ATLANTA , Dec.
24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power and Microsoft
today announced more than a $200,000
investment in support of Clark Atlanta
University's (CAU) Makerspace and Advanced Manufacturing
Lab. The lab is developed to give entrepreneurial undergraduate
students the opportunity to expand their knowledge, skill set, and
market competitiveness in the renewable energy space. Through the
program, students will build an advanced solar powered generator
that will ultimately serve as a back-up energy source for their
campus, while supporting predominantly African American communities
in the Atlanta area.
With the financial investment from Georgia Power and Microsoft's
Community Empowerment Fund and University Relations team, CAU
students and faculty will also experiment with solar capabilities
around increasing Wi-Fi internet access and supporting emerging 5G
technology infrastructure. Further, this investment will give work
opportunities for students in an innovative and sustainable sector
while creating intellectual property through a community enterprise
venture.
"Through this partnership with Microsoft, Georgia Power is proud
to support opportunities for students and our state's future
workforce that will enhance their knowledge, skills and interest in
the renewable energy space," said Bentina Terry, senior vice
president of Regional Affairs & Community Engagement at Georgia
Power. "As a committed partner and champion of Historically Black
Colleges & Universities across Georgia, we are excited to partner with CAU's
students on this entrepreneurial venture that closely aligns with
our sustainability and philanthropic goals."
In addition to providing a back-up energy source for communities
during power outages, students of the program will have the
opportunity to support their local communities with solar power at
outdoor events and engagements.
"Microsoft is honored to partner with Georgia Power and
Clark Atlanta University to support the
solar powered generator student venture to empower education and
workforce development in the sustainability sector," said
Rahul Joshi, director of Datacenter
Community Development, "The Microsoft Community Empowerment Fund
awards are an important way for the company and our employees to
contribute to stronger, more resilient communities."
The Microsoft Community Empowerment Fund, created and managed by
Microsoft's Datacenter Community Development team, is designed to
support community-led and prioritized projects, increase
collaboration among contributors and award recipients, and develop
ecosystems that help deliver common community priorities. Through
this approach, Microsoft hopes to achieve long-term, systemic, and
holistic outcomes in the communities in which it operates.
"Clark Atlanta University is
thankful to both Microsoft and Georgia Power for this amazing
partnership in support of our scholars. Initiatives like this
provide invaluable experiences and opportunities for our students
ultimately preparing them to be successful in the workforce, and
that is our mission and goal here at Clark
Atlanta University," said President George T. French Jr., Ph.D.
CAU students are currently working on a prototype of the first
solar powered generator. Projects like this align with Clark Atlanta's student leadership development
goals in 2022.
About Clark Atlanta
University
Established in 1988 by the historic
consolidation of Atlanta
University (1865) and Clark College
(1869). Clark Atlanta University
continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African American tradition
and focused on the future. Through global innovation,
transformative educational experiences, and high-value engagement.
CAU cultivates lifted lives that transform the world. Notable
alumni include: James Weldon
Johnson; American civil rights activist, poet, and
songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing) "The Black National
Anthem"; Ralph David Abernathy Sr.,
American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television
and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony
Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque
Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and
Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice
President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and
Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about
Clark Atlanta University, visit
www.cau.edu.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural
gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.
Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its
customers every day and the Company is recognized by J.D. Power as
an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information,
visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the Company on
Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram
(Instagram.com/ga_power).
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SOURCE Clark Atlanta University