technology within that period hydrogen, solar, some blue Tech Innovation supporting entrepreneurs to address some of the issues that exist t there. As it relates to your question about what are some of the Disruptive Solutions . There are three things we could focus on and i look forward to talking about them further. First is on the issue of refinement. When you are looking to refine Rare Earth Minerals or any type of mining processes a lot of waste outputs. Is a lot of opportunity in trash to treasure. Whether that is wrong carbon which is something the Current Administration is heavily focused on. Theres a lot of odd opportunities for entrepreneurs to play a role in that. Increasing commercialization opportunities is something my company has a specialty in. Getting access to the different rfp, rfq that come out either through the department of energy, the department of commerce, former ambassador to the department of energy. Specifically look at opportunities for students and or Minority Companies to access the funding both as it relates to doing private within the u. S. And in africa. I think theres a lot of opportunities people just dont know exists and a lot of funding allocations for there can be more that are directed toward commercialization my alma mater which i wrote this has some of the best research to commercialize the Technology Already exist. Most universities do but going with some of the best institutions you can commercialize existingio technologies. You do not find your own innovation. You can bring that to bear and other countries like africa. Like the countries in africa and so than the third thing would be around providence technology. Specifically for shoring up the partnership is wanting to steer clear of what happened in south africa with the blood diamond issue. Providence technology can do that. Its already being used in medical tech. It is big in supply its adding sensors and different elements to the supply chain. The people who are producing can get money for the front steps in the supply chain instead of things disappearing off of trucks and boats and things like that. Looking forward to talking more about that. What its looking to do it in terms of commercials and sibley technology. Most of it exists in a block a n space and that isn unfortunate because people are still unclear about the distinction between crypto and black chain. Lactate is the ledger crypto is one small piece of it in finance. The ledger is extremely invaluable and could but utilized to solve a lot of these issues. In terms of getting products from point a to point b. [applause] s return. Before i get started i went to also just say thank you congresswoman for being a leader and a champion for decades. This is something you initially thought of it. Your leadership is helped advance our u. S. Policy on how its engaging with africa and other countries are on the world. I really want to pick up something to send her opening remarks that energy as a whole. I want to start with taking a look at some of the reality. Look at the outlook for energy we are forecasted Global Energy demand is g going to grow by another 15 in the next few decades. Think about the subsea equivalentle of adding another United States to the entire demand for imagery in the globe. And also the same time frame is going to grow by another 2 billion people from 8 billion to 2 billion the demand for Energy Africa produced was going to increase. The future is going to require to deliver Affordable Energy people can actually pay for it have to bebl reliable and also continue to be clear. Weve got to have a lower Carbon Footprint than where we are today. Today africa provides and produces about 8 6 of the gas in the world. 40 of the Global Reserves put cobalt and platinum these are key ingredients for the batteries and Hydrogen Technologies were going to need in the future. They are going to create new export opportunities that doesnt exist today. New Investment Opportunities since around thees world. The irony of all of this is, congresswoman alluded to this africa is rich in resources. But in 2021 as of 2021 nearly 43 that is about 600 Million People lack access to electricity. When at the same time, we here in america are afforded a quality of life thats been enabled by the resources in africa. And they do not even have it at home. So, as we talk about a Just Transition to meet the demands of tomorrow with a lower Carbon Footprint, we have to ensure that transition to the lower carbon future brings everyone along including providing affordable reliable 600 million africans today. So as we explore this question on how to facilitate a just Energy Transition in africa, i think it is important to remember know one individual, company, country, for industry can do this alone. It really requires all of us working together to address the challenges and aspirations that you hear my colleagues and others talk about. That is what i firmly believe we talk about what we miss work on together. Whether or not from d. C. , from houston in the gulf coast to africa. Weve got to make sure we continue to design the h policis that will allow us to continue to be creative. Have viable markets, create opportunities for businesses to be able to connect between our two continents that will bring the solutions to bear in the marketplace. So, as we think about a Just Transition, we believe there are three important things we should consider. First, Energy Investment must meet countries where they are. And establish a balanced Economic Prosperity energy security, environmental productions allow economies to h grow. This is a space for one size does not fit all. We have to have solutions that allow each economy to flourish. Not just the developed economies to flourish. Second, we must recognize Many Solutions are needed to achieve progress and meet the energy needs of tomorrow. In the space theres no silver bullet. Different solutions to address these challenges. And to do that we have to do that collaboration between the private sector and the Public Sector to lock this innovation. First we must recognize the enormous skill of the Global Energy system. The magnitude of the massive investments is going to be required. You heard it mentioned earlier nearly three and a billion dollars was going to be needed to be able to meet the needs of africa today. In reality trillions of dollars requiredto to be able to meet nt only their needs but the growing Energy Demand needs of the world. With that level of skill that really requires collaboration to be able to move our Energy System forward. And so as we embark on this journey i think it is very important that we keep in mind that if we look to continue to evolve our Energy System that we will leave no one behind. Solving the while trying to create even better Energy System for tomorrow. So with that, thank you. [applause] thank you very much. Last but not the least. Good afternoon. We can do better than that. Good afternoon. So listen, i need to start with who we are i am Ralph Cleveland i am the president ceo of. Merica association of blacks we have been around since 199097 being the voice of the aspiration of africanamericans in the energy space. Being the voice for the most vulnerable in our community. And i can tell you it representatives she let jackson lee has been a steadfast supporter of our organization. And ill do thank her first offer allowing me too be on the paddle. But forort years for our commu. We are 1700 members strong and 40 chapters around the United States. Almost every sector and every activity within the Energy Sector. And so as such, we think. Excuse me. We have congressman walk in the ripped unit we do, right . We need to greet her. From florida. Here she is. She is a member of the Foreign Affairs committee. An active member of the committee and member. Thank you very much for coming here congresswoman. We should give you the floor. Good afternoon everyone. I am congresswoman i am on the Foreign Affairs committee. My subcommittee is here at africa. Its ari pleasure to be here toy paid the work we are doing today is really whats going to change the trajectory of of the relationship with africa. It is extremely important we are moving from straight to a trade perspective. Engaging africa out more and mos a trade partner in making sure were doing equitably. It even more of an honor to be here was more than a mentor. And ways you have never seen before. She also leave every will to make sure they get it done. No greater pleasure than to be here addressing you. But we are doing today is so important. As we go and make travel africa we see the emerging markets in africa. Making sure african nations have access to entering the market, competing equitably as most imperative. So thank you so much for having me here today and i just wanted to address everyone. Thank you. [applause] thank you very much. We need to have more trade and less aid. We need to have a Beneficial Partnership i apologize for interrupting you. [laughter] [inaudible] listen, i know how to do it i am told. [laughter] so as i was sharing, 1700 active members in our organization from every sector of the energy business. And so much has been shared here today already from this very distinguished panel. A couple things i want to add that onto a personal story. In this Energy Transition, talked about trillions theres is goingto need to be spent in s Energy Sector, in this Global Economy 130 plus trillion dollars. To make this Energy Transition and meet the Climate Change goals. A question becomes where are we going to be in that transition . Are we going to have the necessary representation . Are we going to be at the table . As the saying goes if you are not at the table you are probably on the menu. And so we need to organize ourselves. In order to make a difference. You heard a call to action fight congressman bowman. I will share a personal story. I had not been 89 times but i have been once. I went to south africa it was the first time i had an opportunity to go. I have traveled all over the world. I arrived ind africa and the mayor agreed it be in this way. She said we want to welcome you home. He says to me about us we have watched you here in south africa from afar. We just want you to know we have watched your struggle. We are so very proud of what you have accomplished. Even as i hard for me not to get emotional. And so i also had the opportunity to speak with the minister of minerals and energy. He made this comment to me. He said we have the richest gold mines in the world. We have the richest diamond mine in the world. The file it to buy my wife a diamond ring it is imported. Now i want you to think about that. Because part of the challenge here is how do we get involved in such a way that we can open up these value chains to them. We can localize the value chains in africa. And we can help them build their economy based on the resources that they have. And that we can participate in that. Because let me just tell you one of the things that has been described as the Rare Earth Minerals required for this economy and the fact i will describe 40 of some of those erreserves the question becomes how do we help them to move forward in such a way they can belt out the entire value chain as close to africa and as close those reserves as possible . Because i dont want the story to be the next time i am and after that i am not doing something. This is the way i have described it. None of us should be satisfied until the peoples of africa are as rich and wealthy as the continent itself. We have a job to do. In the Energy Sector we are as africanamericans, as a blacks we make up six or 50000 jobs in the Energy Sector. You cant tell me we cant organize ourselves and make a difference. The thing i would also share with you is other countries russia, china has been mentioned already, building out infrastructure in africa doing what they can to make access to these Rare Earth Minerals. And the question becomes how do we as United States best position ourselves to have access . To participate. I would say to you that here in the United States we have something that russia, we have something that china does not have. We have it diaspora. We have a strategic advantage to the United States. Our skills, our ability, our ability to organize our understanding of the ins and outs of the industry. We can make a difference. The question is, are we empowered . Are we organized . And i just want to encourage all of you, first off if you are in the Energy Sector you are not a member, you need to come join us. If you have never been to one of our National Conferences you need to come. That is a place where you can connect. You can network and you can begin to organize we cant do it by ourselves. None of you can do it by your selves. We have to organize. And so, as i leave you emily just want you to know i am personally committed that we, as the association of blacks and energy. That we can support you and your aspirations in this industry. And we want to help make a difference. Both home and in the diaspora. So with that im going to turn it back to our moderator. Im going to turn it back to our moderator. Im going to turn it back to our moderator as well. Let me personally thank each and everyone who has made a presentation and has a different perspective. It is now about 28 minutes your time to engage on some creative thinking. I think with congresswoman mccormick and congressman bowman and myself you have heard different streams of thinking. But the main focus when we think about the overall response in your local jurisdiction had a wheat bridge, how do we connect the continent of africa and build an infrastructure over the pond, over the ocean that benefits and drivestu opportunities for those of us in america in particular. Where you have comee from one part of the nation to the backs of the great cities on the continent. How do we generate thinking . And i am so delighted to welcome a thirdgeneration scientists and Precious Minerals expert. That is the raw material its in zambia as well and other african countries. Let that not be a circumstance. When it is not utilized and invested and used for the most sophisticated levels of advancement. Ad then i do it just mention this to our friends in china. I want to make sure any, any nation that comes to the consonants comments for the betterment of the continent. And that means the United States. It means great britain. It means france, it means brazil, itla means venezuela. It means canada. Whatever place comes the asianpacific whatever place comes the islands like singapore but ever comes africa set a point in that the investment that comes must be for the betterment of the people and the generations to come on this very, very laboring, laboring continence. Continents. Even though we have a concept of slavery coming across the ocean i can initiate africans on the continent labored. And they are due the benefits of their centuries of laboring. The nexus of that. That is what he hopes malt measure year after year you get out ofre this. I am going to yield to the very exciting a provocative question by very exciting provocative moderator. Thank you so very much. Thank you to all of you pray may have another thank you but at least if some people are in the midst of questions they willhe know ive already think you very, very much. Cook thank you for being provocative. Check yesterday since 2001 theres 21. [inaudible] there is 22 billion. So since december that last time of our summit there are 57. It was 4. 5 billion. I am curious how many africanamerican countries are able to benefit from that . None of you . In the view . The commitment you have made interesting. Members of the african african e familiar is anyone with power africa question and give us your comments. Does still exist. It is a part of the department of energy if im not mistaken. Give me why give me what we need to do, give me something . I suspect his secretary about this very thing. The fact that throughout africa when you look at the amount of investments being made by the chinese and many of the colonizing nations comparatively they have not made that level of investment in africa. Of the money is there in many respects. And starting my company, when out to banks initially because all the money ive raised in my company and this started i raised about 28 million none of which was institutional money. But when i went to institutions onthey were very interested in y technology paid very interesting what i was doing. Ntwhat it mentioned about investment in africa they lost interest. They stop t talking. What do you want to invest here . What you want to start here . Iran into that roadblock more often than not which pretty much drove me away from the institution. I decided to go into the private sector to seek the funding i needed to build those relationships. I built for plants ive won in oregon right now but roping a new plant in youngstown, ohio in two weeks is going to generate 200,000 of refreshment and debris are planted oregon it iss generating 1 Million Pounds per month. We have open one in birmingham, alabama before the end of the year. Mayor jackson lee we want to open one in houston. It is at the top of our list. Ive been wanting to sit down and talk to about that. We need to run that through your platform and your plans for houston. But we are ready to go. Without any help sorry to say from the government. The banking industry, the Public Sector has been a roadblock honestly for us going forward. Ive dependent very, very much of the private sector in very, very much on friends and family and those Angel Investors that believe in what we are doing in africa. Parks into your points one of the things we had to do and we see this in america africanamericans a disadvantage institutions. That is even greater in countries like africa they dont have a bank account for the do not have an established history. And what we have been able to do in a number of locations is take for example in nigeria a Partnership Initiative that we started over a decade or so ago. Go about putting funds and bring the Community Together . Provide the framework and let them make some of those decisions. Without a lot of the bureaucracy what are those things doing for our community that builds out the infrastructure . Something to start over a decade or so ago. The recent legislation in nigeria they passed the most recent energy bill and they have taken what we started in partnership with the committee you have mandated it for all the Energy Department have the structure in place for a of the resource dollars go back into the community and the community is empowered to be able to make those decisions. Get around some the hurdles the otherr needs be put out there of these communities but it is very difficult to meet thedi requirements. That in itself becomes in an barrier to make progress. Two things. Let me interject for just a e moment. I am not dealmaking, i am collaborating. Jeromes work and i know chevron is one of the companies that started doing environmental work really a long time ago. So the question is is this a discussion at least to be had as one of the environmental components that legitimize itself, would fall under chevrons footprints of the environments. In particular on the climate of africa. These are the discussions we want to have. I will just have you say this is something you all could engage in or have conversations or get more information about. Absolutely. Congresswoman, when you take a look at what jerome is doing its ispart of what our view is we he got to have entrepreneurs like jerome and others. To bring forth these solutions. The think we are ablee to do is entrepreneur expertise and talents. Le we have the ability to scale. In twowo at least in the marketplace in ways we havent before. Carbon credits inyo addition to the lower carbon c intensity. I think i already have your card. We are going to people to tieng into that. Those are things what you are hitting on and we have this and america. Allow Companies Like us to be a means to be able to get past those barriers. And that is where we can be a resource. He gets back the supply chain and how do we get these Creative Solutions into them . So therefore c they can start me a difference in the continent of africa. The same time theonnt connectivy back to the africanamerican expertise and talents here they can bringco forth these opportunities for quick some going to get out the stream of talking would be guilty of imm going to finish my points. That means i want you to create jobs in africa and jobs in the United States. And then i want these good words al said to translate to his sister and brother companies. It can be more effective im not going to call the name up on the stage. But we know who they are. They can overwhelmingly be effective for bidding africa for years the footprint is not as large as some of countries who have come in with aug huge takeover. Because they do business in a differento way. They give money. They are not prone because of her own regulatory scheme to be able to doo that. But we have got to get the hearts and minds of the consonants because of who we are and how we created. I want to get this last point off because i do not want to leave the ladies out. Are there any private equity people in the audience . Okay. So here is the banks. There has been an amazing private equity infrastructure and america. We are emerging in it. Obviously Companies Run by African Americans have to be profitable. We are emerging. But what you have said is absolutely appalling but that is where private equity should step in. That is where private equity has to have its own social justice arm. Because most people dont think to go to them because you dont know who theyy are. They can be very effective. Which is the way facebook became maga or mecca or whatever its called. Meda im sorry, take your money. [laughter] disclaimer, a foundation didnt say we all use, that vehicle. But in any event with the idea of a harvard storm they then had to get private equity. So weve got to break the places where we are. Not. As for me shameful to hear you had to say. In the analyticals skills to realize what he said at the beginning . Its going to be the largest confident bar none. Bar none. Theyre going to the most people in the world. That means the most consumers in the world. Do you want them to be able to consume . Then you need to put them in a position to consume it. Theres no private equity but its put it on record and thats what our next step is that im going to yield. I am going to build on what has been described here. It is already difficult for us as africanamericans to scale our business here. Citigroup did a study that showed systemic racism cost our economy 1. 6 trillion a year. Because our community is underserved. The capitol standpoint. Less than 3 of all private Equity Assets under management is managed by women and minorities. We are in need of new intermediaries that no one understands our community. This 1. 6 trillion on the table. So therefore, as an Underserved Community that has tremendous potential for growth and impact in our economy. Part of the issue is folks thankse. This is a zerosum gam. If somebody is awaiting that means some other community has to lose. That is not the way the economy works. The way the economy works is opportunity for our Community Creates opportunity for every other community. Because as a representative Sheila Jackson lee described that gives us new consumers. And so rising tide carries all ships. The question becomes do we help to create new intermediaries . Who can tell our stories who can invest in our businesses. Who can come if you are sitting in the seats, make some decisions to partner. To help scale and grow our companies to a different place. That becomes the issue. And are we, those of us to have who havethe ability to articulat is going on, are we going to Work Together to improve the system . And are we willing to put something on the line to make it happen. Because how many of you know, nobodys going to give it to us. We have to organize ourselves and go get it. Yes. Thank you. [applause] cooksey also what you to know their job is to collect informationn. [inaudible] the under one roof so exporting goods and services. Who is also the African Import export. [inaudible] 500 million to support africa. About a month andh a half ago n thee create a mutual between african. So. [inaudible] went to open the floor for q and a. Can you give me the mic . Okay good. Hello everyone. My name is karen and i am Program Director for the clean energy i initiative for hbc of Community Development action coalition. Had the opportunity just last week. Well, i just came back this last week from ghana. What i tell you it was a transformational experience, i mean that. My family, my inlaws. My father shared a story of how his sister passed away. We the aunt i never got the opportunity to meet because there is not clean drinking water. I was in the tech field back then. It made the decision there is something i could do in africa and west africa. Im on the plane one day to the Canary Islands and i saw an hearticle. It was a power Plant Powered by wind turbines. I knew then i wanted to be in that space and do something. I want to start an it Energy Institute in uptown charlotte north carolina. I sayay all of that to say this. We had a mission. We met with the university of ghana t to talk about clean energy. And a question was asked, what is africa done for the world . My answer, africa feeds the entire world. What is the world on for africa . My answer not much, not enough. We met with chief locals and i was overcome meeting with a village, a town. That is most Vulnerable Community in africa in ghana. In that Community Clicks a question questar. My question is, there there is an opportunity for us to make a difference where all of the debris from the Atlantic Ocean washes over that town. It is a fishing town. They cannot fish they had to import fish. They cannot fish because of the pollution. We are working on a project to change that pollution or waste e into energy. My question is will you work with me . Will you help me help them . When i say me, my organization. Weve already asked cocacola. I went to ask you the same thing. We can make a difference right now, this era. We can turn this moment into a movement. Cothe intention is they are. Ask the answer is maybe a little more complicated. The reason they are not fishing 10 years ago when i was living in ghana for a year, is because ghana sold off all their waterways to china in order to fund the loan they had took 20 years beforee that in the world bank they were about too go defunct on. All of those loans had clauses in it dont allow them to buy equipment to do the memes of production which is a second point i brought up in my points before. In order to advance africa or the u. S. The department of energy has the same types of clauses. We dont see it springing up here its not because people dont have the idea, the passion, et cetera. Its because the funding has specific requirements that dont allow the memes of production. The equipment, plant building, real estate purchase, et cetera. That is what happened in ghana. And as such we have underutilizeden resource you wasted gets polluted, ruined, et cetera. Where the problem lies and why we are here what the congressional caucus can do and what we all can do when it comes to talking tos representativess shift the policies specifically the suggestion i gave and might resource the department of commerce job is to fund us to do innovation abroad. If we want to innovation in africa the department of commerce you take away im going to give you two 5 million but you cant purchase obligation. Thank ghana does have the sell off all the waterways just to continue the traditional production theyreod doing. I think that is the issue i would say domestically and abroad. That does not get noticed her look at whats happening on the surface. It really is set into thehe loan document domestically and abroad you cannot own the memes of production. Central Africa West Africa the issue is about the financial paperwork and documents and how it is written in what it allows us as entrepreneurs to be able to do. [applause] let me just build a little bit of this. I d dont know if camille is he, Camille Moore . Camille is our senior vp of internal affairs for American Association of blackoc sit enery we have had meetings with the state departments we talked about when to catalog and database that u. S. Africa opportunities and projects. And, you have heard really robust conversation here today just on this one issue that was brought up. We need to start cataloging these things important to what we know and understand. We intend to work at the state department to help with Something Like that in place. We also got Lawrence Jones who is head of International Programs for eei who heads up our international committee. We have a young lady heading up our International Programs for eight as well. We went to put things in place where we can organize ourselves. We can understand what the challenges are. Up with the kind of solutions that al and others have talked about her we first have to catalog us opportunities and those projects. I do not want to a tech nerd but the black chain is the best place to catalog those things that they complete transparency which is what we have been missingng forever. It is a distributive ledger or note what organization or institution has control so it cannot be manipulated. It is global i would say universal access. So it cannot be manipulated for their companies and projects that are trying to do that and bring that transparency to the market. Appeared to joe to Say Something . Let me take it back to the hood, okay . You see all the trash on the ground and ghana . Everywhere. When it rains it goes down the channels into the ocean and comes back up onto the beach and back into the hood. I take members of the Golden State Warriors to ghana. We had basketball camps. Buthe we did between each sectin of the basketball camp as we talked to the kids, 600 kids. I asked how many of you know what Global Warming is . Not one raised their hand. How many of you know the impact of you throwing plastic on the ground . H nobody raised her hand. Do you know why . Theyre focusing onn survival. They are poor. When you focus on survival its very, very difficult for you to focus on conservator. All the folks appear are much younger than me. Ive been blackk for 68 years appeared when i got into the movement 35 years ago i never saw others outside of myself for as a first a black chairman of a major Environmental Organization in history. We do conversations like this that are never any africanamericans sitting on the panels except when i came to the brain trust for congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee and that was it. We, and our community who live on the other side of the tracks who suffered disproportionate impacts two out of three lived in the same same thing is happening over there. They dont understand what they can do to fix it because they are just trying to survive it. The key is education with got to educate young people and thats why love thiss panel. Over the year sit down with brothers and sisters like this and people who look like us to say we can fix this thing. We can fix that we can empower ourselves here in the United States to make aes difference in africa. The biggest challenge we have been all over the places. Its a major major lack of education. Is not they dont care about the environment they dont care about the plastic on the ground for they dont care about the trash. They care more about where theyre going to get their next mill from. Got a billion people in the world 2 billion people right now cannot get clean glass of water right now. Ev850 Million People have never seen a light switch. They are focusing on survival. So we first have to educate, educate, educate, educate very thick congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee who is it celebrates it. She hasas become the glue that connects the dots. This is what has to happen this type of interaction to where we recognize for the real problem lies and we address those problems through education and then be able to tap into the resources that are making a difference. A lot of times when we talk about the Energy Conversation we forget water. I would be remiss to not talk about the importance of water to the energy nexus. As you are doing your work you should connect with actual Water Utilities and actually look at some of the water loss. I just came from d. C. Waters, my previous role, there are several billions of dollars being poured into the water industry. What the water industry struggles with is making the connection between water and energy. If you can find that is something thatswa enery and water need and resource. So if you find a Water Utility that is doing work such as dc water, itscl cleaning up the waterways in new technology, that is an avenue as well. So let me not in my own accord, out of my own desires but there will be a completely new session in amounts. What im going to suggest with the elephant in the room, there will be opportunities in endangering our panelists outside the room. Right now im willing to let, give you 30 seconds but you cant tell stories. You need to do the question and then im doing to yield. The stories are vital and important and ive had the same thing said to me. Dont take it personally. We all have a passion. To get you on the record of this even, of the historic brain trust, just to give you on the record, im giving you second so i can get this line. Ive been a chair proterm. Dont let me gavel you down. Looks like we go both sides. The white gentleman, you have 5 seconds. Im taking it over from the and i do i dont want to forget thanking Katrina Thomas who has given life to the trust that is almost 30 years old and im delighted. Her involvement over the years have made it more stupendious, thank you. Thank you, my name is rye ryn morris. Many countries are taking back their freedom but france is controlling many countries and not allowing them to control the resources. Thank you, weve got you on the record, yes, sir. I will try to comment. Im running a nonprofit organization. In english it is all right. First of all, im hearing the same about africa. Please let me say this congresswoman, africa is a continent. Africa is not a country. We are trying to compare africa like america in university where your prevent presenting, you cannot present as just africa in class, need to choose one country. People are looking for money to sponsor. The problem with africa, i am from congo. How do you want to tell me to invest in congo, my country that is at war . The houses on fire. You are telling me, that ok i think you are on the record. I will answer that question. But the one thing i would say is i know very well that africa is a continent. I will maybe try to expand more, why i use that terminology. Let me let you pursue that. You are on the record, thank you, sir. Weve got your point. Well answer it. Thank you very much. I live and walk in nigeria work in nigeria. The subject matter is as urgent, important, as an emergency. The problem is how. The problem in africa is about leadership. If you dont have good leadership, you have got to have a solution. It is about leadership. Just a second. My country nigeria is passing through a terrible, terrible situation. So, america, till about africa is to get the leadership in each of the african countries. When you dont have leadership, leaders are effective and you Bring Technology to them they will not understand you. It will be difficult for the real africans, to struggle to bring i have been to nigeria. I understand. Yes maam, quickly. Thank you, sir. I have it fully in my head and heart. Hello, i work with a worldview foundation. Thank you. My question is, how can us youth follow in your footsteps . How can us youth help with the Global Climate crisis . Yes, sir. You are back again . [laughter] my name is junior. I thought you may have been another meeting. My name is junior, i come from congo. Let me just read my question. We need to work with you. China offers construction to africa. Russia offers military defense to africa. What does america offered africa . Let me just relate here. What agrees with you, america has something that china and russia does not have, african dice for a. If you offer an american visa to african young they will choose america. How can you invest in africa without African Diaspora . I did not finish. Please. Let me get this young lady and we may get to you. Come on, sweetie. My name is jordan. I have been working with the worldview foundation. I have a question, like you said, we need to use what we know to pour into these issues. But i dont know much about environmental change or Global Warming, or green energy. I was wondering what resources you would recommend. Last question. Today, america is bringing carbon credits. That is a solution. Next. My name is bryce im here with the worldview foundation. I wanted to ask the panel, how are you serving as intermediary to help serve the future which is the future youre talking about, how are you helping our future in general . Are you taking any notes . Right. Thank you, young man. I appreciate you. My name is terry. I was in congo. All the issues we are facing wanted to let you know there is an open ground for people to work here in the congo. Sugarcane, you can make sugar and send it to different provinces. There are investments in the room. There are people willing to work. Come ready, and we will receive you with open hands. We are having an influence, from countries i would rather not mention. But this is not an influence that is welcome, because theyre new to us and we heard about things from the past. The american system is one we have worked with in the past and we are used to. We to take steps forward. Lets make sure you face with them after the session is over. You are saying sugarcane, is that correct . Thank you. Parted . Pardon . Hello. I have been given by my effective arm shoulder, how many people are standing back there . Three. You are going to pick amongst you cool ask who will ask the question. Maybe you can give her a bit of what you are saying. You are being a gentleman, sir . He said hes yielding . Ok. Well. You, youve got the mic in your hand. I am also from congo. I work with a lot of congolese startups in eastern congo. I see how so Many Companies talk about being clean and green. But, they do contribute to a lot of human rights violations. I want to know what you all are doing to make sure that doesnt happen. You are talking about the drc . Give this lady one last second of a question. Hi, everybody. My question comes from congo, drc too. I would like to ask to you about the issue of finance. My country provides over 70 to the Global Supply for the green energy initiative. Many of us are women who labor and are in slave labor conditions. In the minds . Yes. My sisters and i look to you to bring to their life. Let is a congressional matter. That is a congressional matter. You yielded to someone. I have one second. I would recommend the panel to read this article, why washington must not allow another stolen election in congo. Thank you, sir. That is happening across the world. Im going to yield. I want to get to make sure. I am going to yield to the moderator to finish. Let me think the doctor. Did i leave someone else . Dr. Pendley. They were stupendous, give them a round of applause please. [applause] they will answer. There are people that will move us off the stage. But if you can capture the young peoples questions. If you can capture the capital issue. I will make one point to the gentleman, please know that all of us know that the continent of africa is comprised of at least 53 nations. We know this. Please know that we did not say the nation of africa. The concept of this is for us to confront africas huge growth and economic intentional. We will be left to, when you spoke, he was in the nigerian delta. The questions regarding to nigeria, i have been to nigeria. I know the crisis. In congress we are trying to deal with that. But its all i can say. That is the issue of africa. The question of leadership, it is very difficult for the u. S. To lie in on the ground and deal with changing leadership. But, we can get involved with the people, from the perspective of business, research development, education, nobody can block us from doing that. We have been ineffective at doing that, we have done that 50 years ago. We will be raising of the kind of leaders in africa that will now be the heads of state. So, they are late, but we are ready. I will yield to you to try to grab of those. I will come inand let us finish in and let us finish. Thank you, thank you very much. [applause] you go ahead and give you answers. Well, i can answer a couple of things. For the youth, i specifically spoke about opportunities. You can reach out to local universities for tech transfer offices. M. I. T. Has one, georgia tech has one. Theres a lot of offices where you can pick up technology. The question about where you find out information, there are Significant Research journals. M. I. T. Has the sustainability initiative, it is a top one in the world, possibly. Most Sustainability Research is international. You could read about it through international journals. The paris accords. Just google, and read those main sources to find out ways to enter. If youre interested in entrepreneurship, tech transfer, dont start anything from scratch. Take innovation that exists and build on it. As i have described, we have 40 different chapters from the u. S. , we have one in dci would encourage you to get involved with. They are more than glad to you up, encourage you, to empower you and inspire you. [applause]