Judge Glenda Hatchett Speaks at Talladega College

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February 5, 2015

Every year Talladega College hosts a Spring Convocation to lay the foundation and inspire students who, for the next five months, will be matriculating through
their spring semester courses. This year, on Wednesday, February 4, at 10 a.m. in DeForest Chapel, the speaker was Judge Glenda Hatchett, well
known for her television show, Judge Hatchett.
A graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and Emory University School of Law, where she was an Earl Warren Scholar, Hatchett completed a prestigious federal
clerkship in the United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia. She then spent nearly 10 years at Delta Air Lines, where she was the airline’s
highest-ranking woman of color worldwide. As Senior Attorney, she represented Delta Air Lines in labor/personnel and antitrust litigation and commercial
acquisitions. As Public Relations Manager, she supervised global crisis management and handled media relations for 50 U.S. cities as well as all of
Europe and Asia.
Hatchett has presented leadership sessions for various companies including PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Georgia-Pacific, Wal-Mart and Hospital Corporation
of America Inc. (HCA). Additionally, she is frequently a lecturer throughout the country keynoting several national conferences including Office Depot’s Success
Strategies for Businesswomen Conference, Colgate Palmolive’s Multicultural Summit, the Diversity Conference in the U.S. Senate, the Minority Employers’
Conference at Newell Rubbermaid, Microsoft’s Education Summit, AT & T’s Diversity Summit, Home Depot’s Women’s History Speaker’s Series and Black
Enterprise’s Entrepreneurs Conference.
Hatchett left Delta Air Lines to accept an appointment as Chief Presiding Judge of the Fulton County (Atlanta, Georgia) Juvenile Court – becoming the first
African-American Chief Presiding Judge of a state court in Georgia and head of one of the largest juvenile court systems in the country. She is a member of the
Georgia Bar and the Bar of the District of Columbia.
Hatchett presided over the two-time Emmy nominated nationally syndicated show, Judge Hatchett, for 13 seasons (Sony Pictures Television). Judge Hatchett
won a Prism Award for Best Unscripted Non-Fiction Series or Special for Television.
Currently, Hatchett sits on the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons’ Board of Advisors, a position she has held since 2004, and serves as a consultant to
the National Basketball Association on pressing legal and social issues.
Moreover, she has consistently shown her commitment to community development through her service on various nonprofit boards including: the
National Board of Governors of the Boys and Girl Club of America; the Board of Advisors for Play Pumps International; the Leadership Circle for the After School
Alliance and the Advisory Board for the Women’s Resource Center at Spelman College. Hatchett serves as the national spokesperson for CASA (Court
Appointed Special Advocates), a nonprofit volunteer organization that trains volunteers to represent abused and neglected children and is the recipient of
their President’s Award.
Currently, Hatchett has announced the formation of the Hatchett Firm – specializing in risk and crisis management, as well as innovative and effective
closing and settlement strategies. The firm will also engage a national network of Attorneys to handle complex civil litigation specializing in catastrophic injuries
and mass tort litigation.
Hatchett is the recipient of numerous awards including the Roscoe Pound Award for outstanding work in Criminal Justice, NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Award and
she has been recognized as one of the “100 Best and Brightest Women in Corporate America” by Ebony magazine. She was named Distinguished Alumna
at Mt. Holyoke College, which later granted her an honorary degree. Her other alma mater, Emory University Law School, named her Outstanding Alumni of the
Year. Emory University also presented her with the highest award given to university alumni, the Emory Medal.

Samford Receives $500,000 to Fund Holy Family Cristo Rey

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Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Holy Family Cristo Rey and Samford University are a lot alike in their mission and the quality of student they develop. “We believe Samford to be a university that stresses academic excellence in an environment that is completely undergirded by a Christian world view. I believe Holy Family Cristo Rey does the same thing,” said Randy Pittman, Vice President of University Advancement for Samford. Pittman says it has added in the success of jointly raising money to underwrite students from Holy Family Cristo Rey to work at Samford part-time as part of the Corporate Work Study Program.
Last week, an anonymous donor endowed the Holy Family Cristo Rey internship fund to the amount of $500,000. The interest alone from this gift will allow five students from the school to be interns at Samford University. Representatives from both schools gathered at Samford last Wednesday to acknowledge the gift. Samford President Andrew Westmoreland said, “This is one of the best partnerships we have had at Samford. We are so grateful for this association with the schools.” Father Alex Steinmiller, the President of Holy Family Cristo Rey, added the generosity of the people at Samford and the donors is “truly of the Holy Spirit.”
The partnership between the schools is even more unique because of the giving out of personal paychecks by Samford employees to this fund at their choosing. PJ Hughes, Director of Continuing Pharmacy Education at Samford says “dozens of people who give out of their deductions and payroll every month makes this an organic campus wide effort. “ Many are staff members who work with the Holy Family Cristo Rey students in their internships.
Another fund that is not fully endowed yet will enable a graduate of Holy Family Cristo Rey to attend Samford University on a full scholarship. The university is already seeing benefits in the partnership with three graduates of Holy Family Cristo Rey currently enrolled for the spring semester. They are sophomore Hope Allen and freshman Elijah Brown and Raven Hill who just enrolled Monday. The current interns are Jasmine Pegues working in pharmacy, Christina Hill in education, Taylor Crawford in the arts, Adiyah Crenshaw in the library, Simuka Leonard in world languages and cultures and Taylor Adams in the business school.
To learn more about Holy Family Cristo Rey, please visit www.hfcristorey.org.

Palmer Comments on 11th Circuit Decision to Deny Stay on Gay Marriage Decision

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Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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“I believe marriage is between one man and one woman, as do a large majority of the people of Alabama. The recent court decisions are troubling and disappointing. Unelected judges are achieving a political end that has been rejected by the electorate.  I applaud Attorney General Luther Strange for appealing to the Supreme Court for a stay and hope that a stay is granted pending the resolution of the issue before the Supreme Court.”

Black History Month Film Festival

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Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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How the Bay Area Black Community Can Work Towards a Better Financial Future for Blacks!

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Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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By Shawn Robinson, founder of the Bay Area Black Community

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Calif.(BlackNews.com) – Throughout the United States, even in the big cities, the media is rife with reports on how the economy is declining. Individuals are losing their homes, jobs and relationships due to the lack of money. A lot of people are desperate for change and want extra money. This is how the concept behind The bay Area Black Community came into being.

Brains behind the Project
I am a Black man living in Oakland, California within the Bay Area that was touched by the plight of Black people living in the United States in terms of unemployment, layoffs and the general decline of living standards due to the economic decline.
So, I conceived the idea of bringing people together to combine resources so as to improve community living. To this end, I am planning to hold several Black Town Hall meetings, the first of which is during Black History Month on Feb. 28, at Williams Chapel Baptist Church in Oakland, California.
The aim of this organization is to create awareness and build a strong network within the community and to also rally support for a membership service and system of which has been created from scratch!
Challenges Faced by the Black Community
Africans in America go through appalling conditions such as lowest quantity of riches, highest rate of unemployment, lowest income, highest rate of crime, and the quickest rate of death. Sociologists attribute these conditions as a result of insufficient economic development.
The Predicament
Distribution of wealth is not equal
Wealth is the money one receives from property ownership such as stocks, bonds, real estate or business. It is money that is continuously available to you so long as you are the owner of the property.
On the other hand, when you sell your labor, you earn an income. The problem with income is that if you are not working, you do not receive any money. Black Americans have a lot of income (around $1 trillion dollars) a year in minimal wealth.
The gap for wealth is becoming wider between white society and Black America. Studies show that in 2001, African Americans made up 13 percent of the population. However, they were the owners of only 3 percent, (inclusive of home equity) of the average family wealth. This translates to $121,000 for white homes and $19,000 for Black households.
Accumulation of wealth is important as it determines the social acceptance of an ethnic group, equal justice, good health care, individual comfort and the life span and quality of the lives they lead.
IBP (Inappropriate Behavior Patterns)
Unequal Wealth Distribution is not entirely to blame for the low economic status of Black America and the resultant life quality. Another big cause of this is referred to as IBP patterns. IBP refers to acts which Blacks carry out that are deemed inappropriate. This is a result of the social training of slavery.
Examples of IBP which is destructive are:
* Community Division * Clashes with competition * Looking for whites approval * Work attitude * Attitude on Material Items
Community Division
The inappropriate behavior which is most destructive which African Americans go through is community division. This stems from slavery which discouraged any efforts at unity.
The slave makers were aware that communities which were not united would be easy to continue controlling. Community Division is still rampant in today’s Black Community.
The major aim of the project for The Bay Area Black Community is to unite Blacks so as to better their everyday lives.
What is the Solution?
Some Black Americans might opt to look for an additional job so as to combat the above mentioned issues. However, this can prove difficult due to the decline in the number of jobs.
The initiative for The Bay Area Black Community is a vision of ensuring that Blacks start making money today to ensure a better future for them tomorrow. This will prevent more suffering long-term and raise a generation of Black people that will be competitive, socially and financially with the other ethnic groups within the Bay Area and some day nationwide!
For more information about Shawn Robinson and The Bay Area Black Community, visit www.bayareablack.org.

Classifieds

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Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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*Employment

*University of Montevallo
*Assistant Athletic Trainer
*Visit https://jobs.montevallo.edu
*UM is an EO Employer
BT02/05/15
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*Domino’s Pizza – Now Hiring!

Bessemer, AL: 205-426-1131 / 3979 Parkwood Road
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5365

Forestdale, AL: 205-791-1400 / 1535 Forestdale Blvd
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5375

Leeds, AL: 205-699-2727 / 7709 Parkway Drive
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5384

Trussville, AL: 205-655-9080 / 445 Main Street
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5386

Alexander City, AL: 256-329-2236 / 855 Market Place- Highway 280
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5834

Irondale / Birmingham, AL: 205-956-8300 / 1506 Montclair Road
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5848

Homewood, AL: 205-916-0070 / 430 Greensprings Hwy, Ste. 14
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5851

Chalkville / Birmingham, AL: 205-856-0030 / 2446 Old Springville Rd
APPLY HERE: http://bit.ly/dominos5894
BT02/05/15
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**AUTOMOBILE

*2008 G.M.C. Arcadia SLT
Gold HARD LOADED
3rd. row seat Leather
Bring W-2 and drive
today Call Sam at
*205-815-6454

*2007 Toyota Camry
Low miles Red with
tint, Steering controls
Call Ladarious
*205-380-0593

*2010 Dodge Charger SXT
Crimson red , Bring your
W-2 and RIDE TODAY
Call Sam at
*205-815-6454

*2004 Ford Mustang
Blue Automatic
40th Anniversary Edition
Call Ladarious at
*205-380-0593

*2010 Scion T.C.
5 speed Low miles
Sunroof, Silver
Call Sam at
*205-815-6454
BT02/05/15
_____________________
**BUYER

*Picker Coming to Birmingham, Alabaster areas February 9th – 14th
*Looking to buy pre-1960’s toys, trains, clocks, motorcycles, signs,
*furniture, etc… Call Mike O’Sullivan @ 586-850-7373 or 1-800-430-7881
*for appointment!
BT02/05/15
_____________________________________________
**LEGAL

*REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
*LEGAL SERVICES
*LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

The Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development desires to enter into a contract for legal services in support of its federal programs and other activities administered through the Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development. A copy of the complete Request for Proposals will be available upon request at:

Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North
Suite A-430
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Attn: Frederick L. Hamilton, Director
(205) 325‑5761
e -mail: hamiltonf@jccal.org

The firm or individual selected must have the capacity to fulfill the following type of legal services:

*Professional Services Required:

Legal services required will include but are not limited to the following:

1. General Counsel regarding questions and issues which arise from time to time regarding collections, foreclosures, security agreements and legal agreements relating to real estate transactions and economic development loans which have previously been entered into or are about to be entered into as a part of a federal grant program or project. A minimum of five (5) years of experience with mortgagor collections, foreclosures, borrower bankruptcy filings, mortgage modifications and debt restructuring is required. General knowledge of federally regulated programs such as CDBG, EDA and HOME program regulations is preferred. Please note that experience in revolving debt collection only is not acceptable.

2. General counsel and opinions regarding the legality or propriety of certain actions under the Code of Federal Regulations, the Code of Alabama, or other laws, regulations, or policies.

3. Litigation as required; and

4. Perform related tasks as required.

The proposing firm or individual must submit to the County’s Office of Community & Economic Development a sealed proposal and other documentation verifying its commitment to comply with all requirements outlined in the Request for Proposals by *5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2015. The sealed envelope must clearly note “Legal RFP”.
BT02/05/15
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*PUBLIC NOTICE

*NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF *INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

*Thursday, February 5, 2015
Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Room A-430
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 325-5761
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Jefferson County Office of Community& Economic Development.

*REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about Friday, February 20, 2015, the Jefferson County Commission, acting as Community Development agent for Jefferson County and Consortium municipalities, will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the release of Federal Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93-383) to undertake the following projects:

*Concord Storm Shelter Project (CDBG-DR13-03-U3-CSS)

*FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Jefferson County Commission through its Office of Community & Economic Development has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North – Room A-430, Birmingham, AL 35203 where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

*PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development. All comments received by February 20, 2015, will be considered by the Jefferson County Office of Community & Economic Development prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

*RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Jefferson County Commission through its Office of Community & Economic Development certifies to HUD that the President of the Jefferson County Commission consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Jefferson County Commission to use Program funds.

*OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Jefferson County Commission’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (which ever is later) only if they are on one of the following basis: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Jefferson County Commission; (b) the Jefferson County Commission has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to: Environmental Clearance, Mr. Charles Franklin, CPD Director, U.S. Department of HUD, Birmingham Office, Region IV, Medical Forum Building, Suite 900, 950 22nd Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last date of the objection period.

James A. Stephens, President
Jefferson County Commission
BT02/05/15

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*INVITATION FOR BIDS
*I.F.B. No. 15-05

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District will receive bids for the Construction of Building #20 at the Marks Village Housing Community. Bids will be received until *10:00 a.m., local standard time, on *March 2, 2015 at the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District Central Office Building, *Tenant’s Meeting Room located at 1826 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35233. At that time, all bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud.

*Scope of work will include (but is not limited to): Project consist of the Construction of Building #20 at the Marks Village Housing Community.

Contract Documents, including drawings and technical specifications, are on file at the following locations:

*Owner

HABD
1826 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
www.habd.org

*Plan Rooms:

AGC Network (Internet plan room)
(Formerly Ala. Assoc. of General Contractors)
5000 Grantswood Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35210
(205) 451- 1400 ph. / (205) 451- 1499 fax

F.W. Dodge / McGraw-Hill
MHC Plan Room/Alabama Graphics
2801 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
(205) 252-8505 ph. / (205) 252-8510 (fax)

Birmingham Construction Industry Authority
601 37th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
(205) 324-6202 ph. / 324-6210 fax

Copies of the Contract Documents may be obtained by contacting Carl M. Edwards, HABD Procurement Administrator at 205.521.0611 or downloading from web site at *www.habd.org. Contract Document requested from Mr. Edwards will have to be picked up at the HABD Central Office and will not be shipped.

Contractors must be licensed by the General Contractors Licensure Board of Alabama and meet the statutory requirements, including maintaining a license in good standing. All bidders must include a current license number with the submission of the bid.

The bidder shall be required to file with his or her bid either a cashier’s check drawn on an Alabama bank or a bid bond executed by a surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in the State of Alabama, payable to the awarding authority for an amount not less than five percent of the contractor’s bid, but in no event more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00).
The *Owner recommends all interested contractors to attend a *Pre-Bid Conference being *held on February 17, 2015 at 10:00 am. CST at the HABD Central Office, Tenant’s *Meeting Room 1826 Third Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama 35233, to familiarize them with the project. There will be a site visit to all listed properties immediately following the pre-bid conference. During the Pre-Bid Conference, the Authority will conduct a match-making session to promote its efforts for participation by historically disadvantaged businesses.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any irregularities or informalities in the bidding.
Bids may be held by the *Owner for a period not to exceed *(90) ninety days from the date of bids for the purpose of reviewing them and investigating the qualifications of the bidders, prior to awarding the contract. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of ninety days (90) subsequent to the opening of bids, without the consent of the Authority.
Bidding contractors are expected to hold bid prices with no changes for a period of *(90) ninety days.
Naomi H. Truman
Executive Director
The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District
BT02/05/15

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*TO:
*Prospective Offerors

*REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
*15-06

*SEPARATE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR:
Legal Services

*PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT:
HABD Central Office Procurement Administrator
1826 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1905

*CLOSING DATE:
February 10, 2015

*TIME:
2:00 P.M. CST

*LOCATION:
HABD Central Office
Procurement Administrator
1826 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1905

By submission of a proposal the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s proposal is accepted, to enter a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFP. The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFP.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Submittal of Proposal,” and will be evaluated by the HABD. Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFP, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above. Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or any proposal, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses. Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at *www.habd.org under the Purchasing and Procurement Section. Questions regarding the attached RFP should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date. Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:
Naomi H. Truman, Executive Director
BT02/05/15

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TO:
Prospective Offerors

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
15-12

SEPARATE SEALED PROPOSALS FOR:
Resident Leadership and Team Building
Training

PROPOSALS WILL BE RECEIVED AT:
HABD Central Office
Procurement Administrator
1826 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1905

CLOSING DATE:
February 12, 2015

TIME:
2:00 P.M. CST

LOCATION:
HABD Central Office
1826 Third Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1905

By submission of a proposal the offeror agrees, if the offeror’s proposal is accepted, to enter a contract with the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), to complete all work as specified or indicated in the contract documents, for the contract price and within the contract time indicted in the RFP. The offeror further accepts the terms and conditions of the RFP.

Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the section entitled “Submittal of Proposal,” and will be evaluated by the HABD. Evaluation will be based on the criteria within this RFP.

Copies of the RFP, which includes the scope of services, conditions and requirements, may be obtained from the HABD Procurement Office located at the address listed above. Persons who require special accommodations should immediately contact the HABD Procurement Office at (205) 521-0611.

HABD reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, or any proposal, and to waive any informalities or irregularities.

HABD in accordance with the Executive Orders 11625 and 12138 promotes participation by businesses owned and operated by disadvantaged and historically underutilized businesses. Section 3 business requirements must also be met.

A copy of this solicitation is available at *www.habd.org under the Purchasing and Procurement Section. Questions regarding the attached RFP should be directed to the Procurement Administrator, in writing ten (10) days prior to proposal due date. Questions received after the deadline will not be answered.

Contracting Officer:
Naomi H. Truman, Executive Director
BT02/05/15
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*ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS *JEFFERSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IMPROVEMENTS
The Jefferson County Commission will receive sealed Proposals from General Contractors for the Jefferson County Department of Revenue Improvements until 2:00 PM Local Time on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Room 1, General Services, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, Alabama 35263, after which time they will be opened in the Commission Chamber, Second Floor, Room 270.
No Bids will be accepted after the time stated for the receipt of Bids. This requirement will not be waived. The clock in the County Commission Chamber will be used to determine the correct time as determined by Mr. Jeff Smith, Director of General Services, or his designated representative. At the time stated above, the Proposals will be opened and publicly read aloud.
All Bids must be on a lump-sum basis. Submit two identical copies of the Bid on the Proposal Form provided, without changes, in a sealed envelope bearing the Contractor’s name and current Alabama license number. Bids that do not bear the Contractor’s current license number will be returned without being opened.
Construction Contracts shall be awarded only to Contractors, licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Title 34, Chapter 8, Code of Alabama. Construction Contracts in excess of $50,000 shall be awarded only to Contractors licensed as required by the 1978 Code of Alabama, Title 34, Chapter 8 as amended. Bidders must be “responsible” in accordance with criteria in the Bid Documents and as stipulated by Title 39-2-3-(e) of the Code of Alabama
A Bid Bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to Jefferson County in the amount of 5% of the amount of the Bid, but not more than $10,000, must accompany the Bidder’s Proposal. Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the contract price, will be required when the Contract is presented by the Contractor to the Owner.
A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 2:00 PM Local Time on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 in the Jefferson County Courthouse, Room 22, Ground Floor, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, Alabama. Because of the nature of this project, General Contractors wishing to bid the project must attend the Pre-bid Conference. If the number of bidders who attend the Pre-Bid Conference decreases so there is little or no competition, the Bid may be postponed at the discretion of the Owner.
Bid Documents (Drawings and Project Manual) will be open to public examination after 12:00 PM Local Time on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the office of Poole and Company Architects, LLC, 2 20th Street North, Tel. 205-326-2206, Suite 1610; AGC Internet Plan Room; at the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority; at the F.W. Dodge Company Plan Room in Birmingham; McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, and Construction Market Data in Birmingham.
Two sets of Bid Documents will be provided to each General Contractor upon receipt of a deposit check of $200.00, made payable and delivered to Poole and Company Architects, LLC. The deposit check will be refunded in full upon return of the documents in good condition within ten days of the Bid date. Good condition is defined as documents that are properly bound, fully clear, legible, without tears, without defacing marks, notes of extraneous comments or sketches on front or back of any sheet. Additional sets of Bid Documents may be obtained at Alabama Graphics for the cost of printing and handling. Bids will only be accepted from General Contractors who have filed a document deposit with the Architect.
No Bid may be withdrawn after the scheduled closing time for the receipt of Bids for a period of 60 days. Only Bids submitted by General Contractors licensed as required by applicable State and Local laws and bearing the license number of the Contractor will be considered.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids; to waive formalities and technicalities, and to proceed in its’ own best interests.
BT02/05/15
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*The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority will receive sealed bids for:

*Forum Meeting Space Renovation

This will be for the use of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, Birmingham, Alabama.* Pre-qualified *General Contractors will be required to make a good faith effort to include MBE and DBE companies in the *execution of this project.

*The Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, Alabama will receive *bids by pre-qualified General Contractors, up to the hour of 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 04, 2015, and will thereafter be publicly opened and read aloud at the BJCC Executive Board Room 4th Floor, North Exhibition Hall in Birmingham, AL. Bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished by the Authority. Bids shall be clearly identified on the exterior of the package with bidder’s name, address, *State CONTRACTOR LICENSE NUMBER, the name of the project being bid, and time and place of bid opening. Sealed bids shall be properly identified.

Construction contracts shall be awarded only to qualified Contractors, licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Title 34, Chapter 8, and Code of Alabama. Contracts in excess of $50,000 shall be awarded only to Contractors licensed as required by the 1978 Code of Alabama, Title 34, and Chapter 8 as amended. Bidders must be “responsible” in accordance with criteria in the bid and as stipulated by Title 30-2-3-(e) of the code of Alabama.

A copy of this bid package is available at the above address or on our website: *www.bjcc.org (under Jobs & Vendor Opportunities – Open Bids section). There is no charge for downloading bid documents. Documents will also be available at the pre-bid meeting and in the BCIA Plan Room.

Bids may be sent to BJCC Purchasing Department, Attn: Purchasing Coordinator, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Any bid not received by 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 04, 2015, must be hand delivered and presented at the bid opening. Sealed bids shall be submitted in triplicate and shall be properly identified. All bids received after 2:30 p.m. on the bid date will be returned unopened.

A Cashier’s Check drawn on an Alabama Bank or bid bond, executed by a Surety company duly authorized and qualified to make such bonds in Alabama, payable to the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority in the amount of 5% of the amount of bid, but in no event more than $10,000 must accompany the bidder’s bid. Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in the amount of 100% of the contract price will be required when the Contract is presented by the Contractor to the Authority.

A pre-bid meeting will be conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the BJCC Executive Board Room.

*Questions concerning the specifications should be directed to Jerry Nelms, Facility Engineer, at (205) 458-8409 or *email Jerry.Nelms@bjcc.org. Sharon Proctor
Purchasing Coordinator
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority

BT02/05/15
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*INVITATION FOR BIDS

The Jefferson County Commission will receive bids for the *GARDENDALE NEW *CASTLE PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CDBG13-03F-U4-NCP) at Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse (Commission Chambers – 2nd Floor) until 9:00 a.m. local time on the 10th day of February 2015 , at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Any bid to be delivered by hand or mail prior to the above time or at a different place shall be at the full risk of the bidder. Such bids may be delivered or mailed to the Jefferson County Office of Community and Economic Development, at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. If for any reason such bid does not reach Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse prior to the opening, it may be rejected. *No bids shall be accepted after the time stated for receipt of bids. This *requirement shall not be waived.

All bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished, or copy thereof, and must be in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope should contain the following:

(1) “SEALED BID”; (2) “DO NOT OPEN”; (3) PROJECT NAME AND NUMBER;
4) PROJECT OFFICER: “ALFONSO HOLT”; (5) CONTRACTOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS; (6) ALABAMA LICENSE NUMBER; (7) CONTRACTOR’S DUNS NUMBER.

Bids are invited upon the work generally described as follows:

*The work includes, but is not limited to providing all necessary materials, *labor, equipment, tools, transportation and services to install a pre-*fabricated dual-flush restroom facility at the existing Gardendale New Castle *Park. Project includes clearing, grubbing and disposal of debris; *approximately 300 C.Y. of earth grading and moving (cut and fill); *approximately 725 SF of 5’ wide (typical) reinforced concrete sidewalks with *2” stone base; electrical service and utility stub-outs; 1000 gallon septic tank *and associated on-site disposal field lines installed in accordance with *Jefferson County Regulations; signage relocation; various erosion control *measures; site restoration; and other minor miscellaneous site work in *ccordance with the plans and specifications.

Bids must be accompanied by a certified check payable to the order of Jefferson County, Alabama, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety, in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total of the bid amount but not to exceed $10,000.00, for the GARDENDALE NEW CASTLE PARK IMPROVEMENTS (CDBG13-03F-U4-NCP)

The bid security is to become the property of the owner in the event that: (1) the bidder fails to meet any of the qualifications required in the bid specifications stated herein; (2) the bidder misrepresents or falsifies any information required to be provided by the owner; (3) for any reason that the bidder fails to qualify, causing his bid to be withdrawn or rejected and such withdrawal or rejection results in delay or substantial additional expense to the owner; (4) the contract and bond are not executed within the time set forth, as liquidated damages for the delay and additional expense of the owner caused thereby.

Bid documents are on file and will be available for examination at the JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203; the BIRMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, and through ALABAMA AGC – ISQFT PLAN ROOM, 28015th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233.

The bid package may be obtained by depositing $ 100.00 with ENGINEERING SERVICE ASSOCIATES, INC., 5300 Cahaba River Road, Suite 250, Birmingham, AL 35243 (205-970-0772) for each set of documents so obtained. Such deposit will be refunded in full on the first set issued to each general contract bidder submitting a bonafide bid, upon return of documents in good condition within ten days of bid date. Other sets for general contractors, and sets for subcontractors and dealers, may be obtained with the same deposit, which will be refunded as above, less cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution of the contract documents.

Bidders are advised that submitted bids bind the bidders to the “Bid Conditions Setting Forth Affirmative Action Requirements for all Non‑Exempt Federal and Federally‑assisted Construction Contracts to be awarded in Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties, Alabama”, also known as the Birmingham Hometown Plan.

Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

All bidders be advised that this contract is subject to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development act of 1968, as amended, (12 USC l701U) which if it is in excess of $100,000, requires that to the “greatest extent feasible”, opportunities for training and employment be given lower income residents of the project area and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are: (1) 51 percent or more owned by section 3 residents; or (2) Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were section 3 residents; or (3) That provides evidence of commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of “section 3 business concern.”

All bidders must be properly licensed by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended. General Contractors with a classification of BC, BCU4 or MU should be able to bid this project. If a Contractor has any questions regarding his classification or eligibility to bid this project, those questions should be directed to the State Licensing Board.

The Jefferson County Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

This project will be funded in its entirety (100%) with Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of Sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids to allow the Jefferson County Commission to review the bids and investigate the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.
BT02/05/15
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*INVITATION FOR BIDS

The Jefferson County Commission will receive bids for the *ROSEDALE *SIDEWALKS – PHASE 3 PROJECT (CDBG13-03L-M05-RS3) at Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse (Commission Chambers – 2nd Floor) until 9:00 a.m. local time on the 10th day of February 2015 , at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Any bid to be delivered by hand or mail prior to the above time or at a different place shall be at the full risk of the bidder. Such bids may be delivered or mailed to the Jefferson County Office of Community and Economic Development, at 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. If for any reason such bid does not reach Room 270 of the Jefferson County Courthouse prior to the opening, it may be rejected. No bids shall be accepted after the time stated for receipt of bids. This requirement shall not be waived.

All bids must be submitted on bid forms furnished, or copy thereof, and must be in a sealed envelope. The outside of the envelope should contain the following:

(1) “SEALED BID”; (2) “DO NOT OPEN”; (3) PROJECT NAME AND NUMBER;
(4) PROJECT OFFICER: “ALFONSO HOLT”; (5) CONTRACTOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS; (6) ALABAMA LICENSE NUMBER; (7) CONTRACTOR’S DUNS
NUMBER.

Bids are invited upon the work generally described as follows:

The work includes, but is not limited to providing all necessary materials, labor, equipment, tools, transportation and services to construct various sidewalk improvements, including: clearing, grubbing and disposal of debris; approximately 4,620 SF of 5’ wide fiber-reinforced concrete sidewalks; six (6) ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and curbing modifications; pedestrian crossing signage and signage relocations; 21 LF of cross-tie and composite batten retaining wall; 51 LF of 1-1/2” ADA-Compliant steel handrail; pavement markings; various power pole, guy wire and utility relocations/adjustments; various erosion control measures; site restoration; and other minor miscellaneous site work in accordance with the plans and specifications.

Bids must be accompanied by a certified check payable to the order of Jefferson County, Alabama, negotiable U.S. Government Bonds (at par value), or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety, in the amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total of the bid amount but not to exceed $10,000.00, for the ROSEDALE SIDEWALKS – PHASE 3 PROJECT (CDBG13-03L-M05-RS3).

The bid security is to become the property of the owner in the event that: (1) the bidder fails to meet any of the qualifications required in the bid specifications stated herein; (2) the bidder misrepresents or falsifies any information required to be provided by the owner; (3) for any reason that the bidder fails to qualify, causing his bid to be withdrawn or rejected and such withdrawal or rejection results in delay or substantial additional expense to the owner; (4) the contract and bond are not executed within the time set forth, as liquidated damages for the delay and additional expense of the owner caused thereby.

Bid documents are on file and will be available for examination at the JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N, Suite A-430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203; the BIRMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, 601 37th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, and through ALABAMA AGC – ISQFT PLAN ROOM, 2801 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233.

The bid package may be obtained by depositing $ 100.00 with ENGINEERING SERVICE ASSOCIATES, INC., 5300 Cahaba River Road, Suite 250, Birmingham, AL 35243 (205-970-0772) for each set of documents so obtained. Such deposit will be refunded in full on the first set issued to each general contract bidder submitting a bonafide bid, upon return of documents in good condition within ten days of bid date. Other sets for general contractors, and sets for subcontractors and dealers, may be obtained with the same deposit, which will be refunded as above, less cost of printing, reproduction, handling and distribution of the contract documents.

Bidders are advised that submitted bids bind the bidders to the “Bid Conditions Setting Forth Affirmative Action Requirements for all Non‑Exempt Federal and Federally‑assisted Construction Contracts to be awarded in Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties, Alabama, “also known as the Birmingham Hometown Plan.

Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

All bidders be advised that this contract is subject to Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development act of 1968, as amended, (12 USC l701U) which if it is in excess of $100,000, requires that to the “greatest extent feasible”, opportunities for training and employment be given lower income residents of the project area and contracts for work in connection with the project be awarded to business concerns which are: (1) 51 percent or more owned by section 3 residents; or (2) Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were section 3 residents; or (3) That provides evidence of commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns that meet the qualifications set forth in paragraphs (1) or (2) in this definition of “section 3 business concern.”

All bidders must be properly licensed by the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors, as required by Chapter 8 of Title 34 of the Code of Alabama 1975 as amended. General Contractors with a classification of MU or MU-S: Walkways should be able to bid this project. If a Contractor has any questions regarding his classification or eligibility to bid this project, those questions should be directed to the State Licensing Board.
The Jefferson County Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities in the bidding.

This project will be funded in its entirety (100%) with Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds.

No Bid may be withdrawn for a period of Sixty (60) days from the date of the opening of bids to allow the Jefferson County Commission to review the bids and investigate the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.
BT02/05/15
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Summer Academy for Minority Teen Girls at Princeton University Gears Up for Fifth Year

By

Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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NEW York, N.Y. ( BlackNews.com) — For the fifth straight year, the At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy will be held on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. The Academy is one of the only summer institutes for minority teen girls to be held on an Ivy League campus. The At the Well Academy is geared towards building leadership skills for minority girls entering the 11th or 12th grades of high school. This year’s Academy is scheduled for July 26 August 7, 2015 at The Friend Center, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544. In 2014, more than 70 scholars attended the competitive program.
The Academy offers dynamic speakers, standardized test-taking strategies, critical reading courses, college essay writing classes, tutoring, group activities, and field trips.Each year, special guests provide dynamic presentations. The 2014 roster of speakers included marketing guru Terrie Williams, Image Activist Michaela Angela Davis, and husband and wife actors, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker.
The Academy provides on-campus housing at Princeton University that allows the students to experience college life in an Ivy League setting. The curriculum has been developed to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with increasing leadership confidence. Facilitators include business leaders, entrepreneurs, and Princeton University staff who teach select classes.
Admission is competitive and teens must possess a 3.0 G.P.A, and offer an essay as well as academic recommendations. Scholarships are available and need-based financial aid is available on a first-come basis. The deadline to submit an application is March 31, 2015.
The academic achievement gap between minority teen students and their white counterparts along with the lack of female senior leadership in corporate America prompted Jacqueline B. Glass, CEO and Founder of At the Well Conferences, Inc., to create the Academy. According to Glass, “The U.S. Department of Education statistics state African Americans account for about 13 percent of the entire college enrollment. The low performance of African American students on standardized tests is alarming. Our preparatory program addresses these issues head-on.”
At the Well Young Womens Leadership Academy is a program of At the Well Conferences, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization empowering teens since 2009. “The Academy seeks to empower young women locally to become effective leaders globally. By promoting excellence in education, these young women will transform their communities,” states Glass.
For more information, go to www.atthewellconferences.org

ESPN Black History Month Programming Includes Original Specials, Offerings Across Platforms

By

Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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ESPN will commemorate Black History Month with multiple programming offerings on television and online celebrating the achievements of African-Americans who made a positive influence within their sport and in society. The month of February will include the premieres of three special programs.

Trailblazers; Past, Present and Future will team current African-American sports stars with living legends for intimate conversations on challenges overcome and still ahead. The program, hosted by John Saunders, airs Sunday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and WatchESPN.

Longhorn Network will air the LBJ Library’s Reflections on Race, an evening with members of the “Little Rock Nine,” on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 9 p.m. The program tells the story of nine African-American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., following the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education declaring segregation unconstitutional. During the program, three members of the “Nine,” Ernest Green, Carlotta Walls LaNier and Terrence Roberts, recount their most personal experiences and share their reflections on race in America, then and now.

Longhorn Network also will premiere Through the Eyes of Texas: Integration on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 9:30 p.m. In this half-hour special, Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams looks back at how the state’s flagship university responded to integration. Through exclusive interviews from former students, historians, faculty and staff, this program uncovers compelling stories of the University of Texas’ desegregation and explores how the university community both influenced and responded to major historic events during that time.

SportsCenter

The week of Feb. 8, SportsCenter and Outside the Lines will air a feature exploring why some athletes are now willing to be more politically outspoken when not long ago many were criticized for staying silent. As protests continue across the country against the police-involved shooting death of Michael Brown and the chokehold death of Eric Garner, more athletes are making their voices heard. From the St. Louis Rams “hands up; don’t shoot” gesture to the “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts sported by some NBA players to Tweets about both cases, athletes are using their platforms to make political statements.

The Sunday, Feb. 15, SC Featured segment on SportsCenter examines the importance of football at an underprivileged high school in Tuscaloosa, Ala., that through re-zoning became economically and racially segregated. The segment debuts in the 10 a.m. program and repeats in subsequent airings throughout the day. An extended half-hour Central High special airs on ESPNU on Monday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 p.m.

Other Black History Month offerings on ESPN platforms include:

ESPN Audio – Athletes, coaches, ESPN commentators and analysts offering testimonials of what Black History Month means to them will air across ESPN Audio’s programming throughout the month of February.

ESPN the Magazine – In the “Gambling” issue of ESPN the Magazine on newsstands Feb. 6, columnist Howard Bryant talks with Arthur Carrington, who in the 1960’s was Arthur Ashe’s doubles partner and a historian of the American Tennis Association, the oldest black tennis organization in America, which discovered Ashe and Althea Gibson. Bryant writes about a man’s life and the American arc that followed, about unintended consequences of “progress,” the absorption of the black middle class into the mainstream without the representation of diversity in ownership that existed during segregation and some of the special black institutions and traditions that were lost on the way.

ESPN.com — A number of ESPN.com features relating to Black History Month are planned, including:

· In-depth on NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace, who is finally in a stable, fulltime ride in the Xfinity Series.
· Katrina Adams, a former tennis standout, is the first African-American president of the USTA. Adams, who competed professionally against Zina Garrison, Lori McNeil and Pan Shriver, grew up in Chicago and is expected to have a huge impact on young African-Americans playing tennis. Prior to assuming her new position, she worked as a tennis commentator and was the executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program.

From the ESPN.com Major League Baseball section:

·         David Schoenfield writes about the top 20 Negro League players of all time and their possible impact if they had been allowed to play in MLB.
·         Former Negro Leaguer Mahlon Duckett, who played 10 years for the Philadelphia Stars and is the last surviving member of the team, makes his selections for the All-Time Negro League Baseball team.
·         Howard Bryant on the challenges for MLBPA head Tony Clark.
·         Hall of Famer Effa Manley, whose story is being told by Penny Marshall in a new film next month in Savannah.
·         Orioles CF Adam Jones as the team’s clubhouse enforcer.
·         What does the success of the all-black Jackie Robinson West LL All-Stars tell us about MLB’s attempts to attract more African-Americans?
·         Russell Martin and the very small fraternity of black catchers in MLB history.

On Feb. 11, the 25th anniversary of Tyson-Douglas, in the ESPN.com boxing section:

·         Dan Rafael on Tyson-Douglas, in the fighters’ own words
·         Nigel Collins: What the upset meant for boxing, the heavyweight division
·         Video and photo gallery of Tyson-Douglas fight
·         Rafael: an update on Bernard Hopkins and his future plans at age 50.
·         Deontay Wilder, the new WBC heavyweight boxing champion, is a rising star in the sport. He recently defeated defending heavyweight champion Bermaine Stiverne in a unanimous decision in Las Vegas. The 6-7 Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) has never fought past the fourth round. He is the first undefeated champion since Riddick Bowe in 1992 and the first American champion since Shannon Briggs won the title in 2006.

espnW.com — Writer Mechelle Voepel looks at what could be an enormous year for African-American women on golf’s LPGA Tour. Before this year, four African-American women had qualified for the tour, and recent qualifiers Sadena Parks and Cheyenne Woods have raised the number to six. The reporting examines what this development will mean for African-American girls and women in the sport of golf and why there have been so few African-Americans on tour up until now.

ESPN on Demand — An array of films, highlights and specials celebrating the influential accomplishments of African-Americans in sports will be featured, including:

·         51 Dons: The story of the 1951 season of the undefeated University of San Francisco Dons football team and their unique stand against racism by declining an invitation to play in the Orange Bowl under the condition that they would have to leave their African-American players Ollie Matson and Burl Toler home.
·         A Race Story: The story of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Wendell Scott, the first and only African-American to ever win a NASCAR premier series race.
·         The Secret Game: The film goes behind the scenes of a secret game that was arranged in 1944 between the all-white Duke University team and the team from N.C. College for Negroes, now North Carolina Central University. With the Klan so active in Durham, N.C., at the time, the game remained a secret until this ESPN Films story.
·         Black Magic: A documentary about the history of basketball as played at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A.G. Gaston Conference to host February 17 Town Hall Meeting on Closing Racial Wealth Gap

By

Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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By Roy L. Williams
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Over 50 years after the 1964 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, many Blacks remain enslaved by the economic disparities of crime, education and unemployment created by poverty.
The 2015 A.G. Gaston Conference is bringing two respected speakers, Eugene A. Mitchell of New York Life and Margarita “Maggie” Anderson, to host an African American Town Hall Meeting: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap through Economic Empowerment.” It will take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 17 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. They will lead a candid discussion about what individuals and businesses can do, collectively, to close the racial wealth gap and ensure the sustainability of African American-owned businesses.
According to the Pew Research Center, the wealth of white households was 13 times higher than that of Black households in 2013, up from eight times the wealth in 2010. Black Americans were hit harder by the Great Recession of 2007, largely because much of their wealth was lost in in the housing market collapse, and Blacks lost a far greater percent of jobs than whites during the economic downturn.
Mitchell is the architect and driving force behind New York Life’s African American Community Empowerment Plan. His vision is to change the financial landscape of Black America by building wealth and creating financial legacies that will help fund dreams of a college education, home ownership, entrepreneurialism and philanthropic endeavors for future generations.
Anderson, of Oak Park, Ill., and her family made history as national media covered their year-long stand in 2009 living exclusively off Black businesses. The ‘Empowerment Experiment’ resulted in a landmark study by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, which proved how support of Black businesses can rescue Black communities and improve the American economy as a whole. She is author of “Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest to Buy Black,” CEO of The Empowerment Experiment and speaks across the country promoting the importance of supporting Black businesses.
To register for the Feb. 17-18 A.G. Gaston Conference, go to www.aggastonconference.com.

Golden Moon Hotel & Casino opens $70 million renovation at Pearl River Resort

By

Birmingham Times

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February 5, 2015

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GM_GrandOpening — Entrance Signage at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino

Guests enter Golden Moon after Grand Opening Ceremony

Guests Play Slot Machines at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino after the Grand Opening Ceremony

left to Right – Phyliss J. Anderson, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief; Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant; Holly Gagnon, Pearl River Resort, President and CEO

Casino Remodel Includes Renovated Gaming Area, Poker Room, Center Bar, Hotel Rooms, New Slots, New Gaming Technology, and Returns Casino to 24/7 Operation

CHOCTAW, Miss., – Pearl River Resort, the Southeast’s premier entertainment and gaming enterprise, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration for the $70 million renovation of Golden Moon Hotel & Casino Saturday, January 31.

“We are excited to mark the grand opening of the newly renovated Golden Moon Hotel & Casino today. The $70 million renovation utilizes design and technology to create an unparalleled entertainment, gaming, and lodging experience available around the clock and every day of the week for our guests,” stated Holly Gagnon, President and CEO of Pearl River Resort. “We invite you all to enjoy our new product offerings with this renovation as it will certainly benefit our guests, our employees, the community, and the tribe.”

The grand opening celebration started Friday, January 30 with a party for casino VIP guests being the first to explore and enjoy all that the $70 million renovation has to offer. Tribal Chief, Phyliss J. Anderson and President and CEO of Pearl River Resort, Holly Gagnon cut the official grand opening ribbon Saturday, January 31 at approximately 4:30 p.m. marking the opening of the renovated Golden Moon Hotel & Casino to the general public.

Guests enjoyed roaming entertainment including an interactive magician, a flair bartender, and flash mob performances throughout the casino floor as well the chance to win a pair of diamond earrings. Guests marveled at the center bar video arch playing Denim & Diamonds themed motion graphics and enjoyed receiving a complimentary grand opening polo shirt.

“Being proud of what we have here has got to go through all of our tribal members blood veins. This belongs to us, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and when I think about what this place is going to do for our people it fills me with so much pride,” said Phyliss J. Anderson, Tribal Chief.

The renovation plan designed by architecture group Marnell Companies of Las Vegas includes remodeled hotel rooms and a revitalized approximately 70,000 square feet gaming floor that creates a more exciting and welcoming space offering 1,150 slot machines, 25 table games, an elevated 14 table poker room, a stunning one-of-a-kind video wall, and a new center bar.

Marnell Companies utilized design features such as a dramatic architectural ceiling treatment to create a more intimate atmosphere, warm cove lighting, colorful decorative fixtures, and beautifully designed carpet that pays tribute to Choctaw culture with a contemporary spin. The center bar exudes energy and life to the gaming floor and creates a beacon that guests are drawn to. Whether they enjoy a delightful video experience or an array of beverage offerings, guests will be in the heart of the exciting casino action at the center bar.

The resort’s guest rooms and suites remodel and renovation includes new in-room amenities, 42 inch flat screen televisions, new furniture and custom made Choctaw inspired artwork. The new rooms feature clean lines with beautiful finishes that are timeless and comfortable making them fresh, stylish, and convenient.

Not only has the resort enhanced the makeup of the properties but technology upgrades are a large part of the renovation project. Both Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos now feature Konami Gaming, Inc.’s award-winning casino management system, SYNKROS allowing guests to enjoy new slots and an integrated gaming experience like never before. Additionally, guests can now receive text notification when their hotel room is available for check-in and when their table is ready at any of the resort’s restaurants. Kiosks will also be in place to handle various transactions such as reprinting cards and comps. The introduction of the new technology provides greater conveniences to our guests, giving them the freedom to enjoy themselves in the casino without waiting in lines.

As a result of comprehensive renovations, new gaming systems, and technology enhancements, Pearl River Resort has created a game-changing experience for the gamer, diner, or the guest that just wants to get away.

For Grand Opening Celebration Video Footage visit this link: http://youtube/MdriOSc-kwc