POWERGRAMS

6 "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." The soulful refrain of a man bound in shackles and chains in a prison inspired Bryan Stevenson's calling, a life dedicated to helping the poor. Fresh out of college and a student at Harvard Law School, Stevenson was working with a group that advised and assisted death row inmates. Stevenson's quiet message to the prisoner – "You're not at risk of execution at any time in the next 12 months" – forever changed both of their lives. His early experiences working with impoverished and unjustly incarcerated prisoners fueled the young attorney's desire to take action and, in 1995, Stevenson created the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery. The mission of EJI is cemented in Stevenson's continuing resolve to eliminate excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerate the innocent on death row and aid children prosecuted as adults. In honor of Black History Month, the Alabama Power Foundation led a salute to Stevenson, EJI executive director and winner of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship and Reebok Human Rights Award. More than 100 civic, community and business leaders attended Stevenson's talk, "Making History Now: The Next Generation of African-Americans Making a Difference," in the company auditorium. During the hour-long Power of Leadership program on income inequality and incarceration, Stevenson discussed the effects of these crises on Alabama and the nation. "We have people in this state who, literally, are dying for a lawyer," said Stevenson, whose EJI nonprofit provides legal services to hundreds of poor prisoners and defendants denied fair treatment. About 2.3 million men – one of every three black men between the ages of 18 and 30 – are jailed or on parole. That's an astronomic jump since 1972, when about 330,000 people were jailed. "The challenges are overwhelming," said Stevenson, who pointed out that more than 50 million Americans live below the poverty level – more than at any other time in U.S. history. "I am persuaded there is nothing more traumatizing, more stigmatizing, than poverty." He praised the company and the Alabama Power Foundation, stating that both have an important role in changing the current state of affairs and moving Alabama forward. "True leadership requires that we embrace the challenges," Stevenson said. "There is power in identity. It matters what kind of company you work for – Alabama Power recognizes its responsibility to the communities it serves. Your identity allows you to say things and do things. When we create the right identity, we can say things to the world around us." For real change to come about, he continued, society must elect to be in proximity to the issues that people face. "We have an obligation to do better for the poor, to the neglected," Stevenson said. "That work is part of changing the narrative of slavery, terrorism, oppression and poverty." Like the chained prisoner Stevenson assisted more than 30 years ago – now free and a preacher – positive change will continue in Alabama, Stevenson believes. Vice President of Public Relations and Charitable Giving John Hudson said Alabama Power is pleased to promote Stevenson's mission to empower, encourage and impact the community. "Bryan Stevenson embodies African- American leaders who strive daily to move people forward despite their monetary circumstances and to fight for the American value of equal justice for all," Hudson said. "Alabama Power is deeply committed to advancing the communities we serve and bringing positive change to our state." By Donna Cope Equal Justice Initiative founder Black History Month speaker 100% CONNECTED Stevenson spoke to crowd at Corporate Headquarters. Stevenson Photos by Christopher Jones

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