Southern Company to Hold Their Sixth Annual Evening of Excellence

ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company, in partnership with Perennial Strategy Group, will host their highly anticipated sixth annual Evening of Excellence, a prestigious awards reception that will be held in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 44^th Annual Legislative Conference.  Hosted by emcee-songwriter, speaker, and DJ MC Lyte, this invitation-only event will take place on Friday, September 26^th, 2014 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The evening will feature exclusive special performances by Grammy-nominated Ledisi, and by D-Nice during the after-party.

Featuring today's most influential advocates of change, the awards reception will honor creative trailblazers in the arts and entertainment industry including Kenny Leon, Broadway, film, and television director, and Tony Award-Winning Broadway Director of "A Raisin in the Sun;" Robert Battle, artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks. The reception will also include a special tribute to Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, and host of MSNBC's PoliticsNation.

"It's an honor to salute those who take action and constantly seek ways to influence positive changes within their communities through their noble work—especially in the areas of art and entertainment," said Chris Womack, executive vice president and president of external affairs, Southern Company. "Bringing change where change is needed is never easy, so paying tribute to those who have made that contribution is a privilege for our company, which itself has a long history of community involvement and of being a citizen in the truest sense.  We thank them for all they do."

"We're pleased to partner with Southern Company to present the sixth annual Evening of Excellence, an event that has quickly become one of the most popular affairs during a week of exciting activities held in connection with the CBCF's Annual Legislative Conference," stated Lamell McMorris, founder and chief executive officer of Perennial Strategy Group. "This year, I'm delighted that we are able to recognize four amazing individuals who have helped to bring about social change and innovation through their incredible talent and artistic vision.  Collectively, they have made great strides in preserving our culturally-rich history, while advancing the value of arts and entertainment through media and education.  I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments this week." 

Previous Evening of Excellence honorees include: Dr. Jesse J. Lewis, Sr., founder of the Birmingham Times Newspaper; Sophia Marnell, owner and president of Alexton, Inc.; Major General Nadja West; Two-Star General, US Army Medical Command; actress and education advocate Alfre Woodard; Dr. Norman C. Francis, president of Xavier University; Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., president of Alabama A & M University; Issa Rae, writer and creator of "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl;" U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee; musician & activist Dr. Henry Panion, III; Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., president of Morehouse College; CNN's Suzanne Malveaux; NFL star Warrick Dunn; TV personality and author Judge Glenda Hatchett; philanthropist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker Sheila C. Johnson; Rodney Peete & Holly Robinson Peete, founders of The HollyRod Foundation; radio host Tom Joyner; fitness guru Donna Richardson-Joyner; and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin. 

ABOUT SOUTHERN COMPANY:
With 4.4 million customers and nearly 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for energy innovation, excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant. Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer and listed by Diversity Inc. as a top company for Blacks. The company received the 2012 Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development, was named Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year for 2012 and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

ABOUT THE PERENNIAL FAMILY OF BUSINESSES:
Perennial Strategy Group (www.perennialsg.com) is a strategic advisory firm that provides government, public, and community affairs consulting services to Fortune 500 companies, national nonprofits, trade associations, and public-sector clients on a wide range of public policy issues. The firm specializes in the areas of corporate-government collaboration, banking and financial services, education, technology and communication, community and economic development, grassroots advocacy, and corporate social responsibility and global diversity. Its sister company, Perennial Sports and Entertainment (www.perennialse.com), is a premier, full-service sports agency that represents NFL and NBA players and personalities. Collectively, its agents have signed multiple first-round picks and negotiated several multi-million dollar contracts. Its team brings to the table a wealth of knowledge of the sports and entertainment industries and decades of experience working with athletes, entertainers, musicians, media personalities, and nonprofits.

Contact: Cathy Evans
404-697-9549
[email protected]

SOURCE Southern Company