{"id":7424,"date":"2025-02-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/black-solar-innovators-celebrating-community-innovation-and-culture-south-la\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T19:24:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T23:24:25","slug":"black-solar-innovators-celebrating-community-innovation-and-culture-south-la","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/black-solar-innovators-celebrating-community-innovation-and-culture-south-la\/","title":{"rendered":"Black Solar Innovators: Celebrating Community, Innovation, and Culture in South LA"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Friday, February 28, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles (GRID GLA) closed out Black History Month with Black Solar Innovators<\/em>, a vibrant and inspiring community event held at the Slauson Recreation Center. This celebration brought together climate justice, culture, and community leadership in a powerful gathering that honored the contributions of Black leaders in the renewable energy space. It also marked a meaningful reconnection between GRID GLA and South Los Angeles\u2014a region full of resilience, creativity, and power, yet too often left out of conversations around the clean energy transition.<\/p>\n

Designed to uplift Black excellence in sustainability and provide tangible resources to local residents, the event offered something for everyone. Families were treated to free tacos from Hi Johnny Food Truck, lively music curated by the legendary DJ R-Tistic, and interactive kids’ activities including crafts and games. The atmosphere was joyful and welcoming, with raffle prizes, live demonstrations, and over a dozen community organizations offering information on no-cost solar, job training, green careers, utility assistance, and even free trees. Black Solar Innovators<\/em> showcased the power of community-driven climate solutions and underscored GRID GLA\u2019s commitment to ensuring South LA has a seat at the table in building a just and equitable energy future.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe wanted this to be a joyful moment of empowerment, South LA deserves to see itself at the center of the clean energy future and that\u2019s what this event was all about.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Orlanda Cunningham, Senior Outreach Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lifting Up Local Leaders<\/h3>\n

A key feature of the event was a panel of Black professionals in technology and sustainability. Panelists included:<\/p>\n