Post by The Crude Life

The Crude Life honors the excellence contributed to our mission, vision, and goals by African Americans, this month during Black History Month and throughout the year. Black Americans help to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. Black Americans created and sustained American leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) since the founding of this nation, and the history books are still being rewritten. Black Americans in science are inspiring the next generation which will encourage and elevate the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s mission. Today we recognize Former Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary: The first woman and first African American to head the U.S. Department of Energy. She supported research in solar and energy efficiency technologies. The Honorable Hazel R. O’Leary served as the President of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee from 2004 through February 2013 and currently serves on the boards of directors of the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, Nashville Business Community for the Arts, World Wildlife Fund, Arms Control Association and CAMAC Energy Inc. Ms. O'Leary served as an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Prosecutor in the state of New Jersey and was appointed to the Federal Energy Administration under President Gerald Ford and to the United States Department of Energy under President Jimmy Carter. In 1989, she became Executive Vice President for Environmental and Public Affairs for the Minnesota Northern States Power Company and in 1992 she was promoted to President of the holding company's gas distribution subsidiary. Ms. O'Leary served as the United States Secretary of Energy from 1993 to 1997 and as President and Chief Operating Officer for the investment banking firm Blaylock & Partners in New York from 2000 to 2002. We also Honor Dr. Lonnie Johnson: A former nuclear engineer for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a United States Air Force veteran, he also worked in the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration where he had a hand in sending spacecraft to Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. He also has more than 100 patents and invented the top-selling water toy of all time – The Super Soaker. Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to? #thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability. If anyone would like to schedule an interview, meeting or news tip email [email protected]