2025 Elevate Conference unites Alabama nonprofits and the Alabama Power Foundation to cultivate growth

Nonprofit leaders from across Alabama gathered for the Alabama Power Foundation’s 2025 Elevate Conference last month. The theme for this year’s conference was “Growing Together,” signifying the organic growth that blooms through partnerships and has a lasting, positive impact in communities throughout the state.

This year’s event was held on September 17 and 18 at locations showcasing Birmingham. It included professional development and continuing education for the nonprofits present, offering changemakers in the philanthropic sector an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning through general sessions, keynote speakers and panel discussions.

Alabama Power Vice President of Charitable Giving and President of the Alabama Power Foundation Staci Brown Brooks served as attendees’ guide through Elevate, sharing that her favorite thing about Elevate is the “serendipitous service” that results.

“You will meet someone here for the first time or chat with someone who your busy schedule doesn’t permit you to connect with for real conversation as often as you should,” Brooks told attendees. “And a collaborative project will be born here. That is the point.”

That’s why Silvia Espinosa-Laxson, development and communications director at the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (¡HICA!), was eager to attend. She attended a previous Elevate Conference in Montgomery and was excited to take part in the event again.

“I just really appreciate the intentionality from the Alabama Power Foundation in bringing all these nonprofits together. They give us time so we can connect with each other and to learn how we can continue to work with the Foundation and with Alabama Power,” she said.

At the Montgomery Elevate Conference, Espinosa-Laxson recalled connecting with a nonprofit based in Dothan that was looking for ways to better serve the city’s Latino communities.

“The beauty of this conference is that its impact spreads beyond Birmingham,” she said. “It’s also about organizations around the state and how we can create more impact for Alabama.”

Opportunity and resources

The opening keynote was delivered by Brittany Wagner, the breakout star of the hit Netflix documentary “Last Chance U,” which followed her work as athletic academic counselor to some of college football’s top athletes. Wagner, who often worked with young athletes living in poverty, stressed the importance of coupling opportunity with resources and how failure to do so is a great disservice to those in need of help.

After sharing her inspiring story, Wagner declared, “I’m just a girl from Mississippi. If a girl from Mississippi, the poorest state in our country, with the worst education system, can be a girl of global impact, can you imagine what this room can do? You matter. Your work matters.”

Innovation and ideas

This year’s conference was Jabaria Dent’s first time attending the event, and she just wrapped up her first year as CEO of Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama.

“I call us social entrepreneurs,” Dent said of those working in the nonprofit sector, “because oftentimes we’re having to carve spaces for social good, but we’re still trying to operate, create jobs and attract world-class talent. I’m looking for innovation and ideas on how to do that.”

Knowing this is a shared challenge for nonprofits, the second day of the conference included a panel discussion on succession planning featuring Jennifer Jaquess of Red Mountain Theatre, Christopher Spencer of the Black Belt Community Foundation and Catherine Goudreau of Better Basics.

This was followed by a panel on navigating the legal landscape for philanthropic and nonprofit organizations. Attendees were given the opportunity to hear from Bing Edwards of Fortif Law Partners, Liz Huntley of Lightfoot Franklin & White LLC, Janine Smith of Janine Smith Law Firm LLC and Alison Steineker of Alabama Power governmental affairs.

The conference closed with a keynote address from Sgt. Noah Galloway, a former U.S. Army soldier who lost his left arm above the elbow and left leg above the knee during the Iraq War. He went on to become a motivational speaker, extreme sports enthusiast and to compete on the 20th season of “Dancing with the Stars.”

Galloway, a staunch advocate for mental health, recounted his life story and urged the audience “to put the oxygen mask on yourself first,” and not neglect their well-being while striving to do good for others.

“Growth isn’t something that shoots out of the ground,” he said, harking back to the event’s theme. “No, it’s the roots that are in the soil, and it’s when we water our roots that we can truly allow that flower to bloom.”

Growing Together

Aimee Risser, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast, feels the Elevate Conference is exactly what those working in the nonprofit space need this time of year.

“I feel like it’s a chance to reenergize,” she said. “I’m already passionate about our space, but to hear speakers I hadn’t heard before and be introduced to new people, it’s invigorating.”

Risser also attended the previous Elevate Conference in Montgomery, where she was inspired to start a social enterprise.

“We created a coffee line to support Big Brothers Big Sisters which also supports global farmers,” she said. “And that stems from an idea I heard at the conference!”

Kimberly Woodard, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the Stillman Foundation for Stillman College, was also a first-time attendee.

“Alabama Power has been such a great partner for Stillman College,” she said. “They come in and dive into our world, but we don’t get to dive into their world. So, it was nice to see their world including how and why they make those [giving] decisions. I’ve had great experiences working with Alabama Power and their employees, and so I was excited to see the thought behind the vision.”

To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation, its grant programs and initiatives, visit www.powerofgood.com.