Mississippi Power receives Gulfport NAACP’s Corporate Citizen Award

Mississippi Power recently was presented the Corporate Citizen Award from the Gulfport branch of the NAACP at its annual Freedom Fund Gala.

The honor was for the company’s continued support of the NAACP and valued service to the community.

“Mississippi Power has a longstanding partnership with the Gulfport NAACP and is one of our largest supporters in the state,” said Gary Fredericks, president of the Gulfport branch. “For many years now, the company’s support of our chapter has helped to ensure that our communities are a viable place to live and work. And we appreciate Mississippi Power for that commitment.”

The Freedom Fund Gala keynote speaker was Gulfport native Stacey Abrams, the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. Earlier this year, Abrams won the Democratic primary election for governor of Georgia. She is the first black female to become a major party gubernatorial nominee in the United States.

Abrams spoke fondly about her Gulfport upbringing.

“I’m taking a one-day break to come to Mississippi because again, this is the place that raised me,” she said. “I like to say, ‘I’m Mississippi-raised and Georgia grown.’ What that means is that Mississippi helped shape my values – the values of faith, family and service. Being able to take those values, enlarge them while I’ve been in Georgia, and bring them back home to celebrate with the NAACP is just a high honor.”

The gala drew hundreds to celebrate the evening. Several community and elected officials were in attendance. The theme for this year’s gala was “A Change is Gonna Come,” and the program paid tribute to Mississippi martyrs who gave their lives in the fight for civil rights.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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