At NextEra Energy, success is driven by our people who are solving the world’s toughest energy challenges and helping build a sustainable energy future for America.

This month, in celebration of African-American History Month, we are highlighting one of our first NextEra Energy employee resource groups, the African-American Professional Employee Group (AAPEG).

AAPEG gives employees opportunities to enhance their careers by leveraging diversity of thought and experiences. Since it was established in 2007, AAPEG has been empowering employees to serve in their communities and take charge of their professional development through teambuilding activities and events that help build their leadership skills. 

Diversity of thought and perspective is highly valued at NextEra Energy. Through AAPEG, employees’ experiences and backgrounds are celebrated and they are empowered to be their authentic selves every day. This month, AAPEG held engaging events that celebrated its heritage, history and members.  

• Cultural celebrations: Employees were invited to enjoy Afro-Caribbean dishes and unique cuisine each week through a Taste of the Diaspora.
• Discover your roots: Explored genealogy and ancestry with an expert.
• Grew professionally through a fireside chat with NextEra Energy leaders.
• Hosted interactive cultural team events.
• Lessons from the dream: Learned best speaking practices from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Engaged our next generation through STEM mentoring events.  

AAPEG’s mission is to create a community of leaders who are making an impact at work and in their communities. In 2019, AAPEG was recognized as the most collaborative employee resource group by the NextEra Energy corporate diversity and inclusion team.  

“Leading AAPEG for the last couple of years has been an enriching professional development experience,” says Andrea Pelt-Thornton, president of AAPEG. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to present events that are relevant, meaningful and impactful for our employees and members. Developing our top talent drives our diversity and inclusion culture, and everything we do at NextEra Energy.” 

Earlier this year, NextEra Energy was named to Forbes' list of America's Best Employers for Diversity for the third consecutive year.