Morehouse College, along with three other historically Black higher education institutions have received funding to establish new endowed professorships through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Sustainable Communities Initiative (HBCU SCI).
Funded by the Southern Company Foundation, HBCU SCI is a collaborative program overseen by INROADS, the United Negro College Fund, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The initiative aims to empower students at HBCUs in Southern Company’s service areas with the awareness, skills, and opportunities to become informed leaders in sustainability. The Southern Company is a leading energy supplier serving 9 million customers.
Thanks to the HBCU SCI, Morehouse College, Hampton University in Virginia, Tennessee State University, and Virginia State University have each received $500,000 matching grants to increase their sustainability-related academic programs and research. These awards – the latest additions to Southern Company’s ongoing pledge to invest $50 million in HBCUs – follow two other matching grants presented by the foundation in 2023 to create endowed professorships at Clark Atlanta University and Stillman College in Alabama.
Morehouse will enhance its Center for Sustainability and Innovation and establish a sustainability minor. At Hampton, the grant will be used to expand its Center for Atmospheric Sciences, which addresses global issues in air quality, climate change, renewable energy, and environmental justice. Tennessee State will also create a new minor program, as well as a certificate program in sustainability. At Virginia State, the new funds will focus on advancing AI-driven agricultural research and climate-smart solutions.
“The Southern Company Foundation is excited to support HBCUs through these endowed professorships,” said Myra Bierria, president of the foundation. “This initiative reflects our belief in education as a catalyst for real-world solutions to sustainability opportunities.”