Dominion Energy in Richmond, Virginia, has announced a six-year, $35 million commitment in support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and scholarships for minority students.

The commitment includes $25 million in support of HBCUs in Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina and a $10 million scholarship fund for African-American and underrepresented minority students across the company's service territory. The initiative is in addition to a $5 million commitment made recently by the company and its charitable foundation in support of social justice and community reconciliation and rebuilding initiatives. 

"We all know there are no actions or words that will immediately heal the hurt caused by four hundred years of institutional racism," said Dominion Energy chair, president, and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II. "But since early June, we have seen signs of change and growth. Our country is moving forward. We are moving forward, too. This initiative is a recognition of the important role played by these institutions in African-American advancement and the importance of education as an equalizer in society. These institutions have been foundational in the struggle to improve the lives of African Americans and in the fight for social justice. We are pleased and humbled to build on our company's nearly forty-year history of supporting historically black colleges and universities."