Anthony C. Hood, Ph.D.Anthony C. Hood, Ph.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business, received Alabama Power’s 2018 Power of Leadership award. Hood was honored for his engagement with local leaders to expand access to opportunities, particularly those leading to careers and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and entrepreneurship.
As a former engineer for large companies within Alabama, Hood knows firsthand the importance of expanding opportunities for women and minorities. His work involves direct engagement with leaders in the business, government and philanthropic communities in Alabama to help them understand how to be more mindful and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups.
“I’m fortunate to serve as an informal adviser and sounding board to a number of leaders — many of whom desperately want our rapidly emerging tech-based, entrepreneurial ecosystem to be inclusive of all of our citizens,” Hood said. “Indeed, a genuine commitment to inclusion in all aspects — employment, leadership opportunities, funding, etc. — is the only way our region will remain competitive with our peers.”
In addition to working from the top down, Hood takes a bottom-up approach, working with students and community leaders through organizations such as the Birmingham Education Foundation, Woodlawn Foundation and the Birmingham Change Fund.
“This is a well-deserved honor,” said Eric P. Jack, Ph.D., dean of the UAB Collat School of Business. “Technology innovations are driving job growth throughout Alabama, and Dr. Hood has been actively involved in preparing minority youth to take advantage of these opportunities. We are extremely proud of Dr. Hood and the leadership and mentorship he provides to Birmingham’s youth.”
Hood’s work within the Birmingham community has played a role in elevating the state through community engagement and advancing the technology-based economy through education and research. Hood was selected to attend Harvard Business School this summer for its Young American Leaders Program, an initiative of HBS’ Project on United States Competitiveness, a program designed to improve cities through encouraging cross-sector collaborations and shared prosperity.
Each year, the Power of Leadership, hosted by Alabama Power, honors news leaders or newsmakers during Black History Month. This year’s awards were designed to bring business leaders together to help advance equal access to technology careers by creating an education-to-opportunity pipeline for underrepresented communities.