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Darrel Frater @DarrelFrater

2 years ago

A Lot Of Money Is Pouring In For Climate Solutions. Who Rece

Suggested Read and Discussion: laist.com/...

A Lot Of Money Is Pouring In For Climate Solutions. Who Receives It Is Largely Unequal

More diversity in climate tech is good for business and society, but there's a long way to go to move the needle.

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Chimadika Okoye@ChimOkoye 2y

Thanks for the share, Darrel. Looking forward to helping the next generation!

Darrel Frater@DarrelFrater 2y

@ChimOkoye No problem! Me as well!

Keith Pivonski@EnergyFinders 2y

Thanks for sharing this. Kameale's description of her exponential use of a plastic bag is a great example of how we can empower underserved young minds to understand their current and future connection toward sustainability. This article also illustrates how much stronger a company is when it's comprised of a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds, ideas and life experiences. This sentiment really hit home for me recently when I had a female friend review one of our recent grant submissions after it was already submitted. Her additional perspectives on our technologies selling points were spot on and truthfully forced us to acknowledge that "smaller, better, faster" is great from a male perspective, but it's only half the story in terms of how eBox can level out the energy burden experienced by underrepresented populations in desperate need of innovation based energy assistance. That experience last week coupled with this article proves how important it is for us to balance out our staff as we work toward hiring Employee #4, #5 and #6 in the coming months. Mohammed and I came up with the following internal goals & ideas that will enhance Energy Finders mission to build equity and inclusion into our business model. Diverse Hiring Practices: -Reach out to organizations and networks that specialize in connecting underrepresented groups with job opportunities in...

Darrel Frater@DarrelFrater 2y

@EnergyFinders Really great response Keith. Believe those goals are solid. Happy to help and support you and the team in achieving them!

Jacqueline Hall@Jacqueline 2y

Great article! So glad to see more publications highlighting these staggering injustices and the significant hurdles that non-white male founders face in the startup ecosystem. Personally, I’ve been told (twice, by two different investors) that I “shouldn’t have trouble raising money because I’m female” because there are “female focused funds.” These figures dismiss those sentiments outright and I will definitely be circulating this article to my network. What Kameale said about doing a disservice to humanity by not allowing “a group of people who have been surviving off of a lack of resources” who by definition are “intrinsically more sustainable” is right on. By changing how and to whom funding is allocated, and how workforce is developed and promoted, we’re going to see many more high impact solutions. What really fuels me though, is seeing the important work groups like LACI, JFFLabs, Include Ventures, and of course OHUB(!), is doing, and knowing that by continuing to build and create solutions in the clean tech and social justice space - even when it's difficult, and especially when it's difficult - we will create more “Ancestral Returns.” And, when we as founders succeed we help create the example of non “traditional” founders in the climate tech founder and investor roles to help elevate future founders. Excited to be part of this group and grateful for all the...

Darrel Frater@DarrelFrater 2y

@Jacqueline Really great insight Jacqueline! I find it crazy how investors lack so much empathy when speaking with founders. I really hope things change soon. Thanks for the thoughtful response

Darrel Frater@DarrelFrater 2y

I love Taj's take: "boosting diversity in the climate tech and investment space is less about the moral argument of building an inclusive society, and more about the fact that diversity — not just race and gender, but also geographic, economic, and other types of diversity — is necessary to solve life-or-death problems." This becomes a win-win for all parties involved and creates huge impact in the world. This is why the work you all are doing is so important! What are your thoughts on this topic?