CAYCE, S.C. (June 18, 2021) – In commemoration of Juneteenth, Dominion Energy hosted a forum yesterday with four historically Black college and university (HBCU) leaders, including Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis of Benedict College and Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack of Claflin University. The forum discussion focused on how last year’s events impacted their students, how they responded to the social justice movement and what HBCUs are doing to drive social change. 

“It is my hope that during this dialogue we can continue to highlight what HBCUs have meant to the United States,” said President Warmack. “HBCUs educate 50% of African American teachers, 40% of African American health professionals, 70% of African American dentists and physicians and 80% of African American judges.”

The leaders stressed the critical role they play in advancing the social and economic mobility of African Americans by educating, nurturing and propelling the next generation of leaders. 

“I think our institutions are uniquely positioned to make a substantial contribution,” said President Artis. “We are minority suppliers of talent, of human capacity, of brain power and intellectual acumen. We are uniquely positioned to be an important part of the nation’s solution to complex problems. From the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the dismantling of systemic and institutionalized racism.”

Forum speakers noted the importance of community and corporate partners coming alongside HBCUs in solidarity, stressing that work not only helps break down racial and societal barriers, but also helps society at large by producing a strong foundation of young Black professionals and entrepreneurs. 

“Few institutions have the ability to help students of color reach their full potential more than HBCUs,” said Robert M. Blue, Dominion Energy's president and chief executive officer.  “We want to help foster conversations on the issues that matter and highlight the unique role that HBCUs play in our communities.” 

In December, Benedict College and Claflin University announced they had been selected to receive a combined $5 million in support from Dominion Energy as part of the company’s HBCU Promise^SM initiative, a $25 million commitment to 11 historically Black colleges and universities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Ohio. Dominion Energy’s funding will support scholarships, operating expenses and capital projects.

Dominion Energy’s six-year HBCU Promise^SM includes an additional $10 million in scholarships for African Americans and underrepresented minority students.

To watch a replay of the forum, click here.

About Dominion Energy 

More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.   

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