The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC), Vancouver, Wash., held its 2022 national conference online, with the theme of “Inspiring Resistance and Nurturing Strength,” Jan. 13–15.

The 32nd annual leadership conference addressed pressing challenges and explored “new opportunities for growth, best practices and strategies to expand EWMC’s vision and goals.”

The EWMC represents all IBEW members and encourages minorities to become activists in their communities and leaders in the union. The organization also provides assistance to and addresses minorities’ and underrepresented workers’ discrimination complaints. There are IBEW-EWMC chapters across the United States and one in Toronto.

Founded in 1974 by a small group of primarily African American IBEW members, the EWMC’s purpose is “to advocate for greater diversity and inclusiveness within the IBEW, with extreme emphasis on increasing the numbers of people of color and women in leadership positions at all levels of the IBEW.”

“The EWMC Conference provided a powerful experience and opportunity to stay focused on key workforce issues across a very broad spectrum. Leadership, workforce depression, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging were just a few of the many areas discussed,” said Ronald Bailey, NECA’s vice president of industry development.

The conference featured general sessions, a range of workshops attendees could choose from, interactive plenary panel discussions and discussion rooms that were open for attendees to socialize after the conference.

National elections were held for EWMC and RENEW (Reaching Out and Engaging the Next generation of Electrical Workers) officers and board members for the 2022–2024 term.

“On reflection, I might add, that while we may not have the power and positions that we want, we have all the power that we need to make changes for a brighter future tomorrow. The insight, history and knowledge received from the conference was second to none and very rewarding,” Bailey said.