From left: Kendall C. Dunson, Danielle W. Mason, LaBarron N. Boone, Larry A. Golston, and Navan Ward, Jr.
From left: Kendall C. Dunson, Danielle W. Mason, LaBarron N. Boone, Larry A. Golston, and Navan Ward, Jr.
Montgomery — Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C., was selected by Law360 as one of the 10 Best Law Firms for Black Attorneys in the U.S. The firm was recognized as having the highest percentage of African-American partners of any of the firms included on the list.
Tom Methvin, Principal & Managing Attorney for the firm, says being mindful of providing opportunities for African-American attorneys is part of the firm’s business plan. The firm actively supports programs of the Alabama Lawyers Association, and each year takes two or more law clerks from that network. Creating a workplace where black attorneys can succeed is a win-win for everyone, he says.
“When you have diversity, you have different points of view. It helps attract clients. It helps us understand how juries feel. We wanted to have African-American attorneys in each section that we practice,” Methvin said. “We expect a lot out of all our lawyers, and we provide an environment where they can be successful if they want to be. Their success is the firm’s success.”
Kendall Dunson is a Principal in the firm’s Personal Injury/Products Liability Section. He was named Beasley Allen’s Litigator of the Year for 2015. He has served as president of both the Alabama Lawyers Association and the Capital City Bar Association, and served as the first African-American President of the Montgomery County Bar Association.
“Beasley Allen is proud of its stance on diversity, but we’re more proud of the success of our African American attorneys,” Dunson says.
“Each of us have distinguished ourselves as an excellent attorney, and an asset to the legal field.”
To compile its Top 10 list, Law360 surveyed more than 300 U.S. firms with a U.S. component, about their overall and minority headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2015. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey. Firms are ranked based on three factors: the percentage of partners, both equity and non-equity, who self-identify as black; the percentage of non-partners who self-identify as black; and the number of attorneys at the firm who self-identify as black.
To obtain more information about Beasley Allen’s African American attorneys and their successes, visit the attorneys page on the firm’s website at www.beasleyallen.com/attorneys . For additional information about verdicts and settlements, contact Helen Taylor, Public Relations Coordinator, at About Beasley Allen Law Firm.
Headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., Beasley Allen is comprised of more than 70 attorneys and 200 support staff. One of the largest Plaintiffs law firms in the country, Beasley Allen is a national leader in civil litigation, with verdicts and settlements in excess of $26 billion.
When he died, the rock star, Prince, left not only a vault containing a treasure trove of music and videos. He also left behind the ownership of a highly valuable trademark for the right to exploit his name for multiple uses. But that trademark wasn’t filed until 2014.
Paisley Park Enterprises’ seemingly late registration of the “Prince” trademark actually makes sense.
When Prince recovered the rights to the masters of his early music from Warner Brothers Records in 2014, he also regained the legal right to use and profit from his own name, a key point of contention in his fight against Warner, and one that sparked his use of the famous “love symbol” and made “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” a household phrase.
That’s just one of the many surprises on the website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which maintains a public database of millions of trademark registrations — who filed them, who owns them and who has let them expire.
As social media sites proliferate, the ownership of black culture has sparked a hot-button issue: Trends grounded in the African-American community rapidly go viral and become popular and often profitable, but rarely for the originators. Owning trademarks is key to securing the rights to those concepts.
There are other gems in this data mine:
“Barack Obama”
At least twice, individuals who are not President Barack Obama have tried to trademark his name. Both attempts failed soon after his 2009 presidential inauguration.
Yet, the current active trademark reveals an interesting clue as to how the president intends to spend his time after leaving office.
A trademark application filed in January 2016 for the “Barack Obama Foundation” in Chicago, details its anticipated uses for charitable activities in “arts, education, human and social services,” as well as conferences and programs “in the fields of poverty elimination, health security, economic empowerment and investment, leadership development, world governance, climate change, citizen service, and racial, ethnic, and religious reconciliation.”
“Black Lives Matter”
There are two ways to consider the fact that the Black Lives Matter organization has not trademarked — nor seems to have attempted to trademark — the phrase that represents both their name and protest identity. That is either a missed fundraising opportunity or a sign that Black Lives Matter’s leaders are more concerned with action and change than with profit.
Whatever the correct answer is, this has not stopped at least a few others from trying to cash in. According to Patent Office records, a Michael Southern of Crazy4tshirts, a Chicago company, filed a trademark application for “Black Lives Matter” six months after protests erupted in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014. But the trademark expired in September 2015.
Perkins, Inc. a California company, filed for a Black Lives Matter trademark for use on greeting cards and stationery in April 2015, but the trademark expired in January 2016.
Trademarks can be considered “dead” soon after applications are submitted if registrants fail to respond to government queries about such filings. Also, some people simply abandon their applications once related expenses emerge.
Still active, however, is “Bulletproof: #Black Lives Matter,” owned by Damon Turner of Lawrenceville, Georgia, for use on t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and other apparel.
“Bud Billiken”
The name “Bud Billiken” means a lot in Chicago. A fictional character created by the Chicago Defender newspaper, he represented the city’s collective black conscience. And, since 1929, the spirit of black Chicago has been brought to life by the huge Bud Billiken Day Parade — America’s second largest annual parade, after Macy’s Thanksgiving Day celebration. That means tons of money in sponsorships, and presumably a valuable brand to protect.
But parade organizers might want to check the paperwork. The trademark for “Bud Billiken,” filed for and held since 1991 by Sengstacke Enterprises, the Defender’s former owners, expired in January 2016.
“Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Dr. King’s heirs have been famously litigious about the use of their late father’s name and image. This has been a source of great consternation for filmmakers, researchers and a host of others who think the King name and legacy should be public domain, and that the family’s licensing fees can be prohibitive.
So, it may surprise many that while the Dr. Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Change has an active trademark, there is currently no active trademark for the name “Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Dr. King’s estate applied for, and received, that trademark in 1995, only to let it expire in 1999. There is no renewal application on file.
Miles Davis would have turned 90 last week. His birthday is May 26, 1926.
The film “Miles Ahead,” released in April, is a mosaic, flashback-filled ride — some fictional, some reality — through some of the darkest times in Miles Davis’s life during a five-year creative slump.
It’s difficult to define it as a genre film. It doesn’t fit the cliché music biopic mold that examines a musician through his life; starting with a childhood trauma, on to a creative musical peak, and ending with his inevitable troubled genius downfall spurred on by the consummate excess of drugs, women and more drugs.
Don Cheadle used the hilarious Judd Apatow produced film Walk Hard, The Dewey Cox Story, which spoofs the typical music biopic, as instructive of what not to do. Miles Ahead certainly is not a creative documentary either like the brilliantly crafted story of Kurt Cobain in Montage of Heck.
Instead, Miles Ahead follows several overused formulas all rolled into one movie: the interracial buddy film with the reluctant friendship of Cheadle and Ewan McGregor’s character as a convenient plot vehicle (in the vein of An Officer and a Gentleman or Lethal Weapon); a story of lost love; a cops-and-robber style chase; and the trials of an outlaw genius who can only be redeemed by his craft. Where Miles Ahead succeeds (the accompanying soundtrack due out May 27th, by Robert Glasper, who scored the film, acts as an extension of the film) is ironically in some of those easy tropes…
This story originally appeared on TheShadowLeague.com, a site dedicated to journalistically sound sports coverage with a cultural perspective that insightfully informs sports fans worldwide.
A few days ago, I found myself stuck in traffic. As I watched the cars inch along, I noticed a white truck in the next lane. There was nothing significant about the truck, just an older gentleman with his trusty sidekick, a brown Labrador retriever, who was gazing out of the window. I didn’t think much of it at first. Then I heard God say, “This is a picture of many people’s lives.” I kept moving without giving the words much thought, but soon my car was parallel with the truck and traffic was at a standstill. I heard God say, “Look closely. This is a picture of how many people live each day.” This time, I took a closer look, but with my spiritual eyes.
I saw the driver. He was focused. It seemed he knew where he wanted to go. He was aware of his surroundings and although the pace was slow, he was steadily moving forward. I’m sure he was much like me, not expecting this much traffic, but by the look on his face, it was not bothered. Wherever he was going, it seemed he had more than enough time as compared to other drivers who were moving from lane to lane somehow hoping to get beyond that which was unavoidable…highway construction.
As I turned my attention to the passenger seat, things seemed much different. I saw someone who was only willing to go where man could take him. I saw someone who had gotten comfortable. He showed no concern for the destination. His confidence was in man. With his head protruding from the side window, he stared aimlessly at the other cars as they passed by. Forward thinking was not his intent. Although it was just a dog, I saw someone who had lost their focus and was just along for the ride.
This entire scenario is a mirror image of all of us. Whether you are the driver or the passenger, a journey is inevitable. Each day we must choose whether we take control of the wheel or go along for the ride. Even if you boldly declare that you are the driver, many are watching or may be riding with you. You have to decide whether you will simply allow them to thoughtlessly ride along or will you share teachable nuggets that will ultimately lead them to leave you and become drivers of their own destiny.
If you are the passenger, stop and ask yourself a couple of questions, “Am I in the right position? Do I know where my driver is going? Is his destination in line with my destiny? Am I being mentored as we ride along or is my kindness being taken for granted?”
I challenge you today to know who you are and where you are going. Being a passenger is not negative as long as the ride is purposeful. Being the driver is not always positive, especially if you don’t know where you are going. No matter your position, take steps each day to move forward. And always remember, your position in life is your decision.
For more about Tijuana J. Williams, visit www.sharingmyheartblog.com.
Donald Trump, without a shadow of a doubt, has made a mockery of every individual and organization whose votes and support he has captured in his quest to become the president of the United States.
He completely destroyed the personal lives of 16 individuals that ran for President of the United States. He has personally criticized 100 percent of the leadership in the Republican Party.
Trump has made the statement that there will never be another black president in America because they do not meet the qualifications.
He has publicly stated that all Hispanics are rapists, murderers, and drug dealers.
He has insulted women by labeling them fat, ugly, and ignorant. He even said that when they are on their period their thought process is unreliable.
In Trump’s view, no Muslims should be allowed to enter the United States, and the ones that are here currently should be deported.
He has served as his own press agent under an assumed name, and discussed his infidelity and sexual contact with women.
Trump is using the same scare tactics that George Wallace used in the ’60s and ’70s. Most people can remember George Wallace saying, “Segregation today, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever.” The scare tactics Wallace used stressed the idea that these black people will go to school with you and eventually end up marrying white women.
There are many other dumb things that Trump is guilty of, such as not releasing his tax returns, and saying that when he gets ready to make a decision he consults himself.
One writer said Donald Trump will more than likely vet himself as Vice President of the United States.
After reading all the things I have said about Donald Trump, his chances of winning the presidency at this period in time is greater than 50 percent.
Regardless of what he has done, regardless to what he has said, his followers do not care. Every time Hillary Clinton picks up two women voters, Donald Trump gains two white male voters that are Democrats. He believes that he is going to eventually get all the women on his side, even though he criticized them. He says black and Hispanic voters will not turn out.
He further believes that Bernie Sanders, who is not a Democrat but an Independent, will destroy the Democratic Party. All of his commercials will be based on Bernie Sanders’ own words.
Unquestionably, Hillary Clinton is more qualified to serve as President of the United States than any other person in the country.
On a sad note, Donald Trump, as I fore stated, has an excellent chance
at winning the presidency, in spite of the division, hate-filled rhetoric spewed regularly from his mouth.
On a good note, if he becomes the President of the United States, we will have no support from foreign countries, we will be involved in two or three wars, he cannot deliver on job promises, and he will only serve one term. This, however, would leave the country in the worst state of turmoil in recent history. If Hillary Clinton loses, Bernie Sanders will have to take responsibility.
Hillary Clinton could win the presidency if she can do the following: first, get 75 percent of Bernie Sanders’ votes. Second, stay on message. For example, policy issues, job opportunities for all, and economic development for the middle class and poor people in this country. Finally, what she has to do is avoid a personal attack contest with Donald Trump. She can allow her super pac do the dirty work while sticking with the message that Donald Trump is not qualified to be President of the United States.
Donald Trump is, and always has been, a TV game show host!
CONGRATULATIONS SELENA LEE AS BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS’ REGIONAL WINNER IN 2016 C-SPAN STUDENTCAM COMPETITION
Bright House Networks recognized Selena Lee from Ramsay High School as a regional winner in the C-SPAN 2016 StudentCam video documentary competition.
StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. For the 2016 competition, students in grades 6-12 were asked to create a short (5-7 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the 2016 competition theme, “Road to the White House”, and the issue they most want the candidates to discuss during the 2016 presidential campaign. Selena’s video, entitled Voter “I.D. Law; Pro or Con for American Voters”, was one of four recipients of the 2016 Bright House Networks C-SPAN StudentCam regional competition. As a regional award recipient, Selena will receive a $1,000 cash prize, as well as a $1,000 donation to Ramsay High School in her honor, to be used for digital video equipment.
June is Black Music Month!
THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK
HAVE SOME FUN IN THE SUN!
TODAY:
FIRST THURSDAY: AFTER HOURS AT THE BMA with a new film series at the BMA starting today, 7 p.m. with ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ FREE. Come early to enjoy the open galleries, drinks, and tapas at First Thursdays: After Hours at the BMA. Take a blanket!
One of the ‘Hottest Jazz Festivals in the Nation’ attracting people from around the world to Birmingham starts today.
STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL SOIREE, with ALVIN GARRETT and LOGAN THE ENTERTAINER and Precision Groove featuring Deirdre Gaddis, 7:30 p.m. at the Harbert Center.
FRIDAY
STEEL CITY JAZZ at Linn Park fun begins at 5 p.m. with Marcus Anderson followed by Mindi Abair and BoneShakers & Marion Meadows; and Paul Taylor Sax in The City at 7:40 p.m. The great Boney James takes the stage at 9 p.m. The Friday nite party under the stars continues at 10:30 with Morris Day and The Time until midnight!
BARDS & BREWS OPEN MIC at the Avondale Library, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. with music by JOSH WHEELER. There will be free craft beer sampling and light refreshments. Open to the Public and FREE. (Look for more Bards & Brews at the Vestavia Hills Library on July 8.)
COMEDIAN FELIPE ESPARZA at the StarDome Comedy Club, this weekend.
SATURDAY
STEEL CITY JAZZ FEST in Linn Park starting at 11 a.m. The fun continues with the legendary Ben Tankard at 12:30 p.m. Music continues at 2 p.m. with Jazz Funk Soul comprised of some of today’s hottest acts: Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber and Everett Harp. Then, at 3:30 p.m. Maysa followed by BWB, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum & Norman Brown at 5 p.m. Ken Ford lights the stage at 6:30 p.m., at 8 p.m. David Sanborn. Closing out the night, Frankie Beverly and Maze, 9:30 p.m. until.
SUNDAY:
JAZZ IN THE PARK Jazz in the Avondale Park with Chris Standing and Soul Collaboration, 6-9 p.m.
TUESDAY:
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until on Graymont across form Legion Field.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS:
CANOE AND KAYAK TRIP at Locust Fork River. DETAILS: A fun Southeastern Outings canoe and kayak trip on Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County. This stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Along the river see lots of wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches. Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe. Rental fees include shuttle service. Also the outfitter will shuttle for a fee the drivers of all cars bringing private boats used on this outing. If you wish to rent a boat from Eric Nolen, please call the outfitter BEFORE June 4 at (205) 429-5455 to reserve your boat. Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings. Depart 9 a.m. from the Cleveland Chevron Service Station. Reservations Required by email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call (205) 631-4680. Leave your your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are bringing a canoe or kayak and whether you need a paddling partner. If you have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.
FOR ART LOVERS
AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART:
ART ON THE ROCKS 2016 – The Birmingham Museum of Art is hosting Art on the Rocks for its 12th Season: June 17, July 22 and August 19. There will be art, music, food and more. The first AOTR of the summer will feature a performance by AMASA HINES, a seven-piece band with big sound from Little Rock, Arkansas. Their influences come from a diverse range of Soul, Afro-Beat, Psychedelic, Blues, Dub, and Indie Rock styling.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
Deon Yates (Photo Courtesy)
JAZZ SAXOPHONIST DEON YATES at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m.
JAZZ IN THE PARK – Enjoy JAZZ IN AVONDALE PARK, Sunday, 6-9 p.m. with CHRIS STANDRING and SOUL COLLABORATION. (In case of inclement weather, it will move to the Carver Theatre, downtown. FREE.)
Chris Standring (Photo courtesy)
TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – Don’t miss the FATHER’S DAY SHOW, June 19th with TJ HOOKER TAYLOR and RENITA BRAXTON PICKENS. CHECK OUT….the TIDE AND TIGER! Every Tuesday enjoy wings for 50 cents and $5 drinks at half price. Every Sunday enjoy music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with DJ Tide and Tiger. For more information, call (205) 503-3880.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS
AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Positively Funny Improv and this weekend… Check out FELIPE ESPARZA Friday through Sunday. That’s right, straight off of touring with The Queens of Comedy at the StarDome.
Felipe Espara (Photo Courtesy)
COMING SOON to the StarDome Comedy Club, June 10-12 – COREY HOLCOMB, June 17-19 – FORTUNE FEIMSTER, June 21-26 – JOHN MORGAN, July 1-3 – D.L. HUGHLEY, July 8-9 – CARLOS MENCIA, July 15-17 – ARNEZ J, July 22-24 – RICKEYSMILEY, and July 28-30 – RODNEY CARRINGTON. Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
FOR THE FAMILY:
BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING AND MORE –
Have a teenager who loves to play video games? Ever wondered what goes into designing them? Then register your teen for Get in the Game with Virtual Reality, a workshop in which UAB’s ET (Enabling Technologies Laboratory) will provide an awesome interactive presentation and discussion for teens regarding virtual reality complete with giant screens. Want to have fun exploring chemical reactions, such as mixing diet Coke with Mentos candy? Then your teen would love Get in the Chemistry Game, a workshop where they explore activities that show chemistry can be cool. Does your child like animals? They would love Scales, Tails, and More!, a workshop in which Alabama 4-H will introduce them to kid-friendly critters. Other activities will allow library patrons to see sports artifacts from Birmingham’s new Negro Southern League Baseball museum and exercise classes. Even adults can get into the fun, with a summer full of activities including Coloring for Adults, poetry workshops, knitting lessons, learning the basics of Japanese paper folding, and tips from an artist on how to paint your own masterpiece. Registration with forms is available in any of the 19 BPL locations and online at www.bplonline.org. If you don’t have time to visit a BPL location, go on the link below to register online, log your books, and view the event calendar:
Growing Kings recently took a group of 5th grade boys from Husdon Elementary School in Birmingham to Ruffler Mountian Nature Center to experience the outdoors. (Frank Couch/The Birmingham Times)
How one nonprofit group puts at-risk students on path to success
By Jessica Griggs
Special to the Birmingham Times
Growing Kings recently took a group of 5th grade boys from Husdon Elementary School in Birmingham to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to experience the outdoors. (Frank Couch/The Birmingham Times)
A scuffle breaks out on a school bus during a seventh-grade field trip.
One of the boys is so upset that he’s trembling. Mauri Robinson, a program manager with Growing Kings, is present. Robinson breaks up the fight and helps the student calm down. Turns out the boy likes to write poetry. Robinson asks him to write some and learns that the student is an artist with words. The two bond.
This incident is just one of many that show the positive impact of Growing Kings, a community-based nonprofit group that mentors at-risk male youth in Birmingham City Schools. Said one sixth grader, “When my dad walked out on my mom, I didn’t have anyone to talk to, [but] Growing Kings gave me a father figure.”
Growing Kings, which closed its 2015–2016 program year last week, focuses on enrichment and mentoring of urban youth in grades 4 through 12. It emphasizes behavior and academics; literacy and leadership; character development and a future career.
Since its inception in 2009, Growing Kings has developed partnerships with local businesses, organizations, and civic leaders to provide young men with hands-on, personal experiences with successful community members.
“We recognize that these are the future leaders of the community, and this investment in them is a direct investment into our future,” said Jesstin L.H. Wood, communications coordinator at Growing Kings.
The nonprofit’s 45- to 60-minute, once-a-week sessions take place during school hours “in place of” an arts elective or physical education class. During these meetings, young males learn valuable life lessons like respect and teamwork, as well as how to present themselves and even how to tie a necktie.
Topics discussed include accountability and punctuality; professional dress; interviewing and resume-writing skills; mental fortitude and maturity; and conflict resolution, Robinson said. The young men also go on field trips to places like Ruffner Mountain, the McWane Science Center, the Birmingham Public Library, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.
On Father’s Day, Growing Kings will launch its annual 100 Mentors in 100 Days campaign, a citywide effort to attract more participants.
Wood said this mentor approach to “becoming a man” is what makes the difference between “negative life experiences” and successful lives for many of the students.
Growing Kings recently took a group of 5th grade boys from Husdon Elementary School in Birmingham to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to experience the outdoors. (Frank Couch/The Birmingham Times)
Transformation
Wood grew up with “a love for community and heritage.” He lived in two societies, he explained—the suburbs and the projects—so he knows what it’s like on both sides of the fence. Wood spoke of the encouragement he got while playing little league football with the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club and how it changed his life. His coaches taught him about life, he said. They taught him manners and supported him at school functions. And when his parents died, they were there for him. These experiences helped with Growing Kings, he said.
As sessions go by, a transformation happens, Wood said. “It’s beautiful seeing a nine-year-old and a 29-year-old show each other equal respect and relate to one another,” he said.
The group’s results are also measured by high school and college graduation rates, as well as productive career paths.
“Nothing’s impossible if you put your mind to it,” stated Theo, a sixth-grade student who said Growing Kings is teaching him how to be successful so he can “give back to others.”
Making a Difference
Educators notice the difference in the young men who participate in the program.
As “positive role models, [Growing Kings] gives students permission to think about the future, to explore,” said Dr. Jason Jarrod Dunning, a teacher at Wilkerson Middle School.
Dr. Patrick Fuller, counselor at Wilkerson Middle School, spoke of the real-life experiences and interactive exposure students receive while participating in fun, educational activities. The young men attend job fairs, where they learn about career options and opportunities, and visit colleges campuses, where they tour the facilities and have face-to-face meetings with admissions counselors and students.
Growing Kings recently took a group of 5th grade boys from Husdon Elementary School in Birmingham to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to experience the outdoors. (Frank Couch/The Birmingham Times)
Asked about the impact of the program on students, Mario Lumzy, principal of Inglenook K–8 School said, “They love the camaraderie and relationship. They have a sense of belonging. It’s good that individuals can see others outside the school who they can relate to, who they may have grown up with, who may have had similar challenges and have overcome them.”
Self-Worth
A day in the life of a fifth-grade Growing Kings session focuses on reading, math, and critical-thinking skills. Students read aloud from National Geographic for Kids or Sports Illustrated for Kids magazines, which helps boost literacy rates, self-confidence, and self-worth, all of which have the potential to raise success rates for the future.
Another favorite activity: Math Hoops. This board game connects basketball and math, making learning fun and exciting by bringing tedious educational concepts to life through the swish of a net and the sound of a crowd going wild.
Growing Kings recently took a group of 5th grade boys from Husdon Elementary School in Birmingham to Ruffner Mountain Nature Center to experience the outdoors. (Frank Couch/The Birmingham Times)
Mentoring benefits include being checked on and chatted with. “[This] makes me feel good about myself,” said one young man. “I want to be a good student.”
He also changed his style of dress to mirror that of Growing Kings professionals. “I wear a bow tie, dress shirt, dress shoes, and nice pants. I think you should always dress for success.”
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For more information about Growing Kings, call 205-417-2478 or email info@growingkings.org.
From left, Parker High School's Alejandrina Bravo plans to attend Alabama State University and study physical therapy; Woodlawn High School's Michelle Thomas plans to attend Jefferson State Community College; Huffman High School's Kierra Hutchins plans to attend the University of South Alabama to study psychology; Carver High School's Jamerial Gardner and Ariana Robinson are best friends and both plan to attend Wilberforce University; Jackson-Olin High's Alana Bennett plans to attend Alabama A&M University to study political science; and Ramsay High's Maya Quinn plans to attend Samford University to study biology.
All Birmingham school valedictorians for 2016 are female
From left, Parker High School’s Alejandrina Bravo plans to attend Alabama State University and study physical therapy; Woodlawn High School’s Michelle Thomas plans to attend Jefferson State Community College; Huffman High School’s Kierra Hutchins plans to attend the University of South Alabama to study psychology; Carver High School’s Jamerial Gardner and Ariana Robinson are best friends and both plan to attend Wilberforce University; Jackson-Olin High’s Alana Bennett plans to attend Alabama A&M University to study political science; and Ramsay High’s Maya Quinn plans to attend Samford University to study biology.
Talk about major girl power. All of the Birmingham City Schools’ valedictorians for 2016 are female. Carver High School was unique in that they had two students tie for valedictorian this year. At last count, the valedictorians had amassed more than $2.85 million in scholarship offers for 2016. Overall, the school system’s Class of 2016 has garnered more than $36 million in scholarship offers. The district also had two Gates Millennium scholars this year including Ramsay High’s Valedictorian Maya Quinn.
The eighth Valedictorian, her principal, and the Salutatorian: Wenonah High School Valedictorian Brianna Adams (right) plans to attend Benedict College and study accounting. She is with school Salutatorian Natalyn D’Errico (left) and Principal Regina Carr Hope.
Joy Agee is determined to help find a cure for breast cancer. Her motivation: her best friend, who lost her battle with the disease.
“[My best friend’s death] inspired me to pursue breast cancer research for my dissertation,” said Agee, who graduated this month from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) with a PhD in biotechnology, science, and engineering. “I specifically focused on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) because it is the most aggressive form of breast cancer, and it has no cure.”
TNBC disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic women, most of whom are typically diagnosed in their 30s, Agee said.
“My dissertation work has focused on using genomics to discover important transcription factors, proteins that switch genes on and off, that are involved in activating the genes that drive TNBC. I am in the process of publishing this work,” she said.
Agee, a Fairfield native and 2004 graduate of Hueytown High School, will be the testimonial speaker for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Appreciation and Campaign Kickoff on June 9 at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
Agee attended Spelman College, where she majored in biology and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Research was highly encouraged at Spelman, she said.
“I initially planned to attend medical school,” she said. “But my molecular biology professor challenged my thoughts and showed me that researchers find cures for diseases, not doctors.”
That led Agee to consider a career in research, which she embarked on during her junior undergraduate year by studying with her department chair.
“This provided me the opportunity to learn initial, cutting-edge genomics technologies through a summer research program at Princeton University,” she said. “I continued research until I graduated from Spelman in 2008.”
Agee pursued her master’s degree in biological science at UAH. When she finished, she received a training grant from the National Science Foundation to provide funding for her doctoral studies.
Agee has accepted a postdoctoral appointment in the genetics department at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and is enthusiastic about continuing her cancer genetics and genomics training. When she completes her postdoctoral training, Agee plans to pursue a career in academia, where she will have a lab and the opportunity to train and mentor students, particularly African American students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and biomedical research.
“I believe its critically important for African American students to be exposed to careers in research,” she said. “These are avenues we often do not know about until after we’ve graduated from college. Spelman gave me that opportunity, and I want to pay it forward and return it to the next generation.”
Agee said she is grateful for support from the Gates Millennium Scholarship and the UNCF.
“These funds allowed me to go to my first-choice college, Spelman, and to receive both a master’s and a PhD,” she said.
Agee currently leads the STEM-outreach initiatives and the One Million Backpacks program for the Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She serves as a mentor to minority undergraduates in STEM subjects, and also volunteers to teach basic biology experiments to students at local high schools.
FBI Director James B. Comey spoke at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church to discuss the law of enforcement and race on Wednesday. (ARIEL WORTHY, THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES)
Ariel Worthy
The Birmingham Times
FBI Director James B. Comey spoke at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church to discuss the law of enforcement and race on Wednesday. (ARIEL WORTHY, THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES)
On FBI Director James B. Comey’s desk sits a single piece of paper from October 1963.
The paper is a memo from first director of the agency J. Edgar Hoover written to then Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
“The memo asks for permission to [wiretap] Dr. [Martin Luther] King,” Comey said Wednesday during a discussion about law enforcement and race at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham.
“It’s utterly deploring… there is no date limitation, there is no geographic limitation. Dr. Hoover signs the request and Robert Kennedy signs the approval, and it was done,” Comey said.
Comey said the FBI has to find a way to diversify itself to better reflect the communities it serves. He said the agency is 83 percent white.
He talked about the complicated relationship between police and the community and shared four hard truths that he said everyone needs to understand.
Law enforcement must see themselves clearly.
“We need to understand our history, much of which is not pretty,” Comey said. “The truth is that in the history of law enforcement in the United States, we were often the enforcers of the status quo, which was rough on a lot of folks, especially minority communities.”
Research points to the existence of unconscious bias in nearly everyone.
“We all carry various biases around us, and we react differently to a face that looks different than our own,” Comey said. “We have to stare at that and own that, because biology is not destiny; it’s what we do next after some reflexive reaction that makes all the difference.”
Understanding those in law enforcement are also at risk.
“Police often work in environments where disproportionate [percentage] of street crime is committed by young men of color,” Comey said. “After years of police work officers sometimes cannot help a certain cynicism creeping into their life shaped by their experiences.”
The problems faced are greater than the divide between the law enforcement and the community they serve.
“We in law enforcement have a whole lot to improve on, but the truth is the cops are not the root cause of our problems,” Comey said. “The problems are so complicated and difficult because the problems are about education, employment, opportunities, community, safe streets, and drug treatment, families and role models.”
Comey told the audience that President Barack Obama, after he leaves office, plans to dedicate his time to the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. The program helps many young minority boys find opportunities that may not otherwise be presented to them.
It’s important for law enforcement to not only understand, but feel the life experience of the people they encounter in the communities they work, according to Comey.
Just like police need to feel how people in the community feel, he said it is also important for residents to understand the officer’s perspective as well.
“People need to see what police officers see through the windshields of their cars,” he said. “Imagine what they feel as they approach a car with tinted windows as they respond to a late night stop.”
