Southern Company receives 2022 Business Diversity Excellence Award for efforts to advance purchasing opportunities for diverse suppliers

Southern Company is honored that the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) has awarded it the 2022 Business Diversity Excellence Award. The Excellence Award recognizes stellar contributions in diverse supplier inclusion, development, growth, partnership, and economic impact.

In recognizing Southern Company’s accomplishments, EEI cited active CEO and executive-level involvement; embedded supplier diversity strategy teams across the enterprise; diverse supplier mentoring and training focused on supply chain equity, social justice, and cybersecurity; participation in the City of Birmingham’s Valuing Inclusion to Accelerate and Lift (VITAL) program in Alabama, which is designed to grow spending with minority-, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises; and Southern Company’s Moving to Equity Framework that includes a diverse suppliers investment fund benefitting diverse communities and historically Black colleges and universities.

“At Southern Company, we take great pride in developing and maintaining strong, long-term and trusting relationships with diverse suppliers that will help drive value for our company and our system’s customers,” said Johnny Howze, senior vice president of Supply Chain Management for Southern Company. “Our work with diverse suppliers helps creates jobs and fuels economic growth in communities, including those that historically have been underrepresented.” 

Over the two-year nomination period, Southern Company’s annual spend with diverse suppliers increased from $1.6 billion in 2020 to $1.9 billion in 2021.

"This year’s Business Diversity Award winners have exceptionally demonstrated their commitments to providing an inclusive and diverse supplier network," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "By continuing to be leaders, these companies are creating a better future for all and are showcasing the talents of the many suppliers that directly impact the electric power industry and the communities in which we live and serve. Each is deserving of their recognition, and I congratulate them for receiving these awards."