The 34th Annual IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) Leadership Conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia from January 10-14, 2024. The theme — Vision to Reality: EWMC Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, Wisdom, Mentorship, and Courage — was reflected in the speakers, workshops, and spirit of brotherhood which was present throughout the conference.
“The EWMC Leadership Conference is one of the most powerful and dynamic conferences within IBEW,” remarked IBEW 1245 Staff Organizer Charlotte Stevens. “It was at my first EWMC conference that I realized there was a place for me in our union.”
“The 50th-anniversary celebration allowed us to look back on the progress made and reaffirmed our commitment to fostering leadership, diversity, and inclusion within the IBEW,” added IBEW 1245 Business Rep Gerald Williams.
720 IBEW members came from across the country to attend this year’s event. Local 1245’s sent a 22-person delegation, including staff, rank and file members, leaders and retirees.
1245 delegates with IBEW International leadership
“Our group was diverse, multi-generational, men and women of all creeds and colors. Members from [different employers], from all lines of business, gas, electric, mechanics, fleet, customer service — all as one, just the way Dr. King fought and died for it to be,” said 1245 Organizing Steward Brandon Fosselman. “I made new friendships that will last a lifetime and was able to spend time and get to know some people that I may see in passing but haven’t had the time to sit down and get to know.”
The conference was packed with inspiring speakers, including voting rights activist and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams, who reminded attendees that the American Dream is for everyone despite those who are trying to take it away by suppressing voting rights and education. Cedric Richmond who co-chaired the Biden/Harris campaign, also spoke, along with Yvonne T. Brooks, President of the Georgia State AFL-CIO, who gave 1245 a shout out for the canvassing work our members did in Georgia in 2017 for the Jon Ossoff congressional race, and the senate races of Ossoff and Rev. Warnock in 2021.
“After hearing Stacey Abrams, International President Kenneth Cooper, EWMC President Emeritus Robbie Sparks, amongst many others, I am fired up and ready to go this election year,” said IBEW 1245 Recording Secretary Rachael Segale. “We need to increase the voter turnout and explain to members the importance of voting in the best interest of not only our Unions but our livelihoods. We need to not only organize the unorganized, but organize the organized as well.”
The workshops presented participants with the opportunity to dive deeper into challenging topics. Dr. Keith Dempsey returned to the conference with his powerful workshop on mental health. IBEW 1245’s very own Dorothy Fortier taught the workshop “Knowing the IBEW Structure (Parliamentary Procedures),” and other workshops included Building Political Coalitions, Mentoring, and Effective Communication.
IBEW 1245 brothers at the awards gala
“The conference was overflowing with knowledge,” said IBEW 1245 Shop Steward Eric Wright. “I took several workshops during the four-day conference and they all provided me with knowledge I didn’t know I needed, and will definitely utilize back at home and more importantly at work.”
As a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., EWMC always incorporates community service opportunities into every conference. Some of the projects at the 2024 conference included electrical work and maintenance at churches, veterans homes, community outreach centers, and cemeteries. Others included explaining the electrical trade and demonstrations for school-age children and reading books at various schools.
IBEW 1245 delegates volunteered to provide a demonstration about electricity at the Canby Lane school
“I was able to help at a local VFW,” IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Donny Davis recalled. “Listening to stories from a couple of speakers on how the Union changed their lives, and hearing the impact of how other Unions under IBEW/EWMC across the country are positively impacting their communities really filled my spirit.”
“It was amazing being in such a pivotal place of the civil rights movement on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. We got to visit the National Center for Civic and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park. Both were truly powerful to witness the fight for equality,” reported 1245 Steward Foster Goree. “ An ongoing theme for the conference was ‘It’s not about being a minority but minorities creating a better majority.’ This stuck with me, because this holds true no matter what you apply it to: in your everyday life, work life or the fight for the union difference.”
While the conference was about reflecting on the progress that the IBEW has made, it was also about looking ahead to the future. In his remarks, IBEW International President Kenneth Cooper set a bold goal for membership, stating, “our strength is in our diversity, and that is how we will reach one million members in five years.”
To achieve this goal, every IBEW member must help to ensure our union is both strong and inclusive far into the future.
IBEW 1245 sisters at the EWMC awards gala
“As we move forward, let us remember the timeless manifesto: This is Your Union, This is My Union, This is Our Union,” said 1245 Organizing Steward Tamara Cacuyoga. “Together, let us continue to build a legacy of inclusion, empowerment, and progress within the IBEW and our communities.”
“I am very grateful and thankful that I was given the opportunity to attend this amazing conference, and walk away with such a wonderful rewarding experience that has filled my toolbox with the tools needed to move forward with being empowered,” added IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Iyasha Davis. “I’m ready to empower others, ready to stand in line and lead the charge for others to have the experience that this wonderful union that I belong to offers its members.”