BlocPower

BlocPower's Adrien Horton will appear on a panel at the NAACP Co-MT-WY State Conference this Saturday in Denver. He'll be lending his thoughts to how we can address the higher levels of pollution that minority and low-income communities are exposed to, and how it can lead to worse health outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. If you're in the area, drop by the Doubletree on Quebec Street to hear Adrien and other climate leaders speak about "Justice in Action: Confronting Environmental Racism and Building Sustainable Futures."

Let's be honest: sometimes the best part of a project is when it’s done. Take a listen to Justin — a building owner in Ithaca who recently moved his retail store off of gas — as he explains the peace of mind that comes with reducing your commercial carbon footprint. BlocPower is your trusted partner when it comes to decarbonizing your property, from initial concept to final walkthrough. Want to know more about what we did for Justin? Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/dZ2-Pjcg

There's still time to invest in BlocPower's latest crowdfunding raise. Visit the new project page on the Climatize site to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eDKMPmqN

Another win for carbon reduction in Upstate New York! When the two furnaces that heat the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church offices both died at the same time earlier this year, they knew they needed a quick solution. Because of our program partnership with National Fuel Gas Company, the ENTIRE COST of the project was covered by incentives. The church was able to install a heating and cooling solution for nothing out-of-pocket, and was even able to upgrade its onsite preschool. "It's been absolutely wonderful. All the parishioners have commented how much they love the new system, especially with it being so hot [this summer]." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eabSgaEE

We're excited to highlight Zutiyah "Zu" Graham, an outstanding alumna of Cozy Basements!, BlocPower's weatherization workforce program in Ithaca, NY. Zu relocated from North Carolina to Ithaca in 2021, looking for new opportunities. She discovered her passion for sustainable energy through our program, and is now employed as an HVAC Installation Technician at Halco Energy. Beyond professional growth, Zu's story is a testament to personal resilience and the importance of adaptability in today's evolving job market. Her journey from job-seeker to green energy professional illustrates the vital role of workforce development in bridging skills gaps and fostering sustainable careers. Read Zu's full story here: https://lnkd.in/eJ7E26WC

From managing and maximizing incentives to finding trusted contractors, improving energy efficiency in buildings is easier when the process is streamlined. BlocPower has been making the vision a reality for building owners all over Ithaca--just ask Justin, the owner of two retail buildings on the Ithaca Commons. To hear more about the history of his buildings and the process of installing heat pumps in them, watch his full video here: https://lnkd.in/eSMdE5iT

As BlocPower marks a decade of transforming America’s buildings and communities, we want to share an important leadership transition. Our founder, Donnel Baird, has resigned as CEO. Over the past ten years, Donnel’s vision and dedication have been pivotal in positioning BlocPower as a leader in urban sustainability. Since our founding in 2014, BlocPower has made significant strides in advancing our mission to create a more sustainable future. We have upgraded over 1,100 homes and buildings across the country, reducing carbon emissions and fostering economic opportunity by training thousands of people for green jobs. We are deeply grateful for Donnel’s leadership and the impact he has made on the climate community, and we look forward to building on this solid foundation in the years to come. Looking ahead, we are pleased to announce that Hanan Levin and Brian Lindsey will serve as co-Chief Executive Officers, guiding BlocPower into its next phase of growth and innovation. Hanan Levin contributes 20 years of financial and investment banking experience to our leadership team. His expertise in financial management, global finance, and fundraising, coupled with his experience in cleantech and impact investing, will be crucial in driving BlocPower’s financial strategies and growth initiatives. Brian Lindsey brings decades of organizational and construction management experience to BlocPower. His extensive background in development and construction, ranging from small renovations to large ground-up projects for national developers, will be instrumental in scaling our operations and impact. While this change marks a new chapter for BlocPower, our core mission remains the same. We are more committed than ever to leading the charge in reducing emissions and creating sustainable jobs in underserved communities. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Donnel for his decade of service and leadership, and we look forward to continuing to work with him as we embark on the journey ahead. With our new leadership team that also includes Sydney T. as Chief Operating Officer and Karli Swift as General Counsel, BlocPower is well-positioned to move forward with making cities smarter, greener and healthier. Together, we will continue our work to build a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.

Did you know that the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) considers September Workforce Development Month? In recognition of this month, our employee video series features Dr. Charisse Taylor, Ed.L.D., LMSW, BlocPower's Head of Workforce Development. We know that we need to address the construction skills gap if we want to electrify communities at scale, and Charisse is instrumental in forging partnerships across the country to ensure our program participants are getting both the clean energy skills and the wraparound services they need to be successful in the green economy. To learn more about what impacts our programs have, watch Dr. Taylor's full video here: https://lnkd.in/e5bBnu36

We're honored to be included in this amazing work of art--thanks, Nicole Kelner! Happy New York Climate Week everyone!

Want to know how to get community buy-in before even pulling permits for decarbonization projects? Join us tomorrow for a BlocPower-hosted webinar on "Importance of Community: Building Grassroots Support." Bring your questions and insights to share with Adrien and Caitlin as they talk about the amazing work they've been doing in Denver and California! Register here: https://lnkd.in/ejt7cARA