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Birmingham to Host Weeklong Series of Events for Small Business Week 2026

By
Birmingham Times
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Monique Shorts, Senior Program Manager from IEO Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity (OBDO), Coreata R. Houser, Director of Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity (IEO) and Dorothy George, Small Business Relationship Coordinator (OBDO). (Provided)

The Birmingham Times

Birmingham will host a series of events May 3-9 as part of Small Business Week 2026, offering resources, workshops, and networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has celebrated National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Birmingham Small Business Week 2026, which coincides with the national observance, is designed to connect local business owners to the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to grow and scale.

Centered on the theme “Build Big: Elevate Your Vision. Empower Your Journey,” Birmingham Small Business Week will bring together entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, lenders, corporate partners, and ecosystem builders to help strengthen Birmingham’s small-business landscape.

Hosted by the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, the weeklong lineup features programming for entrepreneurs at every stage.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Birmingham’s economy,” said Coreata’ R. Houser, Director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “This week is about more than celebration. It’s about creating real pathways for growth, ensuring our entrepreneurs have the resources, relationships, and support they need to succeed.”

Throughout the week, participants can attend a range of events, including:

SUNDAY, MAY 3 – Build Big. Live Well: Reset, Recharge & Rise: Start the week with a welcoming wellness experience focused on reset, reflection, and renewal for the business community. 12–3 p.m. | Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

MONDAY, MAY 4 – Grounds for Conversation Powered by the Birmingham Business Alliance: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs over coffee and engage with BBA’s Small Business team, which supports growth in Birmingham. 7:30–9 a.m. | Toasted Yolk, 231 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233

TUESDAY, MAY 5 – Small Business Intensive Open House Powered by the Birmingham Business Alliance: Learn about BBA’s Small Business Intensive, hear from past participants, and access tools and connections to support business growth. 5–8 p.m. | BBA Office, 2117 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 – Build Big. Scale Impact: Advancing Nonprofit Success: Join a conference experience focused on nonprofit growth, funding, and community impact. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | The Forum, 950 22nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 – Youth Pitch Competition: Support emerging young entrepreneurs as they present innovative ideas and solutions. 5–8 p.m. | The Forum, 950 22nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

THURSDAY, MAY 7 – BBA Luncheon: Build Big & Grow: Attend a dynamic luncheon featuring insights on branding, communication, and growth to elevate your business. 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | The Florentine, 2101 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

THURSDAY, MAY 7 – Build Big: Leading, Lifting + Legacy (Women in Business): Celebrate women entrepreneurs, leadership, and lasting community impact in an engaging evening event. 5–8 p.m. | The Forum, 950 22nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

FRIDAY, MAY 8 – Build Big Business in Birmingham and Beyond: Participate in a high-impact conference focused on scaling, capital access, and sustainable business growth. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Innovation Depot, 1500 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

FRIDAY, MAY 8 – Founders & Networking Mixer Powered by Magic City Sips: Meet founders, partners, and leaders in an energetic networking environment. Small Business Week represents a coordinated investment in Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together public, private, and community partners to strengthen small business sustainability, expand access to capital, and drive long-term economic growth. 6–8:30 p.m. | Mayawell Tequila Bar, 2900 4th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233

“This is where vision meets execution,” said Monique Shorts, Senior Program Manager for the Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity. “We are creating intentional spaces where entrepreneurs can connect, access opportunities, and take meaningful steps to grow their businesses.”

Network Navigator expands programming

In addition to the city’s events, Network Navigator will present a series of programs during the same week.

Founded by Naila Jackson, Network Navigator Day launched in May 2024 as a single event. This year, the organization expands its efforts with Network Navigator Small Business Week, a slate of three events aimed at supporting Birmingham entrepreneurs.

“Birmingham is becoming a model for what small business ecosystem coordination can look like,” Jackson said. “We are not waiting for resources to come to our community. We are building the infrastructure that connects our community to resources.”

The week will begin Sunday, May 3, at 5 p.m. at The Fennec with the Network Navigator Small Business Awards, which will recognize local business leaders shaping the city’s economic future. Tickets are $50, with a portion of proceeds supporting the launch of the Navigator Startup Fund, which will provide early-stage financial assistance to individuals entering entrepreneurship after a layoff or other financial disruption.

On Tuesday, May 5, Network Navigator will partner with the Birmingham Public Library to launch the NavigateBHM Kiosk, an initiative designed to embed business resources within the city’s public library system.

On Wednesday, May 6, Network Navigator Day will return for its third year at the Auburn University Urban Studio in downtown Birmingham. With the theme “Tech Meets Main Street,” the free all-day summit will feature hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, industry roundtables and opportunities to connect directly with capital providers and technical assistance organizations.

A key component of this year’s event is Capital Connect, an initiative designed to address barriers to funding. The program will match entrepreneurs with capital providers for focused 10- to 15-minute sessions, offering real-time feedback on funding readiness, introductions to lending and investment opportunities and guidance on next steps.

“Everybody talks about funding. But what actually changes outcomes is access,” Jackson said. “Access to the right information, the right people and the right support at the right time.”

Full event schedule for Birmingham Small Business Week is available at ieo.birminghamal.gov/bhmup. To register for Network Navigator Day, visit networknavigatorday.com. Tickets for the awards event and additional information are available at navigatebhm.com.

Birmingham Stallions Prepare for Home Opener Saturday Against Orlando Storm

By
Birmingham Times
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The Stallions and their fans showed love during a 2023 victory parade in downtown Birmingham. (File)

By Abby Haymond | WBRC

The Birmingham Stallions joined their fan base for a pep rally Friday night as the team prepares for their home opener Saturday against the Orlando Storm.

The energy at the rally made one thing clear: Birmingham is ready for game day.

“I need them and the shirtless section and everybody being as loud as possible,” said Stallions head coach AJ McCarron.

The fan club, known as the Horsemen, led the charge at the rally.

“This team looks like it’s here to stay, and if Birmingham gets behind it, you know, there’s no telling what we can do,” a Horseman said.

AJ McCarron is the head football coach of the Birmingham Stallions. (ufl.com)

The team is hoping to see a crowd bigger than ever before. One fan said 15,000 tickets have been sold.

The Stallions are 1-2 on the season in the UFL heading into Saturday’s game.

“I think we’ve showed a lot of resilience, resiliency, and just in terms of fighting back and never really been out of the fight. I think we’ve honed in on the details and I think the small details will enable us to overcome the hump,” said safety Lukas Denis.

Players and coaches said they are ready for their next win, but they cannot do it without the help of their fans.

“Hopefully, tomorrow we have a crowd that’s bigger than anything we’ve had before and and it’s an atmosphere that not only amps up our players, but you know, brings a little bit of fear into the opponent,” McCarron said.

Blake Muir, leader of the Horsemen, said, “We no longer have to choose between Auburn and Alabama. We are all Stallions fans when we come to protect and to show on the Stallions.”

The fan fest starts Saturday at 1:30 p.m. before kickoff at 3 p.m. Gucci Mane, a Bessemer native and rap artist, will perform at halftime.

Gucci Mane will be performing at halftime of the Sunday, April 18 Birmingham Stallions home opener. (Provided)

Rep. Sewell Presses RFK on 2024 Comments He Made Suggesting Black Children Should Be ‘Re-Parented’

By
Birmingham Times
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During a Thursday House Ways and Means Committee hearing, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his previous comments. (Screengrab)

sewell.house.gov

Washington D.C. — During a Thursday House Ways and Means Committee hearing, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about his previous comments suggesting that Black children with ADHD should be “re-parented.” Sewell pressed the Secretary to clarify and account for those remarks, which he now falsely denies.

Rep. Terri Sewell

In her opening, Sewell noted that the Secretary has made “a number of outlandish and frankly disturbing comments — both before and during [his] tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services.” Sewell cited a 2024 interview in which Kennedy discussed ADHD diagnoses among Black children and suggested that some should be “re-parented.”

When asked directly about his comments, Kennedy falsely denied making them despite publicly accessible online footage.

Sewell pressed Kennedy about his qualifications, noting that he is not a board-certified physician, has no medical degree, and has never parented a Black child. She underscored the implications of his comments, stating that despite this lack of medical training, he appeared to suggest “that the federal government should take Black children away from their families, re-parent them, and send them off to ‘wellness farms’ instead of providing them with evidence-based medical care.”

Sewell reminded the Secretary of our nation’s “long and painful history of separating Black children from their families,” from slavery to Jim Crow to modern child-welfare disparities. She emphasized that Black children are still removed from their homes at disproportionately high rates, often due to systemic bias rather than actual harm.

“For you to suggest that Black families are not capable of raising their own children is deeply offensive,” Sewell said.

Sewell also implored the Secretary to consider the impact of his words given the enormous power he yields.

“When you suggest re-parenting Black children, when you sow doubt about the safety of vaccines, and when you promote unproven statements that have no basis in science, you endanger the lives of everyone across this nation.”

Sewell concluded, “I expect, and the American people expect, that you choose your words with sincereness and with seriousness — the seriousness that your position demands. American lives are at stake, and it’s time that you start acting like it, sir.”

Innagural BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week Focuses on Community, Clothing, Health

By
Birmingham Times
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Fashion designer and celebrity stylist Perry Varner. (Provided)

By Ameera Steward | The Birmingham Times

After completing his 2025 collection, fashion designer and celebrity stylist Perry Varner wanted to throw a party to celebrate the release of his clothing line. But as word got out and more men wanted to be involved, Varner — an Alabama native, author, and all-around socialite — felt called to do more. The idea for BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week was born.

Birmingham is invited to a week focused on fashion, community, and the importance of men’s health. Events begin on April 29, 2026.

“Once I put [the idea] on paper [and] prayed about it…I looked at the name Birmingham and I just changed the name to BirmingHIM, everything was about him,” Varner told the Birmingham Times. “It was about menswear. It was about wellness, men’s health – all these [different aspects] kept coming into play, and I kept saying that I wanted to do something bigger.”

The purpose of this event is to elevate platforms for designers and creatives but to also connect them to access not just within the fashion industry, but access to mental health resources, STD and HIV testing, prostate cancer testing, “all the things that men suffer from, we’re going to use the platform to connect them,” Varner said.

The entire week of events is free excluding the actual fashion show which costs $25 for general admission and $50 for the VIP experience. The VIP ticket grants access to the gifting lounge, front row seating, and the chance to meet high profile individuals in attendance.

Some high-profile expected attendees include Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, actor Sean Freeman, Birmingham Chief of Police Michael Pickett, model Will Conner and more.

“I just want to give people that connection, that platform, that access,” Varner said. “We have everything [people] are searching for right here in Birmingham including great designers, brands, creatives, and models.”

But the main aspect of Birmingham he wants the community to have access to are the health resources.

“It’s not about men’s fashion. It’s about men’s wellness,” said Varner. “Fashion is part of it, but it is about the inner wellness as well as the external wellness…this is about connecting you to the whole self. I like to say…we’re using this as an opportunity to help [men of all ages] curate their own journey towards manhood…It’s about access. It’s about wellness. It’s about resources.”

The BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week will take place from Wednesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 3.

Schedule of events:

Wednesday | April 29 | 4 to 10 p.m.

Shop & Sip Soiree at The Summit – 214 Summit Blvd.

BMFW Kickoff Afterglow at Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge – 3431 Colonnade Pkwy Suite 500

A curated designer experience with a live DJ, small bites, a Sip & Shop Experience tailored to men, media mixer for influencers and podcasters, and a Summit Trunk Show featuring exclusive menswear brands.

Thursday | April 30 | 6 to 8 p.m.

Dressed to Heal: Brothers Let’s Talk Roundtable presented by Brothers Let’s Talk & Negro Southern League Museum – 120 16th St. S

A roundtable discussion on men’s mental health. There will also be a sneak peek of the 2026 menswear brands and designer presentations.

Friday | May 1 | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Girl’s Night Out presented by Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center (CAARAC) at Hardwick Lounge at LaPeer – 2308 1st Ave. S

Music, cocktails, conversations, collaborations, boutique presentations and more for women. A Black carpet and little black dress event curated for women but open to everyone.

Devil Wear Prada 2 Movie Premiere at Birmingham Premiere LUX Theatre – 501 Lakeshore Pkwy – 9 p.m. red carpet (Movie ticket required)

Saturday | May 2 | 6 p.m.

BMFW Runway Fashion Show & Wellness Expo at Workplay – 500 23rd St.

(Ticket required)

A red-carpet affair with celebrity guests featuring eight emerging fashion designers: Sky Lanai Brand, Jaidyn Dix, Grown & Greek Apparel, James White House of JOW, Urban Vintage Apparel, Heru Ra Creations LLC, Ian Rashad Style & Design, and Richard Dickson by Perry Varner.

Sunday | May 3 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dapper Day Party presented by Michael’s Restaurant and 100 Black Men of America – 1525 1st Ave. S.

A Derby-style day party, dress in derby attire or most dapper attire.

(RSVP required)

Visit www.himfashionweek.com for more information, to RSVP, and for tickets.

City of Birmingham Again Urges Judge to Force Return of Fluoride to Water System

By
Birmingham Times
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City officials say the sudden removal of fluoride is a “public nuisance” that threatens the dental health of the city’s 90,411 residents. (Adobe Stock)

By Riley Conlon | WVTM

The city of Birmingham is again pressing a Jefferson County judge to order Central Alabama Water to restore fluoride to its drinking water system, arguing in a new court filing that the utility violated state law, created a public health risk and concealed the removal from the public.

The filing comes after Circuit Judge Frederic Bolling said on April 2 that Central Alabama Water likely failed to comply with Alabama’s notice requirement before stopping fluoridation, but indicated he intended to dissolve a temporary restraining order because he did not believe the court had a practical way to force the process to restart.

Central Alabama Water announced last month that it was no longer adding fluoride, pointing to aging equipment, rising costs and worker safety concerns. The city then sued, arguing the utility had not given the required 90 days’ notice to the state health officer before making a permanent change.

On March 30, Bolling granted a temporary restraining order directing the utility to resume fluoridation unless it could show it had complied with the statute. The order applied to all treatment facilities and remained in effect pending the April 2 hearing.

In the new brief, filed Sunday, the city argues the evidence shows Central Alabama Water discontinued fluoridation without the notice required by Alabama law and therefore must resume fluoridation. The filing also argues the court has the authority to order that relief despite Bolling’s earlier concerns.

The city also claims the shutdown was caused by years of poor maintenance, arguing that current leaders cannot use broken equipment as an excuse. Affidavits from former employees included in the filing say top officials were responsible for maintaining fluoride systems from 2019 to 2023, but failed to keep them working.

Birmingham also argues the removal of fluoride amounts to a public nuisance, citing testimony and evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay, lowers dental costs and especially benefits children and lower-income residents.

The filing further accuses the utility of hiding earlier fluoride shutdowns, saying it left that information out of public reports while still promoting awards related to fluoridation.

The city is asking the court to declare that Central Alabama Water violated the statute, order the utility to restore fluoridation at its treatment plants and bar it from permanently discontinuing the practice.

Central Alabama Water has maintained that the change affects only supplemental fluoride and does not alter other aspects of water treatment. The utility has declined to comment on the litigation.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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Civil Rights National Monument Walking Tour, 10 a.m. Saturday starting in front of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at the Shuttlesworth Statue. (BCRI)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

TODAY, APRIL 16

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

**AUBRIE SELLERS & JADE JACKSON at the Nick.

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

**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 3rd.

**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.

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

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

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

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

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 17

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL.

**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 3rd featuring BT Collective, Eclectic Soul and ABRAHAM THE VOICE.

**KASHUS CULPEPPER at Saturn.

**BEN FLOURNOY at The Nick.

**NO LOVES, ANALOG DAYDREAM, ATOMIC KIDS at The Nick.

**WIDESPREAD PANIC AFTER PARTY with KIRKOS at The Nick.

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

**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.

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

**CIVIL RIGHTS NATIONAL MONUMENT WALKING TOUR, 10 a.m. starting in front of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at the Shuttlesworth Statue. This is a one-day, two-hour long tour at 520 16th Street North.

**GARDENDALE MAGNOLIA FESTIVAL

**LIL MAMA’S POP UP SHOP, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Interested in being a vendor or being a part of this somehow, check this out. Get a FREE 10 x 10 space. Bring your own table and chairs. There will be music, food, fun and more.  For more info, contact, Dwayne “Big Daddy” Thompson at 205-723-4063.

**FREE – WSP PRE-PARTY – MOONTIME MARKET at Avondale Brewing Co.

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

**FREE – FUNERAL PARTY GOTH NIGHT at Saturn.

**ANDRES   MONTANA with MOE REEN at The Nick.

**QDOT + JAXXXON + FRIENDS at The Nick.

**WIDE SPREAD PANIC AFTER PARTY at The Nick with KIRKOS Round 2

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

**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 1st and 3rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7th, 2808 7th Avenue Suite105.

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

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

**4th 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.

**BAD SUNS ACCELORATOR TOUR 2026 with LITTLE IMAGE at Saturn.

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

**GOODWIN RAINER with CLOSE ENOUGH + FLOWING at The Nick.

 

MONDAY, APRIL 20

**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.

**LYDIA LUNCH with GENE IS DEATH and MIKE IX at Saturn.

**JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY LIVE, 5 – p.m. at the Carver Theatre for the Sunday Series, Jazz on 4th at the Historic Carver Theatre.

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

**MONALEO with WHO DID THE BODY TOUR at Avondale Brewing Co, a LIVE NATION Show. Monaleo is said to be a rising Houston rapper known for her bold lyrics, fearless energy and unapologetic confidence. Blending southern grit with sharp wit and raw emotion, she is quickly becoming a powerful voice for strength, independence and realness in today’s hip-hop scene.

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

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

**FREE – TVs OF TERROR presents… at Saturn.

**EMO ORCHESTRA with THE SPILL CANVAS – AN EVENING OF EMO at Iron City.

**COMEDIAN MARY RYAN BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

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

**SPECIAL EVENT: at The StarDome Comedy Club.

**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.

**SEVENDUST ONE TOUR at Iron City.

**COREY HALL at The Nick Early Show.

**SNOZZBERRIES at The Nick

**WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY at Avondale Brewing Co.

 

NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 23

**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 3rd.

**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.

**SPECIAL EVENT: Comedian MISHA BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**COMEDIAN SAM SALEM at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**UNTIL SKIES FALL, EVA LAVANTE and ENCIRCLED THRON NVSN at The Nick.

**THE HEAVY HEAVY with LOU HAZEL at Saturn.

**FLATLAND CAVALRY at Avondale Brewing Co.

 

NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 24

**MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION at Sloss Furnaces, 12 – 3 p.m. in Birmingham.

**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 EDDIE GRIFFIN at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**MAGNOLIA PARK, SILLY GOOSE, and PINKNOISE at Saturn.

**MILLENIUM GREY + SQUEEZE THE SQUID + FIRE CAMINO at The Nick.

**EVE 6 & FASTBALL at Iron City.

**MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT – DOGS OUT OF THE CAGE at Avondale Brewing So.

 

NEWS TO KNOW AND USE

**VISION TO VENTURE- Aspiring Entrepreneurs Building the Future, this Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Shades Valley High School Aud. in Irondale. Dr. PATRICK MURPHY, UAB Innovation & Entrepreneurship Department Chair is the Guest Speaker. There is a Panel Discussion. After the program, check out IRONDALE YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS DAY, 1 – 4 p.m. at the Shades Valley High School Gym.

Shop and Support Owners ages 5 – 20. Register at www.tinyurl.com/IronEntrepreneur. Showcase your business, sell your products and win up to $500 in scholarship funds.

 

IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE

**VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at the NEW RUFFNER SPORTS COMPLEX located at 301 Ruffner Road in Irondale.  Serve in the concession stand and help to make a difference in your community.

**APRIL – KEEP IRONDALE BEAUTIFUL MONTH presented by Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr.: SUNDAY – Bark and Bloom At Tails By The Rails, 2 – 4 p.m., MONDAY – Cahaba River Clean Sweep, 9a.m. – 1 p.m., NEXT SATURDAY – Jefferson County Hazardous Waste Collection, 8-11:30 a.m. SPRING TRASH Amnesty Weeks: District 4 – April 20-23; District 5 – April 27-20.

 

IN BIRMINGHAM AND AROUND TOWN

**LAWSON STATE RECOGNIZES STUDENTS ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY – Lawson State Community College are spotlighting students at the NC3 National Signing day, a national event recognized students who commit to workforce-focused academic programs. Students signed symbolic “ letters of intent” marking their commitment to fields ranging from business and building construction to automotive technology, robotics, cosmetology and culinary arts. NC3 National Signing Day is an initiative of the National coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), an organization established to strengthen the nation’s workforce by connecting educational institutions with industry partners. It highlights students pursuing career and technical education programs that lead directly to industry-recognized credentials and employment opportunities. This technical education and skilled trades are tied to critical, in-demand jobs that represents the backbone of the American workforce.

 

FOR HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES

**SATURDAY – UAB 3rd ANNUAL REGIONAL WELLNESS DAY, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex, 2340 CrossPlex Blvd. There will be cancer screenings referrals for age-eligible individuals, screenings for common health concerns such as glucose levels and or blood pressure.  There will be community resources on social and economic services, education and other essentials topics. Participants can talk with health care professionals and community organizations. Enrollment specialists from UAB Medicine, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services and Alabama Regional Medical Services will help anyone who wants to learn more or start the process of becoming a patient. Participants can learn about clinical research opportunities. Registration is encouraged but not required. To register, visit go.ual.edu/jcrwd26.

 

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS

**THIS WEEKEND – 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.

**MONDAY – EMERGENCE OF THE 18TH 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.

 

FOR BLUES LOVERS IN BESSEMER

**APRIL 25 – Artists SELWYN BIRCHWOOD and LIL’ ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS will perform at the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival in the DeBardeleben Park on 3rd Avenue No. Birchwood performs 3:40 – 4:45 p.m. Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials perform 4:55 – 6 p.m. For more, visit: www.bobsykes.com/blues-festival/

 

AT THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE

**COURAGE UNDER FIRE EXHIBITION through May 16 in the Woolfolk Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It will feature images that documented the violence perpetuated against the Freedom Riders. The black and white photographs allow visitors to reflect on the roles of violence, law, enforcement and press during the Freedom Rides. This is the 65th Anniversary of the Anniston Bus Bombing.

 

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BUSINESS

**APRIL 23 – BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION – The Alabama Chapter of the Black Contractors Association is hosting their Monthly Meeting at Atmospheric Energy, 629 9th Street North, 6 – 7:30 p.m.  If you are interested in networking, membership opportunities, industry updates, outlook and more this is where you should be early to get a seat. For more information, call 205-873-4572 or visit blackcontractorsassociationincac.org.

**APRIL 28 – CHAMBER CONNECT AFTER HOURS, 6-8 p.m. at Marcdion, 2217 Second Avenue North, #1B, downtown.

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.

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

By
Birmingham Times
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ERIC MARABLE JR., CO-FOUNDER OF THE FLOURISH ALABAMA, THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES, APRIL 8.

‘You’ve Got to Make It Happen’: The Life’s Work of Robert ‘Bob’ Dickerson

By
Birmingham Times
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Robert “Bob” Dickerson Jr. is the Executive Director of Birmingham Business Resource Center. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

On any given day, inside the Birmingham Business Resource Center, the work doesn’t announce itself. It hums.

A phone call about a loan application. A quiet conversation about a business plan that isn’t quite there yet. Someone walking in with an idea — and walking out with direction.

And somewhere in between all of that is Robert “Bob” Dickerson Jr, doing what he’s done for most of his life: showing up and figuring out how to help. Not for recognition. Not for headlines. Just because, as he puts it, “that’s what I do.”

“I like what I’m doing,” Dickerson said. “It doesn’t feel like work.”

At 73, after more than 50 years in banking and economic development, he still comes into the office most days. Still takes meetings. Still answers questions. Still pushes.

For him, there is always more to do.

Before the Title, There Was the Work

Long before he became a fixture in Birmingham’s business community, Dickerson was a young banker trying to find his place in an industry that didn’t always make room.

He started in 1973.

“I was, like, the third Black bank officer in Birmingham,” he said.

By 21, he was already making loan decisions — an opportunity that came with both responsibility and reality. What he noticed early on was who was showing up.

“All the Black folks were coming to me,” he said. “They were coming from all over… and I was happy about that.”

He built relationships. He built trust. And he built a reputation for fairness in a system where that wasn’t always guaranteed. But he also saw the limits.

“I always knew I was doing something the institution needed,” he said. “But when it came time to advance… that wasn’t available.”

Even as his portfolio grew, even as his performance spoke for itself, Dickerson ran into barriers that had nothing to do with ability.

“I was doing a really good job,” he said. “But sometimes racial attitudes will ignore your good because of what you look like.”

That reality didn’t stop him — but it shaped him.

It sharpened his understanding of what access really means — and what it costs when people don’t have it.

Robert “Bob” Dickerson Jr. is seen at the Innovation Depot, home to the Birmingham Business Resource Center. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Seeing the Gap — and Refusing to Ignore It

As the years went on, Dickerson’s work in banking expanded. He organized bankers. He worked on Community Reinvestment Act efforts.

“I took on a contract with the City of Birmingham, working with banks around Community Reinvestment Act activities and projects,” Dickerson said. “We actually hold banks accountable for our communities. Being connected to the Community Reinvestment Act… allows me to give back to community. If we’re able to influence policy and influence behavior on behalf of the community, then the community benefits more.”

He began connecting the dots between institutions and communities. And what he saw became clearer.

“There were things I thought we should try,” he said. “But my banks would never do it.”

The ideas were there. The need was there. The will — at least in the places he worked — was not.

At the same time, Birmingham was beginning to shift. Leaders in the city were talking more intentionally about economic development, equity and doing more for businesses that had historically been overlooked. Dickerson leaned in.

“I thought it needed to be done,” he said.

Working alongside city leadership, including then-Mayor Richard Arrington Jr., he helped shape a new approach — one that would eventually become the Birmingham Business Resource Center.

When it launched in 1996, the goal was clear: meet business owners where they are — and give them what they need.

‘More Than Just the Loan’

From the beginning, Dickerson knew the work had to go deeper than funding.

“What I learned at banking was lending,” he said. “But businesses needed more than just the loan.”

They needed preparation.

“They needed counseling and coaching,” he said. “They needed to be prepared to even apply for the loan. They certainly needed to be prepared to run the business.”

That philosophy still defines the BBRC today.

Dickerson breaks it down simply.

First: capacity.

“You’ve got to have a really good understanding of what you’re doing,” he said. “You’ve got to have a plan… the knowledge and skills… or you’ve got to get them from somebody.”

Second: capital.

The BBRC helps business owners not only access funding, but understand it — what they qualify for, what terms to expect, and how to position themselves before they ever walk into a bank.

“We can tell them, ‘This is what you’re going to hear when you go,’” he said.

And third — what he calls the most important piece: sales.

“Nothing happens until somebody sells something,” Dickerson said. “If they don’t sell, then it’s all for nothing.”

It’s a message he repeats often — not because it sounds good, but because he’s seen what happens when it’s ignored.

Robert ‘Bob’ Dickerson Jr. of the Birmingham Business Resource Center helped launch the A.G. Gaston Conference to honor the legacy of A. G. Gaston. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Where It Comes From

Dickerson’s sense of purpose didn’t start in banking. It started at home.

Raised in Roosevelt City during the Civil Rights era, he grew up in a household where community wasn’t just discussed — it was practiced.

His mother, Mildred Dickerson, led civic meetings. His father, Robert Dickerson, coached and guided. And as children, he and his two siblings were right there.

“We had to go to those meetings,” he said. “And we had to sit there and be quiet.”

But in that quiet, something took root.

“When you’re quiet, you hear,” he said.

He heard conversations about change. About responsibility. About lifting people up.

“I think we absorbed it,” he said. “Because all of us now have that same attitude — that the highest position in life is serving other people.”

A Vision That Won’t Let Go

After spending some time working in Atlanta, Georgia, Dickerson moved back to Birmingham in 1984 with a vision of what the city could become.

“Thriving communities. Thriving neighborhoods,” he said. “Less blight. Building more than tearing down.”

He believed Birmingham could be more than a symbol of its past — that it could lead the future.

“I envisioned Birmingham leveraging its position as the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement,” he said, “to be the epicenter of economic opportunity.”

He pauses.

“We still might,” he said. “But we haven’t yet.”

And if that vision is going to be realized, he believes the path is clear.

“As go Black people, so goes Birmingham,” he said. “We’ve got to make the Black community stronger economically and more viable.”

Ophelia Cox, a Birmingham entrepreneur, credits Dickerson and the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) with helping expand her business by opening doors that would have otherwise been difficult to access.

“Bob is just well versed in sort of everything financial to businesses and willing to assist businesses to access resources,” Cox said, noting that over the years he has helped her make key connections and even referred her to bankers. While she says there wasn’t one single defining moment, Cox emphasized the cumulative impact of being connected to the BBRC.

“Just being in Bob’s ecosystem, you get to be exposed to various programs and make significant connections,” she explained. “You’re exposed to a lot more than you would be traveling this entrepreneurial space alone.”

Cox added that Dickerson’s influence extends beyond finances, highlighting the importance of trust and credibility.

“He speaks for your credibility… people just know that you are capable, trustworthy… just being in the ecosystem,” she said, underscoring how the BBRC continues to strengthen and support Black-owned businesses throughout Birmingham.

A Billion Dollars — and the Stories Behind It

Not long ago, the BBRC reached a milestone: more than $1 billion in small business loans facilitated across Alabama. For many organizations, that number would be the headline. For Dickerson, it’s just part of the story.

“That’s not theoretical stuff,” he said. “That’s execution.”

What matters more are the people behind the numbers — the entrepreneurs who found a way forward when options were limited.

“There are situations where we are the only opportunity that these companies would have,” he said.

And sometimes, the impact comes back to him in unexpected ways.

“Somebody will walk up to me that I don’t even remember,” he said, smiling. “And they’ll say, ‘You helped me.’”

He pauses.

“And especially when they say, ‘You helped me when nobody else would.’”

That, he says, is what stays with him.

The Work Is Harder Now

After nearly three decades leading the BBRC, Robert ‘Bob’ Dickerson Jr. has seen progress. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

After nearly three decades leading the BBRC, Dickerson has seen progress.

But he’s also seen how fragile that progress can be.

“We’ve made some progress,” he said. “But now we’re in a position where we’ve got to protect it.”

And that’s not easy.  Today, the challenges look different — but no less real.

“There are some folks that don’t even want you to use the word ‘minority’ anymore,” he said. “If you say you’ve got a program to help Black businesses… that can be a problem.”

At the same time, the economic gaps remain.

“We’re still in survival mode,” he said. “And when you’re surviving, it’s difficult to scale.”

Even the momentum can feel uncertain.

“I would love to say we’ve got a lot of momentum,” he said. “But I don’t feel that every day when I come to work.”

Still, he keeps coming.

Because he knows what’s at stake.

Still Showing Up

These days, Dickerson’s life includes family — his children, his six grandchildren, and moments that pull him away from the office.

But not for long because the work is still there. And so is he. Every day, he approaches it the same way.

“You’ve got to get up and make it happen,” he said. “Every day.”

He doesn’t expect perfection.

“You’re not going to be 100 every day,” he said. “But if you hit 70, then you’ve got to come back and make it up.”

That mindset — steady, disciplined, committed — has carried him through decades of change, challenge and impact.

And it continues to define a life’s work that has never really been about titles or recognition. Just purpose. Just consistency. Just helping people — over and over again.

For Dickerson, that’s more than a mission. It’s who he is.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Brings Sisterhood, Service and Stacey Abrams to Birmingham

By
Birmingham Times
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Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D., center, South Eastern Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, will help welcome 6,000 women of AKA to Birmingham. (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. South Eastern Region Facebook)

By Cody D. Short | For The Birmingham Times

More than 6,000 women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated will gather in Birmingham this month for the organization’s 94th South Eastern Regional conference, which will also bring political leader Stacey Abrams to the Magic City.

Members from across Alabama and neighboring states Tennessee and Mississippi will converge at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) for the conference, which is set to begin Wednesday, April 29 and end on Saturday, May 2.

“Each year, our members convene in cities across the South Eastern Region to conduct the business of the organization while fostering leadership development, community service, and meaningful connection among our sisterhood,” South Eastern Regional Director Tracey Morant Adams said. “With several active chapters in the area and the strong support of both our members and the civic and business community, Birmingham emerged as a natural choice. Moreover, the city’s exceptional hospitality and distinctive cultural energy promise a truly memorable experience for all who attend.”

According to the South Eastern communications representative, Debra Nelson, the conference is expected to bring in $10 million in economic impact to the city of Birmingham through spending at hotels, restaurants, retail and other goods and services.

Stacey Abrams

On Thursday, April 30, the group will host a public meeting featuring former Georgia gubernatorial candidate and best-selling author Stacey Abrams as the keynote speaker.

“Stacey Abrams is a dynamic and personable leader whose work and political advocacy have inspired and impacted people throughout the U.S.,” Adams said of Abrams. “Her presence elevates our meeting from an event to a moment that will be defined by insight, purpose, and power. We are pleased to welcome her to Birmingham.”

Abrams served as Minority Leader in the Georgia House of Representatives, and she was the first Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in United States history. Abrams has launched multiple nonprofit organizations devoted to democracy protection and effective public policy. She has also co-founded successful companies, including a financial services firm and the media company, Sage Works Productions, Inc. Furthermore, she is the founder of American Pride Rises Network, a collective of organizations fighting to defend diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin will also be featured as a guest speaker at the public meeting and select local citizens and organizations will be recognized for their community contributions.

Honorees will include:

• Anna Grace Deason, Maternal and Infant Health Advocate, Empower Our Families Award.

• Bob Dickerson, Executive Director, Birmingham Business Resource Center, Build Our Economic Wealth Award.

• Shareka Jefferson, Volunteer, Build Our Economic Wealth Award.

• Francesca Gross, Founder, Cool Green Trees, Enhance Our Environment Award.

• Dr. Donmonique Morgan, Principal, Children’s Center, and STARS Academy; Enhance Our Environment Award.

• Michael Pickett, Chief, Birmingham Police Department, Advocate for Social Justice Award.

• Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools, Uplift Our Local Community Award.

• United Way of Central Alabama, Uplift Our Local Community Award.

The public meeting is free to the community, no registration required, and the event begins at 7 pm.

Another key highlight of the conference will be the organization’s community service project. Members will bring nonperishable breakfast, lunch, and dinner food items to the conference for distribution to children and families as part of the Childhood Hunger Power Pack (CHIPP) program. The organization also partnered with Birmingham Park and Recreation Board and the nonprofit organization Cool Green Trees (CGT) to plant twenty-seven trees at Ensley Park. Enhancing the environment and CHIPP are part of the sorority’s national initiative aimed at providing food for families and preserving the environment.

“One of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s national initiatives strives to help eradicate childhood hunger,” said Adams. “For the past four years, our members have donated CHIPP packages comprised of nonperishable food items to provide weekend and holiday meals for children.”

Sponsors of the 94th South Eastern Regional Conference include the City of Birmingham, Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Renasant Bank, Coca-Cola United, ReWorld Waste, Alabama Power, Regions Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Spire Energy, Ball Healthcare, Rosa Greek Boutique, and Fashionably Greek.

The South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is one of 10 regions and is composed of three states: Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Within the region, there are 122 undergraduate and graduate chapters serving over 13,000 members. Annually, the members perform service projects to enhance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.

To learn more, visit aka1908.com/southeastern.

You Had Me at Hello: Lessons on Love

By
Birmingham Times
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Birmingham Times editor Javacia Harris Bowser and her husband, Edward, were featured in a 2018 “You Had Me At Hello” column. The couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this month. (Provided)

Compiled by Javacia Haris Bowser | The Birmingham Times

Last week my husband Edward and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. Several friends who have yet to reach that milestone have asked us, “What’s the secret?” We shared a lot of the same advice we gave when we were featured in this column back in 2018: communication is key, be true partners and best friends, and be intentional about quality time. But we don’t pretend to have all the answers.

I am always eager to learn from other couples who seem to have everlasting love. So, I combed through the archives of You Had Me at Hello, reading the “Words of Wisdom” from couples featured in the past few years who said “I do” long before Edward and I did. Here are some lessons on love from 10 couples that stood out.

ROY & PATRICE WILLIAMS

Live: Huffman

Married: Sept. 14, 1991

“Always put God first. Never lose yourself and never depend on someone else to be your sole source of happiness,” Patrice said. “Find happiness within yourself and depend on your spouse to enhance the state that you’re already at.”

Roy added, “I think it’s important that you spend quality time together but also realize that they need their personal time too.”

LORETTA & FRED HILL

Live: Margaret, Ala. [near Leeds/Argo]

Married: April 11, 1987

“It’s important to learn how to effectively communicate with each other, and even the timing of those conversations because you’re going to have to have some critical conversations and they’re crucial,” Loretta said. “And we truly believe that God has to be in the center of your relationship, and that you keep building on that foundation. And you keep the spark alive by still doing things together and not allowing yourselves to grow too distant. Continue to work on your relationship because you have to continue learning each other as you grow.”

Fred added: “God’s math is different from our math. It takes one whole person, plus one whole person to make a whole [union]. You can’t come into the relationship half a man and half a woman and think you’re going to make one. That’s not ‘God-addition.’ And the reason why is because although you’re growing together, you still have to have freedom within the marriage to still grow [individually]. And you have to support each other in that growth process because if one grows and the other doesn’t, then you’ll have an unequal marriage.”

VERLINDA & EDDIE WELLS JR.

Live: Bessemer

Married: June 9, 1990

“Divorce is not an option. Learn how to work through your issues and keep God first. You have to have a prayerful life, and respect each other’s flaws, because no one is perfect,” Verlinda said.

Eddie added: “Figure out what your spouse’s love language is and cater to that to the best of your abilities. Try to manage their expectations the best you can. Always try to talk things out and be as proactive as you can in situations instead of reactive. And when special days and holidays come around, if it’s special to your spouse, make sure you [acknowledge/celebrate] because it means something to them.”

LORIE AND MYERS HAWKINS III

Live: Pleasant Grove

Married: Sept. 19, 1987

“Love one another and always remember that a couple who prays together stays together,” Myers said. “There are rough patches in any relationship, but you have to smooth it out and don’t go to bed with anger on your heart. You have to be willing to give and take. Marriage is not 50/50, that’s an illusion. There’s no such thing. Each marriage and relationship is different, you both have to put in the work. Try to learn each other’s triggers and don’t push each other’s buttons. And if children are in the picture, both spouses have to raise them. Both need to get up in the middle of the night, take them to ball practice, and anything else. Both have to do the work in raising kids.”

TIFFANY & VICTOR HUNTER

Live: McCalla

Married: April 25, 1998

“Learn to compromise because everyone has a stake in the marriage. Communicate and continue to date,” said Victor.

“We have been through a lot of rough times in our marriage, and you have to find mentors who are not family members to help you through those times because you need counsel,” Tiffany said. “Even in the tough times we’ve had in our marriage, we’ve managed to stay together and not call it quits because Victor has been my calm. In my head, I’m like ‘ok, I’m done’, but Victor is like ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ I’m very hotheaded, so having someone who balances you that way is very important.”

JAMAR AND ALISHIA JONES

Live: Hoover

Married: May 12, 2000

“Don’t sweat the small stuff and always find reasons to laugh,” Alishia said. “And my grandmother told me, ‘you can’t be angry and mad while you’re eating so always find a reason to share [joy and happiness] while enjoying a meal together.’”

Jamar said balance is important. “One of the most important parts of being married is knowing how to be together but apart at the same time. You have to maintain your individuality.”

DEMARCUS ‘MARC’ AND TIFFANY BROWN 

Live: Pinson 

Married: Feb. 10, 1996

“First of all, stay friends. We took divorce off the table which meant we had to work at whatever was going on. And if you’re willing to put in the work to sustain your relationship then it will sustain and grow. And you better keep God first,” Marc said.

“I agree with keeping God first and friendship because I think friendship has been the thing that has held us together the most. We’ve had some challenging times, but with God and our friendship, we’ve been able to work through those times,” said Tiffany. “Our friends call us boyfriend and girlfriend because we still talk on the phone and text all day like we’re still dating, but for us, it’s just open communication.”

HERNANDO & ADRIENNE CARTER

Live: Homewood

Married: March 22, 2003

“Put your spouse first, love them first, give up the desire to win and be right, and put the relationship above all else. Always communicate and remain friends,” Hernando said.

“The most important thing, as with most things in life, is a strong foundation. Our foundation was that friendship and love that we’ve always had. And the second thing is realizing life comes with challenges in your relationship and personal lives, but you gotta cleave to each other instead of running away. When you have challenges you have to communicate with each other and remember the foundation of love and friendship,” Adrienne said.

ARLANA AND CARY ‘TREY’ TORBERT III

Live: Helena

Married: Nov. 25, 200

“Love is a choice, and it’s unconditional. You get out of it what you put into it, and your garden grows based on how you choose to nourish it,” Arlana said. “Choose to love, that’s what I do. And I choose forgiveness, that’s what makes a successful relationship.”

Trey said: “Keep God first, keep your marriage business to yourself, and always remember where you came from. We were friends first, and we always keep that foundation of being friends at the forefront of our marriage.”

LISA AND LINCOLN BLUE

Live: McCalla

Married: Nov. 28, 1998

Words of wisdom: “Put God first. When you put God first you can overcome anything. Don’t go to bed angry, and don’t be too big to apologize and say, ‘I’m sorry,’” Lisa said.

“Marriage is not for the weak or the weary. It’s harder than a job because a job you can leave and go home. But marriage is something you wake up with every day, you go to sleep with it, and when you wake up it’s still there. Marriage is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and it’s a lot of work, but it’s been worth it for us,” Lincoln said. “A lot of people think that after 25 years the work is over, but it’s just begun because every day people are evolving and growing. You gotta have a higher power in your life besides you. If you think you’re gonna run this race by yourself, it’s gonna be a hard run. Faith is what you need to stand on and fall back on, you’re gonna need it.”

“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.

 

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