For years, America’s energy story has been about oil, natural gas, and the steady rise of solar and wind. But quietly, in plain sight, another chapter is being written — one that could reshape the balance of power in business, technology, and global influence. Nuclear energy, once seen as yesterday’s industry, is positioning itself as the backbone of tomorrow’s digital economy. And the question for the Black business community is simple: will we just consume the power, or will we own the means of producing it?

Big Tech’s appetite for electricity is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Artificial intelligence, data centers, and cloud computing are energy-hungry beasts, running 24/7 and requiring a constant, reliable supply of power. Solar and wind can’t always meet that demand. Natural gas is still a bridge fuel, but nuclear is the only source that provides carbon-free, high-density energy at scale. Whoever controls this supply chain won’t just make money — they’ll dictate the pace of the digital age itself.

“AI’s Energy Appetite”
Data centers alone are expected to drive a 4.5% increase in U.S. electricity sales by 2026 (EIA).

Here’s the part often left out of mainstream conversation: the U.S. may be the top producer of nuclear power, but we rely heavily on other countries to mine, convert, and enrich uranium — the essential fuel that makes reactors run. Two-thirds of enriched uranium used here is imported. A third of that comes from a single European-owned enrichment facility in New Mexico. Meanwhile, the only U.S.-owned uranium enrichment company, Centrus Energy, just began producing Haleu (high assay low-enriched uranium) — the next-generation fuel that all advanced reactors will require.

This is where the opportunity lies. Unlike oil or railroads in the 19th and 20th centuries — sectors where Black ownership was locked out — this time, the door is still open. And it’s not just about giant corporations. There is space for funds, collectives, and investment groups to carve a foothold in enrichment, uranium ETFs, or even small modular reactor development.

“Imported Dependency”
The U.S. imports nearly two-thirds of its enriched uranium — a national security gap and a business opportunity.

Imagine for a moment if the Black business community built a consortium to buy into this space. Think beyond real estate and traditional sectors. Envision an investment vehicle that takes minority stakes in uranium mining operations, or that partners with existing players to expand Haleu production. Or better yet — imagine a Black-owned enrichment firm, born in partnership with federal incentives, scaling alongside a government desperate for domestic supply. It’s not science fiction. It’s a strategy.

“The Fuel of the Future”
Every advanced reactor in development will require Haleu fuel — no exceptions.

This is also a chance to reframe what ownership means. Too often, “buying back the block” gets reduced to consumer-facing real estate or local retail. But the real wealth has always come from infrastructure — the pipelines, grids, and supply chains that make communities possible in the first place. If we want generational control, then we need to own the power that keeps the block lit, the servers cool, and the AI engines running.

“The Black Opportunity”
If we don’t secure a stake in nuclear energy’s future, we’ll be locked into paying the bill forever.

History has shown us the cost of being late to the table. Black communities missed the oil boom. We were boxed out of railroad empires. By the time Wall Street packaged energy into trillion-dollar industries, we were already playing catch-up. This nuclear wave is our second chance. The technology is proven, the demand is guaranteed, and the government has no choice but to support domestic enrichment. Which means the only real question is whether we decide to participate — boldly, collectively, and with urgency.

“Our community talks about buying the block back — but the real money is in owning the power that keeps the block lit.”

The energy transition is happening now, and nuclear power is its quiet foundation. The window for ownership is open. Let’s not let it close while everyone else gets rich in plain sight.