Bedford Academy High School has collaborated with the American Association of Blacks in Energy in the New York Metropolitan Area (AABE- NYMAC) to sponsor the Summer Energy Academy (S.E.A. Program) at Bedford Academy H.S. Seventeen students between the ages of 11-14 were carefully selected to engage in the 6-week summer program, highlighting several aspects of energy with a focus on energy conservation through renewable and clean energy technology.
The purpose of the Summer Energy Academy is to assist in meeting the global energy challenge. For us to prevent the impending energy crisis, it is imperative that we expose students to the concepts of energy and STEM (Science, Technology Environment and Math) disciplines at an early age, therefore laying the foundation for future scientists and engineers to develop the needed technology to reduce and change how we consume energy.
NYC Council member Letitia James (35th) provided all of the students that participated in the S.E.A. Program with citations from Council members which were presented by William Suggs. Council member Darlene Mealy (41st) also provided all of the volunteers who helped make this program successful with Citations from the City Council presented by Arna Lipkind, Community Relations. Assemblyman Karim Camara (43rd) provided all of the instructors/Mentors a certificate of
Appreciation. And NYS Senator Eric Adams provided Certificates of Appreciation to people that are sponsors and supporters of this program, including Kevin Burke, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Edison of New York, Inc.  and AABE Member and Craig Ivey, President of Consolidated Edison of New York and AABE Member)presented by William Suggs. Craig is also the first African-American President for Con Ed. Tanzee Silver, Phyllis White-Thorne and Lima Jones were the organizers and MC’s.
Parents and friends supported this event which was held at Con Edison HQ. Tanya Brown, from National Grid, attended, and Onita Mayers, from the NAACP Brooklyn Branch provided remarks. NYC Mayor’s Office was represented by Greg Mayers and Claude Trahan, Con Ed Gas Operations SVP, was the keynote speaker. Additional remarks were provided by: Ms. C. Lavache, Assistant Principal from Bedford Academy; Milovan Blair, Brooklyn/Queens Electric Operations V.P.; and members of the AABE National Board, Wilton Cedeno and Gerry Dawes.
The program is sponsored by the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, National Grid, Bedford Academy High School and the NAACP.
Submitted by William M. Suggs,  President, AABE-NYMAC, NE Regional Director.