Jamal Russell Black

Jamal Russell Black is a Senior Officer of Climate Economics at the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center (PIC). In this role, he focuses on analytics and impact, leveraging his extensive expertise in climate change and decarbonization to develop equitable plans that benefit underserved communities in San Diego. His work emphasizes creating cross-sector innovation opportunities that enhance economic, environmental, and social conditions for these populations.1

Professional Background::

• Previous Roles: Jamal has held significant positions in various organizations. Notably, he worked as a sustainability consultant at ENGIE Impact, where he assisted diverse stakeholders—including companies and municipalities—in achieving their decarbonization goals through data analytics and geospatial techniques. Additionally, he served as a data science consultant at Hanover Research, focusing on quantitative research in education and diversity issues.1
• Local Contributions: He has also contributed to the San Diego Workforce Partnership as a labor economist, analyzing data on wage gaps and workforce greening initiatives.1

Entrepreneurial Endeavors:: In 2017, Jamal founded Veridian Analytics, a consulting firm dedicated to advancing the transition to zero-emission vehicles in collaboration with governmental and utility stakeholders.1

Education:: Jamal is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at University College London, concentrating on energy poverty and building decarbonization. He holds a master's degree in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics from UC San Diego and a bachelor's degree in International Business and Human Rights from Regent's University London.12

His commitment to climate research and improving conditions for marginalized communities underscores his valuable contributions to the PIC team.