Every February, the SFPUC joins the country in honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans who have helped shaped the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an indisputable part of our country’s history.
As San Francisco’s local clean electricity provider, we are helping to advance a clean energy future for all San Franciscans. As we celebrate Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment to lift up and acknowledge a few of the Black American innovators and pioneers who have been leaders in advancing clean energy across our country.
“We must never forget that Black History is American History. The achievements of African Americans have contributed to our nation’s greatness.”
-Yvette Clarke, New York Congresswoman-
David Crosthwait, Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, Inventor and Writer
The first Black American fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, David Crosthwait was an inventor and authority on heating systems and devoted his career to redefining the technology of indoor climate control. As a recipient of over 35 United States patents and 80 foreign patents, his goal of making ventilation systems in larger buildings more effective led to him commissioning designs for high-profile projects like Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Hazel O’Leary, former U.S. Secretary of Energy
Nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993, Hazel O’Leary became the seventh United States Secretary of Energy and the first African American woman to serve in that office. While in office, O’Leary advanced America’s energy policy toward valuing renewables and linking energy with health and environmental quality. She emphasized the importance of renewable energy fields and oversaw the Ambassadors for the Minorities in Energy Initiative, which was part of the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.
Lonnie Johnson, American Inventor, former Air Force and NASA Engineer
Lonnie Johnson originally planned to invent a heat pump that used water instead of freon but instead ended up inventing one of the most popular toys in American history – the Super Soaker water gun. His current work includes a new generation of rechargeable battery technology and the Johnson Thermo-Electrical Converter (JTEC), which converts waste heat to electrical energy that can be run in reverse as a cooling device. An inventor with over 150 patents, an inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and author of several publications on spacecraft power systems, he continues to work on projects that contribute to decarbonizing the economy.
Lisa Jackson, V.P. of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple, former EPA Administrator
Serving under former President Barack Obama, Lisa Jackson was the first African American woman to serve as Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency. She worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, take action on climate change and expand outreach and environmental education to various communities. Now, as Vice President of Environmental, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple, she works to decrease Apple’s environmental footprint by advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Sophie Maxwell, SFPUC Commissioner, former District 10 Supervisor
Commissioner Sophie Maxwell is a former electrician who served three terms on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors representing San Francisco's District 10. During her tenure, she worked for more equitable distribution of public resources, increasing economic development opportunities for all San Franciscans, and nurturing and empowering the City’s most vulnerable residents. Part of that work included working with former Mayor Gavin Newsom, then City Attorney Dennis Herrera and community advocates to close the Hunter’s Point and Potrero Hill Power Plants. Commissioner Maxwell continues to advocate for environmental justice and clean energy as she serves on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. She was also previously the Commission’s Vice President.
Although February is on the calendar to celebrate Black history, the histories, stories, and voices of Black Americans should be uplifted all year round. Many of the energy innovations that we take for granted today would not exist without the contributions of African American pioneers.
As we look ahead, we can draw inspiration from past. These pioneers, inventors and leaders are a reminder that we need diverse perspectives to achieve a just and equitable clean energy future.