Celebrating Common Spark’s 5th Anniversary
Photo of a woman popping confetti into the air, with the text “Celebrating Common Spark’s 5th Anniversary” written across the sky.
Happy Birthday, Common Spark (and all our Sparklers)!
As I pause to think about the journey Common Spark has led me on over the past five years, I am amazed and honored by all the work we are doing.
What stands out to me the most is who I have had the privilege and joy to work with over the last five years. Common Spark works with frontline environmental justice (EJ) and community-based organizations, to environmental advocates, funders and philanthropy, local and state government, and utility and regulatory commissions. We are grateful for our client partners who have entrusted us with their most challenging questions and boldest aspirations, and allowed us to hold space for important discussions on how we can all do our work differently and build an energy future that includes the ideas, priorities, and hopes of our whole community.
In celebrating our fifth anniversary, I want to share five gratitudes:
First, thank you to the frontline and local groups that let us into their communities and demonstrate powerful ways in which you do your work. I am grateful for our EJ and community-based client partners that teach us so much and exemplify so many ways we could all be doing our work better. We are deeply honored by your trust in us, and we are immensely proud of the work we get to do with you. Thank you.
Second, thank you to our client partners that keep us on our energy policy toes. I am dizzied by the complexity of some of the conversations we support. But I enjoy the challenge of learning about how different communities think about and approach decarbonization, energy efficiency, ratemaking, and resource and transmission planning. I am heartened by how folks bravely confront policy constructs, institutions, and structures to support equitable and just outcomes in these important and often highly technical areas. We are all kept on a learning edge because of you, so thank you!
Third, thank you to the organizations that bring us in to ask the hardest questions. I love doing highly-tailored and deep strategy work with groups that want to be better partners and stronger advocates, and who want to approach transformational work with thoughtfulness and intention. It takes incredible courage and vulnerability to name the tensions and misalignments in our energy system, and there’s never an easy answer. Your work keeps us hopeful and honest about the challenges of change.
Fourth, thank you to the Common Spark team (and former-always Sparklers!). I feel so lucky to work alongside you all. I love the bond we have created and all I have learned from each of you. You inspire and push me each day to redefine what “boldly inclusive” means. You continue to propel us on our continual journey to better understand how our own race and privilege impacts our work and the industry we work in. And when any of us needs a hand, a rest, or help, you reliably and generously step in and step up. Common Spark has been remade in the scale of our collective dreams this year because of our work together, and I could not be prouder to be a Sparkler with you all.
Fifth, thank you to my community. My family, my mentors, my colleagues, and my friends who have inspired and encouraged me in my growth, learning, and vision. I see each of you in what I experience each day in my work. I love my work with Common Spark, even (and sometimes especially) on the hardest days. And I know I would not be in this lucky role if not for all of your love and support, teaching and leadership.
Happy Birthday, Common Spark! What an amazing ride the last five years have been!
- Michelle, Founder and Principal of Common Spark Consulting
PS - Jump into the conversation with us at our next October Energy (in)Equity training!
Common Spark Consulting not only works externally with our clients and partners, but we also strive to work inwardly, recognizing that we must internalize the care, thoughtfulness, and intention we hope to represent as individuals and an organization. The Thought Library is where we share our ideas and thoughts, where we are at right now, on topics and issues that we hope will spark conversation for a brighter, more inclusive energy future.