Do Good Detroit: 'Energize Detroit' job readiness summit

State Rep. Thomas Stallworth and Detroit Councilman James Tate are hosting 'Energize Detroit,' a community conversation about workforce readiness in the oil, gas and energy industry. The event will be presented by the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) and Hispanics in Energy (HIE) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2014 at Focus: HOPE, 1200 Oakman Blvd., in Detroit.

The event is part of an eight-city tour that underscores the findings of a report commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that revealed a massive increase of jobs for minorities and women in the oil, gas and energy industry. According to API, an estimated 1.3 million jobs, 34% of new jobs, will be created in the energy sector.

"The city of Detroit is one of the most diverse populations in the nation," said Paula Jackson, president and CEO, American Association of Blacks in Energy. "With 83 percent of its population being African American, we understood that Detroit would greatly benefit from our efforts to build a workforce equipped to fill the energy jobs of the future."

AABE and HIE have committed to leading the conversation on how women and minorities can prepare for these opportunities by inviting community stakeholders to open forums to spark thought provoking conversation on the road ahead. Industry business leaders, labor representatives, educators, elected officials, workforce investment groups, community organizations and faith-based leaders are all invited to attend the free event.