Debra Redwine walked across the stage in honor of her son, Armani Flowers.
By Chanda Temple
Special to the Times
“Today meant a lot to me. Although he’s not with me, he’s here with me in spirit,” Redwine said, clutching the diploma.
There were plenty of applause and cheers at the Carver High School graduation on May 16 as students received their diplomas at Bill Harris Arena.
But perhaps the loudest cheers came when Debra Redwine walked across the stage in honor of her son, Armani Flowers. Flowers died on June 20, 2015 in a drowning accident at Oak Mountain State Park. He was 17.
With tears in her eyes and wearing the school’s red cap and gown, Redwine hugged each person on stage as she accepted her son’s diploma. “I don’t know how I made it across that stage, but I did,” she said.
The cheers from Armani’s classmates helped.
“He cared about people. These kids here have so much love for him,” Redwine said.
The staff at Carver High also have love for Armani, which is why they dedicated the first Carver football game in honor of Armani and presented Redwine with one of his framed art pieces last fall. Also, Carver High Principal Dr. Charles Willis invited Redwine to participate in the graduation ceremonies. When Dr. Willis made the offer, Redwine couldn’t think of any better way to honor her son.
“I thought it was awesome,” Redwine said.
Students also thought the gesture was nice as they recalled memories of Armani after graduation.
Debra Redwine walked across the stage in honor of her son, Armani Flowers.
Carver classmate Johnecia Perry said she sat next to Armani in history class, where he was always telling stories. And classmate Tyshondria Robbins said she’d known Armani since the third grade. For years, he kept her laughing. “He was a really funny person to be around,” Tyshondria said. “He was good at rapping, too.”
As Robbins talked, Redwine nodded in agreement, adding that she knew her son had written lyrics but she never heard him rap. It was only after his death that she discovered his recorded raps on his computer. Having those recorded songs and the diploma give her extra comfort.
“Today meant a lot to me. Although he’s not with me, he’s here with me in spirit,” Redwine said, clutching the diploma. “This is what he wanted. He wanted to go to art school. He was so talented.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — African-Americans are doing about the same as they have in previous years as the nation rises out of the Great Recession, and much better than they did when its first “State of Black America” report came out 40 years ago, the National Urban League said Tuesday.
The new report, “Locked Out: Education, Jobs & Justice,” looks at how blacks and Hispanics have been doing in the United States over the last few years and how they were doing in 1976, the year the National Urban League began issuing its annual report.
Some things you need to know from the new State of Black America report:
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BLACK AMERICA IS IMPROVING
Things are stabilizing for African-Americans and Hispanics.
The National Urban League derives its numbers from an “equality index” that is based on nationally collected data from federal agencies including the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Education Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With full equality with whites in economics, health, education, social justice and civic engagement set at 100 percent, the National Urban League said this year’s equality index for blacks stands at 72.2 percent, compared with last year’s 72 percent. For Hispanics, it’s 77.8 percent compared to 2015’s 77.3 percent.
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40-YEAR COMPARISON
Things have clearly gotten better for African-Americans since 1976, said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. Fewer blacks live in poverty — 29 percent in 1976 compared with 27 percent now. More blacks have graduated high school and college — 28 percent in 1976 and 33 percent today for high school, and 6 percent four decades ago versus 22 percent today for college. Life expectancy of African-Americans has increased from 68 in 1976 to 75 today.
The only areas where African-Americans are doing the same or worse is in home ownership, 43.7 percent in 1976 and 43 percent today, and in voting, which was 48.7 percent in 1976 and 39.7 percent today. Morial said the voting difference was likely because they compared a presidential election year, 1976, to a non-presidential election year, 2014.
African-Americans’ numbers are worse than the white population in all categories. “The frontier of the future is confronting these economic disparities,” Morial said.
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ECONOMIC AND UNEMPLOYMENT EQUALITY
For the second year in a row, California’s Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metroplex is the best for blacks when it comes to income equality to the white population. African-Americans make 76 cents to every dollar whites make in those cities, the highest ratio in the nation. For Latinos, Honolulu is the most promising for income equality: Hispanics make 80 cents for every dollar made by whites.
Washington, D.C., and its suburbs are where blacks, whites and Hispanics have the highest median household income. Whites make $109,460, Hispanics make $66,523, and blacks make $66,151.
The cities with the lowest black unemployment rate are Oklahoma City and San Antonio at 8.3 percent. The city with the lowest Hispanic unemployment rate is Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a 4.6 unemployment rate.
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THE URBAN LEAGUE’S SOLUTION
Morial is calling for a major commitment from the government to rebuild the nation’s urban communities called the “Main Street Marshall Plan.” He wants $1 trillion over the next five years committed to several programs including universal early childhood education, homeownership strategies, high-speed broadband and technology, and a $15 per hour federal living wage indexed to inflation.
“While education is crucial, education alone is not going to solve the economic gaps in the country,” he said.
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Jesse J. Holland covers race and ethnicity for The Associated Press. Contact him at jholland@ap.org, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jessejholland and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jessejholland
Associated Press
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu
Hip-hop trailblazer Lil’ Kim recently took to Instagram to flaunt her new look in a collage of glamorous selfies, donning Barbie-blonde hair and a new, brightened skin tone—reviving a centuries-old debate about self-hate and skin bleaching among African-Americans.
One local beauty expert says a lot of people are missing the point.
“It’s learned behavior, not self-hatred,” said Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins, community development consultant and director of the Color Project Ensley. “It would be more accurate to say that, as a result of the oppression heaped upon us for hundreds of years, black people have adopted ideals and behaviors we learned from our oppressors and applied to ourselves.
“We’ve been told forever that we’re not beautiful and that the European standard of beauty is the standard of beauty. We’ve been told forever that our blackness is ugly and we’re not as good as, as smart as, or as important as the prevailing culture.”
This raises several questions: Why is color such a complex issue among people of color? Where did it start? How deep does it go? How early does a black child’s self-esteem start to diminish due to the richness of his or her melanin? How deeply woven can these issues thread themselves into relationships and family orientation?
Joyce Tyus, a Birmingham, Ala.–based educator and administrator, said color stigmas and false beauty ideals affect some children at a very young age.
Lil’ Kim recently took to Instagram to flaunt her new look in a collage of glamorous selfies, donning Barbie-blonde hair and a new, brightened skin tone
“It starts early, as early as first and second grade,” she said. “The first time a dark-skinned student realizes or believes a light-skinned student is receiving preferential treatment and they associate it with complexion, the stigma takes root.”
In Lil’ Kim’s case, it is difficult to discern how she achieved her lighter skin.
“There are a number of health-related complications that can slow the reproduction of melanin pigmentation in African-Americans,” said Birmingham dermatologist Norman Walton lll. “If the body is sick or under duress, skin cells are not healthy and therefore do not cycle properly or reproduce melanated pigment as they should.”
So is lighter, better?
“Actually, there are a lot of people with fair complexions who would prefer to have a darker complexion,” said marriage and family counselor Valencia Anderson Carpenter. “Dark-skinned individuals don’t think fair-skinned people have complexion issues, but they do.
“Growing up, I was antagonized greatly by family and community for having a fair complexion,” said Carpenter, who is also a life and relationships coach. “I was called a half breed. I wasn’t fully accepted as black, and my people didn’t show me the same love camaraderie that they did others. I grew up hating my fair complexion probably as much as a dark-skinned person with complexion or identity issues hates theirs. It goes both ways.”
Shark Tank is a popular reality show where people present their business ideas to a panel of cutthroat business investors with hopes of one of them funding their idea.
Birmingham city middle schoolers this week got to swim in their own tanks and present their ideas to a panel of judges. However, having former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice on the panel made things a bit more intense.
“It’s hard to get up in front of a group of people and sell your ideas,” Rice told the room full of students and adults. “Being able to present your ideas is the key to being successful for the rest of your life.”
Middle school students from Phillips Academy, Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School, W.J. Christian K-8 School, Hudson K-8 and Huffman Middle School were the presenters.
Business ideas from all-star barber shops to concussion-preventing helmets were presented. It was, however, the junior honor society girls at Huffman Middle School that impressed the judges the most.
The four seventh graders presented “Ospedale di Famiglia” (Italian for Family Hospital).
The idea, according to the girls, came from personal experiences. They had all experienced dealing with a family member with cancer and could recall the traveling stress that it caused. They came up with the hospital hotel/resort, which would be for families that have to travel far with loved ones for treatment.
The resort has a spa, massage therapy, workout and exercises and a food court. The girls asked the sharks for $500,000 to start up the company.
“We can’t find the cure, but we’ll promise the care,” the girls said wrapping up their presentation.
The girls won $1,000 for their school and a trophy.
“It’s like riding on cloud nine,” Dr. Mia Ward, Huffman Middle School counselor said of the win. “They really put in the time and the work for this.”
The girls practiced every day for three months on their presentation. The inspiration came from the movie “The Fault in our Stars” according to Sara Nasser, one of the HMS students.
“We thought about how [the main character] had cancer and he wasn’t prepared for it, so he didn’t get the proper care. We all had experienced something like that, so we decided to make a company for it.”
Ward said all the schools did well, and the fact that they won was a complete shock to her.
“I think it was their compassion,” Ward said. “It was them having a servitude invention that connected not just themselves, but everyone.”
She is hoping they will be able to come back next year, and compete again.
“Those are some awesome young ladies, I’m glad they’re only in the seventh grade because that means I have the opportunity to work with them in the eighth grade.”
The WBC has decided to cancel the showdown in Russia between Heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Alexander Povetkin, who tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
Wilder, of Tuscaloosa, and his representatives were made aware of the WBC’s decision on Sunday that the fight will not occur in Moscow this Saturday, May 21.
“I’m very disappointed that due to Povetkin’s failed drug test, the fight is not going to happen on May 21 in Moscow,” said Wilder. “I had worked very hard to prepare myself for this important title defense, spending the last two weeks training in England to get accustomed to fighting in Europe. I wanted to give the fans a great show, but we understand the WBC’s position that the fight occur on an even playing field.”
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.
Dr. Danika Hickman practices medicine at St. Vincent’s Family Care in Trussville. But that’s not the extent of her work.
“I don’t think a doctor’s job is to just sit in this clinic or to go to the hospital,” the Pleasant Grove resident said. “It’s to go out and educate the community. That’s one of the joys of my job.”
Dr. Hickman, who spent 10 years at UAB West, is a doctor and a chaplain and seamlessly blends the two callings. She laughed when asked if she was more one than the other.
“I guess with the M.D. behind my name, I have to say more doctor.”
But not by much. The former Danika Moorer was valedictorian at Fairfield High School and has known since her early teens that she wanted to work in medicine.
That career goal was cemented when she volunteered as a candy striper at Lloyd Noland Hospital in Fairfield.
Now a mother of two, she remembers having schoolmates who were in the hospital the summer of her junior year. While she could not treat their physical ailments, she encouraged them.
“Even then, just as a student,” she said, “I was developing a bed-side manner and seeing how much a nice, kind word can make a difference for someone in their healing process.”
Dr. Hickman earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School, and completed her residency at the Medical Center East (now St. Vincent’s East) Family Practice Residency Program. She has special interest in adolescents, women’s health, hypertension and diabetes.
Dr. Hickman hosts a weekly Internet-based call-in radio show called “What Up Doc?” on radioairjesus.com. She is continuing a bit of a family tradition in medicine as she has an aunt who is a nurse and her great grandmother was a midwife.
Beyond practicing medicine, she is a published author. Her book “Fountain in the Valley” notes that physicians only practice medicine “but God is the Healer.”
“The valley is any hard situation a person has gone through,” the doctor said. “I talk about divorce, loss of a loved one, any valley situation and then finding the fountain in the valley, which is Jesus. He’s always here, but it’s a matter of calming your mind” to hear him.
Dr. Hickman was recently honored by the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce with the Doctor of the Year Award. She was also awarded the Birmingham Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s WOW award (Wonderful Outstanding Woman) in medicine and was nominated for the 2015 Legacy Award for African American Achievement in medicine.
But accolades and awards mean less to her than treating people right.
“That’s where my heart is,” she said, “and to make sure they’re healthy — physically, spiritually, emotionally – (and) that they can make proper choices in their lives.”
From left: Isaiah Armstrong, TJ Hudson, Paulette P, Roby, Renee Kemp Rotan, AJ Johnson, Ann Marie Adams, and Shirley Long Peoples
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Members of the Civil Rights Activist Committee this month held their annual Foot Soldiers’ Reunion at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church-Smithfield.
The gathering featured art observing the original Mule Train Journey of 1968, which was part of the Poor People’s Campaign which began in Marks, Mississippi, home of the Mule Train.
It was the last march planned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his Southern Christian Leadership Conference staff prior to his assassination.
The plan was for caravans of poor people to journey to Washington including a group made up of mule-drawn wagons rather than buses, cars and vans. The Mule Train set off from Marks, Mississippi on May 13, 1968, and headed east across northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
Betty Crawford, an award winning artist and native of the Mississippi, serves as historian for the Mule Train Journey and she has preserved the history of the event the commemorative art which has been displayed in a number of museums. She has been recognized nationally for her work and has been honored the U.S. Congress.
For years, I allowed the world to shape how I viewed myself. The world favored lighter skin. I frowned because my skin was dark. The world promoted long hair. My hair was not only short, but seemed to rebuke any attempts to help it grow. I can look back and laugh about it now but those days, for a young girl who wanted so desperately to fit in, were grueling.
I remember meeting a young lady at church who shared a scripture with me that states, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…..” I had heard it before but really did not think it applied to me. I was convinced that the world’s rules were the governing body and all that did not line up with its standards were subpar.
I joined her Sunday school class and each week, she encouraged us to be who God called us to be. She told us not to allow the world to define us. She repeatedly declared that we were chosen. I smiled and went along with it, but after a while, I could not take it anymore. I told her one day after class, “Maybe you are chosen, but I don’t feel like I am.” She challenged me to gain a greater understanding of the word. So I went to the dictionary…yes, the hard-backed book!
This is what it said…..
Chosen: Having been selected as the best or most appropriate, one who is the object of choice or of divine favor, selected or marked for favor or special privilege, selected to do or receive something special, preferred above others.
Confirmation. None of those statements described how I saw myself. Her desire for me to gain greater knowledge left me in a more dismal state than I was before. And to think, she had the nerve to be a Sunday school teacher. I couldn’t wait for Sunday to come. I was going to let her know her suggestion did not bear comfort to my weary soul, but instead left me in a place more bleak than before my research began.
You see, childhood taught me in order to be selected, you had to be good at something. Special privileges were tied to knowing the right people. Favor was only shown to those who were influential. And the final authority as it related to preference was, without a doubt, the world.
Sunday could not come fast enough.
That day, I anxiously waited for my teacher to mentioned that we were all “chosen“. As soon as she said it, I raised my hand. I gave her the definitions and shared my lack of agreement. She didn’t agree or disagree. She simply opened her Bible and read this passage. “God, your God, chose you out of all the people on Earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure. God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love….”
I was overwhelmed.
Who does this? Who would choose me for no apparent reason? I had done nothing to deserve being chosen. I definitely felt that I didn’t know the right people. The world never preferred me over anyone else and special privileges was a term I deemed foreign. Yet despite the world’s measures, the Word provided me with a different perspective. One I chose to accept.
These two things I know:
1) The world today is even more brutal than it was when I was young.
2) The Word is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
No matter what the world is telling you, you must remember because He chose you, they do not have to. When the world tells you you are not good enough and you have gone as far as you can go, be prepared for the enemy’s, “Amen.” But beyond the undermining efforts of the naysayers, allow God’s Word in John 15:16 to resonate in your head and heart. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you….”
The world may never understand why we are chosen and how we are able to accomplish things that would bury others, but we know. Before our first breath was every exhaled, He chose us.
Proudly declare today and every day, “I Am Chosen!”
For more about Tijuana J. Williams, visit www.sharingmyheartblog.com
CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeBOISE DeRu and TAMIA BRYANT-DeRu!
Tamia Bryant DeRu and LeBoise DeRu
Father and daughter celebrate birthday month, graduations, real estate classes completion, and preparation for that major real estate exam. Congratulations on a job well done in real estate classes, completing the course and freshman class at University of Alabama. Wishing you both the best!
Angela Fisher Hall and Hardwick Hall II
CONGRATULATIONS HARDWICK HALL! Director of the Birmingham Public Library Angela Fisher Hall congratulates her son, Hardwick Hall, after his graduation from Alabama State University.
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM RECOGNIZES NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
The City of Birmingham is joining the nation to honor those who work day in and day out keeping our communities safe. As they tackle the injustices of random crime, purposeful intimidation of threats and simple posturing of security with their presence, they too can often be overlooked as valuable elements of leadership that hold our nation together. In observance of National Police Week 2016 the City kicked off the week during a special ceremony held outside of Birmingham City Hall. Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt, Chair of the Public Safety/Transportation Committee said he could not be more proud of the men and women who serve and protect our city.
“Our officers risk their lives daily just by showing up to their roles as the ultimate protectors and responders in our communities,” Councilor Hoyt said. “National Police Week should resonate with every leader and citizen alike. We appreciate their continued devotion to this great city, and we are honored to be able to say thanks by recognizing all of their efforts during National Police Week.” To conclude the ceremony, officers read off the names of Birmingham Police officers who have lost their lives during the call of duty with a special wreath laying ceremony.
President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962, which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the following week as Police Week.
FOR ART LOVERS
TODAY: JOHN MORTON LECTURE IN PHOTOGRAPHY at the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA), 7 – 8 p.m. with New York based photographer Leslie Hewitt’s work that has received international praise.
ART ON THE ROCKS 2016 – The Birmingham Museum of Art is once again bringing the Art on the Rocks for its 12th Season. The dates are June 17, July 22 and August 19. There will be art, music, food and more.
MED STUDENTS IMPROVE PRACTICE WITH ART – The BMA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have partnered to practice research showing how studying art can help medical students become better doctors.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS:
JAZZ IN THE PARK – Enjoy JAZZ in Park Gadsden, this Sunday, 6-9 p.m. with ISAAC BYRD, JR at 6 p.m. and NILS at 7:30 p.m.
NILS (Jazz in the Park)
TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – This Saturday at the Tide And Tiger is the LADIES OF DISTINCTION SPRING FLING PARTY. May 29 – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKENDSHOW – BILL AVERY and RENITA BRAXTON PICKENS. June 19- FATHER’S DAY SHOW with TJ HOOKER TAYLOR andRENITA BRAXTON PICKENS is open for hanging out, is located on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field and open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 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.
BIRMINGHAM FUNKFEST – NEW EDITION, GUY, 8BALL& MJG, UNCLE LUKE, SILK and SOS BAND are in the ‘Ham, this Saturday, at Legion Field. Gates Open at 5 p.m. Funk Fest 2016, in partnership with Pepsi, makes way to Alabama featuring some of the greatest artists in Hip Hop and R&B on May 21st. Funk Fest aims to captivate fans again this concert season with a roster of impressive performances and legendary artists. After making huge waves in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Atlanta the tour heads into Birmingham with the same goal in mind; by bringing together talent that includes: Silk, Guy, New Edition, 8Ball & MJG, SOS Band and more. The last few cities for the 2016 Tour also include: Mobile, AL (June 4), Washington, DC (Sept. 10), Detroit, MI (Sept. 18), and Miami, FL (Jan. 1, 2017). Featured artists will be different in each city and the complete concert line-ups are available on www.FunkFestConcerts.com.
DON’T MISS: PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND – One of the most talented and iconic bands to come out of the legendary New Orleans scene is the PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND and they are kicking off a nationwide tour. Stopping in Birmingham at the Avondale Brewing Co. on June 1st, Wednesday. The band will give you some of what you have been missing – Real Music!
FOR HISTORY LOVERS:
COMMEMORATION OF THE 55th ANNIVERSARY FREEDOM RIDERS –
IN BIRMINGHAM – HANK THOMAS, one of the original Freedom Riders and JANIE FORSYTH McKINNEY, who as a 12 year old helped the Freedom Riders, will be at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, today, at 6 p.m. in the BCRI’s Woods Community Meeting Room.
IN MONTGOMERY – Freedom Riders from all over the nation will gather at the former Greyhound Bus Station in Montgomery, 10:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to join the Alabama Historical Commission in commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. There will be more at the Freedom Riders Museum, 210 South Court Street, Montgomery. There will be an event at the First Baptist Church, 347 N. Ripley Street where the Freedom Riders will speak about their experiences. There will be a First Annual B.Y.O. B (Bring Your Own Bike) Freedom Ride. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/first-annual-byob-bring-your-own-bike-freedom-ride-tickets-25135237171. Book Signings, Gallery Talks and Museum Tours are scheduled. FREE ADMISSION to the Museum on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call (334) 414-8647.
Who are the Freedom Riders? During the spring of 1961, student activists from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) launched the Freedom Rides to challenge segregation on interstate buses and bus terminals. The Freedom Rides, and the violent reactions they provoked, bolstered the credibility of the American Civil Rights Movement. They called national attention to the disregard for the federal law and the local violence used to enforce segregation in the southern United States. Police arrested riders for trespassing, unlawful assembly, and violating state and local Jim Crow laws, along with other alleged offenses, but they often first let white mobs attack the riders without intervention.
FOR GOLF LOVERS:
REGIONS TRADITION – Regions Tradition Annual Golf Tournament, at the Greystone Golf Course through Sunday.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS:
AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Postively Funny Improv and this weekend: JAMES GREGORY performing for the second week. Check out ADELE GIVENS, next Friday through Sunday at the StarDome. ADELE GIVENS is gaining such credits as HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Martin, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, The Parkers, The Hughley’s and having a ½ hour comedy special on Comedy Central – it is no wonder she prevails as one of the Queens of Comedy. That’s right, straight off of touring with The Queens of Comedy The Stardome is proud to present this lively and inspiring talent.
COMING SOON: June 3-5 – FELIPE ESPARZA, 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 –RICKEY SMILEY, and July 28-30 – RODNEYCARRINGTON. Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
COMEDY AT BENNIE MAC’S ON 1ST – This Saturday don’t miss I’M HALF SHARP, SO I GET OUT TONIGHT COMEDY SHOW, 8 p.m. at Bennie Mac’s on 1st, 4831 First Avenue North with SIR WALT (Bessemer), CHARLES WINSTON, RON MOSLEY (Nashville) and FELICIA co-hosting with BENNIE MAC.
IN AND AROUND TOWN:
From the Big Screen to the Stage: Red Mountain Theatre of Birmingham Presents Sister Act 2
For nearly four decades, Red Mountain Theatre Company has cultivated a cinematic culture that reigns as one of the finest arts education centers in the South making Birmingham the premier place for high-quality performing arts shows and programming. Lead actress Caprenia Anthony, who stars as Deloris Van Cartier, in “Sister Act 2” says fans can be assured that they will be in for a treat!
“The theatrical production of this classic film allows you to feel the emotions and become empathic about different people and situations taking place in the storyline,” Anthony said. “I enjoyed working with such a diverse and talented cast of actors and actresses. It has been so fun to be a part of this production as it connected Birmingham to a larger dimension of unity through the arts.” This weekend at the Red Mountain Theatre.
SUNGLASSES ON THE ROOFTOP – A Day Party at The Southern, Saturday, 4-9 p.m., located at 2301 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd North, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203.
FOURTH ANNUAL REY OF HOPE GALA A HUGE SUCCESS – The Annual Ray of Hope held each year for the Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School was a tremendous success recently when supporters brought in addition to the more than $200,000 in operational support raised a record-breaking $300,000 at The Club. It was enough money to acquire two more buses to support the transportation needs of this unique school. Fr. ALEX STEINMILLER was honored for his nine years of dedicated service as the founding President of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. His portrait was recently installed in the front hall at the school.
FOR SAFETY LOVERS:
RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY
Alabama’s general public NEEDS Education of Railroad Crossing Safety
Statistics show that there is an extremely small chance of surviving railroad crossing accidents. With the rise in crossing accidents across the State of Alabama this year, it is clear more than ever that the general public is in dire need of education on Railroad Safety. “RailSmart is working on an action plan to be out in the communities in the coming days hosting railroad safety events,” stated RailSmart’s Executive Director Justin Humphries.
RailSmart wants to remind the public of the following actions to take when approaching a railroad crossing:
– Remember the old saying “Stop, Look, & Listen.”
– Approach rail crossings at a slower speed and look both ways before crossing the railroad tracks!
– Turn your radio down and listen for the sound of an approaching train.
– NEVER go around a railroad crossing gate!
COMING SOON:
Sam Frazier
MAY 29 – SAM FRAZIER CD RELEASE SHOW – Blues, Soul and Country singer Sam Frazier will have a CD release show at Henderson’s (Midfield), 7 p.m. Backed by his full band this will be a fun show as Sam is truly an entertainer. In his early days Sam played Dukes in Birmingham and had a 14 year stint on the Country Boy Eddie show. Later he had several shows in Vegas and then in Los Angeles with the Johnny Otis’ Rhythm and Blues Revue. MusicMaker just released his new CD “Take Me Back”. In August the Birmingham Record collectors will induct him into their Hall of Fame.
JUNE 5 – VULCAN BIRTHDAY BASH starts at 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Go to visitvulcan.com for more.
JUNE 6 – THE REVIVAL: TIME FOR A MORAL REVOLUTION OF VALUES, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 708 Goldwire Place SW, Birminhgam, AL 35211.
JULY 16-17 – SLOSS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL, in Birmingham. Look for more soon.
AUGUST 20 – EVO 2016 5K Fit Challenge, 8 a.m. – Noon at the Sloss Furnace.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, LEBOISE DERU, TAMIA BRYANT-DeRu, ANOOP MISHRA, ROZ MITCHELL, STEPHONIA McLINN, LONNIE GLENN, DEE LINSON WATSON, MELISSA SHERRILL SNOW-CLARK, ANGELA WEBB, MELANIE DICKINSON, MATTHEW KAVON FANAEI, VELDA KINSEY, KENNETH CRITTENDEN, KARARR KENNEDY, TABITHA BOYD, LaVONDIA BRYANT, MIA FRITERMAN, BEN HARRELL, ROBERT, E. MOORE, III, MARVA V. DOUGLAS, DONNA EDWARDS TODD, and JEROME DAVIDSON, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS! MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! Celebrate your all 30 days!
That was a message sent by five Birmingham City Councilmembers this week to the Alabama Legislature, the Birmingham mayor’s office and even some members of the City Council.
The panel on Tuesday re-elected Johnathan Austin as president by a razor-thin 5-to-4 margin.
That vote set in motion a series of moves that led to some councilors, who were on the short end of the vote, being moved out of offices, reassigned council parking spaces and stripped of committee chairmanships.
But the message went beyond City Hall.
“The Alabama legislature only strengthened our resolve to do what’s best for Birmingham at the local level,” Austin said in a statement.
Reshuffling Priorities
Last week, state lawmakers approved changes to the Mayor-Council Act that give Birmingham’s mayor more power and require new council leadership elections. Many believed the amended law would leave Austin vulnerable—especially because it’s no secret that he and Mayor William Bell have been at odds. In fact, some believed Austin no longer had enough votes to remain as president until 2017.
But Austin, still angry because lawmakers never met with the council about modifications to the Mayor-Council Act, wanted to deliver a message to his opponents and teach a lesson about building and rebuilding coalitions.
Few remember he first came into the council presidency with the support of William Parker, Valerie Abbott, Kim Rafferty, and Marcus Lundy; the only one who remained in his corner.
Over time—and for the recent vote—Austin was able to get two strong-willed, independent councilors, Lashunda Scales and Sheila Tyson, and then add Steven Hoyt, who is known for being as strategic as he is tactical.
Parker, who ran against Austin for president on Tuesday, never really had a chance. Nor did Jay Roberson, the incumbent president pro-tem, who was up against Hoyt, for pro-tem. Hoyt won with the Austin majority.
With Austin and Hoyt in charge, even changes to committee assignments were calculated.
Tyson replaced Parker as chair of the Parks and Recreation committee, which oversees millions of dollars in bond work, determines which parks are first in line for renovations, and is responsible for all events at Legion Field. And Hoyt as replacement for Roberson, as president pro tem, has the ability to influence every measure that comes through the council.
Austin played his hand to near perfection on Tuesday. Apparently, those who sought to replace him missed one key aspect of his biography: Austin falls in the middle of six children. If he’s learned anything from being part of a large family, it’s how to build a coalition.
