2021 Transformation Report: Moving to Equity - Flipbook - Page 31
Mississippi Power President and CEO
Anthony Wilson joined more than 100
state business and industry leaders in
2020 in lending their support to legislators to change the state flag.
Mississippi was the only state that still
contained the imagery of the racially
divisive Confederate battle flag in its
design. The Mississippi Economic Council,
with Wilson as chair, led this historic
initiative to change the flag and move
Mississippi forward.
“Our state flag should bring us together
and not divide us,” Wilson said. “The
current state flag, in addition to being
divisive, remains an impediment to our
pursuit of economic development and
job creation. It also perpetuates perceptions of our state we continually seek
to overcome. We need to move forward
with a new flag that unites us and welcomes everyone.”
Following the campaign, Mississippi
lawmakers voted to remove the controversial flag, which was adopted in
1894. A state commission selected final
decisions for a new flag from more than
3,000 submissions to the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History for
consideration. The final design, called
the Magnolia Flag, was approved by the
public in the general election.
Progress Update
Mississippi Power
advocated for changes
to state flag
Nicor Gas’ critical role in
bringing energy choice
to Hopkins Park in
Pembroke Township
Nicor Gas collaborated with
state, local and civil rights
leaders to bring equity and
energy choice to Hopkins
Park and Pembroke Township,
a predominantly Black community in Illinois.
The Pembroke Township Natural Gas
Investment Pilot Program Act, signed
into Illinois law in 2021, changed the
funding requirement for large community projects and will allow for Nicor
Gas to extend its natural gas infrastructure to the community allowing for
energy choice for those who want it.
The introduction of natural gas as an
energy choice is a milestone for the
rural community that is approximately
70 miles south of Chicago. Not only is it
a low-cost, reliable energy source that
eight out of 10 Illinois homes use for
cooking and to stay warm but having
access to natural gas can bolster economic and infrastructure investments
and lead to job creation. Without this
energy choice, residents are forced to
use propane, wood burning and other
potentially dangerous heating methods
that pose health risks and fire hazards.
Bringing natural gas to the village of
Hopkins Park is a longtime, organic
initiative driven by the residents of
the community and supported by
numerous advocates, including state
and local leaders and elected officials,
national organizations like Rainbow
PUSH and businesses like Nicor Gas.
Southern Company expands
partnership with Faith &
Politics Institute
Southern Company is expanding its
longstanding partnership with the
Faith & Politics Institute (FPI) by
supporting its Congressman John
Lewis Scholars, Fellows and Rising
Corporate Leaders Program, which
will build a nationwide network of
emerging leaders driving positive
social change.
The program enables students to learn
from changemakers of history, contemporary nonviolence practitioners and
civil rights leaders. During two trips to
Washington, D.C, participants will connect with representatives from national,
state and local government, businesses
and nonprofits engaged in social impact
work. They will also join members of
Congress on FPI’s annual Civil Rights
Pilgrimage and complete an oral history
project through a range of applications.
“After the passing of Rep. Lewis in
2020, it became clear FPI must prioritize building a network of young leaders inspired by him and empowered
by Dr. King’s principles of nonviolence
to become changemakers in their local
communities,” said Kristen Farrington,
FPI director of educational programs.
New partnership with
Faith & Politics Institute
honors the late Rep. John Lewis.
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