2021 Transformation Report: Moving to Equity - Flipbook - Page 23
Meet three HBCU grads at Southern Company
Mark Berry
Vice president of environmental and natural resources, Georgia Power,
and vice president of research and development, Southern Company Services
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED FOR SOUTHERN COMPANY?
20 years
WHAT HBCU DID YOU ATTEND?
Alabama A&M University
HOW HAS ATTENDING AN HBCU HELPED YOU AS A PERSON AND IN YOUR
CAREER?
The academic program at Alabama A&M University was challenging and prepared me
for my career. I accumulated tons of memories and made lifelong friendships that I
will always cherish. Additionally, attending and graduating from an HBCU is a strong
part of my family’s culture. Over the last four generations of my family, 21 individuals
graduated from Alabama A&M University and a total of 32 people have received at
least one degree from an HBCU. The first college graduate in my family was Juanita
Berry Stewart who graduated from Alabama A&M University in 1959.
Marsha Morgan
Project manager, Alabama Power
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED FOR SOUTHERN COMPANY?
20 years
WHAT HBCU DID YOU ATTEND?
Tennessee State University
HOW HAS ATTENDING AN HBCU HELPED YOU AS A PERSON AND IN YOUR
CAREER?
The value I place on relationship building is rooted in my college experience. While
a student at Tennessee State University, I developed a network of friends and peers
that I remain in touch with today. This network has offered me support, camaraderie
and connections beyond graduation. Consequently, as a professional, I intentionally
try to develop relationships with my work peers. This philosophy allows me to
remain connected to colleagues beyond multiple career transitions and to have a
network across our entire system.
Jesse Owens
Human resources manager, Southern Company Gas
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU WORKED FOR SOUTHERN COMPANY?
22 years
WHAT HBCU DID YOU ATTEND?
Morehouse College
HOW HAS ATTENDING AN HBCU HELPED YOU AS A PERSON AND IN YOUR
CAREER?
As a person, attending Morehouse fortified my courage to relentlessly pursue any
endeavor in which I had interest. In my career, it has led me to a community of individuals who support one another and those who will be entering the workforce.
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