Alabama Power Foundation empowers emerging professionals through Points of Light Advisory Council

By: Javacia Harris Bowser

Alabama’s next wave of civic and business leaders is already here, and they’re building stronger communities in every corner of the state. The Alabama Power Foundation’s Points of Light Advisory Council helps accelerate that impact by investing in emerging leader organizations and the programs that nurture their professional and personal growth.

The Points of Light Advisory Council, which is comprised of Alabama Power employees with deep community connections and a passion for service, award grants to junior boards, organizations for young professionals and nonprofits that support leadership and professional development opportunities.

“Serving in this capacity has been especially meaningful to me because I’ve seen firsthand the impact young professionals have on our communities,” said Danielle Kimbrough Spikes, who works in Community Relations for Alabama Power’s Western Division and serves as chair for the council. “Investing in organizations that support their growth is truly an investment in Alabama’s future. These initiatives cultivate leadership, encourage collaboration, and strengthen the places where we live and work. By providing resources and opportunities for emerging leaders, we’re fostering growth that benefits both our state’s workforce and its long-term community development.”

The Purpose

The council awards grants up to $5,000 to organizations serving in a variety of areas, including economic development, young leadership programs, environmental stewardship and support for low-income and underserved communities.

“The Alabama Power Foundation has taken a bold step in supporting young leaders and organizations across the state through the creation of the Points of Light council,” said Curtis Bowden of Alabama Power’s Regulatory Affairs and Points of Light committee member. “I have personally been exposed to the great work these organizations offer and how they are developing the next generation of leaders and partners throughout the state.”

While the Points of Light Advisory Council is another opportunity for Alabama Power employees to give back (employees also do various community service projects throughout the year through the Alabama Power Service Organization, or APSO), the council also provides opportunities for committee members to learn, lead and grow in their careers and communities.

“The opportunity to serve on the Points of Light Advisory Council has been invaluable to my professional development this year,” said Jacki-Lyn Lowry of Alabama Power’s Eastern Division and Points of Light committee member. “Being able to work with a cross-functional group of employees to identify ways to support the communities we serve has been really rewarding. We have all learned from each other’s unique perspectives, as well as varying levels of internal and external experience, on how to get creative and be strategic with the implementation of Foundation dollars. The dedicated funding that the Points of Light council has received has allowed our committee members to gain a deeper understanding of the role of both the company and the Foundation play in elevating Alabama.”

The People

The following Alabama Power employees currently serve on the Points of Light Advisory Council:

• Danielle Kimbrough Spikes (Chair), Community Relations, Western Division
• Maggie Beans, Charitable Giving
• Curtis Bowden, Regulatory
• Jasmine Davis, Revenue & Fuel Accounting
• Erin Delaporte, Community Relations, Mobile Division
• Trent Dillard, Community Relations, Southeast Division
• Hasin Gandhakwala, Electric Transportation
• Tonika Heard, Community Relations, Southern Division
• Gaston Large III, Power Delivery
• Freddy Padilla, External Affairs
• Anna Shelton, Power Delivery, Southern Division
• Jasmine Sledge, Community Relations, Birmingham Division
• Jason Watters, Workforce Development
• Jacki-Lyn Lowry, Economic Development, Eastern Division

The Power

In 2025, the Points of Light Advisory Council awarded a total of 42 grants to Alabama-based organizations, including the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama or ¡HICA!, and the Lakeshore Foundation which strives to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live a healthy lifestyle through physical activity, research, advocacy and health promotion.

For ¡HICA!, support from Points of Light meant the organization’s Pig Roast, an annual event hosted by the ¡HICA! Junior Board, was better than ever. Jesús Méndez, entrepreneur and restaurateur and ¡HICA! Junior Board Member, said the event exceeded expectations thanks to the Points of Light Advisory Council.

“Through their grant, our organization was able to host a successful event that gave the Birmingham community an opportunity to immerse themselves in Latin culture,” Méndez said. “We were also able to award eight students with scholarships as they pursue a college-level education. Our junior board is thankful for their partnership as we strive to empower Hispanic and immigrant families across the state.”

Elora Haney, member of the Lakeshore Foundation Junior Board, said a grant from Points of Light helped to show that the junior board’s hard work is recognized and appreciated.

“It says a lot about Alabama Power that they have created a program that is specifically designed to support young professionals, their leadership development and their contributions to causes that they choose to dedicate their free time,” Haney said. “Through this grant, we know that Alabama Power believes in the work that we do as a junior board and that our efforts are valued and matter. The Lakeshore Foundation does a great job at empowering its junior board, and we cannot wait to see how we can grow our reach and impact with this funding.”