Earlier this spring, Clean Energy Works brought the 2025 Fellowship Cohort together at the Avila Center for Community Leadership in Durham, North Carolina. The 50 acre property offered the perfect backdrop for a weekend of learning, storytelling, and collective visioning.  The Fellowship Cohort and the Clean Energy Works Just Energy Transition (JET) team were thrilled to have the property to themselves for the weekend, and fully immersed themselves. 

The Clean Energy Works Fellowship 

The Clean Energy Works Fellowship launched at the start of 2025 with eight Fellows from varying backgrounds. From Alaska to North Carolina, these Fellows bring a wealth of experience and perspective to energy justice work, as well as a commitment to advancing inclusive financial solutions in their communities. Fellows are actively working alongside their communities and within both rural electric and investor owned utility service areas to accelerate pathways to adoption, scale, and equitable outcomes; bringing them together to learn from their insights while increasing the technical and energy finance acumen needed to innovate solutions specific to their community’s needs. 

Over the past few months, Fellows have been learning to navigate inclusive utility investments through learning modules and monthly discussions.  While online connection is expansive and vital, there’s no replacement for connecting  in-person.   In April, our JET team brought together our eight Fellows along with a couple special guests to connect with and learn from each other.

Highlights from the Retreat

The retreat curriculum was designed to give Fellows the tools they need to lead equity-centered energy work in their communities. Inclusive utility investments – and Clean Energy Works’ work in entirety – are centered around equity.  Throughout the weekend,  they explored essential frameworks, engaged in facilitated workshops, and created space for authentic connection and reflection.

Equity and Community in Utility Advocacy with Tamara Jones

The Fellows were joined by Clean Energy Works Co-Executive Director, Tamara Jones, where she introduced resources and tools for discussion and work around equity.  For more information about these resources, check out Exploring Equity Frameworks for Inclusive Utility Investments.

After learning about how spirit, artistry, science, and habits inform utility advocacy, the group participated in a Four Quadrants Gallery Walk. They built four posters in four quadrants – one showcasing their favorite part of their homeplace, one advertising a hypothetical community meeting for inclusive utility investments, another representing a school subject they are passionate about, and the last could be whatever brings them joy.  This activity helped the Fellows understand each other and highlighted that personal stories and communities are at the center of utility justice. 

Local Lens Energy Equity in Inclusive Utility Investments

The Fellows participated in  a discussion on “Energy Equity through a Local Lens,” with Daniel Pate,  Director of Data and Research at North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. shared insights on how to ensure community-led processes are baked into pilot design and rollout. As all of our Fellows are affiliated with organizations committed to expanding access to inclusive utility investments,  this session offered practical examples and lessons they can apply in their communities and daily work.

Stories of Self

The JET team encouraged the Fellows to share their personal journeys into this work. This was a great way for the Fellows to connect with each other further and learn more about what motivates others to center equity in the clean energy transition. These stories reminded the team that leadership in clean energy doesn’t just come from policy expertise or technical skill—it comes from lived experience, resilience, and deep ties to places and people. 

And a Night at the Ballpark – Go Bulls!

Hard work and continuous learning are critical components of equity work, but we recognize that it’s also important to engage in fellowship and have fun. After two days of continuous workshops,  the Fellows unanimously voted for a night out at a Durham Bulls game! This was a great opportunity to unwind and strengthen connections. 

What’s Next?

Over the next few months, the Fellows will continue to expand their knowledge of inclusive utility investments with sessions conducted by Clean Energy Works staff members. They will apply this knowledge to create grassroots projects that center equity and galvanize action. 

This Fellowship exists because Clean Energy Works believes in the power of people to lead energy transitions that are just, equitable, and community-driven. The insights and connections forged during this retreat will continue to shape the Fellowship in the coming months. As we prepare to open applications for the 2026 Fellowship Cohort, we invite you to stay connected. Follow Clean Energy Works on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on our 2025 Fellows and 2026 Fellowship recruitment.