POWERGRAMS

13 OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY Moments in our lives, large and small, shape what we think, how we behave, who we are. The killing of George Floyd in May at the hands of Minneapolis Police was a moment writ large for our country. Floyd's very visible death, on the heels of the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other Blacks, triggered calls for action to end racism, massive peaceful protests and some social unrest in cities across America. Alabama Power leadership quickly decided on an aggressive company response internally and externally. CEO Mark Crosswhite in a June 12 video to employees urged them that "now is the time to make a lasting change to end racism and all forms of injustice." At the same time, he said the company would "continue to be more thoughtful and intentional in how we're taking action," with the Council on Culture and Inclusion (CCI) at that time already implementing plans. One effort to promote ongoing dialogue is the "Our Shared Responsibility" video series that began July 2. Employees can watch the series, as well as Crosswhite's video, at cci.southernco.com. The series features company leaders sharing moments in their lives that have shaped their thinking about racism and social injustice. Here are their stories. TERRY SMILEY Eastern Division vice president Smiley said the killings of Arbery, Taylor, Floyd and others were very emotional for him, his family, friends and team members, particularly Floyd's death. "It shook me to my core to see a human being casually killed by someone who had taken an oath to protect and serve while others watched," he said. Smiley is encouraged there will be solutions to deep-rooted problems such as poverty as a result of conversations going on across the company and the country. "I'm proud to work for a company that values diversity in its employees, its customers and focuses on improving the quality of life of people across our state." QUENTIN RIGGINS Senior vice president of Governmental and Corporate Affairs Riggins described the deaths of Arbery, Taylor and Floyd as "horrific." The killing of Floyd, a former athlete like Riggins, "hurts me the most." Riggins, who grew up in Montgomery and played football at Auburn University, remembers his mother warning him and his brother as they headed back to college where it was safe to stop for something to eat or to use the bathroom. Riggins' mother went through her own trauma as a teenager riding a bus in Montgomery. In 1955, before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and sparked a movement, Riggins' mother and her sister watched as Claudette Colvin remained seated when the bus driver asked her to move to make way for a white woman. Montgomery Police with batons boarded the bus, forcibly removed Colvin and beat her, Riggins said. Riggins' mother ended up having to testify in the case, and her hope was that her sons would never be put in a situation like that, he said. Riggins said he has experienced racism even while he has held positions at the highest levels of state government and as an executive at Alabama Power. "For those who are not sure or don't believe that we have a systemic racism problem in our state, in our community, I can attest to that." Riggins closed with a plea to employees: "The only thing I will ask, is that if we see something, say something. If it's wrong, say it's wrong, and don't be silent." Alabama Power leaders share their Riggins Smiley

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