2021 Transformation Report: Moving to Equity - Flipbook - Page 33
own company. We expect them to
serve us with diverse teams, we will
ask about their own commitments to
racial equity and help them advance
their own equity goals.
We will ensure our processes enable
diverse and Black-owned businesses
to work with us.
We will continue to ensure our policies
and requirements for suppliers and
vendors (for example, payment terms
or insurance and financial requirements) do not contribute to systemic
racism or cause obstacles for Blackowned or diverse businesses.
“Moving toward racial equity isn’t just
about increasing the business we do
with Black- and minority-owned businesses, although that’s part of it. It also
involves working with business leaders
and organizations across our service
territory to create jobs and the type of
economic opportunity that helps lift
up our communities so that they thrive
– particularly those that historically
have been underrepresented,” said
Stan Connally, executive vice president,
Operations, and president and CEO of
Southern Company Services.
That’s why we have pledged to increase
the business we do with Black- and
minority-owned suppliers. It’s the
reason we are committed to developing
programs coordinated with advocacy
and community groups that support
jobs and bolster economic development.
Progress
Update
Georgia companies tap Blackowned business in industry
where there are few
One of the many businesses participating in our Supplier Diversity Business
Development Program, Milhouse, has
seen much growth since it first started
as a Nicor Gas supplier. Since completing Southern Company Gas’ supplier
diversity program in 2012, the business
has expanded to provide services across
Southern Company Gas’ service territory
and most recently to Georgia Power.
Milhouse Forestry, began a new vegetation-management partnership with
Georgia Power in 2021 that is expected
to create more than 100 local jobs.
Milhouse Forestry is a diverse, innovative vegetation management company
that provides line-clearance services
to utilities. Managing vegetation near
powerlines is important to ensuring
reliability and allows for easier line
maintenance.
Tapping a Black-owned business in an
industry where few minority-owned
companies operate furthers the system’s
commitment to increasing the business
we do with diverse companies.
“This relationship is a great example
of where hard work and teamwork
can unite to make the dream work for
diverse companies and diverse communities for years to come,” said Frank D.
Martin, president of Milhouse Forestry.
Supply Chain Management
improves cybersecurity of small
and diverse suppliers
In 2021, Supply Chain Management
devised a program to help strengthen
the system’s supply chain by improving
the cybersecurity of small and diverse
suppliers. In collaboration with a small,
minority, veteran-owned cybersecurity
services company – Innovative Systems
Group (ISG) – the team has developed
an approach to help small businesses
better protect their information and
digital assets.
Cyberattacks are becoming more
frequent, targeted and complex – and
small businesses worldwide are struggling to defend themselves. Southern
Company and ISG will pilot a training
course with five small businesses to
ready them to seek a nationally and
internationally recognized certification
of their expertise in lifecycle cybersecurity risk management.
Each small business will receive a
pre- and post-assessment of key
components of their cybersecurity
readiness. Participating companies will
be well-prepared to secure their internal system, regardless of whether they
seek official certification.
Milhouse Forestry
ribbon cutting
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