EEI’s member companies invest in the communities they are proud to serve and are focused on building the workforce of tomorrow. This year, as EEI celebrates Black History Month, we would like to recognize three EEI member companies that are investing in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their students.

Dominion’s $35M Initiative Benefits HBCUs

Thanks to Dominion Energy’s $35 million initiative to promote higher education equity, 11 HBCUs in Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia will receive financial support, and students will have access to more scholarships. Dominion Energy’s six-year program, “HBCU Promise,” will provide $25 million in funding to select institutions. An additional $10 million scholarship fund will support Black and underrepresented minority students across the company’s service territories. Read more in this Delivering the Future story, “Dominion’s $35M Initiative Benefits HBCUs.”

Duke Energy Looks to HBCUs for Diverse Class of Interns

During the summer of 2020, Duke Energy hired eight interns from HBCUs as part of its commitment to the HBCU Partnership Challenge, created by Congress to increase engagement between corporations and HBCUs. In 2018, Duke Energy was the first electric company to sign the HBCU Partnership Challenge, and the company continues to prioritize strengthening its relationships and recruiting strategy at HBCUs. The company also is building an ambassador program where HBCU alumni can connect with students from their alma mater and attend national events such as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. Read more in this Duke Energy Illumination post, "Duke Energy Looks to HBCUs for Diverse Class of Interns."

Southern Co. Provides $50M for HBCU Students Initiative

In February 2020, Southern Company and its subsidiaries announced a $50 million multi-year initiative to provide students attending HBCUs with scholarships, internships, leadership development, and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness. Students attending certain HBCUs within Southern Company’s service territory in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are eligible for this initiative. Read more in this Delivering the Future story, “Southern Co. Provides $50M for HBCU Students Initiative.”

Southern Co. and Apple Partner for New Digital Learning Hub

In January 2021, Southern Company and Apple announced their partnership to launch the Propel Center, a digital learning hub, business incubator, and global innovation headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, for students of HBCUs. As the founding partners, Southern Company and Apple each contributed $25 million to the initiative. "We know inequities exist in our society, and it's up to each of us to be more intentional in our efforts to make a difference and bridge the gap," said Tom Fanning, chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company. "We know more must be done, and the establishment of the Propel Center is another important demonstration of Southern Company fulfilling our commitment to move our communities to a more equitable future. Partnering with Apple in this initiative is an exciting way to connect future leaders with these critical resources." Read more in this Delivering the Future story, “Southern Co. and Apple Partner for New Digital Learning Hub.”

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