By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times
Tracie Threadford didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in politics. Even now as the mayor of the City of Tarrant, a town of about 6,000 just north of Birmingham, Threadford still doesn’t consider herself a politician.
“I never saw myself here. This is definitely from the divine,” she told the Birmingham Times. “I’m just a person in the community that stepped up to try to make the community better.”
A former councilwoman and mayor-pro-tem, Threadford defeated former Tarrant mayor Wayman Newton in a September runoff last year. She took office on Nov. 3, ready to address the city’s dwindling finances and need for physical improvements. She’s also eager to change the reputation of City Hall.
The division between the council and former mayor has made headlines and even turned violent. (Longtime councilman Tommy Bryant punched the former mayor after Newton made profane and degrading comments about Bryant’s wife. A Jefferson County judge later acquitted Bryant on assault charges, ruling the response justified.)
Bryant now serves as mayor pro-tem, the senior member of the council, and Threadford is making efforts to unite the council and mayor’s office for the sake of the city.
“I’m keeping my door open to those that want to walk through it,” she said, explaining that she sets aside time each month for any council member to meet with her individually to discuss city matters.
“I’m just going in with the mindset that this is about the community. This is not about me,” Threadford added. “It’s not about my ego. It’s not about what I want. It’s about what’s best for the community. I always frame things in policy, not personality.”
Moving Tarrant Forward
Threadford’s to-do list for revitalizing Tarrant is a long one, but she’s up for the challenge.
“We have begun demolition of dilapidated properties downtown,” she said. “We’ve restored the zoning board of adjustments.”
The city is also restoring its planning commission so Tarrant can develop a capital improvement plan. Threadford is hoping to help bring a major business to Tarrant too.
A Birmingham native, Threadford grew up in the East Thomas neighborhood and attended Ensley High School. But her ties to Tarrant are strong.
“My children went to school in Tarrant and my husband worked for the city,” she said.
After living elsewhere for some time, Threadford came back to Tarrant around 2018 and wasn’t happy with what she found.
“When I moved back, it was in a condition of dilapidation, and I wanted to make things better, so I ran for city council,” said Threadford, who served on the council for five years. “Things just weren’t progressing like I wanted to see them progress. So, I decided that I would run for mayor and put my best foot forward, make the connections that Tarrant needs to move forward.”
A Full-Time Job
Though serving as mayor of Tarrant isn’t considered a full-time job, Threadford, who works in banking as a compliance analyst in the mortgage department, said it has proven to be one.
“After I get off at the bank, I put in just as many hours with the city as I do with the bank,” she said. “It’s never-ending. And I don’t mean that in a bad way, but on Friday afternoon at two o’clock I know I’m done with the bank. But at any moment on any day of the week, whether it’s morning, afternoon, or night, I can be called up for anything pertaining to the city.”
Threadford credits her assistant Tracy Wright with helping her juggle it all.
“She’s immersed herself in the way that I think and the way that I will handle things, so she’s able to step in when I can’t,” Threadford said of Wright, who she said is “magnificent” at her job.
Threadford’s life outside of work and city hall is full. She and her husband William are a blended family with eight children and 23 grandchildren. She is also pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership.
Balancing school and her banking career with her role as mayor and her role as wife, mother, and grandmother requires getting enough sleep and prioritizing self-care, Threadford said.
“One weekend a month I do absolutely nothing. “Unless something arises, I don’t handle city business. I don’t work on homework.”
Threadford also loves to golf.
“I play golf on Sunday evenings at Oxmoor Valley,” she said.
Be the Change
On August, 1 Threadford will be a featured speaker at TEDxAlabaster. Though she couldn’t reveal much about her talk, she did share that, “it’s about being unstoppable, letting no one break you, no matter what they say or do. You make or break yourself.”
Threadford is the second female mayor in Tarrant’s history. When asked what advice she’d give to other women in leadership, she said, “Be open to pivoting and changing but embrace your humanity. Even though you’re a leader, never lose sight of who you are.”
Though her desire to improve her community led her to city hall, Threadford stressed that there are many other ways to make a difference.
“If you want to do something in the community, it may not be anything huge to you, but just start somewhere,” she said. “No matter if it’s picking up a piece of paper, serving on a board or attending a city council meeting and going back to tell two or three neighbors what’s going on in the community. Just get started. Be the change you want to see in your community.”
