Dominion Energy Recognized By South Carolina Chamber Of Commerce For $35 Million In Contributions To 11 HBCUs Institutions

Press release from the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce:

November 18, 2021

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the state’s leading voice for business, has presented six South Carolina Companies with its Excellence in Workplace Diversity & Inclusion Award. These exemplary businesses, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, Boeing, Dominion Energy, UPS and Wells Fargo, have each made investments in programs or initiatives that inspire progress toward diversity, inclusion and economic wellbeing for all. The honors were presented at the Chamber’s Annual Summit November 2.

“When we think about the events of the past year, the George Floyd murder, hate crimes against Asian Americans and other injustices against marginalized people, we believe it is important to recognize businesses that have made significant contributions toward eliminating systemic discrimination,” said Bob Morgan, president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber. “The business community thanks these businesses who are making strong efforts to stand against such inequities and support equity for all.”

Bank of America has committed $1.25 million toward advancing racial equality and economic opportunity. It’s Pathways from Prison program at Claflin University enables incarcerated individuals to receive federal funding to enroll in postsecondary programs offered by local colleges and universities or through distance learning. Bank of America has also committed $500,000 to the Minority Business Accelerator, which supports high-potential minority-owned firms by providing targeted training, access to business coaches and access to large corporations. The program is open to socially or economically underrepresented businesses including those that are minority-owned, woman-owned or veteran-owned. Bank of America has also made significant investments in the International African American Museum and Midlands Technical College Foundation’s Quick Jobs Program.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC is committing funding to the state’s five, private four-year Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to help with immediate financial needs. Those schools are Allen University and Benedict College, both in Columbia; Claflin University in Orangeburg; Morris College in Sumter; and Voorhees College in Denmark. The funding will benefit more than 6,300 students and the faculty that serve them. Allen, Benedict, Claflin and Morris will use nearly $2 million to upgrade IT network security and bandwidth. All five schools will receive nearly $3 million to help students struggling financially return to college. Benedict will use $400,000 to provide nursing and counseling services to its students.

This press release was produced by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.