Georgia Power, Southern Company Foundation award more than $1.6 million in support of Georgia's Historically Black Colleges and Universities for critical technology needs

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power and Southern Company provide $1.625 million in funding for Georgia's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the Southern Company Foundation. This grant aims to enhance technology tools and infrastructure for the 2020-2021 academic year, part of a broader $50 million HBCU Initiative initiated in January 2020. Six institutions will benefit, including Morehouse College and Spelman College. The support is crucial for assisting these colleges amid pandemic challenges and fosters leadership development among HBCU students.

Positive

• Allocation of $1.625 million for HBCUs supports technology and infrastructure improvements.
• Part of a $50 million multi-year initiative enhancing scholarships and internships for HBCU students.
• Strengthens Georgia Power's commitment to diversity and inclusion within the community.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power and its parent, Southern Company, are supporting Georgia's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with $1.625 million in funding through the Southern Company Foundation. The grants will be used for technology tools, infrastructure, professional development and tech support for the 2020-2021 academic year. The gift is part of Southern Company and its subsidiaries' $50 million HBCU Initiative, a multi-year funding strategy announced in January 2020 that provides HBCU students with scholarships, internships, leadership development and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness. 

In Georgia, the six HBCUs receiving support are: Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, Savannah State University and Spelman College.

"Georgia Power has been a longtime partner of HBCUs in our state, and I am proud we can build on our support of these important institutions through these grants," said Chris Womack, president of Georgia Power. "Not only are these schools innovating for the future, they are also helping lead racial equity efforts across Georgia. Every dollar we are able to invest in them is an investment in future leaders for our state and our communities."

The latest round of grants totals $5.1 million, including the $1.625 million contribution in Georgia, and will be awarded to help alleviate challenges created by the pandemic through funding technology tools, infrastructure support, professional development and IT services to select undergraduate HBCUs within Southern Company's service footprint in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia.

While Georgia Power is a part of a growing group of corporate and philanthropic organizations who have increased support for HBCUs in the wake of the pandemic and mounting calls for racial equity and social justice, the company has been long recognized for its support of these institutions and its overall commitment to helping all communities in Georgia thrive.

Last year, the company was honored by the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) with the 2019 Louis C. Brown MD Vanguard Award for the company's leadership in improving health and wellbeing in Georgia. The company has been a supporter of MSM since 1985. During the 35-year partnership, Georgia Power and MSM have worked together to help provide science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to nearly 5,000 students through K-12 programs, the MSM Undergraduate Health Sciences Academy and other pipeline programs.

Georgia Power also has an active recruiting strategy with HBCUs for internships, cooperative education programs and full-time positions.

As part of the $50 million initiative, this allocation will be awarded to qualifying institutions in grants up to $500,000. Additional grant opportunities in support of other needs at qualifying HBCUs will be available in the future.

Georgia Power, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are committed to the success of HBCUs and fostering greater diversity and inclusion across the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What is the purpose of the $1.625 million grant from Southern Company (SO)?

The grant supports technology tools, infrastructure, and professional development for Georgia's HBCUs for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Which HBCUs are receiving funding from Southern Company (SO)?

The funding will benefit Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, and Spelman College.

What is the total amount allocated for the HBCU Initiative by Southern Company (SO)?

The HBCU Initiative totals $50 million over multiple years.

How does the funding from Southern Company (SO) assist HBCUs amid the pandemic?

The funding addresses challenges by providing crucial technology support and infrastructure improvements.

What recent recognition did Georgia Power (part of Southern Company - SO) receive related to HBCUs?

Georgia Power was honored with the Louis C. Brown MD Vanguard Award for its contributions to health and education, particularly through its long-standing support of HBCUs.