​CHICAGO (February 3, 2016) – ComEd celebrates Black History Month by supporting its employees, local nonprofit organizations and members of the community that contribute to the rich heritage of African Americans throughout its service territory.

In partnership with local STEM organizations Project Syncere, PUSH Excel and George Westinghouse College Prep, ComEd is hosting innovative, two-day STEM immersion experiences for more than 40 high school students throughout February. The events focus on the theme "Solar Spotlight," and will expose African-American high school students to careers focused on alternative and innovative energy solutions.

Students will see live solar demonstrations and how lighting impacts solar panels, learn about notable African Americans in STEM-related careers, and have the opportunity to construct their own solar-powered cells. The culmination is a Lighting Dedication Ceremony of the students' solar panels in three community locations. Locations include:

• Harper High School located in Englewood
• Firehouse Community Arts Center in Lawndale
• Auburn High School in Rockford, Ill

Former WGCI personality, Loni Swain, will be onsite to host the event and keep the student participants engaged.

"ComEd is committed to presenting creative and exciting education opportunities to engage students and showcase the potential STEM careers provide," said Kevin Brookins, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Administration, ComEd.  "Solar power is becoming an important source of energy and green technology continues to grow. We want to ensure African-American youth will be prepared to pursue and succeed in these areas."

Chris Williams, Millennium Solar Electric, and Naomi Davis, President and Founder of BIG: Blacks in Green (who was recognized as a ComEd Neighborhood Hero in 2014) will provide instruction, insight and hands-on training for the various STEM aspects that go into designing, building and installing the solar-powered lights.

Rockford Neighborhood Hero Jazzminne Keyes will assist to create community awareness for the Rockford events and ComEd employees will also attend to share how their jobs contribute to today's environment.

ComEd invites the general public to visit www.ComEd.com/SolarSpotlight to learn more about the students' "Solar Spotlight" journey. Also visit 'Solar Spotlight' partners' websites to learn more about youth based STEM programs offered by Project Syncere (www.projectsyncere.org), PUSH Excel (www.pushexcel.org/) and ComEd's annual Ice Box Derby STEM competition for girls www.theiceboxderby.com/). 

For more information about Blacks in Green visit www.blacksingreen.org  and Millenium Solar and Electric at www.millenniumsolarelectric.com.

ComEd proudly celebrates diversity year-round through programming that provides broad public exposure to diversity in the communities that the company serves. To learn more about ComEd's community support, visit ComEd.com/community.

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ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.