Annie Joe Edwards, Multi-Talented Birmingham Actress, Composer, Musician, Dies at 75

February 12, 2025

MissEdwards — Annie Joe Edwards, a Birmingham-born actress, composer, musician, died on Tuesday. She was 76. (File)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Annie Joe Edwards, a Birmingham-born actress, composer, musician, known for Bullets Over Broadway (1994), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) and Colors (1988), died on Tuesday. She was 75.

Family and friends remembered Miss Edwards as a remarkable talent who graced the stage and screen alongside legends, leaving an indelible mark on the world of theater and entertainment whose extraordinary career took her around the world, including performances in London’s prestigious West End.

“Despite an illustrious career that spanned Broadway, the West End (in London), and television, Annie Joe never lost sight of her roots … ,” said Marc Raby, founder and artistic director of Birmingham’s Encore Theatre & Gallery.

Even through Miss Edwards took her craft around the world she never forget her hometown, Raby said.

“She remained deeply connected to Birmingham and to Encore Theatre and Gallery, where she delivered her final stage performances as the radio announcer in Steel Magnolias in 2022 and 12 Angry Jurors in 2023,” he said. “That moment was a testament to her unwavering love for the craft and her commitment to fostering local theater. She didn’t just perform—she nurtured, she inspired, and she gave back.”

Throughout her career, Miss Edwards shared the stage and screen with legendary figures such as Carol Channing, Ruby Dee, and Diahann Carroll. From the highly acclaimed Broadway production of Legends! starring Channing to The Wiz and Ain’t Misbehavin’, her powerful presence and artistry shone brightly, inspiring generations of performers. Beyond the stage, she was a mentor, a friend, and a cherished member of our community, Raby said.

Broadway and Theater Career

Born September 15, 1949, in Birmingham, Miss Edwards’ journey in theater began with her Broadway debut in Doctor Jazz (1975), where she played Georgia’s Girl and Singer, while also serving as the understudy for Georgia Sheridan.

She later joined the legendary cast of Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1978) as a standby performer, stepping in as a replacement. Her theatrical success extended beyond Broadway, with performances in the London West End production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1979) and the Broadway and Los Angeles touring productions of The Wiz (1976-1978).

Her contributions to theater extended beyond performance; she was deeply involved in the arts community, mentoring young actors and musicians while championing cultural representation in the performing arts. In 2022, Miss Edwards returned to the stage for her final theatrical performance as the Radio Announcer in Steel Magnolias at Birmingham’s Encore Theatre and Gallery.

Film and Television Career

Beyond the stage, Miss Edwards found success in film and television, bringing her skills to the screen in a variety of roles:

Her film credits include:

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) – Delilah
Colors (1988) – Shouting Woman
New York Stories (1989) – Citizen (Oedipus Wrecks segment)
Bullets Over Broadway (1994) – Venus
Beat Street (1984) – Appeared in the film and on the soundtrack (Us Girls)

Television credits included:

Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills (1986) – Mrs. Nash
In the Heat of the Night (1991–1994) – Mona / Mona Stellar / Mona Starr (6 episodes)
Mama Flora’s Family (1998) – Landlady (2 episodes)
The First Hundred Years (1998) – Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years (1999) – New Tenant

Legacy

Miss Edwards was a mentor, a performer, and an advocate for the arts, ensuring that her work would continue to inspire future generations, Raby said.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Harrison Avery. Memorial details will be shared soon as they are completed.

Updated at 9:52 a.m. to correct Miss Edwards’s age.

Regions Bank Completes $300,000 Capital Pledge to 16th Street Baptist Church

Birmingham Times

February 12, 2025

From left: Leroy Abrahams, Regions Bank Head of Community Engagement; Lajuana Bradford, Regions Bank Head of Corporate Philanthropy; Rev. Arthur Price, 16th Street Baptist Church Pastor. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Regions Bank on Tuesday presented $150,000 to 16th Street Baptist Church leadership in downtown Birmingham to complete a $300,000 pledge toward a capital campaign for preservation and expansion at the historic church.

“We are grateful for our corporate and community partners, like Regions Bank that dove in and supported us,” said the Rev. Arthur Price, pastor of 16th Street.

The church is looking to raise $7.5 million for preservation of the building and construction of a new education and visitor center, as well as the creation of new, peace and social justice programming.

The church draws thousands of visitors annually to tour the facility because of its prominent role in Birmingham and the Civil Rights Movement. Its central downtown location made it a natural headquarters for the Civil Rights mass meetings and rallies in the early 1960s, according to the church’s website.

“We are here today because we support the vision that Pastor Price talked about and because it really coincides with our vision as well,” said Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Engagement for Regions. “When we think about what we want to accomplish in the community, we want to invest in community development, economic development. We want to invest in education. We want to invest in financial literacy. Two out of three of those priorities will be covered by the center.”

The Visitor and Education Center is to be built just west of the church building and parsonage on what is currently a parking lot. Designed with visitors in mind, the 13,000-square-foot multipurpose center will not only enhance but improve the church’s capacity to accommodate large groups and will include meeting and event space, a commercial kitchen, a café, and a gift shop.

“The breakout rooms and the meeting rooms will serve as a place where they can house those different conferences and still be in the district without us having to shut down operations at the church,” Price said.

As the center of the modern Civil Rights struggle, Price said,” the building will be for those seeking to know about Civil Rights history, scholars who are about Civil Rights history, those who have served Civil Rights history — those curious and committed,” he said.

The goal, he continued, is to “make sure people understand the rich history of Birmingham, Alabama, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, and the Civil Rights District,” which covers a six-block and several landmarks.

Those landmarks include the church where students involved in the 1963 Birmingham campaign and its Children’s Crusade were trained; Kelly Ingram Park, where many protests were held; the Fourth Avenue Business District, home to many of the city’s Black businesses and entertainment venues; and the Carver Theatre, which houses the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

“We think about the history of Birmingham and how this area, the Civil Rights District is a draw for tourism,” Abrahams said. “This could be a hub for economic development in our city that not only brings educational opportunities, but it also helps with business development for the entire community.”

‘He was Protective, a Good Listener; He Would Surprise Me With Flowers’

Birmingham Times

February 12, 2025

BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times

PAMELA & QUENTIN EDWARDS

Live: Adamsville

Married: May 18, 1996

Met: June 1993 at Subway in Hueytown. Pamela was a recent Ensley High School grad and had just gotten her first job making sandwiches. Quentin, who already worked there, showed her the ropes once he arrived for his shift.

“It was my first week at the store and it was the first time I’d seen Quentin, and the first thing I noticed was how neatly groomed he was,” Pamela said. “When he walked in and I spoke, he said a dry ‘what’s up’, and went on in the back and started preparing for his shift.”

“When I walked in, I noticed a new face behind the counter. She was looking down at first, and when she looked up to talk to a customer she smiled and I was thinking ‘wow, she has one of the prettiest smiles I’ve ever seen’,” recalled Quentin. “Once I came on the floor to start working, I saw that she was pretty and very well built,” he laughed. “But I had a line of customers, and she was in my way kinda slowing me up.”

Quentin said he was involved with someone else so he didn’t pursue anything more than a friendship. The two became good friends, often hanging out after work. However, a few months later, on Quentin’s birthday on September 18th, Pamela brought a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake to the job. This became a turning point for Quentin.

First date: Late October 1993, at Ruby Tuesday’s at the East Lake Mall.

Pamela remembers, “He was a gentleman, he pulled out my chair, opened my doors, kissed my hand, he was really different. We were friends and we always talked about everything so I was comfortable,” Pamela said. “By then, I was kinda feeling him too, and he had the same qualities as my dad that I picked up on. He was protective, a good listener, he would surprise me with flowers, and I was impressed. He was different from any other guy I had talked to. I knew that I liked him, but my mom loved him and said that he was going to be her son-in-law.”

“I remember Pamela being attentive to me, and [recalling] things I’d said I liked in previous conversations, and she brought them into that date,” Quentin said. “I’ve never been much of a talker, but I’ve always been able to talk to her. Even when we left the friend zone and moved into the romantic stage, I remember still being able to talk to her about any and everything.”

The turn: December 1993. “It was before Christmas because once the holiday came, we were already a couple,” said Quentin, “but I remember telling her that I wanted to be with her, and I didn’t want us seeing anybody else.”

“I agreed. I wasn’t seeing anybody else and I wanted to be with him too,” Pamela said.

The proposal: Fall 1995, at Ruby Tuesday, at the East Lake Mall. By this point, the couple had welcomed their first child, Brandon, who was a year old at the time.

Quentin said he chose Ruby Tuesday because he wanted to take her back to where it all began. “I was nervous. I felt like she would say ‘yes’, but you never know until you hear the ‘yes,’” he said. “And I couldn’t wait any longer, I proposed soon after we got there because my nerves were getting to me. I told her, ‘I want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you do me the honor of being my wife?’ and she said ‘yes.’”

“The first thing I thought was my mom is going to love this because she loved him,” Pamela said. “But like I said, he was like no other, he was a good dad, always making sure we had what we needed, he was a protector, and I knew that’s what I wanted in my life. He was a good, God-fearing, praying man. He was a hard worker. He was good to me and my son, and it felt right. I definitely said ‘yes.’.”

Pamela and Quentin Edwards met in 1993 at a Subway restaurant. The couple married in 1996. (Provided Photos)

The wedding: At Pamela’s home church, Saint Mark AME Church in Brighton, Ala., officiated by Reverend Reynolds. Their colors were peach and mint green.

Most memorable for the bride was locking eyes with her groom on the way down the aisle. “It was seeing the man of my dreams at the altar. When I saw Quentin, I was just excited to know that this would be the person that I would be spending the rest of my life with. And also being surrounded by family, my day was complete,” Pamela said.

Most memorable for the groom was also laying eyes on his bride for the first time. “Seeing her walk in and come down the aisle in her dress was almost like seeing her for the first time — like that day at Subway. She was smiling and looking right at me and I thought ‘there’s that prettiest smile in the world’ again,” Quentin said.

They honeymooned at the Embassy Suites in Homewood and enjoyed being childfree for the weekend. “We ate at Ruth’s Chris, and just talked and enjoyed each other, we were newlyweds,” said Pamela.

Words of wisdom: “I would tell couples to always communicate, always be open and honest about whatever it is. Don’t go to bed mad at each other. Talk it over because that’s the only way you’re gonna resolve it,” Pamela said. “Pray together, spend time together, and keep the lines of communication open. Oh, and keep your business in your house, don’t involve other people.”

“Both spouses need to remember there’s no such thing as a perfect person, so there’s no such thing as a perfect marriage,” said Quentin. “Recognize that your spouse has faults as do you. Be patient with one another. Be observant, because if you are, you can fend off some of the matters that you might disagree on. And don’t let the cares of life crowd out what you need to do as far as your spouse is concerned. Work and kids are always going to be there, extended family, all of those categories are always going to need you, but your spouse should come first. Period.”

Happily ever after: The Edwards attend Faith Chapel Christian Center in Wylam, where Quentin serves on the host ministry [usher board]. They have two adult children; Brandon, 30, and Destiny, 25.

Pamela, 49, is an Ensley native and Ensley High School grad. She attended Bessemer State Technical College [Lawson State Community College] where she earned an LPN license, Grand Canyon University [online] where she received a BS in registered nursing, and a master’s of science degree in registered nursing. Pamela has been a nurse for 26 years and currently works as an RN at UAB Hospital.

Quentin, 51, is a Brighton native, and Midfield High School grad. He is currently enrolled at the University of Arizona’s Global Campus [online] pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. Quentin works as an administrator for Spire Gas company and oversees the service department in Birmingham.

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

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

If Federal Government Can Ban Deadly Glock Switches; Why Not Alabama Legislature? Local Leaders Ask

Birmingham Times

February 11, 2025

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday circled the wagons at Boutwell Auditorium calling for the Alabama Legislature to pass a ban on Glock switches, the device that law enforcement officers say can turn a pistol into the firepower equivalent of a machine gun.

“We are laser-focused on making sure we can keep our public safe,” Woodfin said.

Birmingham ended 2024 with 152 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city ever, breaking the record of 148 set in 1933.

“While the federal government has banned such devices, we want to make it clear as a unified front that passage at the state level is equally critical,” Woodfin said. “Establishing a statewide ban removes a gap, which gives the law enforcement you see standing here more tools to keep these devices off our streets.”

Woodfin was joined Monday by six state legislators: State Sen. Rodger Smitherman, Sen. Merika Coleman and Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, Rep. Kelvin Datcher, Rep. Neil Rafferty and Rep. Travis Hendrix, who is also a Birmingham police officer.

“It’s huge, if we get this passed,” interim Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said. “We’ve seen an influx of Glock switches in our community. Since I’ve taken this role, we’ve taken 32 Glock switches off our streets.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other Jefferson County leaders discuss legislation of a statewide ban on Glock switches Monday. (WVTM)

Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway and his command staff joined Woodfin, Pickett and LaTonya Tate, chair of the public safety committee for Birmingham City Council.

“I have seen families torn apart by gun violence,” Pettway said. The Glock switches heighten an already dangerous situation for the public and law enforcement, he said.

“Machine gun conversion devices have no place in a civilized society,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr. “Make sure there are real consequences if someone is caught with them.”

Woodfin has previously called on Alabama legislators to ban gun conversion devices such as Glock switches, especially after a Sept. 21 mass shooting at the Hush Lounge in Birmingham’s Five Points South entertainment district that killed four and left 17 injured. In December, Birmingham approved a list of legislative priorities for 2025, with a Glock switch ban at the top of the legislative wish list.

Gov. Kay Ivey signaled her support for the Glock switch ban last week as part of a proposed “Safe Alabama Act,” a package of bills to support police and crack down on felons who commit gun crimes, which she touted in her State of the State address last week as the legislative session opened.

“We will crack down on inner city violence by enhancing penalties for dangerous felons with guns,” Ivey said in her address. “We will expand Aniah’s law, boost our successful Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, ban Glock switches, and we will enhance supervision of high-risk juveniles. Working together, we will create a safer Alabama.”

In October, Birmingham approved Woodfin’s $15.8 million plan for recruiting and retaining police officers.

Woodfin had proposed the plan Oct. 1 in the aftermath of the Sept. 21 mass shooting at Hush Lounge at Five Points South that left four dead and 17 injured. Birmingham Police FOP President Deangelo Hall said he supported the plan.

The plan calls for increasing the signing bonus for new officers to $10,000 and establishing a quarterly retention bonus of $2,500 for officers who have been in the department for two or more years.

The recruitment and retention plan prioritizes patrol officers to strengthen police coverage in Birmingham neighborhoods.

The plan includes funding for more patrol cars to provide a take-home patrol car program.

The Birmingham Crime Commission, launched several months ago to address the city’s homicide crisis – specifically gun-related murders – completed an initial report that calls for a multi-faceted crime-fighting strategy focusing on both immediate and long-term solutions. It was released Jan. 6.

Birmingham Protesters Demand Elected Officials Stand Up Against Executive Orders

Birmingham Times

February 11, 2025

By James Giles | WBRC

About 100 Birmingham-area residents gathered this past weekend outside the federal courthouse downtown, demanding action from Sen. Katie Britt and other elected leaders.

Their message: Stand up against executive orders they believe could cost jobs and strip away critical social programs, including Medicaid and free school lunches.

The protest, organized by Indivisible Birmingham, centered on concerns over Elon Musk’s role as head of the Department of Governmental Efficiency.

Demonstrators say his influence in the federal government and his reported moves to review, restrict, or dissolve certain agencies threaten working families.

Throughout the demonstration, the crowd repeatedly chanted, “Do your job!” directing their frustrations at Britt, whom they say isn’t doing enough to stop these changes.

“A billionaire has no reason to be in our government, in our money, our Social Security numbers, our files, or anything like that,” said protester Angelica McCain. “We’re just not for it. We’re not here for it.”

Brent Stauffer, another protester, pointed to what he called unconstitutional overreach.

“Musk is supposedly a special government employee, which is an advisory position,” Stauffer said. “He doesn’t have the constitutional power to shut down an entire federal agency, and we’ve got to do everything we can to restore the rule of law.”

Only weeks into the Trump administration, demonstrators say they’re already seeing red flags, particularly with Musk’s reported push to restructure or eliminate agencies that oversee social programs.

Protesters argue that even if voters supported government cutbacks, there are legal limits to how those changes can be made.

“Even if people voted for unconstitutional things to happen, the Constitution still forbids those things from happening,” Stauffer said.

“Regardless of how many wanted change, you can’t do that without a process,” added Steve McKinney. “There are constitutional avenues to get this sort of thing done.”

For McCain, a mother, the issue is deeply personal. She says her children rely on social programs that could be affected by these policy shifts and she believes Britt must step in.

She has the option to reject all of these orders coming down from the White House, and she’s not,” McCain said. “Employees are being told they can quit their jobs, it’s not legal. She can protect us, and she’s not. Our children are losing their health care and their education. It’s not right. She needs to do better and stand up for us.”

McCain says she and other lower-middle-class families depend on programs like Medicaid and free school lunches to survive.

My children benefit from free lunches and Medicaid,” she said. “These are things that are being put on the line right now, and we have to have them. Lower-middle-class families rely on these programs to survive.”

Some protesters said they had already contacted Britt’s office to voice their concerns, while others admitted they had not reached out, at least not yet.

WBRC reached out to Britt’s office for comment, but has not yet received a response. However, Britt has previously stated her support for reducing what she calls ‘bloated government agencies’.

Financial Considerations for Multigenerational Households

Birmingham Times

February 11, 2025

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

For many Black, Hispanic and Latino families, as well as other cultures, multigenerational living is a cherished aspect of home life. It can also be good for your family’s overall wellbeing.

Research indicates there can be financial benefits to multigenerational living, and when executed intentionally, having multiple family members under the same roof can potentially help improve health outcomes, reduce loneliness for older adults and bolster educational outcomes for children.[1]

While multigenerational living has many positives, it also comes with a unique set of financial matters and planning needs. From saving and budgeting to dividing costs and estate planning, navigating the financial landscape of a multigenerational home calls for foresight and strategy.

Below are some financial considerations for people living in multigenerational households and those considering moving in with family members.

Helping to build family wealth

In a 2022 study, the Pew Research Center found people in multigenerational households were less likely to live in poverty,[2] and some multigenerational households had more earners than the non-multigenerational households, which can help provide a safety net in case someone loses a job. It can also encourage homeownership — 14% percent of all home buyers in the study said their purchase was motivated by a desire to accommodate multiple generations in their family.

Having diverse financial needs

Savings and budgeting plans can be more complicated because of the wide range of ages among family members. Seniors might require more for health care and retirement, for example, while children can bring daycare and tuition costs. Be flexible with your planning to accommodate different saving and budgeting needs and set short- and long-term goals for your savings with all generations in mind.

Expenses should be handled with fairness and equity

Multigenerational households have to ensure fairness by dividing costs such as mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries and household expenses based on each member’s financial capacity and usage. A sense of transparency can be maintained among family members by openly discussing financial contributions and expenses.

Find balance between cultural values and financial health

Cultural traditions and familial structures can also play a significant role in money management, and it’s important to consider how multigenerational living can impact family wealth. Cultural heritage can shape financial attitudes and practices within multigenerational households, including saving habits, investment strategies and perceptions of wealth. Understanding how your cultural values connect to your beliefs and practices related to money can be essential for effective financial management within diverse family structures.

Communication is key to managing conflict and disagreement

The more people living in a home, the more likely they’ll face conflicting financial priorities. Navigating disagreements over spending habits and adapting to changing income levels or unexpected expenses are necessary to maintain financial stability in multigenerational households.

Future planning is vital

Estate plans should be tailored to accommodate the financial needs and goals of each generation within the household and strategies should be developed for transferring ownership of businesses or properties to ensure continuity and preserve the family’s legacy. Make sure to compile essential legal documents — including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives — to outline the distribution of assets and clarify end-of-life wishes.

The bottom line

Multigenerational households can foster financial harmony and wellbeing by accounting for their individual financial goals and their shared responsibilities. Family members should be clear about plans, needs and expectations to promote financial stability and satisfaction for all. Communicating about these issues early can help avoid tension later on.

By addressing these considerations holistically and prioritizing open discussion and collaboration, multigenerational households can build a solid financial foundation, helping them achieve prosperity and security for their family members now and in the future.

Read more about financial considerations for multigenerational households here on chase.com/theknow.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states.

[1] AARP, “Multigenerational living.” (2024).

[2] The demographics of multigenerational households.” (March 2022).

The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Returns to Birmingham to Benefit HBCU Students

Birmingham Times

February 10, 2025

2025-MMB_Hero-Banner-1920x620_1-800x450 — The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel. (UNCF)

UNCF | Special to The Times

The United Negro College Fund’s signature fundraising event, the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, is returning to Birmingham.

The annual evening of elegance and philanthropy will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel, bringing together Birmingham’s leaders in business, education, and community advocacy to support higher education opportunities for deserving students.

From left: Casi Ferguson, Area Development Director UNCF Birmingham; Mayor Randall Woodfin; Grammy-award winning R&B singer, Anthony Hamilton and Justine Boyd, *Assistant Vice President, Regional Development* UNCF, are seen at a previous UNCF Masked Ball. (File)

Led by Mayor Randall Woodfin, Director Casi Ferguson, and 2025 Presenting Sponsor President Nicholas Willis of PNC Bank, this event combines glamour and giving for a night to remember.

“The UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball is a celebration of our shared commitment to empowering young people through education,” said Ferguson. “By investing in UNCF, we are investing in the future of Birmingham and the nation.”

The Mayor’s Masked Ball is part of a national UNCF initiative to raise funds for historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and provide scholarships for talented students who might otherwise be unable to afford a college education.

Event Highlights:

VIP Reception – VIP Guests will enjoy an elegant start to the evening with signature drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Formal Dinner – A sumptuous meal served in a beautifully decorated ballroom.
Live Entertainment – Performances by renowned artists and musicians.
Silent Auction – Bid on exclusive items and experiences, with all proceeds benefiting UNCF scholarships.
Recognition – Honoring community leaders and sponsors dedicated to advancing education equity.

Proceeds from the event will directly benefit students attending UNCF-member institutions, including Alabama’s HBCUs, including Tuskegee University, Miles College, and Talladega College. Over the years, the Mayor’s Masked Ball has helped thousands of students realize their dreams of higher education, contributing to the growth of a more equitable society.

UNCF invites corporations, small businesses, and individuals to join as sponsors of this meaningful event. Sponsorships provide a unique opportunity to make a significant impact while gaining visibility among Birmingham’s most influential leaders. Tickets and sponsorship packages are available now. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn more about the event, please visit here or contact lisa.daniels@uncf.org.

The UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has empowered more than half a million students to earn college degrees and launch successful careers. With the motto “A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,” UNCF works tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of race or zip code, has access to a quality college education.

As NIH Announces Cuts, UAB Could Lose Hundreds of Millions in Research Grants

Birmingham Times

February 10, 2025

UAB has once again secured a place as Alabama's top-ranked hospital on Newsweek’s prestigious list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2026. (UAB File)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

With $3.7 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in November announced HEALTHe Birmingham, a community-based research study on the health impacts of public housing and neighborhood revitalization.

But similar research in the future could be coming to an end.

The NIH on Friday (February 8) announced huge cuts to biomedical research grants, a move that would have a major impact on UAB, which has received hundreds of millions in NIH funding in recent years and relied heavily on those and other federal grants for its groundbreaking research.

Of a record $774.5 million in federal funding in 2022 more than $400 million came from the NIH, and the school has remained in the top 1 percent of all NIH-funded institutions, public or private, UAB has said.

A UAB spokesman did not immediately respond to questions, but AL.com columnist John Archibald wrote on Sunday, January 9, that following the announcement “several professors and doctors privately were close to panic Friday night, wondering if they should pack their bags.”

Health Disparities

According to UAB, NIH funding has been crucial for studies like HEALTHe Birmingham—Housing, Environment, And Living Conditions for Transformed Health—which measures the health impacts and cost-effectiveness of different types of improvements, such as public housing renovations, neighborhood improvements, and indoor air purification.

The study is in collaboration with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) and the city of Birmingham, as well as residents of the Southtown Court, Smithfield Court, Elyton Village, and Collegeville Center public housing communities and the Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont neighborhoods.

Gabriela Oates, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, serves as one of the principal investigators HEALTHe Birmingham, along with Lori Bateman, Ph.D., assistant professor at UAB and another principal investigator for the program.

“The disparities in lung disease and other chronic conditions between residents of public housing and the general population are profound, and the resulting human and economic burden is extraordinary,” Oates said in November. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to determine the effectiveness of large-scale initiatives in reducing these disparities.”

HEALTHe Birmingham’s research aims to determine the extent to which public housing renovations and improvements of the neighborhoods’ physical and social environments benefit lung health and reduce chronic disease risk. Results could have an impact on public health policy and inform future initiatives to reduce health disparities.

“Millions of dollars are invested in public housing revitalization each year, yet few studies have measured the impacts of these improvements on residents’ health and disease risk,” Bateman said. “This study is an opportunity to do that.”

Ability To Save Lives

The NIH cuts go beyond UAB’s research studies. The university, which employs 28,000 people and enrolls 23,000 students, provides jobs and health care.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said he was trying to assess the impact, saying the cuts would first hurt UAB’s ability to save lives, now and in the future, and potentially stifle technological growth that not only makes us healthier but also sustains the economy.

“People need to be reminded that UAB is not just the largest employer in the city—it’s the largest employer in the state,” he told AL.com’s Archibald. “So, as it relates to our state’s [gross domestic product (GDP)], as it relates to our economic growth, as it relates to our future around genomics [and] personalized medicine, NIH research dollars play a massive, significant role. And without a doubt, without knowing numbers yet, I can tell you this early, just receiving the information, [that] those in the UAB family have a right to be concerned.”

Jefferson County Judges Gather for Start of the 2025 Judicial Term

Birmingham Times

February 10, 2025

The Birmingham Times

This photo was taken at the start of the 2025 judicial term in the courtroom of Presiding Judge Elisabeth French, the first female Presiding Judge in Jefferson County’s history. She is also the first African American female President Judge in the state of Alabama. Jefferson County is the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama and the largest circuit in Alabama.

Front Row, from left, seated: Judges Marshell Jackson Hatcher, Circuit Civil; Tamara Harris Johnson, Circuit Civil; Shera Grant, Circuit Civil; Elisabeth French, Presiding Judge; Debra Weston-Pickens, District Civil; Shanta Owens, Circuit Criminal; Maria Fortune, District Criminal.

Second Row, from left: Judges Alaric May, Circuit Criminal; Tiara Hudson, Circuit Criminal; Keisha Davis, Circuit Criminal; Reginald Jeter, Bessemer, Circuit; Martha Cook, District Civil; Janine Hunt-Hilliard, Circuit Family Court; Charles Price, III, Circuit Civil; Thomas Thrash, Bessemer Circuit; Brian Huff, Domestic Relations; Kandice Pickett, Circuit Criminal; N/A; Jacqueline Jones, District, Family Court; Brendette Brown-Green, Circuit Civil; Jameria Moore, Domestic Relations.

Third Row:, from left: Judges Stephen Wallace, Circuit Criminal; Monica Agee, Circuit Civil; Alisha May, Domestic Relations; Michael Streety, Circuit Criminal; Frederick Bolen, Circuit Civil; David Hobdy, Bessemer Circuit; Patrick Ballard, Civil Circuit; Anthony (Tony) Bell, District Criminal; N/A; and David Carpenter, Bessemer Circuit.

Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart, Jr., 100, Died Last Week, as Example of an American Hero

Birmingham Times

February 10, 2025

HarryStewart 1 — Retired Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., center, died Feb. 2. He was 100. (File)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Retired Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr, a decorated World War II pilot who broke racial barriers as a Tuskegee Airmen and earned honors for his combat heroism, died Feb. 2. He was 100.

Stewart was one of the last surviving combat pilots of the famed 332nd Fighter Group also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The group were the nation’s first Black military pilots.

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum confirmed his death. The organization said he passed peacefully at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on Sunday.

The Air Force last month briefly removed training course s with videos of its storied Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs in an effort to comply with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The materials were quickly restored following a bipartisan backlash.

Dr. Lisa Bratton, Tuskegee University associate history professor, said it’s important to make sure that people learn about the history of the Airmen.

Bratton served as a historian for the National Park Service’s Tuskegee Airmen Oral History Project from 2000 to 2005. She has traveled the country interviewing over 250 Airmen including pilots, support personnel, instructors, civilians, wives and others.

However, Bratton said she only learned about the history as an adult,

“When I went to school, we learned about World War II, but I had no idea that there were Black officers in WWII,” said Bratton last week during a Black History Month Lunch and Learn series at the Trussville Library. “My father was in WWIi and he talked about it. But we definitely didn’t learn in school that there were African American pilots who had a record that has been unmatched since then and until this day,” said Bratton.

Bratton said children today are “fortunate” to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen and that history should not be erased. “There has been so much history lost to us,” she said. “Children today, are fortunate enough to grow up in a world where they will know about the Tuskegee Airmen. They will know that the military had Black pilots, unlike me. I had no clue until I was grown.”

Bratton said, “there is so much hidden history that really can change the way Black children see themselves, Black adults view the world, and give us a sense of pride that is deserving of us.”

Stewart earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing three German aircraft during a dogfight on April 1, 1945. He was also part of a team of four Tuskegee Airmen who won the U.S. Air Force Top Gun flying competition in 1949, although their accomplishment would not be recognized until decades later.

“Harry Stewart was a kind man of profound character and accomplishment with a distinguished career of service he continued long after fighting for our country in World War II,” Brian Smith, president and CEO of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, said.

Born on July 4, 1924, in Virginia, his family moved to New York when he was young. Stewart had dreamed of flying since he was a child when he would watch planes at LaGuardia airport, according to a book about his life titled “Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airmen’s Firsthand Account of World War II.” In the wake of Pearl Harbor, an 18-year-old Stewart joined what was then considered an experiment to train Black military pilots. The unit sometimes was also known as the Tuskegee Airmen for where they trained in Alabama or the Red Tails because of the red tips of their P-51 Mustangs.

“I did not recognize at the time the gravity of what we are facing. I just felt as though it was a duty of mine at the time. I just stood up to my duty,” Stewart said of World War II in a 2024 interview with CNN about the war.

Having grown up in a multicultural neighborhood, the segregation and prejudice of the Jim Crow-era South came as a shock to Stewart, but he was determined to finish and earn his wings according to the book about his life. After finishing training, the pilots were assigned to escort U.S. bombers in Europe. The Tuskegee Airmen are credited with losing significantly fewer escorted bombers than other fighter groups.

“I got to really enjoy the idea of the panorama, I would say, of the scene I would see before me with the hundreds of bombers and the hundreds of fighter planes up there and all of them pulling the condensation trails, and it was just the ballet in the sky and a feeling of belonging to something that was really big,” Stewart said in a 2020 interview with WAMC.

Stewart would sometimes say in a self-effacing way that he was too busy enjoying flying to realize he was making history, according to his book.

Stewart had hoped to become a commercial airline pilot after he left the military, but was rejected because of his race. He went on to earn a mechanical engineering degree New York University. He relocated to Detroit and retired as vice president of a natural gas pipeline company.

Stewart told Michigan Public Radio in 2019 that he was moved to tears on a recent commercial flight when he saw who was piloting the aircraft.

“When I entered the plane, I looked into the cockpit there and there were two African American pilots. One was the co-pilot, and one was the pilot. But not only that, the thing that started bringing the tears to my eyes is that they were both female,” Stewart said.

“The Tuskegee Airmen bravely fought and died for our freedom before this nation even granted them full benefits of citizenship,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell. “To strip them from the Air Force curriculum is an outrageous betrayal of our values as Americans. Their heroism is not ‘DEI.’ It is American history.

Associated Press contributed to his post.

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