What A Year We Had!
Reflections and Highlights From 2025 by Sharon Phillip, Arm in Arm
So much has transpired over the past year. How can we summarize it all? There were both challenges and successes, but through it all, we have evolved as an organization and are genuinely proud of our achievements. Here are a few quick highlights.
Starting the Year Off With A Bang!
We kicked off the year with the release of our very first documentary, “Exposing the Unspoken: Behind the Power 4 Southern People NOT Southern Company Movement.” The documentary follows Arm in Arm, their partners and community leaders as they expose Southern Company and their affiliates, Mississippi Power, Alabama Power, and Georgia Power, shining a light on their unfair billing and predatory practices. The documentary challenges the narrative Southern Company pushes that they are a good neighbor, and instead amplifies the voices of families and individuals impacted by the monopoly energy company’s predatory and dirty business practices.. To our delight, we received not just one, but two Bronze Telly© Awards, recognizing our work.
Since its premiere, Exposing the Unspoken has emerged as a valuable resource for our partners and organizations like Black Voters Matter, raising awareness about utility justice. This documentary has also played a crucial role in educating communities on the significance of engaging with local officials, particularly our Public Service Commissioners, regarding the necessity for fair billing practices and policies. The issues highlighted in the documentary continue to drive up utility costs and worsen energy burdens across Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
It’s Time for People Power
Another standout moment of the year was the debut of our People Power Podcast. Hosted by Rev. Michael Malcom and Lindsay Harper, we delve into topics such as the climate crisis, environmental justice, and racial equity, while also addressing the challenges experienced by our communities—particularly those of color. In a time characterized by division and misinformation, our goal is to tackle these issues with facts, integrity, and compassion for the individuals we serve.
Reclaiming Humanity in the Age of Automation - Welcome to -AI
In October, we launched our latest campaign, -AI (Minus AI). Our mission is to assist communities in reclaiming their humanity amidst the rise of automation. We explore the concept of Ethical Resistance, which merges ethical principles with the act of opposing specific actions, policies, or systems. This form of activism or protest is driven by moral and ethical considerations, striving to instigate change while remaining true to ethical standards.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the genuine costs associated with AI and the data centers required to sustain them. This includes the rising energy demands leading to higher utility bills, the excessive water usage needed for cooling these facilities, and the pollution generated as a result.
Looking Forward to 2026!
Look out for our latest documentary, “Moving From Resilience to Restoration,” which explores our collaboration with partners in the Gulf South. Join us on a journey across the region as we examine the challenges faced by many low-wage communities and communities of color who share their experiences grappling with the severe impacts of the climate crisis. Together, we will explore the development of programs aimed at uplifting these communities and aiding their recovery from the traumas caused by extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and limited access to government assistance.
We are extremely proud of our accomplishments over 2025, and eagerly anticipate an even more successful 2026. This progress would not have been achievable without the unwavering support from our partners, community leaders, and individuals like you. We encourage you to keep liking, following, and sharing our content. We invite you to discover more about our organization and explore how you can join us in the movement for change. If you would like to support our programs and the work we do please consider donating to The People’s Justice Council today.
To hear more about our highlights from 2025, check out the latest episode of the People Power Podcast. Now available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Youtube and right here on Substack. We invite you to be a part of the conversation. We wish everyone a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Solid work framing utility justice alongside the data center issue. The connection between Southern Company's practices and the new AI infrastructure demands is somethign most coverage misses entirely. We've seen similar tensions in the Pacific NW where hyperscalers are basically negotiating direct with utilitites while ratepayers get stuck with the bill. The -AI campaign's focus on tangible costs (energy, water, pollution) cuts through alot of the abstract discourse.
Thank you, AI Architect. Our goal is to help people connect the dots so they see how the push for more AI and Data Centers can effect their energy burden. So glad that message came across. Looking forward to reading more of your content.