Where History Lives: Exploring Alabama’s African American Heritage Sites

April 10, 2026

AG Gaston Motel — Once a haven for Black travelers, the Birmingham motel became a strategic headquarters for Civil Rights leaders during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. (City of Birmingham)

Compiled by Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times

Alabama is home to a host of historic sites, monuments and museums dedicated to African American history. These places serve as powerful reminders of the resilience that has shaped the region and the nation and help to ensure that the stories of struggle, resistance, creativity, and triumph are not lost. Visiting them offers more than a history lesson; it provides an opportunity to connect with the people and movements that transformed America and continue to inspire the fight for justice today. Consider starting your journey through history with these notable sites.

Africatown Heritage House

Located in Mobile, this museum tells the story of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States, and the Africatown community founded by its survivors.

clotilda.com

A.G. Gaston Motel

Once a haven for Black travelers, the Birmingham motel became a strategic headquarters for Civil Rights leaders during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Today, the site houses a museum and a locally owned coffee shop.

birminghamal.gov/government/city-departments/ag-gaston-motel

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

More than a museum, the Birmingham Civil Rights District is a cultural and educational research center that promotes a comprehensive understanding of the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham. Using multimedia exhibits to chronicle Birmingham’s role in the fight for equality, the BCRI is a cornerstone of the city’s Civil Rights District and reaches up to 150,000 individuals each year through award-winning programs and services.

bcri.org

16th Street Baptist Church
This historic church in Birmingham was a major organizing hub for civil rights activists and the site of the 1963 bombing that killed four young girls, galvanizing national support for the movement. Still active and vibrant today, the church not only holds regular services for parishioners but also offers tours for visitors.

16thstreetbaptist.org

Kelly Ingram Park
Located across from 16^th Street Baptist Church, this park served as a staging ground for protests and demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement. Today the park features several monuments and sculptures paying homage to the movement, including the Four Spirits memorial created by sculptor Elizabeth MacQueen in honor of the four girls killed in the 1963 bombing of 16^th Street Baptist Church.

civilrightstrail.com/attraction/kelly-ingram-park

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Sites

The EJI Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama, offer one powerful experience through three sites. At the Legacy Museum, visitors travel through 400 years of history from slavery and racial terror to segregation and mass incarceration in America. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice sits on a six-acre site and is the nation’s first comprehensive memorial dedicated to victims of racial lynchings. Built on the banks of the Alabama River, the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park is a 17-acre site that explores the lived experience of enslaved people in America.

legacysites.eji.org

Edmund Pettus Bridge

Now a National Historic Landmark, the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, was the site of the brutal beatings of civil rights marchers on March 7, 1965, during the first march for voting rights. Known now as Bloody Sunday, the nationally televised attacks prompted public support for the civil rights activists in Selma and for the voting rights campaign. People gather at the bridge each year on the anniversary of the attacks to honor the freedom fighters.

civilrightstrail.com/attraction/edmund-pettus-bridge

Lowndes County Interpretive Center

Part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, this National Park Service site honors those who marched from Selma to Montgomery to peacefully protest for voting rights. The center highlights the grassroots organizing and the violence that activists faced during the march.

civilrightstrail.com/attraction/lowndes-interpretive-center

Freedom Riders National Monument
Now part of the National Park Service, this former Greyhound station in downtown Anniston was the site of the 1961 bus burning attack on the Freedom Riders. Today, this monument pays tribute to the activists and their fight for civil rights.

civilrightstrail.com/attraction/freedom-riders-national-monument

Gee’s Bend

This historic Black community in Boykin, Alabama, is known for its quilting tradition, rooted in the legacy of enslaved people and sharecroppers, and now celebrated as a major contribution to American art.

geesbend.org

Lincoln Normal School Campus and Museum

Founded in 1867 in Marion, Alabama, by formerly enslaved African Americans and the American Missionary Association, Lincoln Normal School was a pioneering institution for training Black teachers. It laid the foundation for Alabama State University (now based in Montgomery) and served as a vital, high-quality educational center for over a century before closing in 1970. Today, the museum houses artifacts, historical documents, memorabilia, videos, photos and newspapers relating to the legacy of Lincoln School.

alabama.travel/places-to-go/lincoln-museum

UAB Nursing Professor Shares How to Balance Nutrition for Long-Term Health

Birmingham Times

April 10, 2026

UAB_PamBowen — Pamela Bowen, Ph.D. highlights how understanding and applying balanced nutrition empowers individuals to make choices that support long-term wellness. (UAB)

By Tehreem Khan | UAB News

Good nutrition is a cornerstone of overall health and a key factor in preventing chronic diseases, influencing blood sugar, inflammation, weight management and energy metabolism. While there are national guidelines in place to provide a roadmap for healthy eating, Alabama faces particular challenges.

In 2024, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that 38.9 percent of Alabama adults were obese, placing the state at fourth highest in the nation. The American Diabetes Association projects that this rate could climb to 58 percent by 2030, reiterating the urgent need for targeted nutrition and wellness strategies statewide.

Pamela G. Bowen, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing who serves on the board of the Alabama Wellness Alliance, highlights how understanding and applying balanced nutrition empowers individuals to make choices that support long-term wellness and helps prevent and manage chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes.

Common nutrition myths

Nutrition advice often is surrounded by misconceptions that can make healthy eating feel confusing or restrictive. One common myth is that carbohydrates are inherently “bad” or cause weight gain.

“Foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables are healthy sources of carbohydrates that provide essential energy, fiber and nutrients,” Bowen said. “The key is choosing high-quality, minimally processed carbohydrate sources rather than refined options.”

Skipping meals is frequently believed to support weight loss, yet this approach can backfire.

“Missing meals may increase hunger later in the day, leading to overeating, and may slow metabolism,” Bowen said. “Consuming regular, balanced meals with planned healthy snacks is generally more effective for long-term weight management.”

Another widespread myth is that foods labeled as natural or organic are always healthier. Bowen emphasizes the importance of reading food labels.

“While foods may be labeled organic, they do not automatically indicate better nutritional value,” Bowen said. “Reading food labels and understanding ingredient quality is equally important.”

Healthy lifestyle habits

Incorporating practical, daily healthy habits can help prevent chronic illnesses like Type 2 diabetes. One effective tool is the “balanced plate” method, widely recommended by the CDC and the ADA. This approach emphasizes balance over restriction and supports steady blood sugar levels while allowing variety and enjoyment.

A “balanced plate” focused on balance over restriction helps prevent chronic illnesses tremendously. (UAB)

A balanced plate includes:

Half the plate with non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, zucchini or broccoli
One quarter of the plate with lean protein, including chicken, fish or eggs
One quarter of the plate with carbohydrates such as brown rice, beans or whole-grain pasta
A healthy fat, such as avocado, nuts or olive oil

Other practical habits include:

Watching portion sizes
Checking food labels
Avoiding skipped meals
Pairing carbohydrates with protein or fiber to help maintain stable blood sugar and prevent early hunger

Foods to prioritize and limit

When managing blood sugar, the types of foods chosen matter just as much as the amounts. High fiber, non-starchy vegetables should form the foundation of meals, slow digestion and support stable glucose levels.

“Lean and plant-based protein foods are important, as they slow carbohydrate digestion and support muscle health,” Bowen said. “Maintaining muscle mass improves the body’s ability to remove glucose from the bloodstream and transport it into tissues for energy or storage, which plays a key role in blood sugar control and reducing the risk of insulin resistance.”

In contrast, processed or refined carbohydrates, such as white breads, baked goods, white pasta and rice, and sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juice and sports drinks digest rapidly, which can lead to quick blood sugar spikes and make hunger return quicker.

Bowen is heavily involved with prevention-focused, nutrition-based studies across the UAB enterprise. She serves as co-investigator and clinic director for UAB’s Brain Health Advocacy Mission which educates participants on 12 key factors that influence brain health, including nutrition, and served as co-author and investigator on the December 2025 peer-reviewed study Implementing brain health strategies in primary care: methods and baseline findings from the BHAM registry.

Nutrition is a core focus of Live HealthSmart Alabama, which works statewide to expand access to healthy foods through community partnerships, screenings for food insecurity and nutrition education. Programs are tailored to local needs and include pop-up markets, Mobile Market visits and educational resources that support healthier choices.

Birmingham’s Walk At Lunch Day Is Back, Residents Encouraged to Get Moving

Birmingham Times

April 9, 2026

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services Chief Cory Moon, center, joins adults and children in walking in the 2025 Walk at Lunch Day in Linn Park. (Photo by the City of Birmingham)

By Chanda Temple | City of Birmingham

In February 2025, Teri Sewell made a commitment to move more.

Instead of just pulling things from the printer at her desk, she took extra steps to walk to a printer in another location at her office. She cut out sugar. And when officials at her office at Legion Field started a walking wellnes program, she looked into that, too.

As the weeks passed, she shifted from a sedentary lifestyle to one filled with more steps, more water and better eating habits. She also didn’t eat anything past 8 p.m. When she ordered out, she cut her meal in half as soon as it arrived at the table and placed half of the meal in a to-go container.

By mid-April 2025, the scale showed she’d lost 25 pounds, she went down three dress sizes and the numbers for her blood pressure also decreased. The change was so significant, some people thought Sewell had taken weight loss drugs. She had not. What she did take was a deeper commitment for her health.

Today, she is maintaining the weight loss by still moving, still drinking lots of water and still watching what she eats.

“When you walk, you just feel better,” said Sewell, 44. “The sun was designed to uplift and brighten your day. It’s designed to energize your body.”

“A sunny day outweighs a dull day anytime.”

This year, the city’s Park and Rec Department will once again host its walking wellness initiative at Legion Field to help improve people’s health and get people ready for the city’s annual Walk at Lunch Day, which will be held on Wednesday, April 29 in front of Birmingham City Hall, said Tresha Moore, public relations manager for Park and Rec.

Now, every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Park and Rec Director of Fitness Jace Hamilton will lead a walk on the tarmac inside Legion Field. Enter at Gate 17. The last walk at Legion Field will be on Tuesday, April 28. Legion Field’s address is 400 Graymont Ave.

On Wednesday, April 29 people are encouraged to join the city’s BWell BHM, Park and Rec reps and other community partners in front of Birmingham City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy food trucks, giveaways, a DJ, line dancing and health resources. Walks around Linn Park will start with warm-ups and be held every 30 minutes at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. City Hall’s address is 710 – 20th Street North.

Geno Reasor, wellness specialist with the city’s Human Resources Department, said the goal of Walk at Lunch Day is to not only get people to move more but to also highlight that sitting for long periods of time every day can be hazardous to one’s health just like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Long sitting times can impact one’s posture, blood circulation and more.

“To get people to move more, we want to remind people to think differently,” Reasor said. “For example, if you plan to have a 10-minute or 15-minute meeting, why not have a walking meeting outside. It’s not just a meeting but a health and wellness opportunity, where people can get work done but also enjoy the sunshine and get some exercise.”

Twenty to 25 health and wellness partners will be present on April 29, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Andrews Sports Medicine, Fleet Feet, the Bama Health Foods bus, physical therapists, chiropractors, and those doing chair massages.

Sewell said she hopes Walk at Lunch Day will be the start of a healthier lifestyle for people, and she encourages residents to visit different Birmingham rec centers for free classes. “We have places for you to continue. It doesn’t have to stop here,” Sewell said.

McAlpine, Memorial Park and Fountain Heights rec centers offer a variety of activities and classes throughout the week. For details on what a rec center offers in your Birmingham neighborhood, please call Legion Field at 205-254-2391 or visit Park and Rec’s Facebook page.

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin says that routine visits to the doctor, paired with staying active and healthy eating habits, are good ways to maintain good health. He helped lead the first walk around Linn Park for Walk at Lunch Day in 2025. (Photo by the City of Birmingham)

Here’s a look at other free fitness classes in Birmingham:

Jace Hamilton leads a free yoga class every Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Fitness Center North, 421 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. On Friday, April 10, Rosa Edwards will lead a free line dancing class at the center from 6 to 7 p.m.

Tracy Williams leads her Tracy’s Sensational Seniors line dancing class every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 am at One Pratt Park; every Friday at Titusville Library from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.; and on the second and fourth Fridays at 1 p.m. at East Ensley Library.

Railroad Park has free fitness classes, weekdays at 6 p.m, from now until Oct. 31. (A pilates class is offered on Saturdays at 8 a.m. and a Senior Fit class is offered on Saturdays at 9 a.m.)

I Am BHAM has the following free classes:

East Lake:The STAR Church, 7400 London Ave.

Line Dancing, Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. (inside)
Instructor – Jane Stokes

Titusville: Memorial Park, 524 Sixth Ave. South

Chair Aerobics – Calisthenics, stretching and moderate walking
Mondays at 9 a.m. (inside)
Instructor – Rocquelle “Rocki” Mckeithen
Line Dancing with D2
Thursdays – 5:30 p.m. (inside)
Instructor – D2 Line Dancing Instructor

Kingston: Todd Homes Community Center, 7527 66th St. South

C3 Workout – Calisthenics, stretching and moderate walking
Tuesdays 10 a.m. (inside)
Instructor – Jerri Haslem

Bush Hills: Community Garden and Urban Farm, 1030 Fourth Terrace West

Line Dancing with D2
Mondays – 5:30 p.m.
Instructor – Jackie Robinson

City Walk (Amphitheater)

C3 Workout – Calisthenics, stretching and moderate walking
Tuesdays – 5:30 p.m. (outside)
Instructor – Jerri Haslem

One Night Only: Elias Hendricks Brings ‘Classical Soul by Candlelight’ Home to Birmingham

Birmingham Times

April 9, 2026

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

By all measures, Elias Hendricks has spent a lifetime preparing for this moment. On April 25, the Birmingham-born operatic tenor and creative producer will premiere Classical Soul by Candlelight, a one-night-only event blending opera and soul music in an immersive, black-tie setting at the historic Harambe Room.

The performance marks Hendricks’ first solo debut of the project in his hometown, even as the show itself has already traveled the world. “This is just my first chance to actually debut it in Birmingham,” Hendricks said. “I’ve been working on it in theaters across the world for a while.”

The event will take place at the Harambe Room. (Facebook)

The event will take place at the Harambe Room, a venue owned by Hendricks’ family and a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural scene for more than three decades.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. Guests will be welcomed into a candlelit environment designed to feel elegant and transported from the moment they arrive. “From the moment you’re at the door, you’re going to have candles leading you, going up the elevator into the space,” Hendricks explained. “It’s going to be absolutely beautiful.”

At the heart of the evening is Hendricks’ signature concept, Classical Soul — a genre-defying fusion born from years of international training and travel. “I trained in opera. I got a degree in opera,” he said, noting his studies and early career that took him from Birmingham to Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas to Hong Kong and to cruise ships around the world. “But soul music — that’s what we all grew up with.”

The result is what Hendricks describes simply as “Mozart meets Marvin Gaye.”

The program will weave together classical works made famous by composers such as Puccini and artists like Andrea Bocelli with soul and R&B staples from Sam Cooke, John Legend, and K-Ci & JoJo. At times, the styles will literally collide. “In the middle of that song, we change and break straight into the French opera, and then we mix the two things,” Hendricks said. “It’s a really interesting way for people to be exposed to classical music… to show them that there’s nothing new under the sun. All music is the same.”

The performance will feature pianist Byron Thomas and cellist Yogi Dada, a multidisciplinary Birmingham artist Hendricks describes as “a renaissance.”

“Everybody’s from Birmingham,” he emphasized. “I really make a point in all my shows to make sure that Birmingham is represented.”

Hendricks designed the evening as a full experience rather than a traditional concert. Guests will enjoy an elegant charcuterie-style spread and free-flowing premium drinks throughout the night, followed by a post-show social hour. “We’re going to make sure you’re fed well. The drinks will be flowing,” Hendricks said. “I just want people to be immersed in an experience that makes them feel good. We need that now, especially.”

While Classical Soul by Candlelight is a solo venture, Hendricks hopes it will grow into something larger. “This is one night only for now,” he said. “Hopefully it develops into a larger series… it’s not just about classical music. It’s about the elegance of the night.”

The dress code is black tie, though Hendricks insists accessibility is part of the vision. “It’s downtown. It’s free valet,” he said. “So you can dress however high your heels need to be.”

Ultimately, Hendricks sees the night as an invitation to longtime classical fans, soul music lovers, and the simply curious. “If you’re just curious about what Classical Soul is, this is an opportunity for you to come and find out,” he said. “You’re going to hear stuff you probably have never heard before, but also the songs that you love.”

Classical Soul by Candlelight takes place on April 25 at the Harambe Room in downtown Birmingham. Tickets are sold out but a waitlist can be found at Harambe205.com under the “Classical Soul by Candlelight” tab.

New Alabama Law Targets Birmingham’s Vacant Properties with Registry, Fees

Birmingham Times

April 9, 2026

A new law passed by the Alabama Legislature this week will require owners of vacant properties in Birmingham to register, maintain, and pay fees for buildings sitting empty for more than three months.

The legislation creates a vacant property registry aimed at holding property owners accountable and speeding up the process for addressing dilapidated buildings across the city.

Under the law, the registration fee is $250 with a 150% increase per year, capping at $1,000.

“There are parts of the city of Birmingham, especially those older communities. You have so much blight and so many dilapidated properties,” said Rep. Patrick Sellers, who represents District 57.

The City of Birmingham said in a statement that it appreciates the legislature’s support in advancing the bill.

“Our goal is to address blight more efficiently, protect neighborhood quality of life, and reduce the burden on taxpayers by shifting costs back to responsible parties,” the statement said.

Sellers said property owners need to take action.

“Fix them up, renew them, refresh them, remodel them or sell them. Do something with them so it doesn’t hinder the communities of Birmingham,” he said.

The bill will be enforced with inspections without notice and fines. Any unpaid fines could result in a lien being placed on the property.

Veronica Edwards-Johnson, president of the Powderly neighborhood, said vacant properties have plagued her community for years.

“This property I’m pretty sure has been empty probably 25 years or more,” Edwards-Johnson said. “There’s one there, and one across the street and one up the street that’s empty.”

Edwards-Johnson said she would like to see the houses cleaned up quickly.

“We’d like to see these houses cleaned up in a more expedient fashion so our community looks better,” she said.

The city said it is currently reviewing the final version of the bill and looks forward to evaluating how it can best support ongoing blight reduction efforts.

The law goes into effect Oct. 1.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

Birmingham Times

April 8, 2026

PPT_photo_Amanda Hare — Amanda Hare, New Director of Marketing & Communications at Max Transit. (Provided)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 9

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**OLE 60 – SMOKESTACK TOWN TOUR w/ PLHIL KANE & CIGARETTES @ SUNSET at Avondale Brewing Co.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3^rd.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**RAMBLIN RICKY TATE Early Show at The Nick.

**ALABAMA SO AND SO MACHINE at The Nick.

**RnB POETICALLY LIT, 5-7 p.m. at Lit on 8^th, 518 Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. with HUNCHO ZAVY, KD MCQWEEN, CAROL HOOD, DKMODE, BRIANNE SHARDAW and hosted by HEMP THE ARTIST. Every Thursday.

**3^rd THURSDAY at the Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at The Nick.

**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2^nd Avenue North

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.

**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.

**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

**FISH FRY FRIDAY at Lil Mama’s, 1200 Hall Avenue EVERY FRIDAY, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and music with Chef Dwayne “BIG DADDY” Thompson.

**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN JB SMOOVE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN JB SMOOVE – “CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM” at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**ALL YOUR FRIENDS: THE INDIE PARTY at Saturn.

**Late Night at The Nick with WAVY AWAKENING, DELUSION ZOO and CASEY & THE CATS PAWS.

**PARROTFISH with LINAR PARQUE, CAMPANULA at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT at The Nick with WAVY AWAKENING, DELUSION ZOO, CASEY & THE CATS PAW

**MAX MCNOWN – THE COST OF GROWING UP TOUR w/ ASHLEY ANNE at Avondale Brewing Co.

**FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 5 p.m. at Howard’s Unlimited Lounge & Cocktail Bar at 4010 Avenue I with food by 1918 Catering Food Truck. Happy Hour at 5 p.m. Call 205-213-9097 for more.

**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.

**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

**YARD SALE, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, 1615 4^th Court W, supporting the Youth Ministry.

**GOOSE at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater.

**HANNAH DASHER & SAM WILLIAMS at Avondale Brewing Co.

**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN JB SMOOVE – “CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM” at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**SPECIAL EVENT: THE UNTEACHABLES with STEPHEN TAYLOR + LOU PHARIS + MISS REDACTED at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**FREE – SATURN SPRING FLEA at Saturn.

**HOT IN HERRE: 200s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

**SUNDROP LATE NIGHT at The Nick.

**CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JERI HESTER at The Nick.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12…

**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights with our own favorite son radio personality D.J. CHRIS COLEMAN. Check it out for Sunday Brunch with food by 1918 Catering, music and more!! For more, call 205-213-9097. 1918 Catering is the best food for lunch, dinner or your special event. (Take my word.)

**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7^th, 2808 7^th Avenue Suite105.

**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**2^ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**4^th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with our favorite TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.

**MOTION SUNDAYS at Platinum, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. with DJ CUZZO X DJ A1 Controlling the Vibes.

**FREE – ESCAPE ARTIST at Saturn.

**SPECIAL EVENT: HEATED RIVALRY DRAG BRUNCH, hosted by: JAIDYNN DIOR FIERCE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**SPECIAL EVENT: SCUFFED REALTOR: LIVE with NICK ROCHEFORT and ALEX SCHULTZ at the StarDome Comedy Club.

MONDAY, APRIL 13

**WEEKDAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

**MONDAYS – THURSDAYS – CFJS CARES RESPITE PROGRAM, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**MONDAYS – GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, 10-11:30 a.m. at CJFS Conference Room. Open to survivors who have experienced loss within the past 2 years. Call 205-278-7101 to sign up.

**MONDAYS – DEMENTIA CAREGIVER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, 3 p.m. and/or

Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

**MEI SEMONES with JOHN ROSEBORO at Saturn.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14

**TACO TUESDAY R & B NIGHT, EVERY TUESDAY at Hemings on 2^ND Avenue.

**PODCASTING 101 at CREED63, EVERY TUESDAY at 5:45 p.m. Learn how to launch and create your own podcast at 1601 5^th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203.

**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

**SONGWRITER’S NIGHT EVERY 2ND TUESDAY at The Nick.

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.

**REMEMBER SPORTS with UOUBET and CLOVERS at Saturn.

**LEONID & FRIENDS at Iron City.

**SING & STRIP at The Nick.

**RILEY LEMONS & THE POOR DECISIONS with Music by KOTA at The Nick.

**NEW CONSTELLATIONS with JAHNAH CAMILLE at Saturn.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15

**ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE FORUM, 6:30 p.m. at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church.

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.

**SPECIAL EVENT: KEVIN AJMES THORNTON at The StarDome Comedy Club.

**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.

**DEVIN THE DUDE “420 TOUR” at Iron City.

**OMEN BRINGER + GO HANG at The Nick.

NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 16

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3^rd.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**THE CRANE WIVES – ACT ! with Special Guest LILITH MAX at Iron City.

**SORAIA with THE ALABAMA HEATHENS + THE ABUSEMENTS at The Nick.

**AUBRIE SELLERS & JADE JACKSON at the Nick.

**FREE – CORNELIUS CHAPEL SHOWCASE with TERRY OHMS, THE LADIES OF… at Saturn.

NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 17….

**FISH FRY FRIDAY at Lil Mama’s, 1200 Hall Avenue EVERY FRIDAY, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and music with Chef Dwayne “BIG DADDY” Thompson.

**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN JB SMOOVE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN DESI BANKS at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**COMEDIAN CHRIS O’CONNOR at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**A TRIBUTE TO BABYFACE, 7-10 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3^rd featuring BT Collective, Eclectic Soul and ABRAHAM THE VOICE.

**KASHUS CULPEPPER at Saturn.

**BEN FLOURNOY at The Nick.

**No LOVES, ANALOG DAY DREAM, Atomic Kids at The Nick.

**HIPPIE SABOTAGE: GIVE AND TAKE TOUR at Avondale Brewing So.

NEWS TO KNOW

WOMEN’S HISTORY IS NEVER OVER, even if it is not March!

**AMANDA HARE – NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AT MAX TRANSIT – Amanda Hare was recently promoted to Director of Marketing & Communications. Hare has played a pivotal role in elevating the agency’s brand visibility, strengthening public communications and advancing strategic initiatives aligned with Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority’s (BJCTA) long-term vision for growth. As Marketing & Communications Manager, Hare led the launch of MAX On-Demand, developed a targeted rider education and awareness campaign to increase and expand access across Jefferson County. She spearheaded the marketing strategy for the MAX Connect mobile app that is coming soon. Hare many years in strategic communications, media relations and brand development has elevated MAX Transit’s Brand visibility and expanded the agency’s digital footprint. As Director of Marketing and Communications, Hare will oversee brand strategy, public relations, digital engagement, community partnerships, crisis communications and strategic marketing initiatives including service expansion, infrastructure development and rider experience improvements. Amanda Hare’s experience, industry leadership initiatives and community partnerships make her perfect for positioning MAX Transit as a forward-thinking, rider-centered transit authority. CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA HARE!!

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS

**SUNDAY DAYHIKE at Oak Mountain State Park with Southeastern Outings.- Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. Depart from there at 2 p.m. Bring park admission fee and something to drink. For more, call 205-7719.

AT UAB

**TODAY AND FRIDAY – SPRING CLEANING FOR A CAUSE 2026. Donate attires and accessories at the UAB’s Annual Clothing Drive. 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. Things collected will be distributed among: My Sister’s Closet an outreach program of the young Women’s Christian Association of central Alabama that serves women in need; the UAB Career Center’s Blazer Closet and the Collat School of Business Career Closet which provides attire for career-related occasions for students; the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine’s Compassion Closet which provides new and clean clothing to emergency and trauma patients when they leave the hospital and Hope With Grace Foundation which provides free prom dresses and suits for local high school students. Drop-off location is UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center’s lower-level entrance. For more info: David Dada at dldada@uab.edu or Andreia Stechmann at astechma@uab.edu.

**TODAY – MEDIA AND FILM Open House, 4-6 p.m. at the Media Commons in the Heritage Hall, 1401 University Blvd.

**TODAY – MAGIC CITY SHORTS: STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE, 6 – 8p.m. in the hill Center Alumni Theater.

**TODAY – HONORS RECITAL by the UAB Department of Music, 7 p.m. in the Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13^th St., So. FREE.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

**APRIL 14 – EMBRACING NATIVES: The Benefits of Native Landscaping in an Urban Environment, 10- 11:30 a.m. with ISABELLE BRACEWELL of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Register.

**APRIL 16 – 18 – SPRING PLANT SALE – Thursday is Members ONLY Early-Bird Shopping, 1-5:30 p.m. Open to the PUBLIC on Friday, 8 a.m. – 5:30 pm. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bring your cart or wagon to get plants including: Natives, Perennials, Tropicals, Herbs, Camellias, Ferns, Trees & Shrubs, Roses, Heirloom Vegetables, Azaleas and Japanese Maples. Check and Credit Card ONLY. Rain or shine.

**APRIL 21 – EMERGENCE OF THE 18^TH CENTURY ENGLISH LANDSCAPE GARDEN, 11 a.m. – Noon with Advanced Master Gardener SUSAN HAGEN. Learn how landscape designers such as William Kent, Lancelot “Capability” Brown and Humphrey Repton and highlight iconic landscapes by Rousham, Stowe, and Chatsworth that promoted expansive natural styles. Register.

**APRIL 23 – NATURE TRIVIA NIGHT, 7-8 p.m. with naturalist HENRY HERSHEY in Rushton Garden. Register.

**APRIL 25 – EARTH DAY at The Gardens, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with live music by BROTHA JOSH, open-mic poetry by THE FLOURISH, story time with IREALLE SAUL-SYLVES, a BIO BLITZ in Kaul Wildflower Garden and other fun activities for the whole family. FREE.

**MAY 7 – ROSE IN THE ROSES, 5:30 – 7 p.m. with wine sponsor FINCH FINE WINES while celebrating the Gardens’ roses for this festive fundraiser sponsored by Shoal Creek Properties and Friends Junior Board. Register.

**MAY 12 – WILDFLOWER WALKABOUT, 11 a.m. – Noon with environmental educator and habitat gardener MICHELLE REYNOLDS. Dress for the weather. Register.

IN IRONDALE

**KEEP IRONDALE BEAUTIFUL – SPRING TRASH Amnesty Weeks: District 2 – April 6-9; District 3 – April 13-16; District 4 – April 20-23; District 5 – April 27-20.

FOR LANDOWNERS & LOVERS

FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN CO-OPERATIVES WORKSHOPS AND OPPORTUNITIES

**APRIL 17 – CO-OP SYMPOSIUM- Cultivating A Cooperative Climate is the 8th Annual Cooperative Symposium, held at the Historic Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is a cooperative advocacy gathering.

**APRIL 31 – INFRASTRUCTURE & MUTUAL SUPPORT, webinar, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

**MAY 14 – SUSTAINABILITY & LONGEVITY, webinar, 6:30 – 8 p.m.

For more info, contact: info@federation.coop OR call: 404-765-0991.

Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send your questions, contact info with your events, your things of interest and more to: gwenderu@yahoo.com AND thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.

The Flourish Alabama: Cultivating Creativity, Community and Possibility in Birmingham

Birmingham Times

April 8, 2026

_DSC1088(1) — The Flourish Alabama, co-founded by Jahman Hill and Eric Marable Jr., has grown into a dynamic arts organization. The idea for The Flourish Alabama began while Hill was in graduate school. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

In a city rich with cultural legacy and artistic energy, The Flourish Alabama is carving out something both rooted and revolutionary. Co-founded by Jahman Hill and Eric Marable Jr., what began as an academic idea has grown into a dynamic arts organization reshaping how Birmingham experiences creativity, collaboration, and community.

At its core, The Flourish Alabama is built on a simple but powerful belief: “the idea that Black people are infinitely possible beings.” That concept—born from Hill’s graduate thesis at the University of Alabama — has since evolved into a living, breathing ecosystem of artists, educators, and organizers committed to amplifying voices across the city.

From Thesis to Movement

The Flourish’s origin story is as organic as it is intentional. What started as a graduate school project between Hill and Marable quickly became something much bigger. The pair became friends while both were attending the University of Alabama.

The idea for The Flourish Alabama began while Hill was in graduate school, when he chose to create a one-man show instead of writing a traditional paper in 2019. At the time, Hill was leading poetry workshops with youth in Northport through the Alabama Student Association for Poetry, where he noticed many children associated Black identity with negative experiences and limitations. Wanting to challenge that perspective, Hill and his collaborators began exploring a new idea: that Blackness represents infinite possibility.

“I was getting my master’s in women’s studies at UA (University of Alabama),” said Hill. “I hit up Eric because I didn’t want to do a paper. I was like, Eric, I want to do this one man show. Will you be the director? I just wanted to do a poetry show, but I wanted it to be different,” Hill explained. “For the paper, I came up with this idea, this theory called the flourish—the idea that Black people are infinitely possible beings.”

This concept became the foundation of their show, Black Enough, which they developed collaboratively and eventually performed off-Broadway. As the production evolved, a pre-show artist showcase — suggested by a fellow director — was introduced and named “The Flourish,” planting the seed for what would later grow into Flourish Alabama.

From there, momentum built. A pivotal moment came in 2019 during an event series at the now-closed Freedom House. “We were doing the 10th anniversary of Real-Life Poets,” Marable recalled. Real Life Poets was a Birmingham-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black youth through mentorship, open mics, poetry workshops, and strategic partnerships with other local organizations.

“They’re OGs,” Marable said of Real-Life Poets. “They really grandfathered me into this community of poetry and activism,” he added.

“Then I was asked to put together an event series. I was trying to find a name for it. I asked Jahman if I could use the Flourish at Freedom House and the rest is history. April 27, 2019… that’s when we say The Flourish was born in earnest.”

Marable said being Birmingham born and bred has helped him along the way. “I was able to build up my network in the city,” he said.

“Jahman had the knowledge and the know-how from working with a successful nonprofit. We put our heads together and were like — it’s time to make this a real thing.”

A defining feature of The Flourish Alabama is its collaborative spirit, say its founders, Jahman Hill, left, and Eric Marable Jr. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Rooted in Birmingham

Born in Rochester, New York, Hill was raised in Kansas.

“My dad was in the military. We stayed in a couple of different places in Kansas like Fort Leavenworth and a tiny town called a tiny town called Larned,” Hill said.

Though their journeys span places like Kansas, New York, and Baltimore, Birmingham is where Hill and Marable chose to plant roots for The Flourish.

“I’m from here — deep roots here,” Marable said, describing an upbringing that stretched from Northside neighborhoods to Center Point. That local connection, paired with both founders’ experience in nonprofit work, performance, and arts organizing, helped shape The Flourish into a city-focused initiative.

Their shared background in poetry, theater, and activism also plays a key role. “We saw art and activism joining together,” Marable said. “We wanted to use poetry as a catalyst for community growth.”

What The Flourish Does Today

Today, The Flourish Alabama operates across multiple lanes, all aimed at nurturing creativity and opportunity.

Their Full Bloom Initiative focuses on youth, bringing arts education directly into schools and helping build creative programming from the ground up. At the same time, the Flourishing Artists Initiative supports working artists with professional development, workshops, and performance opportunities.

“We give them workshops… we help them practice performance… we’re starting a fellowship program, artist residencies,” Hill explained. “We’re even sending artists from Birmingham to New York.”

But perhaps the most ambitious vision from Hill and Marable is the creation of a Black Arts District in Ensley, a historically significant Birmingham neighborhood.

In 2023, the Flourish planted it roots at The Greenhouse, a community-centered event venue, creative workshop space, and arts hub located at 602 19th Street in downtown Ensley, Birmingham, Alabama. It serves as a vibrant gathering place for Black creatives, hosting poetry readings, open mic nights, mental health workshops, and events that foster connection and community.

In October 2025, The Flourish Alabama was awarded $139,000 from the City of Birmingham as part of the city’s Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) program — an economic development funding initiative that supports community-based projects.

“We’re building in Ensley… it’s kind of crazy,” Marable said. “We’ve got a dance studio coming, a music studio.”

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Ensley was home to Ensley Works, which was one of the largest steel manufacturers in the country. As that business boomed, so did the area’s arts scene. Legendary jazz musicians like Erskine Hawkins performed at Tuxedo Junction, which was located at the intersection of two trolley lines in Ensley. After Ensley Works shut down in the 1970s, however, the area began to decline.

The Flourish seeks to reimagine Ensley as a thriving cultural hub — one that honors its history while creating new pathways for artists.

The Flourish Alabama, aimed at nurturing creativity and opportunity, was co-founded by Jahman Hill and Eric Marable Jr. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

High Tea and the Art of Gathering

Among The Flourish’s most recognizable programs is High Tea, a recurring event series that blends performance, community, and curated vibes.

“It’s like an NPR Tiny Desk — but us,” Hill said with a laugh.

High Tea evolved from earlier events like “Flourish at the Freedom House,” adapting through the pandemic and shifting venues before landing at The Greenhouse in Ensley, Alabama. The format typically features two headline performers, an open mic, and a recorded set that extends the experience beyond the room.

“We didn’t go to Atlanta, didn’t go to Nashville,” Marable emphasized. “Birmingham was popping. We’re just giving people the shine they deserve.”

The events have grown steadily, often packing out The Greenhouse. “We’ve been out of space,” Hill noted. “So, it’s nice being in a larger venue now.”

This year alone, High Tea has had some of Birmingham’s biggest voices headlining the event, like Pynk Beard, Halo Wheeler, and DMNiQ.

The next High Tea event is set for Sunday, April 19 and will feature performers Te Divine and Allison Upshaw.

Built on Collaboration

A defining feature of Flourish is its collaborative spirit — something both founders intentionally built into the organization’s DNA.

“We pride ourselves on collaboration,” Marable said. “We want to be a community hub — anybody who’s got a crazy idea, like, ‘oh yeah, we can do it.’”

That openness extends to their programming, which ranges from poetry and music to workshops, wellness initiatives, and even plans for a community garden in Ensley.

The Team Behind the Vision

Behind Hill and Marable is a growing team that keeps the vision moving.

From media and marketing to operations and grant writing, each member plays a role in sustaining the organization’s momentum. “They’re incredible,” Hill said of the team. “The spark is happening — it’s pretty incredible to see.”

Notably, some team members began as students in The Flourish programs and have since stepped into leadership roles — an example of the organization’s commitment to growth from within.

The Flourish Alabama, co-founded by Jahman Hill and Eric Marable Jr., has grown into a dynamic arts organization. The idea began while Hill was in graduate school. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

A Culture of Possibility

At every level, Flourish Alabama is about more than events or programming — it’s about cultivating a mindset — one that Hill and Marable have championed from the very beginning.

That mindset is rooted in possibility, shaped by upbringing, community, and a belief in creative expression as a tool for change.

“My parents were never like, ‘you can’t do this,’” Hill shared. “They encouraged me to be whoever I was.”

Marable expressed the same sentiments, giving credit to his parents for influencing his creativity. “My mom is also, an executive pastor as well. So just seeing her organize and teach and all that growing up and then my dad is a painter, drawer, and a big music head.”

That same ethos now drives The Flourish’s work across Birmingham: creating space, building systems, and reminding people — especially young artists — that their potential is limitless.

Hill said having an upbringing centered on and rooted in activism helped shaped who he is today.

“I remember I was like five or six years old when I first saw the movie Panther, which is about the Black Panther party,” he recalled. “It was one of my favorite movies growing up. I didn’t know why at the time, but as I got older, I kind recognized and understood the importance of activism, and I saw art and activism joining together.”

As the organization continues to expand — from classrooms to stages to entire neighborhoods — one thing remains clear: The Flourish Alabama isn’t just participating in Birmingham’s cultural scene. Under the leadership of Jahman Hill and Eric Marable Jr., it’s helping redefine it.

To learn more visit theflourishal.com.

“Housing is not just about walls and a roof. It’s about stability. It’s about dignity and the opportunity to heal.”

Birmingham Times

April 8, 2026

MEGHAN VENABLE-THOMAS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, DURING THE UNVEILING OF “HOME FOR ALL” MICRO-SHELTER VILLAGE AT FAITH CHAPEL CARE CENTER. THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES, APRIL 2.

Local Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Prepares for 15-Year Celebration, Fundraiser

Birmingham Times

April 8, 2026

647405414_905392812253740_6431942580670023957_n — The Links, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans. Recently local members read to students at area schools. (Provided)

The Birmingham Times

The Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will celebrate 15 years of service and friendship at an upcoming gala set for Saturday, April 11. This “Crystal Celebration” of “15 Years of Sparkling Success” is also a fundraiser to support the community service Tri-County (AL) Chapter spearheads throughout Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties.

“For over 70 years, The Links, Incorporated, through the work of its local chapters, has provided outstanding service programs through five facets,” said chapter president Tonya B. Perry. Those areas of focus include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Service, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services.

“These programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development and public policy,” Perry explained. “The Tri-County AL Chapter of the Links, Incorporated could not provide local support without the support of our fundraising events.”

With this year’s gala, the group has a goal of raising an additional $15,000 to help support a new scholarship initiative.

“This effort reflects our enduring mission to invest in future leaders and remove barriers to opportunity,” Perry said.

At the Crystal Celebration, the group will also honor community leaders, including Dr. John C. Lyons, principal of Huffman High School and Ashley M. Jones, Alabama’s first African American and youngest Poet Laureate.

About The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.

The Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered on June 12, 2010, as the 76th chapter in the Southern Area and the 273rd chapter in The Links, Incorporated. The Tri-County chapter’s focus is on youth empowerment.

The Crystal Celebration is set for Saturday, April 11 from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Harbert Center, 2019 4^th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/15-years-of-sparkling-success-model-2026-crystal-celebration.

“They Said, ‘If You Love Her and Take Care of Her, You Have Our Blessing’”

Birmingham Times

April 7, 2026

By Mia Watkins | For The Birmingham Times

Ashley & Michael Sutton

Live: East Birmingham area

Married: August 14, 2014

Met: A year can change your life, and the Suttons are proof.

“We met, dated and got engaged in one year,” said Ashley Sutton.

Ashley and Michael met online while she was living in Dublin, Ireland, and he was living in North Carolina.

“He said that he remembers friending me on Facebook,” she said. “I don’t know when we became friends, but I do know that I used to see his statuses on my timeline. One day, I saw one of his statuses, and it was really good. He was talking about relationships and things like that. I messaged him, and said, ‘Hey, I just want you to know that I really enjoy your Facebook statuses, they encourage me a lot, keep it up.’ He said, “Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate it, sis.’ So, I guess he thought I was trying to…I don’t know what he thought.”

About two months later, Michael messaged Ashley again.

“He said, ‘Hey, I see you’re living in Ireland, and you travel a bit,’” she recalled. ‘I see you went to school also for communications and the arts. I’m also in the arts.’ Then, we started talking from there back and forth.”

Michael said a month later, the MTV show “Catfish” spurred him to connect on video with Ashley:

“I said I am not going to get catfished, so I set up a time for us on Skype, just so we could see each other on video. We Skyped and we saw each other, and I said, “Oh shoot, this woman is fine.’ We just kept talking, and several months went by.”

First date: The Suttons’ first date was truly a family affair. Ashley and her parents were coming back to the States to visit family in New Orleans. She and Michael decided to meet.

“We were just going back and forth about where we wanted our first date to be, so we decided to go to Washington, D.C.,” she said. “That’s where he met me. He also met my parents for the first time because I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know who this guy is. I know we’d been talking for like six months. I know I really like him, and he really likes me, but this is our first time ever seeing each other in person.’ Up until that moment, we were just FaceTiming, Skyping, writing emails, and sending voice notes.”

“We decided to go from a Thursday to a Sunday,” she continued. “We went on our first date at an Indian restaurant. We went to Six Flags. I was leaving that Sunday, and that’s when he invited me out to meet his family that summer.”

Michael was immediately attracted to Ashley.

“I remember her walking off the elevator, and I remember what she had on,” he recalled. “She had long braids down to her hip, almost. She had on this yellowish dress. She was looking good. I said, ‘This woman is looking fine, OK, OK, OK.’ We greeted each other, and then I met her parents. They were just warm and sweet, lovely people, as they are to this day. We hung out for a few days, went and got great food, and got a feel for each other. When you meet somebody in person, it’s different from just talking online or over the phone.”

It was love at first sight for Ashley.

“I feel like I knew when I saw him for the first time. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, this is my husband,” she said.

The turn: Michael knew that Ashley was the one for him when she came to visit in North Carolina.

“I knew at that point, because not long after, I went to my father and said, ‘Hey, Dad, this is the woman I want to marry.’ I think me meeting her family and her meeting my family was an important piece of the puzzle for me.”

The North Carolina meeting wasn’t all a joyous occasion, however. It coincided with a family funeral for Michael’s great-uncle.

“I met everyone,” she said. “His mom, dad and siblings.”

“I am one of 11,” Michael explained. “I’m number 10. So, you can imagine that I have a ton of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She met quite a few people.”

Ashley said she loved his family from the start.

“What I loved most about his family is that they’re very family-oriented and very close,” she said. ‘You could tell that they laugh a lot. They joked a lot. I thought, “OK, he comes from a good family, not a perfect family, but a good family with a lot of laughter and great memories… I can envision myself being a part of this family.’”

Ashley and Michael Sutton met online, she was living in Dublin, Ireland, and he was in North Carolina. The couple married in 2014. (Provided Photos)

The proposal: Michael proposed in Paris, matching the couple’s international romance.

“We planned a trip for me to go to Ireland,” he said. “At that time, I knew I was flying out to propose. However, she got an invitation to go to Benin, Africa, and she had a layover in Paris. We thought about whether we needed to reschedule the trip. It was a great opportunity for her to go to Africa. But decided, ‘No, I’ll still come to Dublin, and we’ll just hang out when she gets back.’”

The pivot in the trip was actually divine timing, according to Michael.

“That gave me two days to spend with her parents alone, which was perfect because that gave me the opportunity to ask her parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage,” he said. “I’ll never forget it. We were just kind of hanging around at their house in Dublin, and I called her parents down to the living room and said, ‘I want to talk to y’all about something.’ Of course, they probably knew what was coming. That’s when I told them that I loved their daughter and I wanted to propose to her. They gave me their blessing. Mind you, this is only like my second time meeting them in person, so you can imagine what’s going through their minds. They said, ‘if you love her and take care of her, you have our blessing.’ I said to myself that I cannot come this close to Paris knowing that I’m going to propose to her and not meet her at her layover in Paris.”

He flew from Ireland to Paris, and she said yes.

“We got engaged at one of the bridges where couples put locks on the bridge and throw the key in the water to symbolize their commitment,” he said. “I proposed, we put the lock on the bridge and threw the key in the water.”

The wedding: The two chose to marry in Atlanta, the halfway point between their families. They exchanged vows in an intimate wedding at an old courthouse, attended by 75 people. Michael’s sister, a wedding planner, organized and designed the event. Their colors were orange and fuchsia — a fun play on the summertime occasion.

“We didn’t want anything big, we just wanted it to be intimate,” Ashley said. “It’s not like we went to school together or we met in high school. Everything was just bringing families and friends together. We had a maid of honor, who was my niece, and a best man, his brother.”

George Stewart, the couple’s mentor, served as the co-officiant, along with Michael’s father. The wedding was ultimately featured in “Essence” magazine.

“Even to this day, people tell me that it was such a beautiful, warm day. That they could feel God in the atmosphere,” Ashley said. “We did a foot washing ceremony, symbolic of always serving each other.”

Michael said the foot washing was the most memorable moment for him.

“Marriage is an exercise in service,” he said. “Up until marriage, you’re single. Not in a bad way, but I think that washing of the feet symbolizes that this is going to be a lifetime act of service to one another.”

Ashley remembers the unification of the families.

“That was my parents’ first time meeting his parents, because our relationship was mainly long-distance and up until our engagement, we’d only seen each other two times,” she said. “[Our families] didn’t know each other, but they trusted the love that we shared.”

The honeymoon: They took a trip to San Diego because of Michael’s love of the water. Michael’s youngest brother paid for their flights. They explored and ate good food.

“We just kind of hung out and just enjoyed each other,” Michael said.

Words of Wisdom: Michael emphasizes being patient with yourself and your partner.

“You can look at other, longer relationships and think that’s where you’re supposed to be your first day of marriage, and that’s not the case,” he said.

Ashley said Michael taught her to fight fair.

“Getting into disagreements is inevitable,” she said. “You’re two different people growing as one. Becoming one is always just that — becoming. You are not on opposing teams; you are on the same team. You’re not enemies.”

Happily ever after: Michael is a pharmaceutical rep and is a worship leader, actor and musician. Ashley owns a strategic communications consulting firm. She’s also a women’s ministry leader. They are raising their 7-year-old daughter, Artist Joy, and attend The Becoming Church in Madison, Alabama.

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column or know someone, please send nominations to editor@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s), and what makes their love story unique.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

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