Charging Faith

Building Powerful and Resilient Communities

TURN’s Charging Faith initiative recognizes the need to have deep engagement within the Black community to combat the racial inequity in green technology adoption and the overall energy transition.

Research shows that Black communities historically have had slow adoption of new electrification and greenhouse gas reduction technologies. As a result, these communities have not been major beneficiaries of the billions in federal and state funds to support the adoption of solar, electric vehicle charging, and other green technologies. As California continues its plan to move to a green energy economy, front-line communities of color must receive the education, guidance, and support they need to access their fair share of funding to keep from getting left behind.

TURN believes that through collaboration with Black churches, we can help ensure that these communities have the education, resources, and support required to explore electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other energy conservation, cost-saving, and revenue-generating opportunities that lend to overall energy and community resiliency. Black churches are the foundation of the Black community. For centuries, they have provided safe spaces for congregations to gather, worship, and connect. TURN is excited and honored to work alongside these institutions and continue the powerful legacy of faith-based organizing that can help ensure the resiliency and vibrancy of the Black church into the future.

Charging Faith will:

• Educate faith leaders about the billions of federal, state, and local dollars being distributed to support green technology adoption

• Introduce Black churches to opportunities to develop and adopt EV charging infrastructure

• Train community members on how to read their energy bills and access support programs to help reduce costs and debt caused by constant rate hikes

• Activate Black communities to advocate towards ensuring equitable access to clean energy technology and affordable rates