BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Girls from 25 high schools, including Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Ensley, took advantage of career opportunities at the Super Saturday STEM Summit held May 10th at Samford University’s Christenberry Planetarium.
The summit was hosted by Briana Kinsey, a junior majoring in Biology/ Pre-medicine at the University of Alabama and a participant in the upcoming Miss Alabama Pageant. The event for girls in grades seven through 12 was designed to empower and encourage girls to increase their interest in science, technology, engineering and math, and show them how pursuing these courses can lead to a rewarding future career.
Collaborating sponsors were EYES, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for learning and discovery in STEM and self-awareness. The summit featured a keynote address by 2005 Miss America Dr. Deidre Downs. Following the opening address, the girls attended four workshops with 21 successful women in various stem careers including:

Dr. Jaime McKinney, pediatrician; Dr. Janice Jackson, Dentist; Wendy Anger, registered nurse; Dr. Maria Foster-Owens, veterinarian; Jana Drummond, Ph.D. candidate in psychology; Harmony Medoza, meteorologist at NBC 13; Cathy Kennedy Floyd, engineer/ MBA; Rhonda Allen, engineer; Dr. Susanne S. Matthews, pediatrician; Dr. Denise Gregory, Samford University chemistry professor; Ann Heard, registered dietitian; Tandy Dolin Petrov, biology graduate student; Wardine Towers Alexander, medical technologist; Dr. Velda D. Pugh, psychiatrist; Dr. Mamta Parikh, pharmacist; Angela Lake, biomedical engineer; Dr. Latisha Marbury, optometrist ; Amanda Plain, Ph.D. candidate in chemistry; Marjorie Driver, computer programmer; Tamiko Lake, chair of EYES,Inc. and Dr. Rochelle Chijioke, emergency physician.

Ms. Kinsey awarded the first Super Saturday Stem Summit Scholarship to one of the summit attendees, Simuka Leonard, a 10th grader at Holy Family Cristo Rey, to attend the Minority Youth Science Academy, a three-day residential Summer Stem Camp hosted by Dr. Denise Gregory, Chemistry Professor and Director of Diversity and Intercultural Initiatives at Samford University.
STEM careers offer women the opportunity to engage in some of the most exciting realms of discovery and technological innovation. Increasing opportunities for women in these fields is an important step towards realizing greater economic success and equality for women, and begins with planting the seeds of success early in the minds of elementary, middle and high school girls.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –Currently in Alabama, there are 45 active coal mines, with 6,000 retired coal miners, and 3,500 active miners. These almost 10,000 miners have all been exposed to hazardous material that is damaging to the lungs, and can cause “Black Lung”, or, “any lung disease caused by breathing in coal dust”. Birmingham Health Care’s Black Lung Clinic offers active and retired coal miners the chance to be screened and tested for any of the lung diseases classified under the umbrella of black lung. Located at BHC’s Medical Plaza (1600 20th Street S.), the Black Lung clinic is the only U.S. Department of Labor certified facility in the state of Alabama that can provide disability determination screenings, and can counsel eligible coal miners and their families on available state and federal Black Lung benefits. With a respiratory therapist and benefit counselor on staff, BHC’s Black Lung clinic provides quality care for patients with this disease, works closely with the United Mine Workers of America and the United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Fund to assist in linking the miners up with the appropriate legal help, and help these miners receive the compensation and help they deserve.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – Former State Representative Earl Hilliard, Jr. is ready to work for Jefferson County District 1. He knows what the people want, what Jefferson County needs, and will work to make it happen. Hilliard stated, “I will work to expand healthcare options for our residents, reduce sewer rates, and attract new jobs to our county. These things and much more can be achieved through economic development, fiscal responsibility and cooperative leadership.”
Hilliard has a proven record. As State Representative, he brought over $450,000 directly to the schools and libraries in his district and fought to protect our children, improve our schools, and provide incentives for increasing economic development in Alabama. “If elected, I will work diligently to move Jefferson County forward and to have a positive impact on the lives of its citizens,” Hilliard stated.

VOTE EARL HILLIARD, JR. for Jefferson County District 1 – JUNE 3rd.

 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Waymond Jackson has been promoted to Vice President of Workforce Development for the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA). Since joining the BBA in 2012 as Director of Education and Workforce Development, Jackson has coordinated initiatives among industry and education partners that develop a workforce pipeline to address the current and future hiring needs of the region’s employers, a main component of Blueprint Birmingham.
“Waymond has shown outstanding leadership in connecting our education and industry partners,” said Myla Calhoun, general counsel and senior vice president regional development and public policy for the BBA. “His creative approach to the workforce needs in this region has energized educators and employers in new and exciting ways. The BBA’s Talent Recruitment Project is just one example of that. We are very proud of Waymond and his accomplishments and expect many more in the years to come.”
During his time at the BBA, Jackson has worked closely with K-12 partners to implement and support college and career readiness programs, including career academies and the 21st Century Workforce Act. He has worked closely with higher education institutions throughout the state to help recruit and retain new talent to the Birmingham area through the BBA’s Talent Recruitment Project, which connects high-caliber talent to Birmingham area companies. Jackson also was instrumental in developing school board training workshops in the area and the new AIDT Alabama Workforce Training Center.
Jackson, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, participated in the Alabama Leadership Initiative in 2012 and the Auburn University Economic and Community Development Institute that same year. He is a board member of the Birmingham Education Foundation and Growing Kings, and has participated in Leadership UAB and PARCA Roundtable.
Birmingham Business Alliance is a dynamic advocate, unifying voice and constant catalyst for economic development and business prosperity for the Birmingham region.

For more information about the BBA visit its website at
www.birminghambusinessalliance.com.

District 2 has more assets, and greater individual diversity, than any in the county.
We’ve been blessed with genuinely committed neighborhood leaders and community groups—from the Dunbar Abrams Community Center in Bessemer to the Resource Center in Norwood to the Comer School in Crestwood.
At the same time, we face serious challenges. Our neighborhoods’ crime, struggling schools, vacant lots and abandoned houses cannot be ignored any longer.
Like you, I’ve watched the Jefferson County Commission fail the people of District 2. The shameful abandonment of Cooper Green in 2012 destroyed a civil rights landmark, and the state’s most important safety net hospital.
As your commissioner, I’ll commit myself to representing the interests of everyone in District 2. I ask for your support. More importantly, I ask for your input and your involvement in serving our district. Thank you, and God bless.

Max Michael, Candidate
Jefferson County Commission, District 2