#NNPA BlackPress

Minorities Poised to Take Advantage of Oil and Gas Boom

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Already, the industry is focused on its workforce of the future, creating more career opportunities for women, minorities and Millennials because it values diverse perspectives and contributions as key to driving continued innovation in the energy space,” said Mike Sommers, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute.

Published

8 years ago

January 9, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

For African-Americans and Latinos, the path to upward mobility in the oil and gas industry remains filled with both hurdles and hope.

A 2017 U.S. Labor Department analysis revealed that African-American workers held just 9 percent of the jobs in oil and gas extraction and, despite the boom in the industry over the past decade, Black Americans never comprised more than one-tenth of the nation’s oil and gas workforce.

The report also noted similar statistics for Latinos.

On Tuesday, Mike Sommers, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, told reporters he and others in the industry are working hard to change that.

“One of the things we know is this workforce is only going to grow. Because of the American Energy Revolution, we expect as much as 2 million new jobs will be needed by 2030 in the industry,” Sommers said.

That means a lot more participation by minorities and women, he said.

Already, the industry is focused on its workforce of the future, creating more career opportunities for women, minorities and Millennials because it values diverse perspectives and contributions as key to driving continued innovation in the energy space,” Sommers said.

“We’re excited and we have a long history of working in the [black] community,” he said.

Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute

“We are very excited to lead the effort going forward. The last two years we’ve sponsored an effort called the Energy Research Collaborative to make sure that we have women and minorities represented in those energy companies,” Sommers continued.

A prior API analysis also revealed a most positive outlook for African Americans and Latinos in the Oil and Natural Gas Industry.

With the right policies, 166,000 of the new oil and natural gas jobs created by 2020 could be expected to be held by African American and Latino workers, according to the analysis.

That would represent 31 percent of the projected 525,000 new job opportunities.

Also, by 2030, the analysis noted that the number could jump to more than 285,000 (35 percent of the projected 811,000 new job opportunities).

Also, more than 50 percent of all jobs created would be high-paying skilled and semi-skilled blue-collar jobs with a significant range of opportunities at the scientific/managerial level – like petroleum engineers – most of which require a college degree.

And, over half of the job growth, 417,000 jobs, is expected in the Gulf region while the East region is expected to contribute nearly 140,000 job opportunities and the Rockies region nearly 116,000 job opportunities.

The West, Alaska, and Central regions will combine to contribute approximately 138,000 job opportunities, according to forecasts.

Tuesday’s media conference call came as API released its latest State of American Energy report where Sommers opined that America can achieve the dual goal of growing the oil and gas industry while still cutting back emissions and operating more efficiently.

The report suggested that America has the energy to innovate, create wealth, develop solutions and achieve goals at home and abroad.

Americans are stronger, more secure and freer to choose their path because their country has abundant natural gas and oil, according to the report.

“As the world’s leading producer and refiner of natural gas and oil, the United States can look ahead to meet challenges from a position of energy strength, supported by a modern, innovative natural gas and oil industry,” Sommers said.

America’s Generation Energy creates jobs, lifts entire communities, revitalizes manufacturing, strengthens U.S. security and develops the technology of the future, according to information in the 124-page report.

The current generation also leads the charge in solving complex challenges which is why the United States leads the world in both producing natural gas and oil, and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Sommers said.

The report pointed out that today, growth and decreased emissions have occurred together.

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have plunged to their lowest level in a generation, while CO2 emissions around the globe have risen 50 percent since 1990.

The industry has invested billions in improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations, the report authors said.

From clean natural gas for power generation, to cleaner fuels and vehicle technology for transportation, and countless other innovations, America’s Generation Energy is on the cutting edge of environmental progress, the authors wrote in the report.

Further, the same innovations helping to drive down emissions are generating record energy production which means jobs and economic growth, API officials said.

Energy infrastructure investment alone can support a projected 1 million-plus jobs per year – a major opportunity for bipartisan achievement in the next Congress.

“It means security for the United States and our allies. U.S. energy imports are on track to reach their lowest level in decades, and our exports provide a stable source of energy for our friends around the globe,” Sommers said.

“It means a competitive advantage for American manufacturers and budget relief for American families, who are less vulnerable to price shocks caused by overseas instability,” he said.

And, it also means that the door remains wide open for African Americans and Latinos.

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP) are working with the American Petroleum Institute to increase the participation of our families and communities in the vast economic development, as well as high-wage jobs, opportunities in the U.S. gas and oil industry,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.

“The 2019 State of Energy Address today by API CEO Mike Sommers was a significant step forward to which the NNPA and the NAHP will definitely respond,” Chavis said.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

African American Chefs Break the Glass Ceiling in the Culinary World

Don't Miss

Equity v. Equality

Oakland Post

6 Comments

#NNPA BlackPress

Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

#AutoNetwork

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

Visit Our Website

Home – updated

Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/

Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter

Defender Newsletters

Donate/ Support Our Work

Contribute to the Defender Network

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.