POWERGRAMS

"I can't breathe …" "mama …" – the final cries of George Floyd as he took his last breath and set into motion the most recent movement for racial equity. On May 25, Floyd died while in Minneapolis Police custody, another tragic death of an unarmed Black person, following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others in the months prior. Floyd's death set off demonstrations across the country calling for racial justice and police reform. In the weeks aer Floyd's death, some peaceful protests turned violent in cities across the country. In Alabama, violence quickly subsided as community leaders acknowledged the reality of racism and its impact on the state, while calling for conversation that could lead to meaningful change. Leaders across the state – from business to government to education – engaged in dialogue about the recent injustices, and their personal and professional responsibility to advance inclusion. Following the May events, Alabama Power quickly took a stand against racism and all forms of discrimination, affirming its commitment to inclusion. Speaking to employees, CEO Mark Crosswhite said, "Our unique backgrounds, talents and experiences should not divide us. Our diversity is a strength – we are truly beer together and it enables us to beer serve our customers. "We must value one another. By talking, listening and seeking to understand, we can help move our company and state forward. Each of us has a responsibility to foster an inclusive culture, fight against injustice and create a brighter future for Alabama," Crosswhite continued. For more than 110 years, Alabama Power employees have worked to foster and preserve the strong culture our company enjoys today. One common theme heard through the years is that employees are proud to work for Alabama Power. In 2018, the Council on Culture and Inclusion (CCI) was established to provide strategic guidance to the company's overall cultural health, including diversity and inclusion efforts. While the CCI helps lead Alabama Power's focus, employees are central to shaping the company. While inclusion is not limited to race, the recent events require an increased focus on race relations. In early June, Crosswhite charged the CCI with providing a framework for a period of focused listening across the company. Throughout the summer, employees shared thoughts on current events, assessed company culture and provided input on efforts to advance inclusion in the workplace and across the state. Tools and resources were provided to help employees increase their understanding of one another, current events and the systems of inequity that have existed for generations. To promote organic conversation throughout the company, leaders participated in an "Our Shared Responsibility" video series sharing personal messages on how the recent events of racial injustice had affected them and their commitment to promote racial equity and build inclusive communities. OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY 11 FOSTERING INCLUSION, FIGHTING INJUSTICE AND CREATING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ALABAMA

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