Duke Energy Foundation has announced $75,000 in grants to support community and cultural programs in African American communities in South Carolina. The funding will be directed towards enrichment, mentoring, and family skills programs.
Mike Callahan, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president, emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions made by Black people to the nation, the state, and the local neighborhoods. He stated, “This rich history continues to inspire organizations that support African American communities and build upon the legacy of those that came before. Through this funding, we are proud to help shine a light on that important work.”
The grants have been awarded to various organizations across South Carolina, including the Florence Boys & Girls Club, G-Lab: Gentlemen Learning & Building Legacies in Florence, the City of Sumter academic and senior fitness programs, the City of Hartsville Pride Park, A Father’s Way in Lancaster, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakelands Region in Greenwood, the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition in Spartanburg, the Westside Center in Anderson, and The Urban League of the Upstate in Greenville.
The Duke Energy Foundation’s support has been instrumental in the development of a tour by The Urban League of The Upstate, focusing on historic African American neighborhoods and landmarks significant to the civil rights movement. The tour will include a visit to the historic McClaren Medical Building in downtown Greenville, which will house a cultural visitor center. Dr. Gail Wilson Awan, president and CEO of The Urban League of The Upstate, expressed gratitude to Duke Energy for their invaluable support in advancing social and economic equality. She stated, “Together, they are working towards creating a future where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.”
The Duke Energy Foundation provides over $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers reside. Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company, serves 8.2 million electric customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company is committed to an aggressive clean energy transition, with goals of achieving net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050.
Duke Energy’s philanthropic initiatives and commitment to clean energy have earned recognition. The company was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list.
With this generous grant, Duke Energy Foundation is making a significant impact in supporting African American communities in South Carolina, fostering cultural experiences, and helping organizations continue their valuable work.
