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Black Women Judges Prepare for Iconic Photo Ahead of 60th Selma Bridge Crossing

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Birmingham Times
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Back Row, from left: Judge Pamela Wilson Cousins (left office Jan. 20, 2025); Judge Debra Weston Pickens; Judge Ruby Davis Clark; Judge Lorraine Pringle (Retired); Judge Maria Fortune. Middle Row, from left: Judge Brendette Brown Green; Judge Patricia Stephens; Judge Marshell Jackson Hatcher; Judge Javan Patton Crayton; Judge Kechia Davis; Judge Janine Hunt-Hilliard; Judge Shanta’ Owens. Front Row:, from left: Judge Agnes Chappell (Retired); Judge Tamara Harris Johnson; Presiding Court Judge Elisabeth French; Judge Annetta Verin (Retired). This photo was taken April, 2022. (Joe Songer, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

(Women’s History Month Special)

The 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery March this week marks a pivotal moment in American history, honoring the foot soldiers who marched for voting rights and changed the course of democracy.

The event commemorates March 7, 1965 when a group of about 525 African American demonstrators gathered at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church to demand the right to vote. They walked six blocks to Broad Street and across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they were met by more than 50 state troopers and a few dozen on horseback. When the demonstrators refused to turn back, they were brutally beaten.

One of the groups at the forefront of this year’s commemoration is Salute Selma, Inc., a women-led, Black-led nonprofit organization that will host number of activities March 7 through 9 dedicated to celebrating Black civic engagement, leadership, and activism while addressing the ongoing fight for justice and democracy.

Those events include a “Call to All Black Women Judges” to assemble at the Edmund Pettus Bridge for an iconic photo on Friday, March 7.

Jefferson County Presiding Judge Elisabeth French. (Provided Photo)

Elisabeth French, Presiding Judge, Jefferson County Courts said the gathering can send a powerful message.

“Often times, young Black students don’t have any lawyers in their family and they don’t know any Judges on a personal level,” she said. “The assembly of this group of Black Judges sends a message that these students can finish high school. They can finish college. They can go to law school and become licensed attorneys. They can see that others who look like them have been successful and that is proof that they too can accomplish their goals.”

“I hope that the photograph encourages and inspires others to push to fulfill their hopes and dreams,” said Jefferson County Judge Pat Stephens, who plans to attend. “In looking at that photograph standing on the Edmund Pettus bridge, I hope it’s a burning flame that never goes out and inspires generations to vote.”

The events of 60 years ago have meaning today, Stephens said.

“We should reflect on the importance of the Selma March because it was tremendous act of courage for the marchers who would not be told ‘no,’” Stephens said.  “People who had the courage to say, ‘we won’t give up.’ People who had the courage to say, ‘we want change.’ The courage to say, ‘we have the constitutional right to vote. We have the constitutional right to have a voice in a country that was built on the blood, sweat and tears of the ancestors.’”

Abina Billups, Co-Founder of Salute Selma, Inc. said the rights enjoyed by African Americans today came at a cost “and Selma was at the epicenter of that sacrifice. “We have a responsibility to continue this fight, to honor those who came before us, and to make sure that history is not just remembered — but protected.”

She added, “Selma is sacred ground. The blood, sweat, and sacrifice of ordinary people changed the course of history, ensuring that democracy extended beyond privilege to all. To reflect on that moment is to remind ourselves that the fight for voting rights is ongoing. Commemoration is not just about remembering—it’s about recommitting.”

Billups said that Selma is not just history, “it’s a call to action. We can’t afford to romanticize the past without recognizing the urgency of the present,” she said. “The fight for voting rights, equity, and justice is ongoing, and it demands our collective voice and action. The best way to honor those who marched 60 years ago is to keep marching today.”

Presiding Judge French said the Selma events of 1965 brought national attention to racism and injustice. “It is important to remember that the injustices occurred and to remember why they occurred in order to join together to prevent them from happening again … I want to thank the organizers of this event for recognizing the need to commemorate and for having the courage to continue to stand in the gap for justice, for voting rights and to celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of Black women Judges.”

Earlier on the day of the photo, the Women’s Legal Symposium will convene legal professionals and scholars for a keynote conversation on democracy and justice. During this event, Salute Selma will present the Legal Guardian of Democracy Awards, recognizing trailblazers including Judges U.W. Clemons, Myron Thompson and Arnette Hubbard; Attorney Fred Gray, and Attorney Ernestine Sapp. A posthumous tribute will honor Birmingham Attorney Arthur Shores, Attorney J.L. Chestnut, and Attorney Michael Figures for their enduring contributions to the fight for Civil Rights.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Inc.

Affectionately called “The Jubilee”, the organization was founded in Selma to commemorate and preserve the spirit of the struggle for the right to vote. The goal is to inspire people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to respect and appreciate the power of their vote.

Every year the Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Inc., hosts the commemoration of this historic event and the struggle for the right to vote by gathering at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in a festival of music, art and historical remembrance.

Several years ago, this yearly event was dubbed “The Annual Pilgrimage to Selma.” Tens of thousands of people flock to Selma the first weekend of every March to hear personal stories from surviving freedom fighters from the movement and walk hand-in-hand with history makers who were willing to lay down their lives for the right to have a voice in the country they helped to build.  For over a decade the heroes of the movement and a host of other civic, political and national leaders have made the annual pilgrimage to Selma, AL

For over a decade The Jubilee has attracted noted individuals from all walks of life. Past attendees have included: Rosa Parks; Mrs. Coretta Scott King; Former President Barack Obama; Congressman John Lewis; Former President Bill Clinton; Former President George W. Bush; Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton; Rev. Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young.

Amazon Named Title Sponsor of The Magic City Classic – HBCU’s Biggest Football Game  

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Birmingham Times
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By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Tech giant Amazon will be title sponsor of the Magic City Classic in October, it was announced on Thursday.

The rivalry between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University at Birmingham’s Legion Field is the largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) football game in the country.

The announcement was made in a packed Birmingham City Council chamber with representatives from the city, Amazon, Alabama A&M and Alabama State and Coca-Cola, which has been a presenting partner for the past decade-plus.

The 84th Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola will kick off October 25, 2025 at Birmingham’s historic Legion Field.

“Today is about continuing a legacy … and we are honored to have Amazon as the sponsor of the Magic City Classic, an event we define is the personification of Black culture,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “ … it’s all about celebrating the power of Black colleges and universities and Birmingham is proud to forever be the epicenter of this celebration … We thank Amazon for joining in on what is the best thing happening in Birmingham.”

City officials said the Classic generates $23 million in economic impact; 36 states have purchased tickets, and the game routinely attracts 65,000 in attendance and another 60,000 tailgating outside the stadium.

“We’ve had over 83 years of Classics and this partnership will only make this event better,” said Perren King, Executive Director of the Magic City Classic. “By joining us Amazon is supporting these two schools’ legacy of excellence and invested in the future.”

He added that the partnership represents a shared commitment to education, diversity and economic growth in Birmingham, he said. “We look forward to working with Amazon to elevate the Classic experience for our fans and the broader HBCU family.”

Donetta Houser-Sly, HR Director, Amazon North America People Experience & Technology, the game not only unites the community but also celebrates the rich legacy of HBCUs which have been “pillars of academic excellence and leadership development for over 150 years … and Amazon, as a great partner with HBCUs, is committed to ensure they are growing and developing.”

Previously, McDonald’s was the presenting sponsor of what officials say is the most lucrative HBCU game in the country.

The Power of Momentum: Where Leadership, Personal Growth, and Sisterhood Intersect

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Birmingham Times
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April Benetollo, left, Momentum CEO, and Raven Holloway, Momentum Works Program Manager. (Provided)

By Je’Don Holloway-Talley | For The Birmingham Times

(Women’s History Month Special)

Momentum Leaders’ CEO, April Benetollo, almost turned down her nomination to join its 2013 Executive Class.

When she was nominated, she wasn’t sure she needed it. At the time, Benetollo was a seasoned leader at Daxko, a Birmingham-based software company, and had already climbed the corporate ladder, holding high-level roles in marketing, product strategy, sales, and human resources for over 16 years.

She was reluctant “for a lot of the reasons that we hear all of our Momentum women say,” Benetollo admitted. “‘I don’t have time to dedicate to that.’ ‘I didn’t feel like I necessarily need it’. I had a host of reasons for not wanting to participate.”

But something pulled her in. And on the first day of her Momentum retreat in 2013, she realized she had been missing something vital all along.

“I was stunned by the caliber of women that I was surrounded by, and was deeply moved to be in a room of such high-powered, influential women who also had the same sort of struggles and obstacles and doubts and fears and hopes and dreams that I had,” she said.

It wasn’t just about career advancement. Momentum gave her something she hadn’t realized she needed: a space where leadership, personal growth, and sisterhood intersected. It was a place where women weren’t just succeeding in their careers but learning how to navigate the unique burdens of leadership as women, mothers, and community builders.

April Benetollo Momentum CEO, is a Birmingham native and Ramsay High School graduate. (Provided)

Unpaid Office Work

Benetollo, a Birmingham native and Ramsay High School graduate, attended the University of Alabama, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a minor in French. The C-suite executive, wife to Emmanuel Benetollo and mother of two — ages 22 and 20 — spoke candidly about the unseen and unsung challenges professional women face, emphasizing that they are expected to be nurturers not only at home but also in the workplace.

“Women do an extraordinary amount of unpaid office work [from] organizing parties and doing the things that women are naturally led to do [such as] nurturing and caring for people, showing people that they matter, encouraging people— we do all of those things in every aspect of our life,” said Benetollo.

“So it poses some interesting challenges in the workplace when you’re the one responsible for being at all of the family events, being at all the kids’ doctor’s appointments, being at all of your mother’s doctor’s appointments, being at all your dad’s surgeries, and the list goes on and on…”

Inspired by her experience, she volunteered with Momentum after leaving Daxko, eventually taking on a part-time role in marketing and strategy. When Momentum’s founder, Barbara Royal, announced her plans to step down—what she called a “pro-tirement”—she encouraged Benetollo to apply for the CEO position.

Benetollo applied and in what she calls her “great fortune,” in 2017, she was chosen to lead the very organization that had transformed her own career path.

Founded in 2002 by Barbara Royal, Momentum was created to fill a void. Women at the top had few peers, no leadership networks, and often navigated their careers alone. The program started as a high-level executive leadership course but over the past 22 years, it has expanded to support women at all career stages.

The Evolution of Momentum

Now, Momentum is Alabama’s leading women’s leadership organization, offering a range of programs tailored to women at different career stages. The Executive Leadership Program is a nine-month development experience designed for high-level executives, while Upward focuses on early to mid-career professionals, equipping them with the confidence to step into leadership roles.

Additionally, Luminary Women serves as a networking initiative that connects senior-level women leaders, fostering mentorship and collaboration. Momentum Works, a newly launched cohort-based program, provides leadership training for women in the workforce who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities.

Momentum Works is a tuition-free program designed to help participants develop the skills and confidence needed to grow both personally and professionally. The program spans six months, with half-day Saturday sessions. The curriculum covers: Emotional Intelligence, Strengths Assessment, Resilience, Taking Initiative, Negotiation, Prioritization, and Building Community.

Participants like LaPorsche Jymi leave the Momentum Works program with a stronger sense of self, a deeper network, and a clearer path forward.

Momentum Works taught her to trust herself and her vision for her brand

H&H (Headwear and Hair Care) even more, Jymi said.

Momentum Works re-energized her faith in her business and that she had something unique to offer the market. “That’s why I love the name Momentum,” Jymi said. “It gives you that momentum to keep going. And when you can’t, it connects you to a pool of women that can pour into you at any time.”

To learn more about Momentum Leaders, visit: www.momentumleaders.org, and find them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, @momentumleaders. 

How Momentum Works Became Alabama’s Premier Leadership Organization for Women

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Birmingham Times
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Momentum Works program director Raven Holloway, center, with program participants LaPorsche Jymi, left, and Adrienne Fowler Payne, inside Momentum headquarters in Birmingham. (Marika N. Johnson, for The Birmingham Times)

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | For The Birmingham Times

(Women’s History Month Special)

For Adrienne Fowler Payne, participating in the Birmingham-based program Momentum Works wasn’t just about professional development; it was about stepping into her worth.

“Most of my career, I have experienced imposter syndrome,” admitted Payne, who currently serves as the administrative director for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s CU2RE Medical Student Education grant program, which aims to help underserved populations across Alabama access primary health care. “I’ve worked with executive coaches before who affirmed me, but Momentum Works solidified that I am on track to being the most competent servant leader I can be and that it is okay to relish in my accomplishments and achievements.”

Momentum, Alabama’s premier leadership organization for women, launched the Momentum Works program in 2024 to reach women who might not otherwise have access to executive leadership training. Through expert-led workshops and peer-driven learning, Momentum Works gives women the tools to step into leadership with confidence.

“Women need to be able to sit across from other women and see the possibility of what they can be,” said Raven Holloway, program director for Momentum Works.
The pilot year of Momentum Works has proven its effectiveness, generating over $450,000 in salary increases across just 50 participants, with an average reported salary bump of $13,947.

Momentum is Alabama’s leading women’s leadership organization, offering a range of programs tailored to women at different career stages. (Provided Photos)

“With our 20 plus years of experience, we know how to give women the tools, resources, and connections to grow confidently into their leadership potential and develop an intentional plan for reaching their goals,” April Benetollo, CEO of Momentum has said. “More than 70 percent of graduates report one or more promotions after completing the program, and 93 percent go on to mentor or sponsor other women after their Momentum experience.”

MINDSET SHIFT

Momentum Works was designed to ensure that women on the front lines, whether in entry-level positions or entrepreneurship, had access to leadership development that met them where they were.

Kathy Boswell, Momentum program facilitator. (Momentum)

Kathy Boswell, one of the facilitators who also had a hand in developing the curriculum, said that the program was built to help women shift self-doubt, overcome workplace barriers, and reach their potential. The program spans six months, with half-day Saturday sessions. The curriculum covers: Emotional Intelligence, Strengths Assessment, Resilience, Taking Initiative, Negotiation, Prioritization, and Building Community.

“The curriculum was designed with empowerment in mind,” said Boswell.

“Women who are emerging leaders often need support to help shift negative self-narratives and just encouragement based on the cultures they may work in, and April [Benetollo, CEO of Momentum] envisioned a program that would help frontline and grassroots entrepreneurs.”

Boswell continued, “This program has created an opportunity for women who may not normally be tapped for leadership cohort opportunities. I am so grateful that the program is an option for many who also could not afford it. And for that reason, they are so grateful to be in every session.”

With the support of funding partners, Momentum Works is a tuition-free program doubling its impact in 2025. Thanks to funding from the City of Birmingham’s BOLD grant and additional backing from Alabama Power Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Women’s Foundation of Alabama, and more, the program will expand from 50 to 100 female participants across Birmingham’s metro area in 2025.

“As a facilitator for Momentum Works, it has been amazing to watch the women have ‘aha moments’. One participant recently shared that she learned how to just be quiet. She realized she did not have to address every issue, and learned to respect silence,” Boswell said.

“What I love is that you see the hunger in them; these women are eager to grow. They take in what they are taught and apply it. Throughout the cohort they are able to share what they have done with what they learned, and for many, it is the shift in their mindset and how they view themselves,” said Boswell. “The sessions provide the self-awareness they need to see a new view, and they get the validation they need to know they are ready for their next career move or to step out and move toward the dream they have.”

Momentum Works program director Raven Holloway, center, with program participants LaPorsche Jymi, left, and Adrienne Fowler Payne, inside Momentum headquarters in Birmingham. (Marika N. Johnson, for The Birmingham Times)

A FUTURE YOU

If there’s anyone who understands the power of a transformative shift, it’s Raven Holloway. Before stepping in to launch and direct the Momentum Works program, she had spent years facilitating professional and personal development workshops helping others unlock their potential while navigating her own evolving career path.

But in 2023, she faced what she calls the most challenging year of her life.

“I literally said that I would no longer do any work or do anything that’s not in divine alignment. Those were the words that I spoke,” Holloway said.

She had already built a name for herself in corporate leadership development through her work at Bradford Health Systems and as the founder of WorX with Raven Holloway LLC, a company focused on yoga, meditation, and holistic well-being formerly known as Wellness WorX. She had also been tapped to facilitate professional development classes for UAB’s Regional In-Service Center, guiding educators through leadership training.

But after losing her corporate job, enduring personal trials, and questioning her next steps, she leaned into faith and trusted that her next opportunity would align with her purpose.

Soon after, she received a call from Momentum’s Andrea McCaskey, who recently retired from her position as Statewide Director of Programs, inviting Holloway to facilitate a session for the Executive Class. Holloway proposed teaching a course she designed that she had only conducted once before, called ‘A Future You,’ which helps participants envision and step into their future selves with intention. She talks about how it encourages women to recognize their potential, break through self-imposed limitations, and align their actions with their aspirations.

“I pitched the idea of presenting that to the executive class, and they were like, ‘Absolutely, we want it,’” she said.

After its success, she was invited to teach it again for the Huntsville Executive Class. And then came a question she wasn’t expecting: “Are you looking for a job?”

“And that’s how I ended up with Momentum Leaders,” Holloway recalled.

REDEFINING LEADERSHIP

Momentum Works was also designed to empower entrepreneurial women, and help them gain mentorship, training, and a supportive community to help advance them.

LaPorsche Jymi a 2024 graduate of Momentum Works’ pilot class, received exactly that.

“I had this small business that I really wanted to get in the community here in Birmingham,” said Jymi, who moved to Birmingham from Gary, Indiana, in 2021. “Being a part of Momentum really reminded me of the quote, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ This program helped us to go far because we went together, but then we also went fast at the same time because there was so much information, support, and guidance poured into us.”

When Jymi moved to Birmingham from Gary, she set out to grow her small business, H&H (Headwear and Hair Care), in a community she barely knew but felt drawn to.

“I’m not from Birmingham, so it was so nice to be connected to even more Birmingham women that are like-minded, supportive, and trying to grow,” Jymi said, “and that was a big part of the program. Not only did we get to grow individually, but we got to grow as a group.”

Momentum Works taught her to trust herself and her vision for her brand H&H (Headwear and Hair Care) even more, Jymi said. Momentum Works re-energized her faith in her business and that she had something unique to offer the market.

“The vision behind my satin-lined hats was to reinvent the traditional baseball cap so that it’s not just convenient when hiding a bad hair day but also a convenient way to boost hair health and growth,” Jymi said. “Our hats integrate haircare into headwear so that people can enjoy wearing hats without worrying about hair breakage.”

WOMEN LIFTING WOMEN

Tonya Hill Mitchell, founder of Inspired Action Coaching, was tapped to teach the women of MomentumWorks about the power of personal branding. Mitchell believes branding is more than a buzzword; it’s a tool for self-empowerment. Her signature workshop, Acting Brand New, helps women take control of their professional image and presence.

Tonya Hill Mitchell, founder of Inspired Action Coaching, was tapped to teach the women of Momentum Works about the power of personal branding. (Provided)

“If you’re not intentional about how you show up, others will define your reputation for you,” she said. “And that’s why this work is so important [because] it teaches women to own their space, advocate for themselves, and be seen in the way they deserve,” said Mitchell.

“One of the biggest takeaways for our women is learning how to show up on purpose,” Mitchell said. “If we don’t brand ourselves on purpose, we are being branded by default. Once you understand that, you can start crafting the narrative you want the world to see.”

Mitchell recalls a powerful moment with a program participant who fully embraced this lesson.

The participant walked up to Mitchell, grabbed her hands, looked into her eyes and said she hadn’t stopped “acting brand new” since Mitchell’s class. The participant said, “I show up differently. I’m a different person. It just changed me radically.”

Recalling this moment, Mitchell said, “It drew me to tears because she actually got it. Since then, she’s been promoted, gotten a salary increase, and carries herself with a new confidence.”

Moments like these affirm why Mitchell pours into the program. “Women lifting women, there’s no end to that,” she said. “When we support each other, advocate for each other, and say each other’s names in rooms of opportunity, that’s how we change the game.”

To learn more about Momentum Leaders, visit: www.momentumleaders.org, and find them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, @momentumleaders. 

Melanie Bridgeforth Outlines Next Steps of a Storied and Groundbreaking Career

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Birmingham Times
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After leading the Women’s Foundation of Alabama to exponential growth as CEO, Melanie Bridgeforth has stepped down to launch a firm to empower changemakers. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Challis Morgan | For The Birmingham Times

(Women’s History Month Special)

“I’m excited to build a company whose very premise is change,” said Melanie Bridgeforth, beaming as she described her plans to launch a consulting firm in the summer of 2025. She’s seated in a penthouse conference room of downtown Birmingham’s historic John Hand Building with light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. But light also seemed to be pouring out of her as she discussed the next steps of her storied and groundbreaking career.

In October 2024, Bridgeforth announced her resignation from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama (WFA), where she served as president and CEO, for the past six years.

All total, Bridgeforth has spent the past 14 years of her career working as a change maker. She lobbied for smoke-free policies at the local level and fought for pulse oximetry testing to detect heart defects in newborns. As the Director of VOICES for Alabama’s Children, she helped pass a bill that addressed safety regulations in childcare centers.

In graduate school at the University of Alabama, Bridgeforth publicly declared that she wanted to “change the world.” Her professor, unfazed by Bridgeforth’s boldness, told her that policy was the way to do it.

“You have to change laws,” Bridgeforth remembers her teacher saying. “You have to change the very things that people cannot see but affect their everyday life.”

And she began to do just that.

During her tenure at WFA, Bridgeforth led the organization through a total transformation. In the 1990s, the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham started off as a component fund to support the social and economic well-being of women.

In 2011, it became an independent nonprofit. Bridgeforth arrived in 2018 and under her leadership it was time to turn the local machine into a statewide resource. It was an exponential endeavor.

In 2021, the Women’s Fund publicly announced a statewide expansion and rebrand, becoming the WFA. In the two years following that change, the organization went from serving five counties to 40; its revenue increased by 174 percent, according to a report released by the organization, and it brought in $9.4 million in just over a year; and it scaled its programming and doubled grant making to $1 million annually to benefit nonprofit organizations across the state.

Under Bridgeforth’s leadership, the WFA helped push through legislation aimed at making childcare more accessible. In 2019, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Equal Pay Act, which prohibits employers from paying employees based on sex or race, making Alabama one of 48 states to pass a law addressing pay disparity.

“It’s not about working on women’s issues. It’s about winning women’s issues,” said Bridgeforth, 43.

Melanie Bridgeforth has launched her own firm to empower changemakers. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

“Strong Organizations Win”

Bridgeforth’s conviction and passion have made her successful, but her heart makes her a leader.

“I was taught that leadership is a responsibility, not a crown,” she said. “And with leadership comes great opportunity to affect the lives of people around you.”

Bridgeforth’s experience with reframing systems has allowed her to deepen her understanding of what it takes to create change. “Not the kind of short-term change that just makes you feel good,” she said in an interview when she first arrived at the WFA, “but systemic, sustainable change.”

The secret is in the system. The system is the vehicle for change.

“Strong organizations win, period,” she said plainly. “When you’re talking about movement building, you’ve gotta be organized from the bottom to the top, from side to side.”

Everyone has a role, and Bridgeforth stresses that developing the ability to sense and address gaps, direct resources, and reinforce support is critical.

“That means making sure the work you’re trying to lead is strong and well-resourced and that it has powerful, influential people behind it, supporting it, surrounding it because change is never the work of one person,” she said.

Lasting, large-scale change is the foundation upon which Bridgeforth has built her career. “Whether it’s the [WFA], my time at VOICES for Alabama’s Children, or rebuilding the Alabama Governmental Affairs Department of the American Heart Association, [I’m] making sure that the container is ready to do the work it’s been called upon to do,” she said.

Dreamers and Doers

Bridgeforth has developed a rhythm for gathering and laying the steppingstones that bring hope home, mobilizing vision by cultivating resources. But the story did not begin with her; it began five generations ago.

“I come from a long line of dreamers and doers,” she said. “As a fifth-generation Alabamian and descendant of Black people—farmers and landowners.”

George Bridgeforth was a former slave who began acquiring land in North Alabama in the 1870s. Today the family business, Darden Bridgeforth and Sons, based in Tanner, Alabama, carries the namesake of Melanie’s grandfather and has expanded to cover 9,300 acres of land about 30 miles west of Huntsville, Alabama.

Bridgeforth grew up in Athens, Alabama, under the covering of her close-knit family.

“I’m just blessed that I, for whatever reason, have the parents I have,” she said.

Her mother, Catherine, and father, John Henry, ingrained in Melanie and her brothers that legacy was part of their birthright. “To be part of my family, to be a Bridgeforth, is a spirit of grit,” Melanie said. “[My parents] taught us from a very early age the power of identity and of creating our own.”

In addition to generations of expansion, the Bridgeforth story is rooted in advocacy. In the early 1900s, George Bridgeforth’s eldest son, George Ruffin Bridgeforth, established an all-Black community of landholders known as Beulahland, now Tanner, Alabama.

The community thrived until the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), currently one of the largest power providers in the U.S., came knocking under the New Deal in the early 1930s. The Bridgeforths began petitioning the government in an effort to protect their community.

The Beulahland community and the Bridgeforth family forged ahead without support of the TVA, according to a quote from a thesis done by a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in 1990, who wrote, “In spite of the Authority’s lack of assistance, Beulahland and the Bridgeforth family continued to prosper. Their interaction with the federal government provided them with the means to confront local governmental policies which discriminated against Blacks. As a result, in the late 1930s, they increasingly turned their attention to issues such as Black voter registration and equal educational opportunities.”

Leaning Into the Call

Bridgeforth is not new to this, she’s true to this. The idea that an individual can influence America’s fortress of systems, laws, and wealth — conceived and set up to exploit and exclude all but a few — is almost inconceivable to most people and daunting at best.

Yet Bridgeforth, a Black woman, has penetrated the pockets, redrawn the boundaries, and rewritten the fine print. Her story is not about being a lobbyist or a CEO; it’s about being a conduit. Her journey carries a message: We all have a role to play. Leaning into our calling and our community is essential to collective progress.

Now Bridgeforth is breaking new ground.

“I’m building a firm that will meet values-driven change makers, corporations, not where they are but where they dream,” she said about her new endeavor while still basking in the bright light of the penthouse conference room, beaming as though she’d been asked what she wanted to be when she grew up.

Armed with nearly 15 years of experience, a heavy network and a spirit of possibility handed down by her ancestors, Melanie Bridgeforth is perfectly positioned to continue leading big change in Alabama and beyond.

Birmingham’s Marie Sutton Signs Book Deal That Makes History by Exploring Her Own

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Birmingham Times
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Birmingham-based writer Marie Sutton was one of six writers chosen for the debut roster of authors for Storehouse Voices, a new imprint of Penguin Random House dedicated to elevating Black authors. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

BY JAVACIA HARRIS BOWSER | For The Birmingham Times

(Women’s History Month Special)

Birmingham-based writer Marie Sutton is making history by exploring her own. Sutton was one of six writers chosen for the debut roster of authors for Storehouse Voices, a new imprint of Penguin Random House dedicated to elevating Black authors.

Officially launched in January 2025, Storehouse Voices hopes to open doors for Black writers, who typically represent only 5 to 7 percent of traditionally published authors. The imprint is led by attorney and entrepreneur Tamira Chapman, who has been ranked the 8th fastest woman-owned business for running her global merchandising company Storehouse and who spearheaded a marketing campaign for Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming”.

Sutton’s book, tentatively titled “All That Remains”, tells the story of her grandmother Jimmie Lee Elliott, who endured racism, poverty, and mental breakdowns as a single mom in the segregated South yet still broke many barriers to become the first woman in Alabama to achieve her postmaster rank in the U.S. Postal Service.

“She cobbled together all the pieces that remained and made a beautiful life,” Sutton said of her grandmother. “To give her her flowers, it means so much to me because she deserves it. I just really wish she was alive to see it.”

A Colorful Imagination

Though born on a naval base in Jacksonville, Florida, Sutton has been in Birmingham since the age of two and considers herself a native of the Magic City.

She has fond memories of summer visits to local libraries where she fell in love with books. Reading the stories of others eventually inspired her to write stories of her own. But something was missing.

“There were not a lot of African American characters in the books I read,” she recalled.

“And when I first started writing, none of the characters were Black.”

One day all that changed.

“Once I discovered Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes and other Black writers, it colored in my imagination,” she said. “I started writing about people who look like me, who talk like me, who like what I like.”

Looking back on this experience shows Sutton why representation matters and why imprints, like Storehouse Voices, that are devoted to amplifying diverse perspectives are so important. It’s proof that everyone with the drive to do so should tell their story.

“It’s needed for the little girl or the little boy who comes behind you, or the older woman or the older man that’s ahead of you,” she said. “Tell your story.”

The Story of Jimmie Lee Elliott

Born in 1934, Jimmie Lee Elliott came of age in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1950s during a time when it wasn’t unusual to wake to the smell of burning sulfur. The bombing of the houses of Black folks by the Ku Klux Klan became such a regular occurrence that Birmingham would eventually be nicknamed “Bombingham.” Young Jimmie Lee found an escape in the arms of 17-year-old Webster (who Sutton describes as a young “Humphrey Bogart dipped in chocolate.”)

When 15-year-old Jimmie ended up pregnant, a shotgun marriage came next, followed by the births of more babies that she and Webster struggled to feed. Then, Jimmie faced the biggest bomb yet: Her young husband was killed in a work accident, and she was left a widow at age 20. Eventually the grief, the poverty, the racism and the struggles of single motherhood all took too much of a toll. Jimmie suffered a mental breakdown and had to be institutionalized.

But like a phoenix rising from the ash, Jimmie emerged. She worked multiple jobs, attended night school, taught herself to drive, became a union leader, and led an all-white team of hostile postal workers in Alabama.

“She would often tell stories about working at the post office,” Sutton said. “And she wore her St. John suits and her snake-skin heels. We knew she was big time.”

Despite her conviction that diverse stories should be told, Sutton didn’t always believe her writing was good enough to share with the world. In fact, just months before she secured her book deal with Storehouse Voices, she considered deleting her manuscript.

“I just had a lot of doubt that there could be a place for me and for my stories,” she said.

“Heartbreaking and Beautiful”

Marie Sutton works for the City of Birmingham. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

An alum of Woodlawn High School and Stillman College, Sutton went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for her graduate studies, where she obtained a master’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. It was in a creative nonfiction class taught by Kerry Madden-Lunsford during the 2015-2016 academic year that Sutton began writing the story of Jimmie Lee, who passed away in 2015.

“It was an assignment to write about your family and, typically, when I would think about my family, I would think about my parents or my siblings, but something just came up about my grandmother,” Sutton recalled.

Captivated by Jimmie Lee’s life, Madden-Lunsford encouraged Sutton to keep going and Sutton’s story of her grandmother became her thesis project.

“I loved working with Marie, and I fell in love with her story about Jimmie,” Madden-Lunsford said. “I just felt like I stepped back in time in Birmingham, a place I did not know at all, and I got to go on this adventure with Jimmie who was so smart and so young. It was heartbreaking and beautiful.”

Determined to help Sutton continue telling Jimmie’s story, years later Madden-Lunsford recommended Sutton for a writing intensive hosted in California. The COVID-19 pandemic meant the workshop had to be virtual but that didn’t keep Sutton from wowing her instructors. In fact, she even had the opportunity to share her manuscript with a literary agent who was also impressed. This led to the chance to be mentored by one of the instructors, but Sutton didn’t follow up, self-doubt slowing her down.

“I read writers that I love, that I’m obsessed with, and I think, ‘I can’t do that. I’m not like them,’” Sutton admitted.

Sutton had evidence showing that she, in fact, could do what her favorite writers were doing. She’s the author of The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham: A Civil Rights Landmark, which was published in 2014. She’s ghostwritten two books. She’s been a freelance writer for various media outlets and organizations, a features writer for The Birmingham News, and an editor for a local Christian magazine. Furthermore, she’s led communications departments at UAB, St. Vincent’s Health System, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

“People would say my writing was good, but I thought it was just because they’re in my community,” she said. “I thought people were affirming my writing because they wanted to affirm me.”

Women and Words

In 2023, Sutton — a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. — learned about a new program for Black women writers through an email from her sorority.

The Women & Words program, a collaboration between Tamira Chapman’s company and Penguin Random House, included a series of virtual workshops and networking sessions aimed at demystifying the publishing industry for underrepresented women. More than 10,000 Black women registered within 30 days and thousands attended each online session.

Sutton eagerly signed up but struggled to attend all the virtual sessions because of her demanding day job. Sutton currently serves as Public Information Officer for the City of Birmingham’s Mayor’s Office — a time-consuming role that’s far from a typical 9 to 5.

But when Sutton learned that the Women & Words program was accepting manuscripts, she silenced her self-doubt and jumped at the chance to submit her work, which once again impressed readers. Sutton was invited to New York in March of 2024 for an opportunity to pitch her book idea to agents.

The day felt like a dream, Sutton said, as she recalled walking into the sleek Manhattan building.

“Everything was so beautiful, colorful, and bright,” she recalled. “They had all these affirmations everywhere and stacks and stacks of books by people like Maya Angelou. They gave us bags with a journal and a pen. They showered us with stuff.”

Sutton talked with some agents who gave her encouraging feedback, but she didn’t leave New York represented by anyone. And after that whirlwind trip to the Big Apple, Sutton heard nothing for months. She was ready to give up. “This summer I almost hit the delete button on the manuscript,” she confessed.

A Dream Come True

Fortunately, Sutton didn’t let her inner critic get the best of her. She did not delete her manuscript and when Women & Words invited her to New York for a second time she was still armed with the story of Jimmie Lee. And she knew this story was worth a shot.

So did the team behind Women & Words. Sutton found herself before Chapman as well as David Drake, president of Crown Publishing Group, and Porscha Burke, Senior Editor-at-Large at Random House. She was asked to pitch her book idea again. She did, nervously. When she was done, she thought she’d fumbled this chance, but she was wrong.

Chapman gleefully announced that they were offering Sutton a book deal for a new imprint dedicated to telling the stories of Black writers. They had already read her proposal and chapters. They knew Jimmie Lee’s name and her story and had the offer letter already typed out.

That’s when she proceeded to “ugly cry” tears of joy before calling her husband James and her mother to share the good news. “This is my dream come true,” Sutton said. “I feel like it’s validation. I grew up a shy kid, so to have that validation means so much.”

Adding to the feelings of affirmation, Kiese Laymon, one of Sutton’s favorite authors, shared news of Sutton’s book deal in a social media post. One of the same authors Sutton once compared herself to was now celebrating her success.

Write On

Bolstered by her book deal, Sutton is more determined than ever to share her grandmother’s story. She recently met with her grandmother’s siblings to let them know that she doesn’t plan to shy away from tough topics such as Jimmie’s battle with mental illness.

“They got it,” she said of her family. “They understood that it makes her victory that much greater when you see everything she went through.”

So, Sutton, mother to 17-year-old Simone and 16-year-old Stephen, sets her alarm for 4:30 am each weekday so she can make time to write before getting the kids off to school and heading to City Hall. She writes on the weekend, too, and she plans to use vacation time to finish up the additional interviews she needs to complete to round out the story

Her message to others with literary aspirations is simple: “Write on. Keep writing. There’s a place for your voice in the world.”

She also recommends being part of a writing community for extra support.

“Your story is as unique as your fingerprint, and the world needs your story,” she said. “We live in a world where people want to project and assume, but you have the power to give voice to your experience.”

Follow Marie Sutton’s writing and publishing journey at mariesutton.substack.com.

Women’s History Special: Demi Johnson, Teenage Oyster Farmer

By
Birmingham Times
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March is Women’s History Month, a time when we honor and celebrate the extraordinary contributions women have made and continue to make toward making our society safer and better — women like Demi Johnson.

Over the past 20 years, the oyster population in Mississippi’s Gulf waters has been devastated by natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina as well as manmade disasters like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These tragic events devasted the oyster environment in Mississippi. One of the key contributing factors helping to restore the oyster population is the work of Demi Johnson, an African American teenager who resides in Mississippi.

Demi Johnson’s oyster conservation efforts have had a major significant ecological impact on Mississippi’s Gulf waters. (Facebook)

Demi’s conservation efforts started when she was a mere seventh grader. Her initial interest started when she was searching for a project to earn her Girl Scout badge. Demi stated in an interview with reporter John Yang, “So I found out about this from my Girl Scout leader. So, there’s a thing called a Silver Award, and you have to do a project for your community, something community based, and she kind of put it up in the air. She was like, ‘hey you can do oyster gardening at my pier.’ And I was like, okay, ‘I’ll do it. Like, it doesn’t sound too bad. And you know, it’s something easy for me to do.’”

No one could imagine at the time this would become a life changing endeavor for all involved – Demi, Mississippi and the greater community.

Demi’s oyster conservation efforts have had a major significant ecological impact on Mississippi’s Gulf waters. Her project, centered on the cultivation of oysters at Schooner Pier in Biloxi, has contributed to the restoration of oyster reefs, which play an essential role in the marine ecosystem.

The restoration of oyster reefs is vital as they serve as natural water filters, removing pollutants from the water, and as protective barriers against storm surges. Moreover, oyster reefs provide habitat for a variety of marine life, thus supporting biodiversity. Demi’s project has directly contributed to these ecological benefits by producing 1,000 oysters which are expected to spawn millions more, enhancing the sustainability and health of the local marine environment.

Demi is now a ninth grader. She recently traveled to Washington, D.C. as one of the top 15 finalists for the Slingshot Challenge for her Mississippi Oyster Gardening Project. She became one of the award recipients.  The top 15 were selected out of 2,100 submissions. Demi created a video titled “Off Bottom Oysters” and was up for the People’s Choice Award. She won the 2025 Significant Achievement Award for “Off Bottom Oysters” and won a $1,000 scholarship. She donated her winnings back to the Mississippi Oyster Gardening Program.

Demi says she plans to attend the University of Michigan and major in environmental law. She desires a career as a lawyer to represent environmental groups. This is how Demi plans to Keep an Eye on Safety for the community.  Note, she did earn her Girl Scout Silver badge.

We Are All Part of Women’s History

By
Birmingham Times
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As we celebrate Women’s History Month and contemplate all the historical achievements women have made, let me encourage you with this. There’s no need for you to look outside of you for history. Sister, you are history.

Your life, your setbacks, your comebacks, your lessons and your wins – detail one of the greatest stories ever told. And let’s be honest. No one knows what it really takes to be you – what it takes to rise daily and summon your greatness despite personal challenges. Or even what it takes to display a smile, when inwardly, you want to cry. Sister, I feel you. And if we’re being transparent, I’ve been you.

Sometimes we can feel our accomplishments don’t amount too much if it’s not being recognized on a higher plane, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. For your children, family, friends, co-workers and other loved ones, you matter. They’re watching you and waiting on you to deliver a daily dose of all that is you – that humor you bring to the moment; that smile you interject in the heaviness; and the calm you display in the chaos.

And because of you, they are better. They are lighter. They are inspired. No man (nor woman) is an island. Your life is impacting someone at this very moment, and it’s being recorded as your history. You may be surprised to know that people are thinking of you; perhaps even laughing at you (or something you said); or just being mindful of you.

One of the most powerful gifts a woman possesses isn’t her money, her physical beauty or career accomplishments. Each woman – regardless of social status and achievements – has the gift of influence, or the ability to impact other people. That influence ladies is a hallmark of leadership and can have positive or negative consequences.

So, rather than contemplate what you don’t have, why not remember the amazing gift that you already possess, and choose to use it wisely? While you’re still here, you still have an opportunity to edit and re-write your story. Let your real feminine power – your influence – be one for the record books. And your mouth can be a mighty instrument for that influence as well – mighty enough to build up kingdoms, as well as tear them down.

The choice belongs to you. You determine which side of history your influence (and legacy) will stand. My prayer is that you decide to build and use the influence you already have to create in yourself and others the stuff legends are made of.

Know that I’m cheering an extra cheer for you this month sister, and as always, I’m just an email away if you need me.

Keisa Sharpe is a life coach, author and speaker. Her column appears each month online and in The Birmingham Times. You can contact Keisa at keisasharpe@yahoo.com and visit http://www.allsheanaturals.com for natural hair and body products.

“Your story is as unique as your fingerprint, and the world needs your story. We live in a world where people want to project and assume, but you have the power to give voice to your experience.”

By
Birmingham Times
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MARIE SUTTON, LOCAL AUTHOR WHO RECENTLY LANDED A BOOK DEAL
WITH STOREHOUSE VOICES, AN IMPRINT OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE
DEDICATED TO ELEVATED BLACK WRITERS; WWW.BIRMINGHAMTIMES.COM, MARCH 5.

 

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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Michael Yeung Percussion Artist at UAB. (Provided)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

TODAY…

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

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

**LADY COUCH with KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.

**HOVVDY with VIDEO AGE at Saturn.

**EVERY THURSDAY- 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.

**FILM at Sidewalk Film.

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

FRIDAY…IT IS Friday…the weekend starts…

**TERNION SOUND: FAREWELL TOUR with VCTRE LYKWID and LYKWID at Saturn.

**EDGE OF DESTINY & DEAD EMPIRE at The Nick.

**DEBI TIRAR MAS FIESTAS/THE BAD BUNNY PARTY at Iron City.

**The 2025 AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS 6 p.m. at the Theodore. For more, addys@aafbirmingham.com.

**LATE NIGHT FRIDAYS with DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick Rocks.

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

**TRAP KARAOKE – PREMIER ADD ONS at Iron City.

**TRAP KARAOKE at Iron City.

SATURDAY…

**KARAOKE SATURDAYS, 3 p.m. at 3605 Gray Avenue, Adamsville, with the ALL-EN ONE BBQ with Chef Randy ”Dee” Allen and The Lovely LaToria at the 7 Angels Coffee & Smoothie Café.

**THE DREADED LARAMIE, BITTER ROUTE AND BEAU CHEVAL at the Nick.

**FUTURE JOY LATE NIGHT at The Nick.

**BOOT SCOOTIN’ BOOGIE NIGHTS at Saturn.

 SUNDAY…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

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

**2nd SUNDAY WITH ZAXH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**CRUMBSNATCHERS with TAYLOR HOLLINGWORTH at The Nick Rocks.

**WEIRDO: THE STORY OF FIVE EIGHT at Saturn. FREE

**THE DAY PLAYERS at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**THE AMITY AFFLICATION at Iron City.

MONDAY…

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

TUESDAY…

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

**SUBSTRATE BINGO with JACKIE LO at Saturn. FREE

**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE EVERY TUESDAY at The Nick.

**SONGWRITER’S NIGHT at The Nick.

**INHALER at Iron City.

WEDNESDAY…

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

**BRIAN ENO’S FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE & OSCILLATIONS at The Nick.

**EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT with SUNDROP at The Nick.

NEXT THURSDAY…

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

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

**THE ALMAS at The Nick.

**YOT CLUB + VUNDABAR at Saturn.

NEXT FRIDAY….

**DERAU DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.

**ROBYN HITCHCOCK at Saturn.

**DAN SPNECER WITH ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**JUST A GIRL – NO DOUBT & GWEN STEFANI TRIBUTE WITH SUBLIMINAL DOUBT at Iron City.

BT PICKS

In Honor of Women’s History Month, BT has chosen Insecure as Show of the Month.

Available to stream on: MAX and Netflix

Insecure is a groundbreaking television series that has made a significant impact on contemporary culture. Created by and starring Issa Rae, the show first premiered in 2016 and has since garnered critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the modern Black female experience. The series centers around the character Issa Dee, a young Black woman navigating the complexities of professional life, relationships, and personal growth in Los Angeles.

One of the reasons “Insecure” holds such importance, especially during Women’s History Month, is its focus on the multifaceted lives of Black women, a group that has historically been underrepresented in mainstream media. The show delves into themes such as friendship, love, ambition, and identity, providing a rich and relatable narrative that resonates with many viewers.

Issa Rae’s portrayal of Issa Dee, along with the diverse cast, sheds light on the unique challenges and triumphs faced by Black women in today’s society. The series also addresses issues of race, gender, and social justice, contributing to broader conversations about equality and representation.

“Insecure” has not only entertained audiences but has also empowered and inspired many by celebrating the strength, resilience, and complexity of women, particularly women of color. This makes it a fitting and powerful choice to honor and highlight on Women’s History Month.

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

is a contemporary novel that provides an intimate portrait of a young black woman navigating her tumultuous life in London. The protagonist, Queenie Jenkins, is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman working as a journalist for a national newspaper. Her life, both personal and professional, is in a state of disarray as she struggles to find her place in the world.

The novel begins with Queenie experiencing a painful breakup with her long-term boyfriend, Tom, which serves as a catalyst for her downward spiral. In the aftermath of the breakup, Queenie engages in a series of unhealthy relationships and sexual encounters, often finding herself in situations that compromise her self-worth and mental stability.

Her professional life is equally challenging, as she faces subtle and overt forms of racism and sexism in the workplace. Despite her talent and dedication, Queenie has to navigate a predominantly white and male-dominated environment that frequently undermines her contributions.

As Queenie grapples with her identity and self-esteem, she turns to her close-knit group of friends, affectionately known as “The Corgis,” for support. Each friend offers a unique perspective and plays a crucial role in Queenie’s journey toward self-discovery and healing. Additionally, Queenie’s relationship with her family, particularly her traditional Jamaican grandparents, adds another layer to her complex identity and the cultural pressures she faces.

Throughout the novel, Queenie’s mental health battles are poignantly depicted, shedding light on the importance of seeking help and breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness within the Black community. Her journey to recovery is marked by therapy sessions, self-reflection, and the gradual rebuilding of her self-worth.

“Queenie” delves into themes of race, identity, mental health, and the complexities of modern womanhood. Carty-Williams masterfully captures the experiences of a young black woman in contemporary society, addressing issues such as systemic racism, microaggressions, and the struggle for self-acceptance.

The novel is a powerful commentary on the importance of self-care, resilience, and the support of a strong community. It challenges readers to confront their own prejudices and to empathize with the multifaceted experiences of those who are often marginalized.

NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…

**LAWSON STATE ANNUAL CAREER AND COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR – The Lawson Career & Community Resource Fair is Wednesday, March 12 at the Bessemer Civic Center, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. located at 1130 Ninth Avenue S.W. Bessemer.  There will be more than 50 employers and nonprofit organizations.  For more, visit lawsonstate.edu or email ahaley@lawsonstate.edu.

IN SELMA AND MONTGOMERY…

**SELMA JUBILEE 2025 – The Selma 56th Anniversary Jubilee Celebrations get started Monday, March 3 – Friday, March 9 in Selma, Alabama. This is a very full week of activities and more into the next week, Set your clocks and your days. For more email training@selmacntr.org.

NEXT WEEK…AND FOLLOWING WEEK…

**TODAY -Voting Rights History Bowl, Revisiting the ‘Negro Problem”, Ministers of Justice Roundtable and Mass meeting.

**FRIDAY – Jubilee Golf Tournament at the Ocmulgee Golf Course in Valley Grande, AL. For more, register at kappaselma.com or call 334-327-5640; Education Summit, Children’s Sojourn/ Youth Freedom March Is Black Achievement Under Attack?, 50 Mile Peace Rally and Walk.*Mock Trial and Public Conversation.

**SATURDAY – *Foot Soldiers Breakfast, *Jubilee Parade, *The Formerly Incarcerated People Movement: Backwards March”, *Battle of the Bands, *Wellness & Empowerment Village, *Fighting Forward: Gen Z & Young Millennial Our Future, Our Vote!, *Women’s Roundtable: No Vote, No Voice, Moving Forward Luncheon. For more, 205-249-8559 0r 224-791-9385, *Moving Through Time with Art and Fashion, Fighting Forward: Unifying & Organizing to Face the challenges of 2025, The Blackbelt Cultural Village, Jubilee Street Festival at Water Avenue foot of Pettus Bridge, *Ministers of Justice Roundtable: Movement Building: Education and Activation, *Intergenerational Hip Hop Political Summit, *The Future of Non-Profits: Understanding the Proposed Legislation on 501-3C status, Fighting Forward: Voter Restoration Correction Now, *Induction into the Hall of Resistance, Induction into the Women’s Hall of Fame, *Meet, Mingle & Discuss Networking Reception, *Mr. & Ms. Jubilee Pageant. For more info, call 843-816-6283 OR 470-884-3032. *Induction into the Legal Hall of Fame, *Steppin’ Out on the Vote Step show, Freedom Flame Awards Gala, * Be Heard, World Theatre Troupe & Selma Students with Spoken Word, song, Hip Hop and Modern Dance. For more info, 617-513-9314.

**SUNDAY – Martin & Coretta King Unity Breakfast, *Sunday Morning Services, * re March Rally, * Bridge Program, * March to Restore Voting rights,*Post March Rally and Benefit Concert for the National Voting Rights Museum, *Blues Concert and Gospel Concert.

**STARTING MONDAY, March 10 – FRIDAY, March 14 – The SELMA TO MONTGOMERY MARCH starting at the Foot of the Pettus Bridge on Water Avenue Selma, AL and ending Friday at the State Capital Building in Montgomery, AL   (IN CASE OF RAIN, Festival will be moved to the former Concordia College Campus. For full schedule, updated information, or tickets visit www.selmajubilee.com.

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS…

TODAY…Leisurely Weekday Hike at Tannehill State Historical Park- Details: Enjoy an easy 3 or so-mile hike on trails in an especially lovely Alabama Historical State Park. The site is very near Birmingham! The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy…stop often to catch our breath and note views, trees, birdsongs and the trail and woods around us. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece. This is a guided tour of easily walkable trails.  Bring a picnic lunch, water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress appropriately for the weather. Meet at 10 a.m. at the parking lot behind the McDonald’s Galleria on U.S. Highway 31 in Hoover. Plan to depart from there at 10:15 a.m. Day-Use Park Admission: $5 Adults (12 years and older); $4 Seniors (Ages 62 and older) Information and Hike Leader: Christine Heckemeyer, 205-979-5730

**SATURDAY DAYHIKE at Upper Quillan Creek, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest – Details: Moderately strenuous, 4-mile dayhike in a highly scenic location, Upper Quillan Creek Forest Area.  Most of the hike is off trail, there are lots of ups and downs, and several rock-hopping crossings are required across small creeks.  Walk along two creeks and on an old road.  At a beautiful waterfall,visit the site of an old mill.  See several small waterfalls on side creeks and tributaries to Quillan Creek. Visit at least three very pretty waterfalls on Quillan Creek itself along the way.  Expect to see a minimum of a total of twelve lovely waterfalls on this trip. Bring picnic lunch and water for the day. Expect to finish hiking about 4 p.m.  Optional dinner afterwards. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 9 and over able to walk 4 miles off trail without complaining are welcome.

Reservations Required: You are required to call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email your reservation to southeasternoutings@gmail.com by 5 p.m.  Leave your phone number and/or email address.  This outing is limited to 10 people in order to comply with U.S. Forest Service regulations. If you make a reservation don’t be a no-show, notify Dan. Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com, or phone 205/631-4680.

**SUNDAY DAYHIKE, Meet 1:45 p.m. in Oak Mountain State Park – Details: Enjoy a moderate 4-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.  This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors.  Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails.  There will be some ups and downs.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome. Share an adventure!  Bring a friend. Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.  Depart from there at 2 p.m. Bring $5/person ($2. seniors) park admission fee plus your drink. Info. and Trip Leader: Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969

 AT VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM…

**FROM STEEL TO STAGE: THE HISTORY OF THEATRE IN BIRMINGHAM – This exhibition features artifacts, photos and stories from various sources in and around Birmingham. It will reflect how creativity and vision of the past continue to inspire the thriving arts and cultural scene through January, 2026.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**MARCH 21-22 – 2025 – Native Plant Conference with Keynote Speaker Benjamin Vogt.

 AT UAB…

**MARCH 18 – MICHAEL YEUNG, percussion artist, 7 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center. Yeung is a versatile percussion artist celebrated worldwide for hi dynamic performances and a diverse repertoire from classics to contemporary masterpieces.

**MARCH 20 – VELOITY IRISH DACNE, 7 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center.

**MARH 22 – ALABAMA SPELLING BEE,

**MARCH 30 – THE DRIFERS and CORNELL GUNTERS COASTERS, 7 p.m..

**APRIL 12 – SCHOLARSHIP RUN, starts at 8 a.m.

(For more info and details on events, call 205-975-8858 or go to: AlysStephens.org.)

 MENTAL HEALTH MONDAYS…

**MARCH 17 – “Disability Arts Festival: Spotlight on Jessica Blinkhorn and Victoria Dugger.

**APRIL 21 – STORIES FROM THE STAGE – Creating Community and Connection through Artistic Expression with “FROM WHERE I SIT by Suzanne Costello

**MAY 19 – MENTAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING: A CONVERSATION WITH DONNA DUKE-POPE

(For more and to register go to, AlysStephens.org and questions, email: artsinmedicine@uab.edu.)

AT BCRI…

**THROUGH MARCH 22 – BLACK HISTORY MONTH ON VIEW… one exhibit is FORGED IN LIBERATION at the Odessa Gallery about the Black Workers in the Struggle for Equality, another one is, FIND A WAY OR MAKE ONE: THE LIFE OF RUTH J. JACKSON.

COMING…

**MARCH 30 – THE DRIFTERS AND CORNELL GUNTER’S COASTERS at the UAB Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

**JUNE 24 – DAVE MATTHEWS at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater.

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

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