• Posted: February 21, 2025
• better careers, better communities, Black History Month, Celebrating Black History, electrical contractors, Mentorship

Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions of Black professionals across industries, including the skilled trades. Black educators play a vital role in shaping the future of the electrical trade, passing down their knowledge and skills to the next generation. Mario Miller and Juan Little are two educators who have dedicated their careers to mentorship, education, and creating opportunities for aspiring electricians. Their stories highlight the importance of representation and the lasting impact of guiding young professionals into meaningful careers.

Mario Miller: A Journey from the Field to the Classroom

For Mario Miller, a 25-year member of IBEW Local 134, teaching wasn’t part of his original plan. His journey to becoming an instructor was unexpected—set into motion by a seemingly ordinary decision that would come full circle more than a decade later.

It all started when Miller, then an apprentice, answered a call from a radio station during a segment discussing education.

“The question of the day was, ‘Would you go back and teach high school students if you weren’t in your current profession?'” recalled Mario Miller, Chicago Builds instructor, and IBEW Local 134 electrician. “I answered yes. They asked, ‘What would you teach?’ and I said, ‘Whatever they needed me to teach because there’s a need for experienced adults to go back and have real-world conversations with students about life after high school.”

What started as a hypothetical response to a radio question about teaching became a reality 13 years later when IBEW Local 134 Business Manager Don Finn asked Miller to help launch Chicago Builds, a program introducing Chicago Public Schools students to careers in the skilled trades.

“I was a business rep for the local union, and the business manager asked if I could come over and help ensure the program got off to the right start,” said Miller.

What was meant to be a temporary role became a lifelong commitment.

“I’ve been here since the inception of the program, and I’m still here today—nine years later,” said Miller.

But Miller’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. He saw early on that many students weren’t aware of the trades as a career path—let alone the skills needed to succeed.

“They weren’t being given information on options outside of college or the military. A lot of them didn’t even know what an apprenticeship program was,” shared Miller​.

To bridge that gap, Miller prioritizes real-world lessons. On top of learning technical skills, his students also gain an understanding of commitment, discipline, and career longevity.

“Time is the one thing you can never get back. I tell them they need to make a well-educated decision about their future,” said​ Miller.

Teaching More Than Just the Trade

Miller ensures his students understand that entering the trades doesn’t mean skipping education. It requires continuous learning and adaptability.

“People think you just show up at a job site and start working. That couldn’t be further from the truth. You have to learn how to stay safe, develop your craft, and keep up with evolving technology,” he explained​.

He also emphasizes practical applications of math and science, helping students connect what they learn in school to real-world construction.

“Students ask, ‘Why do I need geometry? Why do I need math?’ I show them how tradespeople use those skills every day, how the buildings they walk into were designed using math and engineering principles,” explained Miller.

Beyond technical skills, Miller instills in his students the importance of professionalism, communication, and teamwork—qualities essential for success in the field.

“You can’t build a skyscraper alone. In my class, we emphasize collaboration because, in construction, everything depends on working as a team,”  said Miller.

Building a Lasting Impact

By mentoring students and providing firsthand knowledge, Miller helps them make informed choices about their careers. His approach has led to high engagement and lasting influence, with former students returning to share their success.

“One of the most rewarding moments is when they come back and say, ‘Mr. Miller, everything you told us was true.’ That’s when I know I’m making a difference,” said Miller.

For IBEW Local 134 journey worker Isiah Hill, Chicago Builds laid the foundation for a successful career in the electrical trade.

“Chicago Builds has impacted my career growth in a positive way because the head start and experience I gained during my high school years benefited me tremendously at the beginning of my apprenticeship,” said Hill. “It has also positively impacted my personal growth because of the sense of community, I’ve acquired a type that you can’t always find on the job site.”

Hill credits Miller’s mentorship with helping him recognize his potential and the resources available to build a successful career. One of the most valuable lessons he learned was the importance of professionalism and punctuality.

“Learning the importance of showing up on time and prepared has shaped my journey as an electrician because those are the first opportunities you are given on a daily basis to make a name for yourself,” Hill explained. “Leaving a good or bad impression goes a long way in this trade and could be detrimental if not taken seriously.”

Now a successful journeyworker, Hill sees his role extending beyond the job site. Like his mentor, he hopes to inspire others in his community, particularly young people who might not be aware of alternatives to traditional college paths.

“Being an electrician gives a sense of gratitude, knowing that you have created a working system with your hands that will be beneficial to others,” said Hill. “I see my work making a difference in my community because I can be an inspiration to the youth who are unsure about what they want to do with their future, especially the ones who are unaware of successful routes that don’t require a college degree.”

Through Chicago Builds and IBEW Local 134, Miller continues to shape the next generation of electricians, ensuring that young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, see a future for themselves in the skilled trades.

Juan Little: Inspiring the Next Generation of Electricians Through Mentorship

Juan Little never envisioned himself as a teacher. In fact, he actively avoided the spotlight.

“In grammar school, my teacher pulled me into the hallway to teach half the class-long division on a rolling chalkboard. I had the right answers, but I didn’t like the attention,” recalled Juan Little,  Instructor at the Thornton Fractional High School District and IBEW Local 134 Electrician.

But mentorship has a way of finding the right people. After 25 years in the electrical trade, Little was tapped to share his knowledge with the next generation—first at IBEW Local 134’s apprenticeship school, then at Chicago Builds, and eventually at Thornton Fractional High School, where he now teaches juniors and seniors.

“I never saw myself in a teaching role. But in 2014, one of my mentors told me, ‘Kid, I think you’re ready.’ So, I started teaching at Local 134, then at Chicago Builds, and later in the south suburbs to start programs similar to what we had in the city,” said Little​.

Little recognizes that his role as an educator extends far beyond the classroom. His students see themselves in him, and that connection is what builds trust.

“You cannot feed them nonsense. They have to be able to trust you. I let them know that I’ve walked in their shoes before, and if they work with me, I can point them in the right direction,” said Little.

Creating Real-World Impact

For Little, success is measured in the achievements of his students. Out of a recent class of ten, three have already become apprentice electricians. It’s a milestone that fuels his passion for mentorship.

“Three of my ten students are now apprentices. That alone proves that what I’m doing is making a difference,” said Little.

Beyond technical skills, Little emphasizes life lessons, patience, and perseverance.

“My students are young. They still have a lot of growing to do. But by the time they’re seniors, they believe in what I’ve been telling them. They see their peers succeeding and want to be part of that,” said Little.

He has seen firsthand how mentorship and exposure to real-world success can transform a student’s mindset. What starts as curiosity often turns into motivation as they witness former classmates thriving in the field. By the time they graduate, many are eager to follow the same path, understanding that the skills they’ve developed in his class are the foundation for a long-term career.

Little is also deeply committed to giving back to his community. Having grown up in an environment where opportunities were scarce, he knows the impact that access to education and career pathways can have on a young person’s future. 

“I know what it’s like to grow up in a place where opportunities are limited. Now, I get to be in a position to change that,” said Little. Through his work in the classroom and apprenticeship programs, he is not only preparing students for the electrical trade but also helping them break barriers and build a future they might not have thought possible.

His ultimate goal is simple: to bring as many students into the apprenticeship program as possible.

“It’s not about me—it’s about the next generation. I want to bring as many young people into the trade as I can before I retire,” said Little​.

Mario Miller and Juan Little are more than instructors. They are mentors, role models, and community leaders whose dedication to teaching and guiding the next generation ensures that more young Black professionals enter the electrical trade with confidence and purpose. Their commitment to education and mentorship transforms lives, creating lasting opportunities in the skilled trades for students who may have never considered this path. 

Interested in learning more about how apprenticeship programs are shaping the future of the electrical industry? Visit Powering Chicago’s website to explore opportunities for the next generation of skilled union electricians.