February 13, 2014

LAWT News Service

At Southern California Edison’s 12th Annual Black History Month celebration February 7, Jackie Lacey, the first woman and first African-American to serve as Los Angeles County district attorney, urged the audience to keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream moving forward by encouraging future generations of African-Americans to pursue careers in public service.  

 

 

 

“I have one of the most rewarding jobs in the world,” she said at SCE’s Energy Education Center in Irwindale.  “I have my dream job, my dream did come true. I tell people just take that first step and there will be so many people out there to help you along the way. Sometimes what seems like the impossible is merely different.

“We must do everything we possibly can to encourage and mentor more young African-Americans to pursue public service careers in the justice system.”

She credited SCE and its parent company, Edison International, for providing scholarships to underrepresented students across its service territory. 

More than 400 people attended the “Celebrating Business & Community Partnerships” themed event, which recognized the accomplishments of local African-American businesses and leaders, their contributions to economic growth and their service as education and energy-efficient champions.

Faye Washington, president and CEO of YWCA Greater Los Angeles, was the recipient of SCE’s Community Partnership Award. 

Jaylin Miller, an eighth-grade student at Marshall Fundamental School in Pasadena, also addressed the audience.  She was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Janet Clayton, senior vice president of Corporate Communications for SCE and Edison International.

Additional SCE award recipients were:

• Energy Efficiency Partici­pation Award — Pastor Thomas M. Dowdy Jr. accepting for, Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren in Los Angeles

• Diverse Business Enterprise Award — Syngon L. Hare, chairman and CEO accepting for SL Hare Capital Investment Bankers

Chris Schauble, a co-anchor for the KTLA 5 Morning News, was the emcee.

Category: Community