Who We Are:
Closing California's
Clean Energy Gap
About the Minority Renewable Energy Project of California
Recognizing California’s urgent need for coordinated, strategic action to meet its goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045, the Minority Renewable Energy Project of California (MREP CA) was founded to bridge the gap between the state’s rapidly evolving green economy and the individuals, businesses, and institutions shaping the future of its built and workforce environments.
MREP CA is a community-based organization that exists to ensure that clean energy adoption is not only accelerated—but also accessible, practical, and integrated into the everyday decisions made by minority property developers, residents, professionals, and community leaders.
Our Story:
When Access, Awareness, and Action didn't align- MREP CA stepped in.
MREP CA was founded by Starlett Quarles after a personal experience underscored inequities in clean energy access.
While embracing electric vehicle ownership, she encountered limited charging infrastructure and minimal rooftop solar deployment in South Los Angeles- revealing a disconnect between California’s clean energy goals and neighborhood realities.
As a third-generation community builder, Starlett recognized that this gap extended beyond infrastructure. Urban real estate developers often lacked clear understanding of the benefits of renewable energy integration, while residents had limited access to information about sustainability solutions, incentive programs, and California’s clean energy transition.
Recognizing that this disconnect spanned awareness, access, implementation, and advocacy, Starlett saw the need for a structured approach that could guide communities through every stage of the clean energy transition. She understood that meaningful change would require more than isolated programs- it would require a clear, culturally competent, community-centered framework for progress.
In response, she founded MREP CA to help close California’s clean energy disparity gap. Through the development of an Urban Sustainability Model, the organization developed a framework for delivering targeted programs and services that support clean energy education, sustainable development, and resource access for diverse stakeholders.
MREP CA’s Ecosystem of Clean Energy Services has been curated to support this model by providing community stakeholders with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to equitably implement clean energy strategies across their residential, commercial, and community-based sectors.
Our Mission
The mission of the Minority Renewable Energy Project of California is to advance equitable participation in California’s clean energy transition by expanding awareness, access, and implementation of sustainable solutions.
We support communities, businesses, and workforce pathways through education, sustainable development services, and clean energy advocacy that create lasting economic and environmental impact.
Our Vision
We envision a California where clean energy is fully integrated into the way communities live, work, build, and grow- creating resilient neighborhoods, a skilled green workforce, and a sustainable urban marketplace that benefits everyone.
Our Purpose
MREP CA exists to serve as a community resource hub and sustainable development partner, guiding individuals, organizations, and communities through every phase of their clean energy journey.
At the core of this work is our Urban Sustainability Model- a structured framework that moves stakeholders from awareness to long-term adoption of clean energy solutions.
The model informs how we design programs, build partnerships, and deliver services that support sustainable redevelopment, workforce readiness, and community engagement across California’s urban marketplace.
Learn More About MREP CA
MREP CA's Executive Leadership
MEET OUR FOUNDER
STARLETT QUARLES
PRESIDENT & CEO
Starlett Quarles is a passionate advocate for the advancement of South Los Angeles and urban communities nationwide, with a lifelong commitment to community building, economic development, and sustainable progress.
A third-generation Angeleno, Starlett comes from a family deeply rooted in South Los Angeles’ real estate and housing landscape.
Her grandfather’s firm, EAC Construction, and her father’s urban infill development company, The Bedford Group of Companies, played pivotal roles in revitalizing and shaping the community- instilling in her a strong foundation in urban development and neighborhood investment.
Community building is not only part of Starlett’s family legacy- it is central to her professional journey.
For more than 25 years, Starlett served as Marketing Director for The Bedford Group, where she led corporate marketing, communications, and community outreach initiatives that supported the firm’s development and engagement efforts. In 2005, she founded Urban X Marketing, a multi-award-winning agency specializing in urban marketing, branding, communications, and event production. Through her work with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations, she has helped organizations strengthen their community presence and advance economic development strategies. Starlett’s educational background further informs her work as a strategist and advocate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis on Ethnic and Racial Stratification from UCLA, followed by a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, with a focus on improving organizational effectiveness within diverse work environments. Driven by her commitment to long-term community impact, Starlett founded the Minority Renewable Energy Project of California (MREP CA) in 2024. Through MREP CA, she seeks to expand access to clean energy education, sustainable development opportunities, and workforce pathways—while helping urban communities participate fully in California’s emerging green economy.
SHERRI S. REESE
PROJECT DIRECTOR
Sherri Smith Reese is a sustainability-focused educator, community advocate, and award-winning real estate professional with over 30 years of experience advancing equitable access to housing, education, and community development across Los Angeles and beyond.
A native Angelino, Sherri earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was selected as a UCLA Riordan Fellow in affiliation with the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management—recognizing her leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management expertise
Currently pursuing a master’s in education with an emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning (2026), Sherri integrates environmental awareness, educational equity, and community wellness into program design and implementation.
As a seasoned nonprofit consultant, Master Trainer, and Grant Writer, Sherri has led program development, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building efforts for nonprofit organizations regionally and nationally, including work in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern United States. Her professional experience includes speaking before the California State Senate and Assembly on nonprofit funding sustainability and program continuity, reflecting her understanding of public-sector accountability and compliance. In the housing and real estate sector, Sherri is a licensed California Realtor with more than three decades of experience in residential sales, multi-unit investments, and commercial leasing. In 2026, she is earning the Green Designation from the National Association of Realtors, positioning her to advance energy-efficient, healthy, and high-performance housing solutions. Her expertise includes sustainable building features, renewable energy integration, green valuation tools, and market positioning of environmentally responsible properties. This work directly supports climate resilience, energy equity, and reduced environmental impact in historically underserved communities. Sherri’s sustainability work bridges education, housing, and environmental justice—aligning with funder priorities focused on climate action, workforce development, green infrastructure, and community empowerment. She is experienced in designing scalable programs, managing grant-funded initiatives, coordinating partners, and delivering measurable outcomes that meet reporting and evaluation requirements. Sherri also serves as an Advocate for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP), where she works collaboratively with school leaders, families, and community partners to advance academic achievement, social-emotional well-being, and culturally responsive learning environments. During the 2022–2023 academic year, she successfully secured multiple community partnerships to expand access to culturally responsive curriculum, student enrichment programming, and family engagement initiatives—demonstrating her capacity to build cross-sector collaborations critical to sustainability grant success. Sherri is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the UCLA Black Alumni Association; the National Association of Realtors; the California Association of Realtors; and the Los Angeles Southwest Association of Realtors. Grounded in integrity, collaboration, and results-driven leadership, Sherri Smith Reese remains committed to building sustainable, future-ready communities through education, housing innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Our Executive Team
LAUREN FENNELL
Workforce Development Director
CATHY HAWKINS
Community Outreach & Events Director
BANKOLE OSINUPEBI
Accounts Manager