Inside the Energy Conversation at the Global Black Economic Forum At ESSENCE Festival’s Global Black Economic Forum
The Global Black Economic Forum Summit convened leaders across business, policy, technology, and philanthropy to advance economic opportunity and systemic change for the Black diaspora. Held annually in New Orleans as part of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture, this year’s summit featured one of its most timely and technically grounded conversations on the future of energy.
In a panel sponsored by Entergy, energy executives unpacked the growing tension between technological advancement and energy equity. John Hudson, Chair of the Entergy Charitable Foundation, moderated a dynamic discussion with Melody Birmingham, EVP of Utilities at NiSource, and Tamla Olivier, President and CEO of Baltimore Gas & Electric.
Together, they explored what it means to lead utilities through an era of unprecedented transformation—and how to protect customers, communities, and the grid itself in an AI-driven future.
AI, Infrastructure, and the Risk of Stranded Costs
As artificial intelligence moves from novelty to necessity, its infrastructure demands are growing fast—and so is its footprint on the power grid. Melody Birmingham put it bluntly: “This is bigger than what would have been the industrial revolution. We're expecting the capacity needs of our systems to triple over the next five years.”
One major driver? Hyperscale data centers—the massive server hubs powering everything from ChatGPT to TikTok’s recommendation engine. These facilities run 24/7 and require staggering amounts of electricity to operate. Globally, data centers now account for about 1.5% of electricity use and are projected to consume 945 terawatt-hours by 2030—more than the entire country of Japan. Right now, their usage already matches that of Sweden.
So what does that mean for everyday consumers?
The more electricity these AI-powered data centers consume, the more pressure they put on the grid—especially as utilities race to expand infrastructure to meet the surge. In many cases, the cost of building out new power infrastructure gets passed on to everyday customers—whether they benefit from it or not.
The risk isn’t lost on Birmingham, who oversees utility operations for nearly four million natural gas and electric customers across six states. “I need to make sure that my native load customers—my residential customers, my small and medium business customers—I’m protecting them,” she said.
For today’s utility leaders, energy is about more than producing a commodity—it’s a matter of affordability. And for Birmingham, it’s a moment primed with potential—worth leaning into.“We don’t see it as a challenge. We see it as a great opportunity.”
Affordability in an Age of Market Volatility
As AI, electrification, and extreme weather push energy demand higher, they also drive up the cost of delivering it. That’s especially true in deregulated states like Maryland, where utilities purchase up to 40% of their electricity on a volatile open market. “Maryland only produces 60% of the power that they actually use,” said Olivier, President and CEO of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE). “So what happens when you have high demand, low supply? The prices go up significantly.”
When prices spike, the burden doesn’t fall on traders or suppliers—it hits everyday customers, often those least equipped to absorb the impact. While utilities like BGE aren’t responsible for setting those market prices, Olivier made it clear they still bear responsibility for the people affected. “We know we have an obligation to relieve some of the stress and the struggle that our customers are going through,” she said.
And being there for customers extends beyond the bottom line of a monthly bill. According to Olivier, it means ensuring communities share in the economic opportunities that come with growth—and aren’t disproportionately burdened by its costs, whether financial or environmental.
“We have got to be there for our customers—whether it’s workforce development, economic development, making sure they’re not making the decision between my gas bill and my medicine,” she said.
That mindset informs BGE’s broader commitment to equity and access. Earlier this year, the utility launched a $15 million customer relief fund to provide direct assistance to low-income households navigating spiking costs. “It’s really focused on helping our most vulnerable customers,” Olivier said.
Olivier’s approach to affordability is grounded in responsibility and care—but it’s also proactive. In a system increasingly shaped by global markets and emerging tech, she sees the utility’s role as not just a service provider, but a stabilizing force in people’s lives.
What Leadership Looks Like in This Moment
The conversation at this year’s Global Black Economic Forum Summit was a case study in modern utility leadership: how to lead during volatility, who gets trusted with the future, and what it means to show up for the communities you serve.
Moderator John Hudson reflected on the significance of the moment—and the role leaders like his stage companions play in shaping it.
It’s especially noteworthy that Melody Birmingham and Tamla Olivier—both women of color—are leading major utilities under Black male CEOs, Lloyd Yates and Calvin Butler, respectively. It’s a leadership configuration that, not long ago, would’ve been unthinkable in this industry. “A decade ago, we would not have seen this,” Hudson said. It is, he added, a testament to their credibility and performance:“There’s no wonder they’re in the jobs that they’re in.”
In an era when the grid is under more pressure than ever—from AI and electrification to aging infrastructure and affordability—their presence wasn’t about symbolism. It was about substance.
These women aren’t just keeping the lights on—they’re helping redefine what accountable, community-centered energy leadership looks like.