Home Blog Page 13

Birmingham Advances Proposal for Daytime ‘Urban Oasis’ for Unhoused Residents

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Birmingham city leaders are moving forward with a proposal to create a designated daytime space for people experiencing homelessness. (File)

By James Giles | WBRC

Birmingham city leaders are moving forward with a proposal to create a designated daytime space for people experiencing homelessness, advancing what officials describe as a structured and service-focused alternative to informal gatherings across downtown.

The city council’s Budget and Finance Committee voted to recommend approval of a $168,000 purchase of a vacant lot at 1312 First Avenue North. If approved by the full council, the property would become what leaders are calling an “Urban Oasis.”

Mayor Randall Woodfin

Mayor Randall Woodfin said the concept acknowledges a simple reality: people gather — whether housed or unhoused — and the city must be intentional about where that happens.

“What we find in the city of Birmingham is that unhoused residents in certain intersections of our city and in certain public spaces are actually mingling with housed residents and vice versa,” Woodfin said. “This space would be intentionally designed for unhoused residents because people are going to hang anyway. But this would be a designated space.”

The site would operate daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and is not intended to function as an overnight shelter or tent encampment, according to the city’s Director of Special Projects, Alanah Melton.

“It’s a day shelter that’s outside,” Melton said during the meeting. “It’s the answer for what happens when the shelters ask people to close. Traditionally, they go and find work. As the mayor said, we see a lot of hanging around in that area.”

Plans for the lot include outdoor seating, public restrooms, lockers for personal belongings, shaded areas, coffee service and a fenced dog run. No tents would be allowed, and no overnight stays would be permitted.

“But no, no tents. People cannot stay there,” she added.

City leaders emphasized that the broader goal is not simply to create a gathering place but to build trust and connect people to housing assistance, mental health care and addiction treatment.

“It’s also designed to build trust to get people to services, if you would,” Woodfin said. “And that’s the ideal outcome we want — is not just people hanging out, but a place where they know ‘I’m safe.’ It’s trusting, and the people running it and managing it can get me to a position where if I need additional resources — the next step, if you would — of transitioning from being unhoused, then the rapport, the relationship and the trust has been built to get to that point.”

Officials also tied the proposal to public health concerns, with Melton saying, “Particularly as we’ve seen the opioid deaths rise, we just want to do some intervention and connect people to resources.”

If approved by the full council, leaders said they hope to open the site by early summer.

“In a perfect world, we would start at the top of the summer,” Melton said. “It would be a great way when we see the numbers increase on the street.”

Several council members voiced support for the proposal, describing it as a creative response to a shifting challenge.

“Some of the things we’re facing currently are a changing landscape,” District One councilor and committee chairman, Clinton Woods, said. “And so we’re going to have to continue to be creative.”

The proposal now heads to the full Birmingham City Council for a final vote.

Birmingham’s Presiding Municipal Court Judge Andra Sparks to Retire

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Birmingham Municipal Court Judge Andra D. Sparks will retire in May. (File)

birminghamal.gov

Presiding Municipal Court Judge Andra Sparks will retire in May after years of distinguished service to the residents of Birmingham. Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has appointed Judge LaResha D. Cade-Spearman to serve as the next Presiding Judge of the Birmingham Municipal Court.

“Judge Sparks has served the people of Birmingham with integrity, fairness, and a deep respect for the rule of law,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “On behalf of our entire city, I want to thank him for his steady leadership and unwavering commitment to justice. His work has strengthened our municipal court system and left a lasting impact on our community.”

During his tenure as Presiding Judge of the Birmingham Municipal Court, Judge Andra Sparks transformed the court into a nationally recognized model of innovation, accountability, and compassion. He modernized operations by converting the court from a paper-based mainframe system to a fully paperless and virtual platform, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Under his leadership, the court established groundbreaking specialty dockets — including Drug Court, Gun Court, Mental Health (HOPE) Court, Homeless Court (Turning Point), Community Court, Bilingual Court, and Alabama’s first-ever Veterans Court — securing more than $7.2 million in federal funding to support treatment and accountability initiatives.

He created Pre- and Post-Trial Services, launched the nationally heralded RENEW Driver’s License Recovery Program that has helped thousands regain driving privileges, and reimagined community service through “Life University,” connecting residents to meaningful personal and professional development opportunities. Under his leadership, Common Ground, a 501(c)(3) organization, in partnership with Birmingham Municipal Court and Birmingham City Schools, has impacted the lives of more than 1,500 students by equipping them with critical life skills, including anger management, conflict resolution, and social-emotional development.

Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to addressing root causes, Judge Sparks strengthened the justice system while expanding pathways to stability for individuals and families across Birmingham. He is a 1981 graduate of West End High School, a 1985 graduate of Tuskegee Institute, and a 1988 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law.

Judge Sparks will officially retire in May, and Judge Cade-Spearman will assume the role of Presiding Judge upon his departure.

Judge LaResha D. Cade-Spearman

Judge Cade-Spearman currently serves as a full-time Municipal Court Judge for the City of Birmingham, having been appointed by the Birmingham City Council on March 29, 2022. She presently presides over the domestic violence docket, where she has earned a reputation for her firm, compassionate, and community-centered approach to justice.

Prior to her judicial appointment, Cade-Spearman served as a senior attorney in the Office of the City Attorney, working as a trial attorney in the Litigation Division. In that role, she defended the City against claims including negligence, civil rights violations, municipal liability, excessive force, personnel appeals, wrongful termination, and personal injury cases in both state and federal courts.

In 2008, she was appointed as a special prosecutor to help spearhead the creation of a municipal drug court in Birmingham. Through that effort, she became the first female municipal drug court prosecutor in Alabama. Throughout her prosecutorial career, she handled a wide range of criminal cases and helped develop multiple accountability courts serving the Birmingham community.

A proud product of Birmingham City Schools, Cade-Spearman earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University and her Juris Doctor from Miles Law School.

Executive Chef Hassan Gooden’s ‘Elevated Southern Dining’ Opens Next Month in Birmingham

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
As a youth, Hassan Gooden wanted to be an OB/GYN. But after growing his talents in restaurant kitchens, he found a different kind of delivery to make people happy. “For me, cooking is the only thing that matters,” he said. (Photo from Hassan Gooden)

By Chanda Temple | Special to the Birmingham Times

Hassan Gooden takes one bite of his three-layer seafood lasagna and jumps up and down like he’s struck gold.

In a way, he has. As the executive chef of Velvet & Vine BHM, a new restaurant slated to open in downtown Birmingham in March, he’s been testing recipes to get them just right before opening day.

On a recent Tuesday morning, he’s already cooked one lasagna full of shrimp, crawfish, fish stock, and a blend of Gouda, aged cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano, placed in between his homemade lasagna pasta sheets. Fresh out the oven, the lasagna continues to bubble. Hassan takes a spoon and cracks the slight crust of cheese topping dotted with fresh parsley, thyme and rosemary.

He scoops out a serving, tries it and smiles. It’s good.

But in his mind, Hassan wonders if it can be better. He whips up another version and leaves it in the oven just a little while longer. The extra cooking time makes all the difference.

The flavor is even more deep and robust.

“This is it!” he exclaims while wearing an apron dusted in his rolling pin flour power. “This one was better than the first.”

As a youth, Hassan Gooden wanted to be an OB/GYN. But after growing his talents in restaurant kitchens, he found a different kind of delivery to make people happy. “For me, cooking is the only thing that matters,” he said.

Perfection Is Key

Perfection is key for the 31-year-old Hassan, a father of three who is counting down to the opening day of the restaurant, which will be located in the former Roots & Revelry on the second floor of the Thomas Jefferson Tower at 1623 Second Ave. North. They will serve to-go lunches and seated dinners.

Velvet and Vine plans to offer a boneless ribeye with golden potato rosti. (Photo provided by Hassan Gooden)

The menu will feature Sunday dinner-themed entrees such as Grits & Grillades, which are sticky, spicy braised oxtails served over stone ground grits with horseradish garlic dust and butterfly tea pickled onion; fried red snapper with the vegetable of the day, chimichurri and a pork belly “haystack”; ribeye; a pub style burger; soups and salad; sweet potato noodles with onion, red pepper, carrot, harissa , confit chicken and crispy turnip greens; a three-day honey marinated pork chop; and of course, the three-layer seafood lasagna with garlic toast points. There will also be light bites such as crispy fried whole wings; charred broccolini; chips and dip; and more.

He calls his food “elevated Southern dining” that tastes like it was a cooked by a grandmother who’s gone to culinary school.

When Hassan cooks, he thinks about how he used to watch his late maternal grandmother cook Sunday dinners at home. Today, he recreates some of her dishes but with a twist. Fried chicken with greens was popular for them, but Hassan plans to offer “chicken fried” quail with a cast iron cornbread pudding and slow-cooked pork belly and pepper turnip greens.

“Long-Forgotten Desserts”

He’s also working with friend and pastry chef Addison Porter to bring back some long-forgotten desserts.

“A lot of the desserts we want to do will be throwbacks to desserts that were made out of necessity,” Addison said. “We are working on … a vinegar pie, which was made when African Americans didn’t have access to fresh citrus. So, they used apple cider vinegar and other ingredients. It’s like a custard pie. It’s actually quite good.”

They are also planning desserts such as a sweet potato pie cheesecake, a burnt sugar cake and homemade cookies.

Not too far from Addison are huge chocolate chip cookies with a crackly top, a soft center and touches of Maldon sea salt on a cooling rack. Addison has been testing cookie recipes while also thinking of ways to serve them. Cookie flights with a praline topping and ice cream sandwiches have come to mind.

“One thing Hassan and I agreed on is that we want to do (fine dining) cookies. We want to do different types of cookies,” Addison said.

“We have been messaging each other at seven in the morning, talking about cookies and cheesecakes and pies.”

Ramsay High Grad

Early morning convos and afternoon strategy sessions have become the norm for Hassan, who was born at Birmingham’s Cooper Green Hospital, but grew up in Alexander City, AL. He moved back to Birmingham around the age of 10 and graduated from Ramsay High School in 2012.

Over the years, he worked in several restaurants across Birmingham, serving in various roles. His first job was as a host at Red Lobster, where he worked his way up to the kitchen. Shortly after that, he applied for a cooking job at the now-closed Sky Castle in Birmingham’s Lakeview neighborhood.

But his lack of knowledge about cooking was exposed at Sky Castle when he was asked to get parsley from the fridge and he brought back cilantro. He got a few other things wrong, but management saw his interest and kept him on, telling him they’d teach him.

He worked at Sky Castle for a while and later landed a job as an oyster chef at another Birmingham restaurant, where he worked his way up to sous chef. People noticed his skills and gave him more chances. And each time, he took the chance and got stronger and stronger in his cooking skills.

“I’ve never stepped foot in a culinary school before, but I have been blessed … to have so many teach me things along the way,” he said.

He worked at several other restaurants and venues before starting his own catering and private chef services in Birmingham. Now, he’s ready to take on the role of executive chef for Velvet and Vine.

“I’m originally a kitchen chef, and that’s what gives me that drive every day,” said Hassan, who has been a private chef for the last six years. “I love being in the fire. I love the whole shebang.”

“You can’t make it in this business without loving it.”

Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at  http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.  

The seafood lasagna by Hassan Gooden. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

Dozens of Area Students Excel During YouthSpeak Showcase in Birmingham

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
More than 200 students from Birmingham and Jefferson County schools gathered at Red Mountain Theatre for the annual Youth Speak showcase. (Birmingham City Council)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

More than 200 students from Birmingham and Jefferson County schools, ranging from elementary to high school, gathered at Red Mountain Theatre (RMT) on Friday for the fifth annual YouthSpeak showcase.

The gathering, a partnership between Birmingham City Councilor Crystal N. Smitherman and RMT, amplifies the voices of young people through the transformative power of the arts.

Through spoken word, music, dance, and dramatic performance, students reminded the audience that creativity is not just extracurricular — it is essential.

“Extraordinary,” said Smitherman following the showcase. “I always get so excited for this every year.”

The Smitherman-RMT partnership has grown steadily since its inception, and the City Councilor hopes that this growth will continue.

“More students,” she said when asked what’s ahead for YouthSpeak. “We want to continue to have that support. I think just really seeing what else these kids can create, because this is beautiful.”

The partnership between Crystal Smitherman and Red Mountain Theater has grown steadily. (Birmingham City Council)

This year’s program featured students from Green Acres Middle School, Oxmoor Valley Elementary, Ramsay High School, Carver High School, A.H. Parker High School, Jackson-Olin High School, Hemphill Elementary, and the Jefferson County Academy of Theater and Dance.

At its heart, YouthSpeak was created to provide something many young people lack — a safe, affirming space to be heard.

“I want to make sure that our kids have a non-judgmental, safe zone — a place and platform to really express how they feel,” Smitherman said. “I think a lot of times, we talk at kids and not talk to kids and not really listen to what they say as adults. And they have a lot to say.”

In fact, the event’s very name came from the students themselves.

“The kids actually created the title, YouthSpeak,” Smitherman shared. “This just shows that you have something to say — and it’s important. And it matters.”

Birmingham Parks and Recreation Recruiting Lifeguards Ahead of Summer Pool Season

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Kaylan Simmons watches students practice their glides from the wall during lessons at a Birmingham City pool. (File)

By James Giles | WBRC

As temperatures begin to rise, the Birmingham Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for another busy summer at city pools. But before swimmers can dive in, the city is working to ensure there are enough certified lifeguards on deck.

Rod Isaac, aquatics supervisor for the City of Birmingham, said the department is actively recruiting lifeguards and encouraging teens and young adults to apply.

“We have very competitive pay,” Isaac said. “Currently, we’re doing $16 an hour. And pretty much just come out and enjoy the summer. Be a leader in the community and just serve our community. That’s what we’ve been planning on doing.”

Isaac said applicants must be at least 16 years old and able to swim. Those selected will go through lifeguard certification and recertification, including CPR and AED training. Guards are also trained in water rescue techniques, including how to safely extract someone from the water.

Training classes are scheduled for March 23-27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex during local high school spring break.

Isaac, who said this is his first year serving as aquatics supervisor but has been around city pools for three decades, said the department typically sees a strong number of returning lifeguards each season. Even so, he emphasized the need to remain proactive.

“We’re always looking for more lifeguards,” Isaac said. “You can’t ever have too many.”

City officials say lifeguarding offers more than just a summer paycheck. It provides leadership experience, responsibility and an opportunity to serve the community during one of the busiest times of the year.

Those interested in applying can contact Birmingham Parks and Recreation at 205-254-2391 for more information.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Dr. Arthur Thomas, and Central State University

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
In the late 1970’s, the Rev. Jesse Jackson formed a relationship with then-Vice President of Academic Affairs at Central State University, the late Dr. Arthur E. Thomas. (Associated Press)

By Samuel P. Martin | President and Publisher

It has been a couple of days since we learned of the passing of the The Reverend Jesse Jackson, and I have had a little time to think about his legacy.

I grew up in a small town in southeastern Ohio in the 1960s and 70s, and I cannot remember a time when Reverend Jackson was not at the forefront, fighting for the rights of African Americans and others who have historically been disadvantaged.

The late Dr. Arthur E. Thomas

In the coming weeks, months, and years, the nation and world will reflect on Reverend Jackson’s amazing life. We will hear many perspectives on “the man.” We will find that there are aspects of him on which people will agree and disagree, but one thing is clear: his work will forever impact people’s lives, not just here in the United States but around the world.

I have my own perspective on the late Reverend Jackson that hits a little closer to home.

While I was an undergraduate student at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, a Historically Black College (HBCU) in the late 1970’s, Reverend Jackson formed a relationship with our then-Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Arthur E. Thomas, who later became the sixth president of the university from which he graduated. And Dr. Thomas was in his own right.

Dr. Thomas was a civil rights leader in Ohio during the 1960s and 1970s. He was known to advocate for social justice and equality. He played a crucial role in organizing grassroots movements, promoting voter registration, and challenging discriminatory laws. He helped unite the African American community, inspiring a generation to pursue civil rights reforms and contributing significantly to the progress made during that era. I count myself among that generation.

This partnership was formed during a time when HBCUs were seeking allies to address challenges ranging from funding shortfalls to enrollment declines. Their respect was mutual. Rev. Jackson (who was also an HBCU graduate, North Carolina A &T) found a connection with Dr. Thomas, admired his work at Central State, and Dr. Thomas was inspired by Reverend Jackson’s Civil Rights work and his national platform.

They joined forces to address some of the most pressing issues facing Central State University. Together, they organized campus events and national speaking engagements, raising awareness about the critical role HBCUs play in shaping future leaders.

Reverend Jackson used his national influence to bring attention to Central State’s needs, advocating for increased funding and forging connections with influential donors and policymakers.

His support for Central State University did not stop there; he became a champion for the institution. He visited the campus on many occasions, delivering impassioned speeches that galvanized both students and faculty. He highlighted the university’s achievements and challenged stakeholders to invest in its future.

His support of Dr. Thomas’s mission made a difference. With Dr. Thomas leading the way, enrollment grew as the university’s profile rose, and new partnerships with foundations and private-sector supporters strengthened academic programs and improved facilities. Their work inspired and instilled a sense of pride and purpose among students. The university’s success became a beacon for other HBCUs, demonstrating the power of strategic alliances and the importance of advocacy at both the local and national levels.

So, like others, I celebrate the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s lasting legacy, and say, “Thank you, sir, job well done.”

Birmingham to Celebrate Visionary Jazz Musician Jothan Callins with Weekend of Festivities

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Calvin Sexton (left) joins Daniel Jose Carr (on trumpet) during Jazz Happy Hour at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame on Feb. 12, 2026. (Shanice Harrison, The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame)

By Shauna Stuart | For The Birmingham Times

A Birmingham-born musician is set to host a weekend of tributes to honor Jothan Callins, the visionary composer and educator from Ensley who founded and led the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble, a 25-piece ensemble comprising middle and high school students that became a training ground for young Black musicians from Birmingham. 

From Feb. 20 to Feb. 22, New York-based trombonist, educator, and former Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble (BYJE) member Calvin Sexton will lead the Jothan Callins Jazz Legacy Celebration. The project, funded by a grant from the South Arts Jazz Road Creative Residency and presented with the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, will bring together a new generation of musicians, Callins’ family, and alumni of the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble. 

The events officially kick off on Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:00 p.m. with the “Calvin Sexton Presents: Winds of Change” concert at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. For the show, four artists (Anton Kot on drums, Levi Pugh on piano, Nigel Innis on tenor sax, and vocalist Ivory Waning Moon) will join bandleader Calvin Sexton to perform music from Callins’ treasured 1975 free jazz album “Winds of Change.” 

On Saturday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m., Sexton will host a banquet for Callin’s family, friends, Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble alumni, parents of alumni, and past Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble organizers at the Negro Southern League Museum. 

The events will return to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame on Sunday at 5 p.m. for the BYJE Alumni Concert. This show will reunite nearly 20 musicians who were members of the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble during its tenure from 1994 to 2005 for a big band homecoming performance. 

Sunday’s concert will mark a historic evening in Birmingham jazz history – the show stands to be the first time a large band of BYJE alumni has played together since Callins died in 2005. 

Born in Birmingham in 1942, Jothan McKinley Callins was a trumpeter, composer, and ethnomusicologist. Callins, who studied trumpet under the tutelage of renowned musician Amos Gordon, went on to perform with legends including Lionel Hampton, SunRa, Stevie Wonder, and filmmaker Spike Lee’s aunt, Consuela Lee, a jazz pianist who also founded an arts school for children in rural Alabama.

Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the avant-garde and spiritual jazz movement, Callins also led his own ensemble, Sounds of Togetherness. After spending decades in New York, Callins returned to Birmingham in the 1970s and worked with musician and educator J.L Lowe to help establish the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Callins was later inducted into the second class of the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Calvin Sexton will lead the Jothan Callins Jazz Legacy Celebration from Feb. 20 to Feb. 22, funded in part by the Jazz Road Creative Residencies program (Credit: Erin Patrice O’brien)

Calvin Sexton remembers when he first heard about the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble during the mid-90s, when the ensemble was rehearsing at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Sexton heard radio announcements about the band and told his mother he wanted to join. Sexton grew up in Ensley, the same neighborhood as Callins.

Sexton, 47, says Callins’ decision to come back to Birmingham to teach needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.  “Making a choice to serve the community, that was a choice, like… a calling. He could have easily been, I mean, he was the musician. He could have stayed in New York and had a career, but he made a choice to go back to Alabama.”

In Birmingham, Callins is revered by the city’s jazz elder statesmen. Renowned bandleaders Bo Berry and Daniel Jose Carr (who was on the board of Trustees for the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble) regularly play two compositions by Callins — “Family” and “Council” — for performances. They also frequently call the songs at jam sessions. 

Like Berry and Carr, Sexton wants to make sure the public outside of musicians remembers Callin’s contributions to jazz and music’s cultural lexicon. 

“This celebration is my way of saying thank you,” said Sexton. “And of reminding Birmingham how powerful his vision really was.” 

The Jothan Callins Jazz Legacy Celebration runs from Feb. 20 to 22 at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Negro Southern League Museum.  Tickets for the  “Calvin Sexton Presents: Winds of Change” and the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble Alumni Concert are available at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame website. 

Information about the Jothan Callins Jazz Legacy Celebration project is available at JothanCallinsJazz/project. 

Survivors of Violence Headed to the State Capitol to Push for Justice Reforms

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Sheree Kennon is the founder of What About Us, a Birmingham-based non-profit company that assists families who have lost loved ones. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Survivors of violence in Alabama will gather on February 24 at the State Capitol for a day of advocacy, healing, and finding ways to transform pain into policy change.

Survivors Speak Alabama, an all-day event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will host those directly affected by violence, along with family members, advocates, and community partners.

The goal is simple but urgent: elevate survivor voices and push for policies that promote healing, safety, and justice, said Sheree Kennon, a leading voice behind the event.

Kennon is the founder of What About Us, a Birmingham-based non-profit company that assists families who have lost loved ones.

Five years ago this month, her son, De’Traio Whorton, was shot and killed in 2021. Another mother, Roselyn Johnson, lost her son, DelQuan McNeily, on the same date in 2020.

“We decided to do this the day before on behalf of them and all of the other kids,” Kennon said. “We are here. We are still grieving. We are still trying to produce solutions and answers to build a better ecosystem.”

Buses will travel from Birmingham, Selma, and Talladega to Montgomery.

“[The gathering is] for survivors who’ve been impacted by losing a loved one or being impacted by the justice system, period,” said Kennon. “It is survivors coming together to show love and unity to one another. We will be leaving (from Birmingham on Feb. 24) no later than 7:45 to 8 o’clock from the Crescent Cultural Community Center (1121 Tuscaloosa Ave. SW, Birmingham AL 35211),” said Kennon.

The Montgomery visit follows a similar march held in Washington, D.C., about a year and a half ago. After participating in that national event, Kennon began pushing to bring the movement home.

“I talked to Aswald Thomas, and I’d been working with him about two years,” Kennon said. “He was like, ‘Well, let’s do it in Alabama.’ And I said, ‘Why not?’”

Now, with support from organizations including the Offenders Alumni Association (OAA) and other partners, that vision is becoming reality.

“It’s just amazing,” Kennon said. “We’re building this whole ecosystem for our community.”

Participants will begin the day in Montgomery at the Union Station Train Shed with breakfast and speakers before marching to the State Capitol. Once there, survivors will share their stories and meet directly with lawmakers.

One of the top policy priorities for survivors is reforming Alabama’s victim compensation program, Kennon said. Currently, survivors in Alabama have just one year to apply for victim compensation benefits, while many other states allow three to five years.

For grieving families, that one-year deadline can be overwhelming.

“During that one year, you’re not thinking about those applications,” she said. “You are not able to understand some of the verbiage in the application. My son was killed, and in that first year, you are not thinking about paperwork.”

Advocates are also calling for expanded eligibility (for what?), including allowing formerly incarcerated individuals to apply for compensation.

“We want it extended,” Kennon said. “We also want people who have been incarcerated to be able to apply for this compensation as well.”

Beyond policy change, Survivors Speak Alabama is about building community support for those navigating grief and trauma, said Kennon.

“So many people can’t even get out of their bed because they’re dealing with grief,” she said. “Some can’t go back to work because they can’t concentrate.”

The event will feature counselors, art activities, a live band, and opportunities for connection. Healing is just as important as advocacy, Kennon said.

“A lot of us are still grieving. A lot of us have been impacted by some type of violence. These people need love. They need support. They need conversation, a hug.”

Community organizations have also stepped in to help families complete victim compensation applications, coordinate with funeral homes, and connect survivors with resources.

“We have the application. They can come into the office. We will help them fill it out and submit it,” Kennon said. “It’s about building relationships and showing each other support.”

McCoy Adult Daycare Center to Host 24th Annual Rock-a-Thon in Birmingham 

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
McCoy Adult Daycare Center's Rock-a-Thon is designed to raise awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | For The Birmingham Times  

The McCoy Adult Daycare Center will host its 24th Annual Rock-a-Thon on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at First United Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.

The free event, open to the public, will feature games, light exercise, and songs performed by local gospel artists and groups. Organizers say the Rock-a-Thon is designed not only to bring the community together for fellowship and fun, but also to raise awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Britney Coates, executive director of McCoy Adult Daycare Center, said the annual fundraiser plays a vital role in supporting families who care for loved ones diagnosed with memory-related illnesses.

“We service senior citizens who are diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s,” Coates said. “This fundraiser is to raise awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s because there is a need. A lot of people don’t know that services are available for their loved ones.”

Founded in 1963, the center was originally located on Eighth Avenue across from Birmingham-Southern College before relocating to the Five Points West area. The daycare center is currently housed inside First United Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

According to Coates, the Rock-a-Thon centers around participants spending time in rocking chairs to help raise funds for the facility. The proceeds help provide financial assistance for families in need.

“The purpose of the event is for people to rock in rocking chairs to raise money for the facility so caregivers can receive scholarships for their clients,” Coates explained.

McCoy Adult Daycare Center operates as a self-pay facility, with services ranging from $50 per day. Seniors attend from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., receiving structured activities and care in a supportive environment.

Through a partnership with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, families may qualify for financial assistance. Individuals who are formally diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s may receive scholarships of up to $300 to help cover daycare fees, Coates said.

“If someone is formally diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, they can be granted a scholarship to help meet their daycare fees,” she said. “We partner with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama to help make that happen.”

Beyond financial assistance, Coates emphasized the importance of education and early awareness.

“It would be more helpful for families to understand how to identify symptoms of Alzheimer’s and symptoms of dementia — what to look for and how to prepare for difficult times,” she said. “There are levels to dementia as well as levels to Alzheimer’s.”

Coates encourages community members to attend Saturday’s Rock-a-Thon to learn more about available resources, support local families, and show solidarity with those impacted by memory loss.

“This is a really big event for us, and we just want to get it out there for people to come,” Coates said.

For more information, visit McCoy Adult Daycare Center.

Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman on How Golf Became More Than She Imagined

By
Birmingham Times
-
0
Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman, third from left, is a First Tee alum, and board member with the group that empowers young people of all backgrounds to develop inner strength, self-confidence and resilience. (Provided)

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | For The Birmingham Times

Birmingham City Councilmember Crystal Smitherman is an alumnus of Ramsay High School, Hampton University, the University of Alabama School of Law, and Samford University’s Cumberland Law School.

She is also an alumnus of First Tee Birmingham.

Crystal Smitherman

“My father (state Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham) introduced me to golf at a young age, and that introduction ultimately led me to First Tee,” Crystal said. “What started as time spent with my dad quickly became something much bigger. Through First Tee, I was able to formally learn the game and become part of a structured program that emphasized both skill and character.”

The younger Smitherman later competed across the country, representing the Birmingham chapter of First Tee. That experience broadened her worldview and instilled a deep sense of pride in the city she came from.

“In addition to learning how to play golf at a competitive level, First Tee taught me discipline, resilience, and leadership,” she said. “Competing nationally required focus, preparation, and accountability — qualities that extend far beyond the course. The program also exposed me to new environments and networks, helping me develop confidence and the ability to navigate spaces where I might otherwise have felt out of place.”

These days, the City Councilor plays golf when her schedule permits. “While I may not compete the way I once did, the foundation First Tee gave me is still there,” she said. “My game reflects life right now — busy, evolving, and occasionally humbling — but always grounded in fundamentals.”

It has long been said that more business deals are made on a fairway than in a boardroom. Smitherman said there is definitely truth in that stance.

“Golf provides an environment where relationships are built over time, conversations flow naturally, and trust develops organically,” she said that as an attorney and public servant, those relationships matter. While decisions are ultimately made in formal settings, the trust and mutual understanding that make effective collaboration possible are often built on the golf course.”
Smitherman is helping to build and direct young lives as a member of the board of Fore Alabama Kids, the Birmingham chapter of First Tee. That gives her a special opportunity to ‘play’ it forward.

“Being an alum gives me a unique sense of ownership and responsibility,” she said. “I know firsthand the impact First Tee can have on a young person’s life. Serving as a board member allows me to ensure that young people in Birmingham continue to have access to the same opportunities, exposure, and life lessons that helped shape who I am today.”

1...121314...1,735Page 13 of 1,735
©