By Ebony Flake
Published 01-31-25
Submitted by Southern Company
Originally published on ESSENCE
For many Black southerners, the end of Jim Crow marked the beginning of covert discrimination—systems that, on their surface, signaled progress but kept discriminatory power dynamics in place. It was within this societal context that Chris Womack came of age. “I was born and raised in South Alabama, growing up in the sixties,” he explained. “When I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to have a different experience.”
Womack set that goal into motion, moving to the Midwest to study political science at Western Michigan University. He went on to pursue graduate studies at American University in Washington, D.C. While there, his appetite for politics was honed, setting sights on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative aide to former Congressman Leon Panetta. “It was an incredible experience,” he recalled, but Womack’s political aspirations were short-lived. “After I got married and had my first daughter, my wife and I at the time decided to move back to Alabama to be closer to family,” he shared. That decision led him to Birmingham and eventually to the helm of one of the world’s largest electricity producers.
As CEO of Southern Company, the nation’s second-largest utility provider, Womack has come full circle. While his initial dream of creating change through politics shifted, his leadership now impacts over nine million residents across the Southeast.
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Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
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