Black History Month celebrates generations of African Americans, honors their history, and pays tribute to so many who have shaped our country. During this month, NEI is highlighting four Black members of Congress—Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Byron Donalds, Rep. Terri Sewell, and Sen. Tim Scott—for their significant contributions to the nuclear energy industry. Their leadership is helping encourage public support, enhance legislative priorities, and propel the industry forward.
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Congressman Clyburn serves the 6th district of South Carolina and is the assistant democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. From Sumter, South Carolina, he began his professional career as a Charleston public school teacher. Clyburn is an advocate for reliable, clean energy in his state and played a crucial role in establishing a production tax credit for existing and new nuclear technologies in the Inflation Reduction Act. He is also a leader on international nuclear fuel solutions and received NEI’s William S. Lee Industry Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to nuclear's legislative landscape.
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Congressman Donalds represents the 19th district of Florida. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and is the proud son of a hardworking and loving single mother. Donalds attended university at Florida State, worked in finance, and has dedicated most of his adult life to giving back to the community. Donalds is a vocal nuclear energy advocate, extolling its economic and environmental benefits. He has introduced pro-nuclear legislation and is committed to energy innovation, increasing clean energy jobs, and establishing American competitiveness.
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Congresswoman Sewell serves Alabama’s 7th congressional district. She grew up in Alabama’s rural Black Belt and went on to obtain degrees from Princeton and Harvard. Sewell began her career as a lawyer before she decided to run for Congress. Sewell is one of the first women elected to Congress from Alabama and the first Black woman to ever serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation. She is an outspoken advocate for job creation and workforce development. She serves on the prestigious House Ways and Means Committee, where she was instrumental in creating tax credits for new and existing nuclear plants in the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Senator Scott serves the state of South Carolina. He grew up in North Charleston, South Carolina, in a single parent household and graduated from Charleston Southern University. Scott eventually built his own successful small business and joined the Senate in 2013. His mission is to positively affect the lives of a billion people. Scott supports nuclear as a reliable, clean source of energy and as an effective tool to reducing energy prices for consumers. He sees South Carolina as a leading force in the nation for building advanced reactor facilities to meet America’s clean power needs and provide reliable power for the state.
Support from these legislators, along with the many other contributions made by African Americans in science and energy, continues to drive us toward a clean energy transition that is just and reliable.
