I’m not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Jasmine: My superpower is my empathy. More than anything else, I feel deeply, and it drives all of the work that I do.Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) is revolutionizing how communities engage with renewable energy. Based in Kingston, New York, MHET empowers residents to access clean energy, reduce energy costs, and improve their homes through innovative programs.One standout initiative is the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which provides accessible financing for low-income residents to pursue energy-efficient home upgrades. According to Jasmine Graham, MHET’s executive director, the program was designed to address the barriers residents face. “We heard, ‘I don’t have the time, expertise, or money,’” Jasmine explained. “So, we said, ‘What if we manage the projects for you?’”The HELP Fund, which supports the program, is unique in offering opportunities for everyday people to invest. “We created an offering that allows accredited and non-accredited investors to join in and invest,” Jasmine shared. “This clean energy transition is happening, but right now, it’s not very accessible to everybody.” Community investors earn a 4 percent return, a recognition of their risk and financial realities, while impact investors receive 3 percent, and mission-aligned philanthropic funds accept no return, prioritizing social impact.MHET also addresses affordability through its community solar program. Low-income participants can save up to 20 percent on their electricity bills with no upfront costs. “No cost to join, no cost to leave, and the savings continue for 20 years,” Jasmine noted.By integrating philanthropic partnerships and innovative financial structures, MHET ensures that low-income communities and people of color are not left behind in the clean energy transition. As Jasmine aptly said, “We want to make sure that folks have the financial resources and the time and expertise to make this happen.”MHET’s work exemplifies the potential for systemic change through community-driven, inclusive solutions. Their impact resonates far beyond Kingston, offering a model for equitable climate action nationwide.tl;dr:* Mid-Hudson Energy Transition helps communities access renewable energy, lower costs, and strengthen resilience.* Community Choice Aggregation enables bulk renewable energy purchases, saving residents and small businesses money.* The Home Upgrade Grants program addresses structural issues to help low-income families decarbonize their homes.* The HELP Fund allows community members to invest in clean energy with tailored returns and protections.* Empathy and inclusion guide Jasmine Graham’s leadership, ensuring no one is left behind in transitions.How to Develop Empathy As a SuperpowerJasmine’s superpower is her deep empathy, which enables her to understand and connect with others, driving her leadership and efforts to address complex challenges. Her ability to put herself in others’ shoes inspires her work in creating impactful solutions for communities, ensuring no one is left behind.Jasmine exemplified her empathy following a disappointing election outcome that deeply affected her climate-focused team. She prioritized their emotional well-being during a staff planning day, emphasizing self-care and resilience. By fostering kindness and compassion, Jasmine demonstrated how empathy can unite and motivate teams to continue pursuing their mission, even in challenging times.Tips for Developing Empathy as a Strength:* Engage in Conversations: Regularly connect with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to deepen understanding and build relational skills.* Learn About Others: Explore different cultures, life experiences, and issues to develop a broader perspective on humanity.* Practice Vulnerability: Share personal experiences and emotions to create authentic connections and foster mutual empathy.* Reflect on Differences: Recognize that varied upbringings and circumstances shape viewpoints, helping to bridge gaps in understanding.* Build Empathy Like a Muscle: Exercise empathy consistently in everyday interactions to strengthen it over time.Conclusion:By following Jasmine Graham’s example and advice, you can make empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJasmine Graham (she/they):Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Energy TransitionAbout Mid-Hudson Energy Transition: Mid-Hudson Energy Transition empowers communities to own and share renewable energy, create healthier buildings, and join in community wealth-building to strengthen the resilience of the Hudson Valley in the face of climate change.Website: www.mid-hudson.energyX/Twitter Handle: @midhudsonenergyCompany Facebook Page: fb.com/mid-hudson-energy-transitionOther URL: www.investinhelp.orgBiographical Information: Jasmine (she/they) is an energy justice expert, environmental policy advocate, and published scholar. With extensive experience in designing and implementing community-based renewable energy and building decarbonization programs, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that vulnerable communities have a voice in the clean energy transition. As the Executive Director of Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Jasmine leads efforts to empower communities through renewable energy ownership, healthier buildings, and wealth-building initiatives. Previously, Jasmine held key roles in advancing cutting-edge energy policy across New York State, including appointments to New York City’s Sustainability Advisory Board and Climate Mobilization Advisory Board under multiple mayoral administrations. In these roles, she guided the development of New York City’s long-term sustainability plan and played a pivotal role in shaping the implementation of Local Law 97, historic legislation for building decarbonization. Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Sustainability from Bard College.X/Twitter Handle: @jasminecgrahamLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/jasmine-c-grahamInstagram Handle: @jasminecgrahamSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today’s advertisers include FundingHope, Mivium, Azolla and SuperCrowd Impact Membership. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support to keep us operating:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on December 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, December 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At December’s SuperCrowdHour, Jason Fishman of Digital Niche Agency will share insights. Free to attend.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Community Revitalization, Thursdays, 10:00 AM Eastern.* CfPA Webinar with President-Elect Jenny Kassan sharing her vision for 2025, December 11 at 2:00 PM Eastern.* NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, date TBD following impact of Helene.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe