MAX Transit Opens Temporary Central Station

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August 21, 2014

(BIRMINGHAM) The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) is moving its downtown Central Station to a temporary location at 16th Street and Morris Avenue North. The move will take place on Sunday, August 24th with the temporary facility open to passengers on Monday, August 25th .This one block relocation is to make way for construction of the new Intermodal Transportation Center scheduled to open in December 2015.

MAX riders will now board buses at this temporary location, and all inbound and outbound routes will now enter the location on 16th Street downtown. “Our goal is to make sure our customers are not inconvenienced while we are in this growing process,” said Ann August, BJCTA Executive Director.

When completed next year, the Intermodal facility will allow riders to wait inside a comfortable building with electronic informational signs, restrooms, snack areas and customer service representatives providing assistance. It will span the land between the railroad viaduct and Morris Avenue from 16th to 19th streets. There will be two structures located on the property which will also provide service for Amtrak and intercity bus passengers.

For information on downtown detours and route changes please call MAX customer service representatives 205-521-0101. They will provide all route updates during the Intermodal construction phase. Also, information is available on the BJCTA website at bjcta.org and the MAX Facebook page.

Iyanla Vanzant travels to Ferguson, Missouri for a special of “Iyanla: Fix My Life” ON OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK

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Birmingham Times

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August 21, 2014

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(Los Angeles) Following the shooting death of Michael Brown and subsequent unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, ordained minister and nationally recognized spiritual life coach Iyanla Vanzant has traveled to the area to listen to the people who have been adversely affected and to join the community in finding a path from violence into healing.

Breaking from the traditional “Iyanla: Fix My Life” series format, Iyanla is taking her show to the streets of Ferguson for an upcoming special episode of “Iyanla: Fix My Life” to air on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The airdate will be announced in the coming week.

The cornerstone of Iyanla’s work on her television show and through her ministry has focused on resolving conflict and guiding people in crisis to move past their pain.

“My heart hurts for the family of Michael Brown and the citizens of Ferguson. In the wake of this tragic death, it is my responsibility as a mother, grandmother and teacher to show my support and to offer the community a chance to share its story with the nation. In addition, I hope to provide a set of tools to begin the healing process while also promoting peaceful change,” said Iyanla Vanzant.

Birmingham Bar Project Receives 2014 LexisNexis Community & Educational Outreach Award

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Birmingham Times

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August 21, 2014

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(BIRMINGHAM) The Birmingham Bar Association received the 2014 LexisNexis Community & Educational Outreach Award at the American Bar Association annual meeting on August 7, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Award honors outstanding bar public service and law-related education programs, and was presented to the Birmingham Bar in recognition of its Journey for Justice Project co-sponsored by the Magic City Bar Association and the Birmingham Bar Foundation.

The Journey for Justice Project is a multi-dimensional initiative that combines the Emmy-nominated documentary, “Preserving Justice,” with a teaching toolkit for presentation in high schools and colleges nationwide. Since October 2013, volunteer attorneys have made presentations to more than 1,000 high school, college and law school students in Alabama alone. “The documentary tells the story of courageous attorneys and judges who challenged discriminatory laws and practices in Birmingham in 1963, and is presented not only as a record of those historic events, but also as inspiration to continue the important work of advancing access to justice,” said Robin Burrell, President of the Birmingham Bar Association.

Contact Nikki Tucker Thomas, Executive Director of the Birmingham Bar Foundation, at bbfound@bellsouth.net for information on how to obtain the documentary and teaching toolkit.

Founded in 1885, the Birmingham Bar Association is one of the oldest local bar associations in the United States, with membership of approximately 4,000 lawyers and judges.

City of Birmingham Announces 2014 Empowerment Week Schedule

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Birmingham Times

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August 21, 2014

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The City of Birmingham has announced the schedule for this year’s Empowerment Week commemoration happening September 11-September 15, 2014. Last year’s 2013 Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that tragically killed the four little girls, brought record numbers of visitors to Birmingham’s historic Civil Rights Corridor. The City has continued its push to tell the story of the Civil Rights movement that changed the world and started in Birmingham, Alabama. The events in Birmingham during the 1960s impacted every major human rights movement around the world that followed.

“The people of this City fought and won major battles for Civil Rights and equality. It’s important that we commemorate how far we have come as a City and nation and that we continue to tell the story to the next generation so that they too know their history and value their heritage. Each year on these dates, we should both pause to remember and continue to forge the way for the leaders to come,” – Mayor William Bell.

This year’s Empowerment Week schedule will include:

Thursday September 11, 2014: Day of Service 9:00 a.m. 9/11 Memorial and Tribute Linn Park Day of Service Around the City in conjunction with Hands on Birmingham (to sign up for a service project, visit handsonbirmingham.org)
Friday September 12, 2014: Day of Reflection 50 Years Forward Speakers Series 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 16th Street Baptist Church
Saturday September 13, 2014: Day of Restoration Diversity Fair and International Festival 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Linn Park Uptown Music Festival 5:00 p.m.Uptown Entertainment District
Sunday September 14, 2014: Day of Reconciliation Diversity Fair / Gospel Festival 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Linn Park
Monday September 15, 2014: Day of Commemoration The Historic 16th Street Baptist Church Bell will ring Church Bells Around the City and Country will all sound 10:22 a.m. (Central) followed by a moment of silence

These and other events will lead up to the City’s Freedom Forward: Human Rights Week 2014 that will culminate with the Dalai Lama’s visit to Birmingham. Programs and events will start on October 22 and run through October 26, 2014 with the Dalai Lama’s public address at Regions Field. More information and events will be released in the coming weeks. Visit birminghamhumanrights.com.

Theatrical Works Live Inks Multi-MillionI Dollar Nationwide Tour with Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker

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Birmingham Times

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August 21, 2014

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(ATLANTA) As Executive Producers Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker prepare to take their stage play – “A Mother’s Love” – on the road this fall, they will do so in the capable hands of Travis Steele, Founder and CEO of Theatrical Works Live.

A man of many hats, Steele is an accomplished promoter in music, comedy and theater, having executed a wide variety of stage productions including “Peter Pan,” “One Night Only” and “Massacre At The Mill,” as well as concert tours with award winning artists like Pretty Ricky, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Keyshia Cole and R. Kelly.

“I’m excited to be able to partner with the amazing team at Theatrical Works Live to take ‘A Mother’s Love’ on the road,” said Kandi Burruss. “We worked extremely hard on our initial run of the show in Atlanta, and to be able to take it on the road and share it with people across the United States, is a feeling that is beyond words.”

Unsurprisingly, the wildly successful run of “A Mother’s Love,” and its impressive star-studded cast, recently enjoyed in front of a sold-out audience in Atlanta, prompted a national tour alongside Burruss and Tucker.

Fittingly, the three month long tour is set to embark on its cross country run this September from Columbus, Ga. – Theatrical Works Live’s home since 2006. Thereafter it will appear in 29 major cities – Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York City among them.

“This is a huge opportunity for us and we are extremely excited about it,” said Steele. “Not only that, but we’re feeling the excitement from venues all across the country. We’re happy to help Kandi and Todd take their brand to the next level.”

A veteran of the entertainment industry, evolution is nothing new to Steele, who jumpstarted his career by signing the rap group Hilltop Players to Columbia Records in 1993. From there he found his way into street promotions, which ultimately led to talent shows and other forms of live entertainment and stage plays under the Theatrical Works Live umbrella.

“A Mother’s Love” tour is slated to begin on September 4th. For tour date listings and ticket information log onto: www.kandionline.com.

Indiegogo Campaign Aims to Create Comedy Channels to Help Hospital Patients Heal

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Birmingham Times

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August 21, 2014

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Effort aims to assist patients healing through comedy channels broadcasting directly into hospital rooms

(California) Whoever said “Laughter is the best medicine,” was right say organizers of an Indiegogo fundraising effort to bring comedy channels directly into hospital rooms and patient waiting rooms to help patients heal.

Having kicked off the effort on July 24 on Indiegogo.com and ending on Sept. 7, the campaign headed by LaughMD, seeks to raise $25,000 to bring comedy and its healing powers to hospital patients. The campaign is at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/laughter-the-best-medicine.

As of today, the world’s best-known M.D. associated with humor and healing, Dr. Doherty Hunter “Patch” Adams, has signed on to LaughMD’s Advisory Board. The 1998 film “Patch Adams” with Robin Williams was based upon his life.

The effort is based upon recent studies that show that laughter helps patients heal faster by reducing their stress levels. A 2005 University of Maryland study showed that laughter improved blood flow in blood vessels thus promoting healthier arteries and the ability to heal.

Likewise, a 2010 study by Loma Linda University’s School of Allied Health showed that laughing not only enhances a person’s positive mood, but lowers stress hormones, increases immune activity, and reduces cholesterol and blood pressure, much like moderate exercise. And a 2014 LA Times article highlights more recent findings.

With this in mind, adjunct professor and Web video expert Frank Chindamo created LaughMD in part because of the experiences he saw when he was with his family in hospitals. His father suffered from heart attacks and cancer and was in the hospital 17 times before he died. His brother passed away after months in a hospital. And other family members have spent weeks in hospitals. Chindamo saw that most of the time, patients were doing nothing but watching TV, and the TV channels available to them made them more anxious, aggravated and sicker. He felt there had to be a better way!

“I had heard of these medical studies that showed the benefits of laughter for hospital patients and I knew then that I could create a technological solution that would bring comedy programming directly to these patients and help them get better,” Chindamo said.

“LaughMD was recently accepted as a Certified Benefit Corporation or ‘B Corp’ and we are beyond excited and proud to join the list of some of the most well-respected, trend-setting and socially conscious companies in the world.” Certified Benefit Corporation is private certification for for-profit organizations that meet specific requirements for social and environmental performance.

“By voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability and performance, we look to distinguish ourselves doing social good by making sick people feel better and heal faster,” Chindamo said.

The campaign will fund an upgrade of LaughMD’s beta testing at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Hollywood as well as LaughMD’s launch in Marina del Rey Hospital, both in Los Angeles. It will also go toward completing the LaughMD mobile app and Web site. For every additional $10,000 raised, LaughMD will be able to expand into one additional location.

As part of the fundraising campaign LaughMD is offering a variety of merchandise and other perks to get the donations coming. Among these is a chance to receive an associate producer credit by donating $100 or if becoming a video disc-jockey is more interesting, donors can become a virtual VJ for a $250 donation. But for the real comedians out there, they can make donate $2,500 and get the chance to do a five-minute standup act on the LaughMD Channel and show if they truly have what it takes to get the laughs going!

The LaughMD team is made up of Chief Content Officer and Founder Frank Chindamo, Chief Technical Officer John Frank Rosenblum, Chief Executive Officer Joshua Berman, expert advisors besides Dr. Patch Adams include Dr. Paul “Dr. J” Jacobson, recognized expert in psycho-neuro-immunology and behavioral science, and host of the LaughMD channel; Dr. Geraldine Crean Ph.D. formerly of Pfizer and Bill Gates’ One World Health, serving as advisor on new business development and government affairs; Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane, private practitioner, anti-aging specialist and talk show host; Rick Feldman, former CEO of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE); Col. Dr. Robert Slay, a practicing emergency physician, board certified Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine and retired colonel of the U.S. Army Medical Corps.; Dr. Jeffrey L. Gurian, Ex-Associate Clinical Professor at New York University College of Dentistry, and comedy writer, producer, author and host Comedy Matters TV; Ron Friedman, Emmy Award-winning writer of “All in the Family,” “Barney Miller,” “Get Smart” and many other TV shows and movies.

Tuskegee University Alumni Host Area Freshmen

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Birmingham Times

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August 20, 2014

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The Birmingham Area Tuskegee Alumni Association hosted its Annual Off to the University “Cook – In” for students from the Birmingham Area. Freshman students, along with parents, joined local alumni and returning Tuskegee University students for an evening of fun, gifts and information.

Ms. Katrina Crenshaw, a 2014 TU graduate served as Mistress of Events. She opened the evening with the signature cheer of TU- (Response: U-Know!!!). Several get acquainted games led by SGA President Zachary White, were included so that the freshmen could be introduced to students and see and hear words of wisdom from the returning students. Parents were able to share ideas with other parents, also.

Included for the evening was a Safari Gift Shop, where students received prizes and gifts donated by local alumni. Also, a Candy Shop was set up by Peggie Myles and Reba Cason for students to devour numerous candies of their choice.

Registration was coordinated by Barbara Huntley, assisted by Jessica Pope, Apryl Simmons and Yolanda Bowman. Refreshment hostesses were Doris Maddox, Zellean Maddox, Cherrye Parker, Victoria Hodges, Herbert Beacher and Jacob Ransom.

Coordinators for the event were Frances Faulks and Mary Richardson. With the “flickering of the lights”, attendees joined BATAA President Will Howell in a Prayer Circle and singing of The Tuskegee University Hymn.

Book News

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Birmingham Times

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August 19, 2014

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Summer is fleeing swiftly as numerous children prepare to return to school. A surefire way to jumpstart your little one’s cognitive development is through reading. One brilliant writer of children’s literature, Sharon G. Flake has a new book that will be available on September 30th. The Unstoppable Octobia May (Scholastic Press) is the title of this remarkable story that addresses race and culture with a mixture of profound historical references. Centered around an extended family, the Unstoppable Octobia May weaves a spellbound tale of limitless adventure through the eyes of a precocious little girl with a vivid imagination.

Octobia May is far beyond the average girl of her age during the 1950s. Could it be because she was born with a heart condition? Maybe it’s because she talks to the unseen. Surely it is not the fact that she lives with her aunt in her boarding house with a bunch of old people. Well, one thing is certain, the fact that she is beloved by all she encounters – except the vampire in room 204.

The occupant of room 204, Mr. Davenport happens to be a strange gentleman. He keeps uncomely hours and his activities warrants quite a number of questions. Sensing that he keeps more secrets than a little, Octobia May sets out to unearth just what he has buried. Using her keen wit and the freedom her aunt permits, she embarks on an adventure that brings to light more than a few bloodsuckers of a different kind.

Award winning author Sharon G. Flake has perfectly captured the innocent and inquisitive nature of one brave youth. Although Octobia May faced many challenges mentally and physically (race, health, hair, etc.), she did not let this limit her from having a full productive childhood. This is a vital attribute that all children should have as it is crucial in their becoming productive members of society. The phenomenal Sharon G. Flake is the recipient of three Coretta Scott King Author Honor Awards. She was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for her title, The Skin I’m In. She makes Pittsburgh, Pa. home.

By: Esther Callens

Smithsonian and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to Present “Save Our African American Treasures” Sept. 6

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Birmingham Times

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August 18, 2014

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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will co-host a daylong program to help Birmingham-area residents identify and preserve items of historical and cultural significance tucked away in their attics, closets, basements and garages. The event will feature presentations, hands-on activities and preservation tips.

The program will take place Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Institute, located at 520 Sixteenth St. North in Birmingham. Free and open to the public, the event is called “Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation.” It is the 15th in a series held across the country since 2008. All are welcome.

Participants are invited to bring up to three personal items for a 15-minute, professional consultation with experts on how to care for them. The specialists will serve as reviewers, not appraisers, and will not determine items’ monetary values. Objects such as books, photographs, ceramics, metalwork and textiles no larger than a shopping bag (furniture, carpets, weapons and paintings are excluded) can be reviewed. Additional information is available at nmaahc.si.edu or by emailing treasures@si.edu or calling (877) 733-9599.

“We are extremely proud of bringing ‘Save Our African American Treasures’ to Birmingham and of our partnership with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,” said LonnieBunch, director of the Smithsonian museum. “Birmingham is one of the most significant cities in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. We encourage citizens of the area to become aware of what they have, to protect it and to preserve it so the story of African Americans in this country can be told. Citizens hold the 19th-and 20th-century objects—family photographs, military uniforms, farm tools and wedding dresses—that can help tell this story for future generations. If we do not act now to preserve these items, the tangible evidence of a critical component of American history will be lost.”

“It is invaluable to have the Smithsonian’s ‘Save our African American Treasures’ program come to Birmingham,” said Priscilla Hancock Cooper, interim president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. “We are excited to have them here to share preservation information and to heighten awareness of the importance of African Americans saving their family documents and artifacts.”

· Preservation Presentations: Informal basic preservation sessions will take place during the day. The sessions will provide information on preserving clothing and textiles, as well as family photographs and papers. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

· Hands-on Preservation: In this hands-on activity, participants are invited to learn how to properly store letters, pack garments and prepare photographs for preservation storage and presentation.

“Save Our African American Treasures” is made possible with support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The grants also support the pre-design and construction of the museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., scheduled to open in 2016.

As a companion to the series, the museum has produced African American Treasures: A Preservation Guide, a 30-page guidebook that is distributed free to attendees to highlight the importance of proper preservation techniques. The guidebook is part of the “Treasures” kit. Also distributed will be white cotton gloves for handling delicate artifacts, archival tissue paper and archival document sleeves to help people keep their personal treasures safe.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture was established in 2003 by an Act of Congress, making it the 19th Smithsonian Institution museum. Scheduled for completion in 2016, the building is under construction on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., adjacent to the Washington Monument. The museum is currently producing publications, hosting public programs and assembling collections. It is presenting exhibitions at other museums across the country and at its own gallery at the National Museum of American History. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.

The mission of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) is to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education. Opening its doors in 2012, BCRI presents an in-depth look at the civil rights movement, especially in Birmingham, from before the movement’s inception through today’s international struggle for universal human rights.

Acclaimed Singer & Dancer, Alvester Martin Continues To Break Out Into His Own

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Birmingham Times

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August 18, 2014

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(New York) Acclaimed A-list dancer and rising solo artist Alvester Martin concludes his illustrious dancing career as the male lead in Michael Jackson’s latest music video titled A Place With No Name, the second single off of the musical icon’s posthumous album Xscape. The video went viral last night via Michael Jackson’s Twitter, and everyone is talking about it!

Michael Jackson’s longtime musical advisor and choreographer Travis Payne choreographed and casted the video. Samuel Bayer was brought on for direction and model/dancer Danielle Acoff starred alongside Alvester as the leading lady.

An exclusive preview of the historic music video was aired during last night’s Michael Jackson themed episode of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Alvester Martin has gained legions of fans, having toured and performed with such icons as Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah, wraps an almost decade long dance career with lifelong idol and Icon Michael Jackson!

Finally stepping into his own, and already noticed for his good looks by Essence Magazine, Alvester has recently signed with Universal Music Group as a solo recording artist. His debut album entitled Love Me or Leave Me is slated for release in the Fall/Winter of 2014, and will be exclusively distributed through Emagine/Universal Music Group.