Entergy's $20M Commitment to Empower HBCUs and Drive Workforce Development
At Entergy, our mission is to empower lives. With over a century of experience, our purpose remains steadfast: to create lasting value for our customers, employees, communities, and shareholders. This mission goes beyond delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy—it’s about being present for the moments that matter and making a positive, enduring impact that fuels a brighter future for everyone.
As a leader in the energy sector, Entergy is dedicated to developing the next generation of the energy workforce by increasing awareness and highlighting the benefits of careers in our industry. We're committed to fostering diverse perspectives, sharpening our focus, and ensuring that anyone with the talent and ambition has the opportunity to thrive.
A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
We have a long history of partnering with educational institutions to build a workforce that not only meets our needs but also supports the ongoing economic development of the Gulf South region. We live, work, and raise our families here, so the priorities of our communities and customers are deeply important to us.
In line with this commitment, we’re proud to continue our support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through a 10-year, $20 million investment. This initiative aims to uplift and empower these institutions and their students by providing academic scholarships, facility grants, endowments, workforce development programs, internship opportunities, access to resources, and financial aid, thereby contributing to generational wealth building.
We recognize the crucial role that education plays in helping individuals reach their full potential, and we are committed to broadening the employment pathways for HBCU students. By ensuring they have access to essential resources and experiences, and by closely collaborating with educators and administrators, we aim to equip students with the skills needed for success.
Through this $20 million commitment, we hope to see our partner institutions increase student retention, improve graduation rates, and expand job placement opportunities after graduation. For students, their families, and their communities, we anticipate outcomes such as greater access to capital, enhanced economic stability, and improved lifetime earning potential.
Building on Our Progress
Our dedication to supporting HBCUs fosters opportunities through education, career readiness, and workforce development. Since 2018, we have invested over $7.4 million in HBCUs within our service area to enhance facilities and curricula, upgrade technology, support mentoring programs, collaborate on research, and offer internship and co-op opportunities.
For instance, the Entergy Scholars Program at Southern University provides engineering students with practical skills that prepare them for early career roles. Additionally, our Entergy Faculty Extern Program bridges the gap between academia and industry by inviting STEM educators from regional HBCUs to participate in facility tours and job shadowing, helping them better prepare their students for careers in energy.
Investing in students and communities is central to our values, but we recognize that education alone isn’t enough. To address the racial wealth gap, Entergy launched The Power of Prosperity program in 2023. This initiative has two key components: first, a partnership with Single Stop, a national nonprofit that connects students and their families to resources and funding from local, state, and federal sources to remove barriers to student success. The second component involves partnering with Stackwell Capital to provide students with the knowledge, tools, and resources—including seeded investment accounts—to build generational wealth, which is vital for economic stability, access to opportunities, and long-term prosperity. Our shareholders have contributed over $700,000 to this pilot program, helping 1,200 HBCU freshmen in New Orleans unlock new opportunities.
With our new $20 million commitment, we are expanding The Power of Prosperity program throughout our service area, giving HBCU students across Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas access to new opportunities through our partnerships with Stackwell Capital and Single Stop.
Our goal is to help students graduate on time, with minimal debt, and equipped with the tools to build wealth intentionally. By investing in HBCU students, we are investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape our communities, drive innovation, and bring about positive change.
Looking Forward
A well-educated, skilled, and diverse workforce is essential for Entergy’s long-term success and the well-being of the communities we serve. Supporting HBCUs in our region is one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to improving the quality of life in our communities.
Entergy also partners with organizations like the National Urban League, NAACP, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development, all of which work to foster diversity and create inclusive communities.
We continue to work with local leaders and federal policymakers to prioritize funding opportunities and create a regulatory environment that supports growth. We are committed to securing every possible dollar of federal funding to benefit our customers and communities.
While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there’s more work ahead. Entergy is ready and eager to continue this journey, creating new opportunities and paving the way for a sustainable future.
As a leader in the energy sector, Entergy is dedicated to developing the next generation of the energy workforce by increasing awareness and highlighting the benefits of careers in our industry. We're committed to fostering diverse perspectives, sharpening our focus, and ensuring that anyone with the talent and ambition has the opportunity to thrive.
A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
We have a long history of partnering with educational institutions to build a workforce that not only meets our needs but also supports the ongoing economic development of the Gulf South region. We live, work, and raise our families here, so the priorities of our communities and customers are deeply important to us.
In line with this commitment, we’re proud to continue our support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through a 10-year, $20 million investment. This initiative aims to uplift and empower these institutions and their students by providing academic scholarships, facility grants, endowments, workforce development programs, internship opportunities, access to resources, and financial aid, thereby contributing to generational wealth building.
We recognize the crucial role that education plays in helping individuals reach their full potential, and we are committed to broadening the employment pathways for HBCU students. By ensuring they have access to essential resources and experiences, and by closely collaborating with educators and administrators, we aim to equip students with the skills needed for success.
Through this $20 million commitment, we hope to see our partner institutions increase student retention, improve graduation rates, and expand job placement opportunities after graduation. For students, their families, and their communities, we anticipate outcomes such as greater access to capital, enhanced economic stability, and improved lifetime earning potential.
Building on Our Progress
Our dedication to supporting HBCUs fosters opportunities through education, career readiness, and workforce development. Since 2018, we have invested over $7.4 million in HBCUs within our service area to enhance facilities and curricula, upgrade technology, support mentoring programs, collaborate on research, and offer internship and co-op opportunities.
For instance, the Entergy Scholars Program at Southern University provides engineering students with practical skills that prepare them for early career roles. Additionally, our Entergy Faculty Extern Program bridges the gap between academia and industry by inviting STEM educators from regional HBCUs to participate in facility tours and job shadowing, helping them better prepare their students for careers in energy.
Investing in students and communities is central to our values, but we recognize that education alone isn’t enough. To address the racial wealth gap, Entergy launched The Power of Prosperity program in 2023. This initiative has two key components: first, a partnership with Single Stop, a national nonprofit that connects students and their families to resources and funding from local, state, and federal sources to remove barriers to student success. The second component involves partnering with Stackwell Capital to provide students with the knowledge, tools, and resources—including seeded investment accounts—to build generational wealth, which is vital for economic stability, access to opportunities, and long-term prosperity. Our shareholders have contributed over $700,000 to this pilot program, helping 1,200 HBCU freshmen in New Orleans unlock new opportunities.
With our new $20 million commitment, we are expanding The Power of Prosperity program throughout our service area, giving HBCU students across Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas access to new opportunities through our partnerships with Stackwell Capital and Single Stop.
Our goal is to help students graduate on time, with minimal debt, and equipped with the tools to build wealth intentionally. By investing in HBCU students, we are investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape our communities, drive innovation, and bring about positive change.
Looking Forward
A well-educated, skilled, and diverse workforce is essential for Entergy’s long-term success and the well-being of the communities we serve. Supporting HBCUs in our region is one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to improving the quality of life in our communities.
Entergy also partners with organizations like the National Urban League, NAACP, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development, all of which work to foster diversity and create inclusive communities.
We continue to work with local leaders and federal policymakers to prioritize funding opportunities and create a regulatory environment that supports growth. We are committed to securing every possible dollar of federal funding to benefit our customers and communities.
While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there’s more work ahead. Entergy is ready and eager to continue this journey, creating new opportunities and paving the way for a sustainable future.
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