2021 Transformation Report: Moving to Equity - Flipbook - Page 21
Southern Company
provides $10 million
in grants to foster
HBCU talent
In December 2021, Southern
Company announced $10 million in grants via the Southern
Company Foundation to fund a
new and innovative collaboration
between INROADS, Inc., one of
the nation’s largest nonprofit
developers of underrepresented
talent; United Negro College Fund
(UNCF); and the Thurgood Marshall
College Fund, global leaders in
providing students at HBCUs with
financial support for academic
opportunities.
“Advancing education equity is one of
the pillars of our social justice strategy,
with a specific focus on building on
the already strong relationships we
have established across the Southern
Company system businesses with
HBCUs,” said Chris Womack, Georgia
Power president and CEO.
The collaboration is focused on job
training for the next generation of business and community leaders. Together,
INROADS, UNCF and Thurgood Marshall
College Fund will provide students and
HBCU campuses with scholarships,
endowments and paid internships.
The scholarships and endowments will
be essential to helping HBCUs establish
or grow programs in STEM, urban planning, architecture and other programs
related to the sustainability industry,
while also solving an opportunity gap
that plagues talent of color.
“Degrees matter. Careers matter. Impact
also matters. Imagine the impact of this
initiative as graduates pursue careers
focused on developing and ensuring the
viability of our communities! Thanks
to the Southern Company Foundation
for this important investment and
innovative collaboration with UNCF and
Thurgood Marshall College Fund. This
investment will go a long way to provide
sustainable impact for HBCUs, their
students and our communities,” said
Forest T. Harper Jr., president and CEO,
INROADS, Inc.
Transformation Report
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