Southern California Edison groundman Donald Boyd is not only helping to keep power flowing to 15 million customers, but he’s also paving the way for a diverse workforce and continuing the legacy of his granduncle, Nemiah Miller, the company’s first Black engineer.

Boyd worked as a gardener for over five years but felt there was no opportunity for growth and aspired to a rewarding, long-standing career.

He learned about Edison International’s Lineworker Scholarship on social media and decided to apply after observing a lineworker team install a power pole.

The scholarship program was launched in 2021 to increase the diversity in skilled trades and better reflect the communities the company serves. Nine of the 11 who received the scholarship that year have been hired and are currently working at SCE.

Six recipients are in groundman positions — one of them being Boyd — and five are in other craft lineworker positions that are critical to ensuring the reliability of the company’s infrastructure.

Boyd has been a groundman for nine months at the Santa Monica service center and works with a crew to conduct repairs and maintenance upgrades to electrical equipment.

“I get satisfaction from the strong camaraderie here,” Boyd said. “Everyone looks out for each other, takes care of each other and takes the time to teach you. It’s a career like I've never experienced. I never expected to have such strong bonds with such a tight-knit community.”

Throughout this process, Boyd has gained a newfound sense of purpose while also bonding with his granduncle over their shared utility experience.

In the 32 years that Miller worked at SCE, he held more than a dozen different engineering positions within the company before retiring in 1996.

“There were peaks and valleys in my career with Edison, and diversity was not a concept fully entrenched in the Edison culture at that time. But in looking back, I saw diversity take root — for me and others — to grow, gain understanding and acceptance,” Miller said. “I have wonderful memories of being at Edison.”

“I hope Donald’s position is a stepping stone to take other positions. We talk often, and I encourage him to continue to study, train and work hard so he’s ready to move to the next position,” he added.

The 2024 Lineworker Scholarship program is now accepting applications through May 10. The program has expanded to engage Black, Asian Pacific Islander, Native American and female applicants.

The scholarship is funded by Edison International shareholders and IBEW Local 47, awarding up to $25,000 per recipient. It provides tuition, tools and support services needed to complete required training at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. Program graduates are eligible to qualify for an entry-level skilled trade position at SCE.

Boyd looks forward to meeting another group of scholar recipients and encourages those interested to apply.

“Just go for it. It’s a lot of hard work, but you can do it. There will be studying and some long nights. You’ll be tired, but in the end, it’s worth it,” Boyd said. “You’ll have a rewarding career and inspire people to go into the same trade.”

To learn more about the Lineworker Scholarship, visit edison.com/lineworkerscholarship.

Lineworker Scholarship Application Workshops:

• Virtual Workshop: Monday, April 29, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Click here to join.
• In-Person Workshop: Wednesday, May 1, 5-7 p.m. at Brotherhood Crusade (4401 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043)