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Charles Person, Original Freedom Rider and Decorated U.S. Marine, Dies at 82

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Birmingham Times
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Civil Rights icon and original Freedom Rider Charles Person passed away on January 8, 2025. (Pete Conroy/bhamnow.com)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Charles Person, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement as the youngest of the original Freedom Riders, and a dedicated U.S. Marine, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8 at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia. He was 82.

One of the original 13 Freedom Riders, Person and his fellow Riders were brutally beaten on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, at the downtown Birmingham Greyhound terminal by a mob of Klansman while the police watched.

After that day, Person continued to work on various Civil Rights and justice initiatives and would play a role in the creation of the Freedom Riders National Monument in 2017.

“Charles was not only my life partner but a tireless advocate for justice and equality,” said his wife, Jo Etta Person, according to bhamnow.com. “His passion for nonviolence, peace, and education touched countless lives. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through the Freedom Riders Training Academy and the lasting change he inspired.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin called Person “a giant in the Civil Rights movement.”

“I join the City of Birmingham in mourning the passing of my Morehouse brother Charles Person … His dedication to equality and nonviolence continued well into the present day, when he co-founded the Freedom Riders Training Academy (FRTA), teaching a new generation of activists civic engagement and how to uplift our people.

“His legacy will always be defined by his immeasurable courage. He stood firm so that we may be able to experience the joys of freedom. Rest well,” Woodfin said.

In recent years, Person co-founded the Freedom Riders Training Academy (FRTA) that teaches the principles of nonviolent resistance, civic engagement, and the protection of constitutional rights. (FILE)

The Freedom Rides

Enrolling in Atlanta’s Morehouse College in 1960, Person participated in numerous lunch counter sit-ins, enduring a 16-day jail sentence for his activism. His involvement caught the attention of Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) recruiters seeking a Freedom Rider to represent Atlanta.

The Freedom Rides aimed to challenge segregation in interstate travel, despite earlier Supreme Court decisions declaring it illegal.

At age 18, Person was the youngest Civil Rights Freedom Rider in 1961 and was one of the first 13 riders to encounter violence as his Trailways bus entered Alabama.

The response was immediate and violent in Anniston, Alabama, where a white mob firebombed one of the buses. In Birmingham, Person and fellow riders faced brutal attacks by Klansmen and a white mob, with local doctors refusing to treat the injured Black riders. Person’s wounds were life-threatening, but a nurse with the Rev. Fred L. Shuttleworth’s Bethel Baptist Church saved him.

The Freedom Rides persisted, garnering national attention and ultimately leading to the Interstate Commerce Commission’s order to end segregation in public transportation.

When Person returned home, his mother said, “You should join the Army. It would be safer.” Instead, he joined the Marine Corps where he went on to serve a 20-year-old career serving in Vietnam in 1965-1966 at Chu Lai south of Danang.

Principles Of Non-Violent Resistance

In recent years, Person co-founded the Freedom Riders Training Institute (FRTI)with Pete Conroy, a civil rights advocate from Anniston. The academy teaches the principles of nonviolent resistance, civic engagement, and the protection of constitutional rights, drawing on the teachings of the original Freedom Riders, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A pilot program in Hoover allowed 80 people who were arrested during demonstrations in 2018 to complete the FRTA curriculum as part of an alternative sentencing program. Pro bono attorney Richard Rice, representing those arrested, reached an agreement with the Hoover Municipal Court officials creating an alternative to traditional sentencing.

The innovative program helps reduce court caseloads and provides a meaningful opportunity for justice reform, serving as a model for communities nationwide.

The FRTA will officially launch in February. It will offer training for demonstrators, students, and law enforcement to promote peaceful protest, understanding, and reconciliation.

Person’s memoir Buses Are a Comin’: Memoir of a Freedom Rider published in 2021.

For more information about the Freedom Riders Training Institute, visit here.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the development of the Freedom Riders Park and the Freedom Riders Training Academy, which will continue Charles’ mission. Donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama.

Rep. Terri Sewell First Black Woman Selected to House Ways and Means Subcommittee Leadership

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Birmingham Times
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U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell became the first Black woman to serve in the House Ways and Means subcommittee leadership Wednesday. (File)

| WIAT

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District, became the first Black woman to serve in the House Ways and Means subcommittee leadership Wednesday.

According to Sewell’s office, she was selected as a ranking member of the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight. Sewell is the subcommittee’s top Democrat. The House Ways and Means Committee was first formed in 1789.

“I am honored to have been selected by my Democratic colleagues to lead our work on the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee,” Sewell said in a statement. “As Congress prepares to consider new changes to our tax code, I look forward to fighting alongside my colleagues to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare and ensure that our tax system benefits all Americans, not just billionaires and big corporations. As Ranking Member, I am prepared to work with my Republican colleagues where possible and hold the incoming administration accountable when necessary.”

Sewell joined the House Ways and Means Committee in 2017. It works on matters regarding taxes, trade, Social Security and Medicare. Sewell is also serving on the subcommittees on trade and Social Security in the 119th Congress.

Sewell has served in the House since 2011.

The Lasting Trauma of Violence on Children in Birmingham and Where to Find Help

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Birmingham Times
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A.H. Parker High School students and members of the Creative Minds club Kamarion Morris, Jeremiah Barrow, Sharaia Canady, Shiloh Britt and Makayla Green discuss the importance of mental health and the impact of gun violence on their lives. (Alaina Bookma, AL.com)

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com

This is another installment in Birmingham Times/AL.com/CBS42 joint series “Beyond the Violence.” 

Amid a violent year in Birmingham, local children may need additional resources and safe outlets.

The city saw 151 homicides in 2024, including the deaths of 10 children. Many children also have been injured in shootings. Violence can leave friends, family and community members with lasting trauma and fear.

“When young people have to navigate life with the reality that their family member, friend is potentially going to die from violence… that trauma and grief is really profound and sometimes not tended to, so making sure that there is a trauma informed, culturally responsive approach on top of structural changes is important,” Stephanie Hawkins, vice president of the Transformative Research Unit for Equity at RTI International, a nonprofit research organization, said.

Kamarion Morris joined his school’s Creative Minds club when he was in high school to open up with his peers about tough topics.

“I have personal experience with gun violence. There’s not a day where we’re not talking about it,” Morris said. “I joined the Creative Minds club when my friends told me it was a place where I could express myself freely and with positivity.”

There are multiple local resources children, teens and families can turn to after something scary happens.

How to help a child after a traumatic event

Traumatic events can take various shapes and forms, but loved ones should be on alert after something dangerous or violent happens to or around a child.

Robert Smith, executive director of the Amelia Center, a comprehensive grief counseling center at Children’s of Alabama, said when a traumatic event occurs in a child’s life, parents and loved ones should make sure that the child has:

  • a stable routine including balanced meals,
  • regular school attendance, and
  • ample time with friends to process their emotions.

“One of the things I would stress after a trauma is that what children and teens probably need the most is a sense of stability and safety and structure. Their world, their reality, everything has been upheaved and challenged,” Smith said.

“Sometimes we move a little too fast and try to insist on them getting help when what they’re focused on is getting some calmness, normalcy and predictability.”

How to know if a child needs professional help

Cynthia Jones, director of the Children’s of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center, said community violence can cause stress responses in children such as appetite and sleep changes, lack of motivation and hopelessness.

Jones said that after a traumatic event, parents and adults should reassure children that they are safe. An expert professional can help navigate emotions and feelings, too.

“Kids’ reaction to traumatic events is not very predictable for them. There’s no timetable, and their healing occurs over periods of months, and years and decades. So it’s just being patient with them. Let them know that there’s opportunity for them to recover from this traumatic event and that there is help out there,” Jones said.

While it is normal for children to express sadness, grief and even anger after a traumatic event, if a child’s behavior becomes abnormal to their character, reckless or dangerous, experts advise seeking out additional mental health support.

If months after a traumatic event occurs and a child shows signs of depression, anxiety, or persistent and worsening feelings of isolation, fear, irritability, stress or begins to self harm, misuse alcohol and substances, seek professional help.

“Knowing what your child has experienced and what their level of coping skills are helps. Give them some faith and some time to balance and then we intervene when we recognize that that’s not happening the way it should,” Smith said.

Alabama youth support and mental health resources

Across Alabama, community members have launched initiatives for area children and teens to curb violence and support youth mental health. Experts say giving children and young adults safe spaces to open up can be vital to overcoming grief and fear after a traumatic event.

Community based programs such as the Surge Project, Kings Kids Outreach, Renew Birmingham, the ZeroZero Foundation and The Bridge Educational Philanthropy provide Birmingham area youth with mental health resources, transportation, food, academic support, career opportunities and community support.

AL.com’s Education Lab created a toolkit to assess more options in Alabama if a child needs long-term mental health support.

United Way created a resource guide with additional mental health resources and services.

The Amelia Center specializes in providing services for children and teens who experienced a significant death and offers free mental health resources and counseling for those who are grieving after a tragic event. Counselors for adults, teens, and children can be reached at (205) 638-7481.

Children’s of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center has a resource line available at (205) 638-7472 providing callers with a database of community-based resources, mental health agencies and services tailored to a child’s needs. Certified counselors also are available to answer questions about mental health concerns.

Additional resources for families, including talking about death, how to cope with loss, child trauma and bereavement, can be found on the Children’s of Alabama website.

“Our hope is that we can make some impact on some kids out there,” Smith said.

Crisis information for immediate help

The National Suicide Hotline, 988, is available 24/7 in both English and Spanish.

New Group, Not Police, to Now Handle Non-Emergency Calls for Birmingham’s Homeless

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Birmingham Times
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Artie Gilbert, Director of the Birmingham HEART program, at microphone, during press conference at City Hall. (Barnett Wright, The Birmingham Times)

birminghamal.gov

A new program focused on serving homeless Birmingham residents will now handle non-emergency calls that had been handled by the police department.

Urban Alchemy is joining the City of Birmingham to launch HEART, The Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART), to respond to non-emergency situations involving homeless residents.

“Food and shelter are human rights,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Instead of dispatching law enforcement officers to address these basic needs, HEART Birmingham’s team of compassionate, specially-trained professionals will support our unhoused residents and connect them with resources they desperately need and most certainly deserve.”

Urban Alchemy, which operates similar programs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, will respond to non-emergency 911 and 311 calls relating to homeless residents.

“Our team brings lived experience, empathy, and the ability to read potentially explosive situations,” said Artie Gilbert, the Director of the Birmingham HEART program. “We meet each situation and person where they are, de-escalate, and do our best to connect them to resources that can help transform their lives.”

Urban Alchemy has had success de-escalating situations involving unhoused people because many of the team members have faced similar challenges themselves. More than 90 percent of Urban Alchemy’s team has overcome long-term incarceration, homelessness, mental illness, and/or drug addiction and have said they joined the organization because they wanted to give back and offer others the same help they needed or wanted.

HEART team members will contact emergency services directly when they respond to a call that becomes violent or requires medical intervention.

The HEART program launched on Jan. 6 and employs nearly 20 people. Teams will respond to calls from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Bolaji Kukoyi Turned a One-Way Ticket From Lagos into $21.7 Million Project in Birmingham

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Birmingham Times
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Bolaji Kukoyi is the president of Dynamic Civil Solutions, a community-focused engineering firm that was selected to be the lead consultant on a new urban trail in the city of Birmingham. (Dynamic Civil Solutions)

birminghamal.gov

When 17-year-old Bolaji Kukoyi migrated to Birmingham from Lagos, Nigeria, failure was not an option, he said. With a one-way ticket to travel nearly 6,000 miles from home, he had to find success among a city he had never known.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I just knew I wanted to be a part of something big and bigger than myself.”

He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, studied mathematics and civil engineering. “I took it one day at a time,” he said. “Doors opened. Doors closed.”

Today, 27 years later, not only has Kukoyi found success, but he will play a major role in the future development of Birmingham. He is the president of Dynamic Civil Solutions, a community-focused engineering firm that was recently selected to be the lead consultant on a transformative new urban trail in the city of Birmingham.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $21.7 million to the City of Birmingham to develop a comprehensive trail system that serves not only as a modern improvement for Birmingham, but also as a living tribute to the rich history of civil rights struggle and progress within Birmingham’s historic communities.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Crossroads project will create a 3.16-mile urban trail that follows along the landscape of what was a pivotal battleground for America’s Civil Rights Movement. It will connect Smithfield and Graymont, some of Birmingham’s poorest and most underserved neighborhoods, to everyday necessities and downtown by creating streets that are livable, fun, and safe for all people—regardless of age, ability or mode of transportation.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said. “This is not just a trail project. It has to do with the storytelling of where Birmingham has been and what Birmingham is capable of being; all while uniting people along the trail. This will reunite the communities that have been divided by all the infrastructure and create equal access to everything and be welcoming for all.”

This corridor will celebrate, honor, and revitalize Smithfield, the west side of Birmingham, and the Civil Rights District. It will be the spine of a growing multimodal transportation network that unifies many neighborhoods of western Birmingham to downtown and will be a main connector to the Red Rock Trail System, Birmingham’s regional urban trail system.

“The competition was fierce,” said Christina Argo, deputy director for the Department of Transportation, but Kukoyi’s team of experts was undeniable.

As a minority business owner, Kukoyi was thrilled to be selected. This is his first time being the lead on a project of this magnitude. “Kudos to Birmingham. Kudos to the city,” he said. “I am hoping this is the first of many, not just for DCS but for other minority businesses.”

“I hope that this is a catalyst that spurs revitalization and says to the world, ‘Come to Birmingham,’” Argo said.

“Our role is to help Birmingham realize their vision,” Kukoyi said, noting that it will begin with lots of community input. “We want to engage the community and hear people out. We want to hear their stories and let those stories dictate our design.”

The design process should take up to 18 months. Beginning in January 2025, the public will be invited to share their input in this process. Overall, the project should be complete some time in 2028. For more information, visit www.birminghamal.gov/transporation/raise.

Safety Protection for Your Pets as Freezing Temps Grip Birmingham

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Birmingham Times
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January is typically the coldest month in our region of the country. We see our lowest temperatures and often a wintery mix which may include rain and sleet with snow flurries at times.  As humans we have pretty much mastered how to safely dress and behave under frigid weather conditions, but many pet owners have various questions on the best ways to protect their pets under these same types of weather patterns.

This month’s article will explore a variety of topics regarding safety during cold frigid winter weather. This week’s safety article will focus on winter safety protection for pets because winter can sometimes bring unexpected dangers for your pets.

Let’s start by outlining some safety protection measures for your pets beginning with:

When it is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is wise to keep your pet indoors. Shorthaired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature falls below 40 degrees.

Remember if it is cold for you, it is cold for your pets. (Adobe Stock)

Be aware of salt and other ice-melting chemicals on the streets and sidewalks. They are an irritant to your pet’s paws and may cause injury if swallowed. Use a warm cloth to clean off any salt or chemical residues after a walk. Be first on your block to provide your dog with a set of booties to protect his/her paws from these types of harsh and cold chemicals.

Make sure outside water sources do not freeze over. Pets cannot burn the calories they need to stay warm without a fresh supply of water.

Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet to your pet and most brands are very poisonous. Contact the veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has consumed antifreeze.

Pet grooming is very important; a matted coat will not protect your pet from the cold. Be watchful of ice or salt that may become entangled in long hair dogs and remove it immediately.

Remember if it is cold for you, it is cold for your pets. Pets are part of your family so let’s Keep an Eye on Safety for them during frigid temperatures.

“I bought my home in the neighborhood with the highest number homicides in 2017, which was Ensley Highlands, and I started to try and effect change.”

By
Birmingham Times
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GERRELL JONES, FOUNDER OF RENEW BIRMINGHAM, AN ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS HELPED TO REDUCE HOMICIDES IN ENSLEY COMMUNITY; WVTM.COM, JAN. 6.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

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Birmingham Times
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(Topiarist Mike Gibson to appear at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on January 28) (Gibson Works, LLC)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

TODAY…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**THURSDAY NIGHT WITH ALABAMA SO & SO MACHINE at the Nick Rocks.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**EVERY THURSDAY- THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.

**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.

**FILM at Sidewalk Film.

**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

FRIDAY…

IT IS Friday…the weekend starts…

**SCOTT IVEY WITH AJ BEAVERS at the Nick Rocks.

**LATE NIGHT FRIDAYS with DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick Rocks.

**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.

**BEYONCE BALL at Saturn.

**CAHABA ROOTS – THE UPSTAIRS at Avondale Brewing Co.

SATURDAY…

**KARAOKE SATURDAYS, 3 p.m. at 3605 Gray Avenue, Adamsville, with the ALL-EN ONE BBQ with Chef Randy ”Dee” Allen and The Lovely LaToria at the 7 Angels Coffee & Smoothie Café.

**RICK PRICE – The Upstairs, 8 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.

**NO SCRUBS: 90s DANCE PARTY, 10 p.m. at Saturn 200 41st Street South.

**BEDHEAD AND VARSITY BLUES at The Nick Rocks.

**BROADWAY RAVE at Saturn.

SUNDAY…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**2nd SUNDAY WITH ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**BLAKGRAZ & JOHN ARMSTRONG FELLER at The Nick Rocks.

MONDAY…

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

TUESDAY…

**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE TUESDAYS, 10 p.m. at The Nick Rocks.

**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

**SUBSTRATE BINGO at Saturn.

WEDNESDAY…

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.

**SUNDROP, EVERY WEDNESDAY at the Nick.

**GLADYS IMPROV at Saturn.

NEXT THURSDAY…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**PARACHUTE PUNL SHOW featuring MIRANDA ANDDD THE BEAT at Saturn.

**THE WHOLESOME BOYS WITH ZACH AUSTIN & THE LONESOME at the Nick Rocks.

**DRAG NIGHT benefitting the Yellowhammer Fund at The Nick Rocks.

NEXT FRIDAY….

**UNDERGROUNDBOOKING 4th ANNUAL BIRTHDAY BASH with BIG PO, CREMRO & WHITE GOLD at The Nick Rocks.

**CAN’T FEEL MY FACE: 2010s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

**RUMOURS ATL: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE at Iron City.

NEWS TO USE

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN – MS. GLORIA BERRY, ONE OF MEDIA’S FINEST COPY EDITORS – If you did not know or have not heard, we lost one of Birmingham’s finest this past weekend. Words cannot explain what so very many people in our city and state feel.  Ms. Berry was a dedicated part of the Birmingham Times for many years. She was one of the best Copy Editors in the world.  She was loved and will be missed dearly.  Please, keep her family, us and all of her friends in your prayers.  She will be missed!!!

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN…PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…

WEST END LIBRARY…Ms. Lynn at the library shared things that might be of interest to some…

IN JANUARY –

**SENIOR CLAWS – Age is Nothing But A Number… Every Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.

*JANUARY 14 – MOVIE

*JANUARY 21st SENIOR GARTEN 101: Medicare and Bingo

*JANUARY 28 – LINE DANCING

SOME MORE at the library…

**CROCHET, Every Wednesday, 10 a.m.

**MARY’S CHAIR AEROBICS, Every Thursday, 10 a.m.

**CHESS FOR KIDS, Every Thursday, 3 p.m.

**MOVIE MATINEE, Every Friday, 3 p.m.

**BINGO, Thursday, January 23, 11 a.m.

 Call 205-226-4089 or visit: West End Library, 1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue.

FOR BALLET LOVERS…

**THIS SUNDAY – ALABAMA BALLET CENTER is holding it auditions for ballet students ages 11-19 for a four-week summer program. Audition is at 2 p.m. at the ballet facility.  Ballet students that will audition must register online prior to audition.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…

**TODAY – CARING FOR YOUR GARDENING TOOLS, 11 a.m. – Noon, to learn how you can store, clean and sharpen your had tools. Bring your pruners, a trowel, loppers or soil knife. No power tools such as long-handled shovel or pitchfork. Register.

**MONDAY – DISCOVER & EXPLORE: BOTNAICAL STILL LIFE, 10 – 11:30 a.m.  Join artist ERICA SCOTT of Dabble, a Birmingham Arts Studio. Learn drawing techniques using colored pencils and pastels.  Take botanical elements such as cut flowers, leaves, etc. to be assembled in a classroom sill life. Drawing materials are provided.

**JANUARY 18 – WINTER BIRDING IN ALABAMA, 9 – 11 a.m. with Alabama Audubon GREG HARBER who will discuss how you can attract birds to your yards.  The class includes a walk to the bird habitat, which is the newest section of the Kaul Wildflower Garden.  Binoculars will be provided or bring your own. Registration is required.

**JANUARY 25 – EXPLORE SEED SAVING AT THE COMMUITY SEED SWAP, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on National Seed Swap Day. Discover tips and tricks for growing form seed as you chat with other seed savers. Sign up for the library’s free Seed Exchange. Open to the public. FREE. More info on the website.

**JANUARY 28 – STORYTELLING THROUGH TOPIARY AND PROPERTY ART will be what MIKE GIBSON discusses as he takes center stage at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 5:30 p.m. reception with the lecture at 6 p.m.  Gibson is a renowned self-taught property artist, topiarist and entrepreneur.

**JANUARY 30 – THE WEID AND WONDERFUL WORLD OF LICHENS, 10 a.m. – Noon with CURTIS HANSEN, curator of Plants at Auburn University’s John D. Friedman Herbarium. Share the walk led by Hansen through the gardens to spot and identify the life forms.  Registration is required.

AT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO…

**GLOW WILD is still going on through January 2025 at our own Birmingham Zoo. Don’t say that you were not informed. There are a few more days left to see the larger than life lanterns that will light the path through the Zoo as you make memories of a lifetime. Walk through the displays and take plenty of photos with the family and friends as you try the special versions of hot chocolate in the restaurants. Don’t miss one of Birmingham’s Top Holiday Activities. AND, throughout the season, there will be special guests and appearances. Visit www.birminghamzoo.com for more.

FOR MOVIE LOVERS…

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 16 …

**NOSFERATU is extended until next Thursday. Don’t miss it this weekend and next Thursday.

Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send your contact info with your events, your things of interest and more to: gwenderu@yahoo.com and thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.

 

Samuel L. Perry Sr. Reflects on a 50-Year Career at Southern Research in Birmingham

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Birmingham Times
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Samuel L. Perry Sr. took a housekeeping job at Southern Research in Birmingham as a 21-year-old, and 50 years later, he is retiring from the company. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

When Samuel L. Perry Sr. took a housekeeping job at Southern Research in Birmingham as a 21-year-old, he never imagined he’d spend his entire career there. That was 50 years ago.

“I had no idea that I would stay around here this long,” he said during an Employee Milestone Celebration at the City Club in downtown Birmingham. “Years just passed and passed, … and I liked doing the job. People weren’t constantly on you all the time, and you had good people that you worked with.”

Perry, 71, recalled learning about the job in 1974 in the newspaper. He was hired as part of the Southern Research housekeeping staff, he took a position in the maintenance department, got a commercial driver’s license, and started driving a truck for the organization in the 1980s.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Perry lived on the Southside until the age of 8, where, ironically, he lived near the Southern Research campus.

“I stayed maybe two blocks over, [and] there was a castle-like building over here on the Southside. I always admired that castle-like building. [My family] lived at 25th Street and 8th Avenue, right where the freeway exits off now. There were houses there, and that’s where I was born and raised until we moved,” recalled Perry, who is the oldest of five siblings.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Samuel L. Perry Sr. lived on the Southside until the age of 8, where, ironically, he lived near the Southern Research campus. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

The “castle-like building” was known as Quinlan Castle. It had been built in the 1920s and once served as an apartment building. The structure, which was on a corner of the Southern Research campus, had been deemed unsafe, too costly to repair, and unsuitable for modern lab space.

In 2021, the organization received a permit to demolish the building and erect in its place a new biotech building, where more than 100 scientists will eventually conduct research.

Perry attended A.H. Parker High School. He had a daughter when he was still in high school and earned GED diploma two years after dropping out of Parker. Perry now has three children—a daughter, Tyesa Slaughter, 50, and two sons, Samuel Perry Jr., 38, and Alexander Perry, 32—and he said his job at Southern Research helped him create a life for his family.

For years, Perry’s family has encouraged him to retire: “They’ve been telling me to retire, especially my oldest son. He’s been telling me I need to come home.”

Perry’s official last day is January 28, but he feels it will be difficult to say goodbye.

“I said I was going to do it on [January 28], but I might hang around a little bit longer if they let me. If I stay on after [that day], I’ll probably leave in June,” said Perry, who added that he wasn’t joking.

Besides working at a clothing store in high school, Southern Research has been Perry’s only job. A normal day for Perry starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. As the incinerator operator, Perry’s tasks include collecting items from four different docks and bringing them to the incinerator. Besides those tasks, Perry handles several housekeeping jobs around the facilities.

“We get there at about 5 in the morning. I usually come in, turn the incinerator on, and let it warm up. Then I get in the truck and pick up [items that need to be incinerated]. Whatever else they want me to do, I do,” he added.

In his free time, Perry used to play basketball to keep busy, but now, “All I do is go home and go to sleep,” he said jokingly.

Perry considers himself “a chill and laid-back guy,” who likes to keep to himself “and stay out of the mess.”

One memory he shared with The Birmingham Times is his love for traveling every year with his family for family reunion trips.

“One time we went to Las Vegas, and there were so many people. I would never go to Las Vegas again,” he said.

His favorite family reunion trip was a cruise to the Bahamas: “It was OK, but, you know, the thing I liked most was being on the ship. It was nice,” he recalled.

“I try to go to different places. We used to have family reunions and travel a lot every year, [but the COVID-19 pandemic] did a whole lot and stopped a lot of that stuff. We started back two years ago,” said Perry. “If suggested, I would go, but there are not a lot of places that I need to go. I’d rather be at home.”

Former Alabama Star Chris Goode Introduced as Head Football Coach at Miles College  

By
Birmingham Times
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Coach Chris Goode, left, poses with Miles Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Jeffery Artis. (Solomon Crenshaw Jr., For The Birmingham Times)

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | For The Birmingham Times

Chris Goode acknowledged that football is nearly a family business.

The Town Creek, Alabama, native is part of the Goode family that produced gridiron stars at the University of Alabama and in the National Football League.

“All of us played,” said Goode, who was announced today as the new head football coach at Miles College. “My brother had a chance in the NFL. Antonio Langham (a first cousin and fellow University of Alabama standout) lived in our household since he was in the third or fourth grade. He went into the NFL. That’s just something we did.

“We’re a football family,” he continued. “My dad played football at Alabama State. He had a chance to go to the Chicago Bears but decided not to because I was baby then. I had to pay him back when I played, bringing him up to see me play. It was like he was playing in the NFL.”

Goode succeeds Sam Shade who left Miles after three seasons last week to take the head job at Alabama A&M University. All Shade did last year was lead the Golden Bears to the most wins in a season (10) while winning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, a first-ever win in the Division II playoffs and knock off Alabama State, an A&M rival.

So, there’s nowhere to go but up, right?

“They set the bar high, but I like that. I like that,” he said. “I know the goal and I know what I’m trying to reach. It’s always one of those things where you say, Hey, the bar is here. This is where you need to get, here and higher. So that’s one of the things I’m looking at.”

President Bobbie Knight acknowledged the Golden Bears’ stellar season of 2024, which earned accolades for players and former coach Shade.

“With great success often comes change and at Miles College, we embrace change as an opportunity to grow and build on our foundation of excellence as a pillar of this community and a beacon of opportunity,” Knight said. “Miles College is committed to nurturing not only athletic achievement but also academic and personal success for our scholar athletes.

Chris Goode greets Miles College fans as he is introduced as the new football coach. (Solomon Crenshaw Jr., For The Birmingham Times)

“Coach Goode brings experience, a deep understanding of the game and a commitment to shaping young men into leaders on and off the field,” the president continued. “We are confident that Coach Goode’s leadership will inspire our athletes to not only uphold the proud tradition of Miles College football but also to push beyond boundaries, set new records and strive for excellence in every aspect of their lives.”

Jeffery Artis, chairman of the Miles College Sports Hall of Fame, was among a host of Golden Bears who assembled at the Williams Welcome and Admissions Center for the announcement.  He said he trusts Knight to have made a good choice in picking Goode just as she did in selecting Shade.

“When you trust your spouse, you don’t worry about what’s for dinner,”

Artis said. “You know it’s going to be good, right? When you have a president of President Knight’s caliber, you gotta go (with her).”

Goode said the offer to coach at Miles seemed divinely destined. He and his brothers played for Hazelwood High School where, like Miles, the school colors were purple and gold. And the Hazelwood teams were, like Miles, the Golden Bears.

“My dad (Clyde) was a principal and my mom (Vernell) was a teacher,” the coach recalled. “That’s one thing they did not play with, you coming home with bad grades. That’s one of the things I speak with kids right now about. You can’t stay here on campus if you don’t have the grades. That’s it. That’s what it is.”

Goode was asked if he will build his program from high school recruits or through the transfer portal. He said he’ll utilize both talent sources.

“I think we’ve done well recruiting heavily here in the Birmingham area and I think – not I think, I know – we will continue to do that,” the coach said. “But the portal is very important for any college team now because guys are leaving and coming every year. That’s an important factor.

“Me and the coaches we have talked about that,” Goode concluded. “What we’re doing is we’re looking for the best players out there, period, because, No. 1, we want to win.”

Miles College will open the 2025 season in Canton, Ohio, against Virginia Union in a Labor Day Classic.

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