In the season finale of the Smart Inclusion podcast, host Todd Q. Adams welcomes Charletta Lewis, General Partner at Mighty Oaks Capital Partners. Charletta shares her unconventional journey from law enforcement to Silicon Valley, and now back to Houston as an investor. This episode dives into her unique approach to venture capital, how she supports underrepresented founders, and the importance of community-driven investing. They also discuss her portfolio success stories, including Mula Wireless, and the broader need for systemic changes in how venture capital engages with diverse founders. If you’re passionate about social entrepreneurship, conscious capitalism, and the future of investing, you don’t want to miss this insightful conversation. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction: Todd welcomes listeners to the season finale and introduces Charletta Lewis. 1:05 – Charletta's Background: Charletta shares her journey from Houston to Silicon Valley, starting as a police officer, then transitioning into entrepreneurship and venture capital. 3:30 – Why She Came Back to Houston: Charletta explains why she returned to Houston and the fragmented nature of the local startup ecosystem. 5:10 – The Role of Mighty Oaks Capital Partners: Charletta discusses how her firm supports founders, the type of companies they fund, and the stage of investment. 7:05 – Investing with Purpose: Why Charletta chose to focus on investing in underserved communities and her mission to educate more people on how to invest. 9:45 – Funding Strategies: Charletta explains how Mighty Oaks uses Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to fund a wider range of companies. 11:20 – The Importance of Scalability: What venture capitalists look for in startups and the difference between scalable ventures and passion projects. 13:15 – Case Study: Mula Wireless: Charletta shares a success story about Mula Wireless, a company providing affordable mobile devices with built-in internet and rewards for users. 16:00 – Partnerships & Community Impact: How Charletta fosters institutional partnerships and supports local communities through education and retail collaborations. 18:40 – Overcoming Challenges as a Black Woman in VC: Charletta talks about the difficulties of navigating Silicon Valley as a black woman and her motivation to change the landscape for other underrepresented founders. 21:00 – Empowering Underserved Communities: The critical role of education in helping underrepresented groups access capital and investment opportunities. 22:50 – Call to Action: Charletta outlines her vision for building partnerships with Houston-area schools, colleges, and the local ecosystem to foster equity-driven entrepreneurship. 24:00 – Closing Remarks: Todd wraps up the conversation, highlighting the importance of investing in people, capital, and the environment, and thanking Charletta for sharing her journey. Resources: Charletta Jean-Louis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charletta-jean-louis-30022115/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/mighty-oaks-capital-partners/ https://hamptonsgroup.com/blog/venture-capital-global-poverty-solution https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/spv.asp https://www.mumsandco.com.au/news/what-is-scalable-startup-entrepreneurship#:~:text=Scalable%20startup%20entrepreneurship%20focuses%20on,generate%20substantial%20value%20for%20stakeholders. https://atlantatribune.com/2024/07/31/empowering-the-future-of-black-women-entrepreneurs-in-venture-capital/#:~:text=Black%20entrepreneurs%2C%20and%20particularly%20Black,go%20to%20Black%20women%20founders. Are you ready to support a more inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem? Join us in amplifying the voices of underrepresented founders and driving real change!

We have been through an EXCITING JOURNEY of SMART Inclusion: Energy Transition, Investing, and Sustainability Podcast! Our host, Todd Q. Adams, starts to wrap up the season by revisiting powerful themes and stories that showcase how investing in community-driven, socially conscious solutions is essential to the energy transition. Todd dives into highlights from the season, discussing the innovative ways small and medium-sized businesses, indigenous-led ventures, and tech-forward training programs are shaping the path forward. Join Todd as he connects the dots between sustainability, economic growth, and equity, setting the stage for an inclusive clean energy future!

Timestamps:

[00:00 - 01:00] – Introduction to SMART Inclusion

[01:00 - 02:00] – Making a Difference and Making Money

[02:00 - 03:00] – Empowering Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in EV Charging [03:00 - 04:00] – Bridging the Skills Gap with Technology [04:00 - 05:00] – Texas Leading in Clean Energy Jobs [05:00 - 06:00] – Investing in Socially-Driven Models for Growth [06:00 - 07:00] – Electrifying Indigenous Lands [07:00 - 08:00] – Scaling Impact through Venture and Government Funding [08:00 - 09:00] – Disruption and Innovation are Key [09:00 - 10:00] – Thanks to Guests and Season Highlights [10:00 - 10:34] – Preview of Next Episode Resources: https://www.mckinsey.com/ https://frlq.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ennuityholdings/ https://www.energy.gov/ https://www.navajopower.com/

How can small and medium-sized businesses thrive in the EV revolution? In this episode of the "SMART Inclusion" podcast, host Todd Q. Adams chats with Kobby Osei-Kusi, CEO of Pirl EV Charging, about innovative ways to join the clean energy movement. From his journey from Ghana to Wall Street and into clean energy, Kobby shares insights on making EV charging smarter, more accessible, and sustainable. Explore topics like democratizing EV infrastructure, grid load management, and the role of small businesses in energy transformation. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or sustainability advocate, this episode offers practical tips and big-picture inspiration to help shape a cleaner, greener future!

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction: Host Todd Q. Adams introduces the episode’s focus on democratizing EV charging and energy access with guest Kobby Osei, CEO of Pirl EV Charging.

[02:15] Kobby’s Journey: Kobby shares his story from growing up in Ghana to becoming a leader in energy infrastructure and EV charging.

[06:10] Transition into Clean Energy: Kobby discusses his work with AES in Africa and his transition from corporate energy to founding his own clean energy company.

[09:45] Founding Pirl EV Charging: Kobby reveals the motivation behind founding Pirl and its mission to democratize EV charging for small and medium-sized businesses.

[14:00] Challenges and Successes in Building Pirl: Kobby talks about bootstrapping Pirl, creating its first product, and raising capital to grow the company.

[18:30] Pirl's Ecosystem Approach: Kobby explains how Pirl creates solutions that benefit the entire energy ecosystem and enable small businesses to easily adopt EV charging.

[21:30] Closing Remarks: Todd and Kobby reflect on the future of EV charging and how Pirl is helping democratize the energy transition.

[22:15] For Small Business Owners: Learn how investing in EV charging infrastructure can benefit small businesses by generating revenue and improving customer engagement.

[23:00] For Entrepreneurs: Kobby shares tips for navigating long sales cycles and bootstrapping in the clean energy sector.

[23:26] End of Episode: Todd thanks Kobby for his insights and encourages listeners to follow the podcast for more episodes on clean energy and sustainability.

Resources:

Kobby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oseikusi/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pirl-technology/

https://www.transportation.gov/urban-e-mobility-toolkit/e-mobility-benefits-and-challenges/challenges-and-evolving-solutions

https://www.aes-africa.com/services/greening-renewables/

https://cewd.org/

In this powerful opening, host Todd Q. Adams dives into the key role of community benefits in clean energy projects, sharing insights into the “four pillars” that drive local impact: economic development, quality job creation, community partnerships, and greenhouse gas reduction. Todd explores how storytelling connects communities to clean energy projects, helping demystify innovations like wind farms, solar arrays, and data centers. Through the experiences of leaders like Brett Isaac of Navajo Power Home and Jason Rodriguez of Froliq, we see the real-world value of initiatives that prioritize both environmental and economic benefits. This episode unpacks the urgency of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and the monumental investments needed for a sustainable future, with the U.S. positioning itself as a global leader in this transition. Todd also highlights innovative solutions, from small businesses to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, all working to bridge the skills gap in the green economy and redefine workforce development. Tune in to learn how you, too, can join this transformative movement and play a role in a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Timestamps:

[00:00 - 01:00] – Welcome to the SMART Inclusion Podcast Introduction to the podcast’s mission to connect investing in people, capital, and the planet.

[01:00 - 02:00] – Equity Economics Defined: Todd explains "equity economics" and its focus on inclusive economic growth in the energy transition.

[02:00 - 03:00] – The Four Pillars of Community Benefits An overview of the four pillars: economic development, job creation, community partnerships, and emissions reduction.

[03:00 - 04:00] – Connecting Through Storytelling The role of storytelling in making clean energy projects more relatable and engaging for communities.

[04:00 - 05:00] – Justice40 and Big Tech’s Impact Insights on Amazon and Microsoft’s role in clean energy initiatives through community-focused projects.

[05:00 - 06:00] – Federal and Global Clean Energy Investment Discussion on the U.S. government’s infrastructure investments and the global push for net-zero by 2050.

[06:00 - 07:00] – Small Businesses as Economic Drivers Highlighting the impact of small businesses in local employment and clean energy growth.

[07:00 - 08:00] – Spotlight on Past Guests Todd shares insights from past guests like Brett Isaac and Jason Rodriguez on community benefits in action.

[08:00 - 09:00] – Bridging the Skills Gap in Clean Energy Exploration of innovative solutions in workforce development to address the skills shortage in clean energy.

[09:00 - 10:00] – The Economic Impact of Data Centers Examining how data centers contribute to job creation and economic growth in the clean energy sector.

[10:00 - 11:00] – Community-Centered Clean Energy Projects How community involvement is essential to the success and sustainability of clean energy projects.

[11:00 - 11:53] – Looking Ahead to Future Episodes Preview of upcoming conversations on democratizing EV access and engaging local communities in the clean energy movement.

Resources:

https://www.iea.org/

https://www.ussif.org/sribasics

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/leveraging-renewable-energy-investments-for-rural-development/

https://trellis.net/article/tapping-power-effective-esg-storytelling/

In this episode of Smart Inclusion, host Todd Q Adams talks with Jason Rodriguez, founder of Froliq, about the critical workforce skills gap in the clean energy sector. With the ongoing clean energy transition, there is an urgent need for trained professionals to fill the jobs being created in this industry. Jason shares his journey from market research at Z Prime to founding Froliq, which focuses on innovative training solutions that leverage technology like virtual and augmented reality. The discussion highlights successful projects with partners like Exelon and the importance of engaging diverse communities to build a strong pipeline for the future workforce. Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:30: Introduction to the podcast and the host's background. 01:30 - 03:15: Introduction of the guest, Jason Rodriguez, and his work in the clean energy sector. 03:15 - 06:45: Discussion on the workforce skills gap in the clean energy transition 06:45 - 09:30: Jason shares his unexpected journey into founding, Froliq 09:30 - 12:00: Exploration of partnerships with organizations 12:00 - 15:00: The importance of early engagement with students 15:00 - 18:30: Discussion on community engagement strategies, including partnerships with HBCUs and participation in local events. 18:30 - 21:00: Jason's thoughts on the role of policy in supporting workforce development and the need for innovative thinking. 21:00 - 24:00: Closing thoughts on the future of the clean energy workforce and how Froliq aims to contribute to this evolution. 24:00 - 25:32: Final remarks and gratitude for Jason's insights and expertise in the field. Resources: Jason Rodriguez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zpxr/ https://frlq.co/ https://www.deloittedigital.com/us/en/work/exelon.html https://www.exeloncorp.com/equity-in-energy Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to the SMART Inclusion: Energy Transition, Investing, & Sustainability Podcast for more episodes on creating a clean, sustainable future!

Are you ready to join us on a new episode of SMART Inclusion Podcast? In this episode of SMART Inclusion, we explore how diversity and inclusion are essential for the global clean energy transition. Our host breaks down the challenges in closing the workforce gap, particularly for women and people of color, in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as oil, gas, and construction. With the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act unlocking $2 trillion in funding, the episode highlights how innovative partnerships are forming between utilities, community colleges, and labor unions to build a skilled and inclusive workforce. The episode also spotlights Texas as a leader in clean energy job creation, adding 100,000 jobs in the last two years. Tune in to learn how inclusivity in the energy sector can lead to a more sustainable and equitable future! Timestamps: [00:00 - 02:15] – Introduction: Overview of today’s episode, focusing on the clean energy transition and the workforce gap that must be addressed. The importance of inclusivity for a successful transition is introduced. [02:16 - 04:45] – Diversity in Energy and Technology Sectors: Discussion on the gender and racial disparities in the energy, oil & gas, and technology sectors. Emphasizes the need to include women and people of color in the clean energy workforce. [04:46 - 07:30] – Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and Justice 40: Explanation of the Inflation Reduction Act and how it’s unlocking $2 trillion for clean energy initiatives, with a focus on equitable distribution through Justice 40. Resources: https://www.nrel.gov/ https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/workforce-development-and-education https://www.solarenergy.org/sei-women-in-solar-power/ https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/inflation-reduction-act Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to the SMART Inclusion: Energy Transition, Investing, & Sustainability Podcast for more episodes on creating a clean, sustainable future!

Join us in this insightful episode of the SMART Inclusion podcast as we discuss equity economics, climate impact investing, and the exciting ways climate tech investing is being democratized for everyday investors. Our guest, Nisha Desai, founder of Intention, shares her inspiring journey from working in energy startups to launching a fund aimed at giving regular people the opportunity to invest in climate solutions. Learn about the challenges climate tech startups face, how traditional venture capital partnerships are crucial, and how platforms like Intention are breaking down barriers for non-accredited investors. Nisha also opens up about the cultural and gender dynamics that impact women’s involvement in investing and the importance of diversifying investments in a high-risk, high-reward sector. If you're passionate about sustainability, renewable energy, or simply curious about how to get involved in climate impact investing, this episode is for you! Timestamps: [00:00 - 02:15] Nisha’s Introduction Nisha shares her career background and how she got into climate tech investing. [02:16 - 06:45] Democratizing Climate Tech The importance of making climate tech investment accessible to a broader audience. [06:46 - 11:30] Diversifying Investments Why diversifying across different climate sectors leads to greater impact. [11:31 - 16:00] Barriers to Entry Challenges investors and startups face in climate tech, and how to overcome them. [16:01 - 19:45] Gender and Cultural Insights Nisha’s thoughts on the role of diversity in investment strategies. [19:46 - 23:00] Takeaways for Aspiring Investors Advice for listeners on how they can invest or get involved in climate tech. Resources: Nisha Desai - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-desai-8b8a3b8/ https://www.investwithintention.io/ https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-and-gender https://www.unwomen.org/en https://nationalskillscoalition.org/ https://www.energy-transitions.org/

Come with us as we dive deep into the energy transition and its intersection with workforce equity, particularly highlighting the role of women in traditionally male-dominated industries. Your host shares personal experiences working in I.T. and the energy sector, reflecting on the underrepresentation of women in these fields and why their contributions are vital to a successful clean energy future. Here are some key highlights during this episode: bridging the skills gap, community colleges as gateways, and democratizing climate impact investing. Women’s inclusion in energy is more than representation—it’s a necessity for progress. We discuss the need for diverse voices, sustainable funding, and innovative partnerships to meet the growing workforce demand and ensure that the benefits of the clean energy revolution are shared by all. Tune in to hear powerful stories of success and actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive clean energy future. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: Overview of the episode and why women's inclusion is essential in the energy transition. [02:15] Host’s Career Experiences: Reflecting on the lack of women in I.T. and the energy sector and how equity-focused women are leading change. [05:30] The Energy Transition Value Chain: Discussing the roles of investors, founders, and workforce advisors in shaping the clean energy workforce. [08:00] Insights on Education Access: How community colleges are opening doors for women and underrepresented groups in clean energy. Resources: https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-and-gender https://www.unwomen.org/en https://nationalskillscoalition.org/ https://www.energy-transitions.org/ Be sure to LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to the SMART Inclusion: Energy Transition, Investing, & Sustainability Podcast for more episodes on creating a clean, sustainable future!