RECESS Announces Independent Nonprofit Status Ahead of Fourth Annual Clean Energy Summit in Detroit

RECESS also announces a new theme for its 2026 flagship conference, which elevates Black, Indigenous, Brown, and underrepresented communities in clean energy. 

DETROIT, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RECESS, the Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit, today announced its establishment as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and confirmed the theme for its fourth annual national summit, Mission: Possible – The Regenerative Power of Clean Energy. The conference will take place September 27–29, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

The move marks a pivotal chapter for the organization, which was originally launched in 2023 as a conference by Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services. This platform is dedicated to intentionally inviting Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other historically underrepresented people as co-creators of America's clean energy future.

Embedded in the Mission: Possible theme is the vision that the clean energy transition is not something that happens to communities, but something communities should lead. RECESS 2026 will bring together subject matter experts, students, entrepreneurs, workforce leaders, researchers, policymakers, community organizers, as well as the "clean energy-curious", for three days of transformative programming, meaningful connections, and practical, actionable insights. Last year's conference included more than 600 attendees from across 28 states, plus international representation.

"RECESS is not just about providing a seat at the clean energy table, but building a bigger, more welcoming table together," said Ms. Carla Walker-Miller. "The clean energy transition is more than a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and everyone is invited." 

A New Chapter: From Annual Conference to Year-Round Nonprofit 

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, RECESS expedites the pace of the clean energy transition and innovation through a regenerative lens by centering people, events, community-driven solutions, and technologies that create lasting impact. The nonprofit structure enables RECESS to deepen its programming, broaden access, and grow partnerships that advance equity across the clean energy ecosystem.

RECESS has rapidly established itself as a unique and nationally relevant gathering. Past speakers have included Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer; former FERC Commissioner and Chief Legal Officer at Exelon, Colette Honorable; Inaugural Vice Provost for Sustainability and Climate Action at the University of Michigan, Shalanda Baker; former Georgia House Minority Leader, author and entrepreneur, Stacey Abrams; Dr. Buu Nygren, President of the Navajo Nation; Dr. Quinton Ross, President of the HBCU Alabama State University; President of the Alliance to Save Energy, Paula Glover; and many other leaders from across the energy, policy, business, academia, and technology landscape.

Mission: Possible – The Regenerative Power of Clean Energy 

The 2026 summit, hosted at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, will focus on regeneration, which goes well beyond sustainability, circularity, or resilience. Attendees who come with purpose will leave with impact. Included among the many topics are the clean energy workforce, AI in clean energy, clean energy business opportunities, data centers, battery energy storage systems (BESS), virtual power plants (VPPs), utility grid scale and community development, and the climate health nexus.

RECESS convenes the full clean energy ecosystem, from students exploring new careers to industry leaders shaping national policy and creating a space where everyone is welcome to come as they are and find their place in clean energy. The event is designed with the intention of making access easy, elevating underrepresented voices, and turning conversation into action.

Registration and Sponsorship 

Early bird registration, sponsorship opportunities, and abstract submissions for RECESS 2026 are now open. For more information, visit www.therecessconference.com.

About RECESS 

RECESS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization convening leaders, innovators, and communities to reimagine who leads—and benefits from—the clean energy transition. Designed to elevate Black, Indigenous, Brown, and other historically underrepresented communities, the annual national summit brings together students, entrepreneurs, workforce leaders, researchers, policymakers, industry, and the energy-curious to move from conversation to action. Aligning with its equity mission, more than 50% of attendees participate at reduced or no cost, expanding access for small contractors, students, community leaders, environmental justice advocates, and others seeking pathways into the clean energy economy.

Learn more at www.therecessconference.com.

About Walker-Miller Energy Services 

Walker-Miller Energy Services (W-M), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is a Certified B Corporation committed to empowering people and enriching communities as implementers and thought leaders in clean energy. As the convener of RECESS, Walker-Miller is intentional about increasing the number and the diversity of people in clean energy, while reducing energy burdens, creating jobs, and expanding opportunities for underrepresented communities. Learn more at www.wmenergy.com.

Media Contact:
Caleigh Bourgeois
202-798-1986
[email protected] 

SOURCE RECESS