The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a homicide investigation involving a Birmingham Police Officer. The incident occurred Saturday, May 10, 2014 in the 2500 Block of Bush Boulevard.

The victim has been identified as:
Keary Hollis, B/M, 35, of Birmingham, Alabama

West Precinct Officers responded to the incident location around 10p.m. on a call of an off duty officer who had been shot. Officers arrived and found the officer inside of his vehicle which ran into an abandoned building next to the incident location. The officer appeared to have suffered from a gunshot wound to the body. Birmingham Fire and Rescue came to the scene and pronounced the officer deceased. Detectives are investigating the death as a homicide. A person of interest has been detained for questioning.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the B.P.D. Homicide Unit at 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

ANOTHER FALLEN SOLDIER

Funeral Arrangements for Officer Keary Hollis

Final Rites For: Officer Keary Hollis

Funeral Home:
Arrington Funeral Home,
520 Cotton Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
(205) 786-6288

Viewing: Friday, May 16   2014
(1:00 pm – 7:00 pm)

Service Will Be Held At:
The Greater New Antioch Baptist Church, Ensley
2900 Avenue G
Birmingham, Alabama  35218
(205)781-7973

Service Date: Saturday, May 17th 2014

Service Time: 11 a.m.

Burial:
Elmwood Cemetery
600 Martin L King Jr. Drive

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Community advocate and former two term neighborhood president William A. Barnes (36) will challenge Rep. Mary Moore for the State House seat to represent citizens in District 59.

Barnes is a former college educator and banker.  He has been married for more than eight years and has a 6 year old daughter in the Birmingham public school system.
William believes the main issue facing his community is one of economic inequality. “The poverty rate in our community has risen to its highest levels since 1980, Cooper Green has closed and hundreds of jobs have been lost,” said Barnes. “Those who currently represent us have failed. It’s time for more than just talk.”

Barnes’ main concern is poverty. “I believe that once you address the economic disparity in our community, many of the problems we face will ease. Dr. King’s march on Washington was not just about Civil Rights, it was about jobs and freedom. We need to continue where Dr. King left off.”

The core elements of his plan are working to reduce or eliminate taxes on basic needs like food and medicine, protecting and safeguarding our civil rights, and working to provide a great education for every child.

Please help us locate this person:

Kierra Stubbs B/F age 23 5’3” 145 wearing all gray.
Last seen in the 700 block of 3rd Ave. West around 9a.m. yesterday.
Missing  Since April 24, 2014.
Anyone with any information on this case please contact Birmingham Police Department at  (205)254-1708.

 Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In (RITT) Trouble Times, PO Box 28061, Birmingham, Alabama.  35228 would like to shed light on the nine year old case of Michael Stoner, killed March 28, 2005.
Little is known about his killing, but his family and friends would like to know so they might come to some closure. If you know of any info that would lead to an arrest/conviction, call Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 (NO NICK NAMES PLEASE)  or text from your cell CRIMES7777.  You may receive a reward.
RITT is working with State and Local law enforcers to help solve these and other cases in our Cash For Crooks files. If you know of a person or loved one whom you’d like to see reprinted here, please e-mail Minister Ward at odussasplace@yahoo.com or call 205-240-9910. Don’t allow this Invisible Body Bag to stop by your home or community before you get involved, join RITT’s fight today.

During the Birmingham City Council Meeting on May 13, 2014 Council:

Approved a Resolution setting a public hearing on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at 4:00 o’clock p.m. in the Council Chambers on the Mayor’s proposed budgets. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Valerie Abbott at 205.254.2355.

Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:
1. Approved an Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year June 30, 2014, by transferring $17,088.07 FROM Hope 6 Infrastructure, $152,148.20 from Storm Damaged Property Purchases, $102,375.67 from Arlington West End Place, $96,375.65 from Acipco Finley Phase I, appropriating $367,987.59 to Strategic Land Banking. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.

2. Approved an Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE CAPITAL FUND BUDGET” for the fiscal year June 30, 2014, by transferring $325,501.77 from HABD Repayment, $335.50 from Sinkhole Repair, $91.17 from Boutwell Auditorium Renovations, $0.42 from Arlington Wrought Iron Fence, $3,020.17 from Infrastructure Grant, $138.76 from Railroad Reservation Park, $1.61 from Vulcan Trail Stabilizer, $60,920.35 from Expenses that are not Capital Projects, $42,407.645 from Hope VI Infrastructure, $2,847.00 from North Birmingham Piggly Wiggly Renovations, $3,130.30 from Vulcan Trail Stabilizer, $63,974.99 from Avondale Park, and appropriating $2,389.69 to Expenses that are not Capital Projects and $500,000.00 to Pedestrian Bridge Property Purchase. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.

3. Approved a Resolution determining that the 2014 Birmingham City School’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian Dinner to be held May 13, 2014 at the Tutwiler Hotel serves a public purpose, and requesting that City funds be used to pay for this event. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.

4. Approved a Resolution determining that the Norwood Community Involvement Meeting to be held May 22, 2014 at the Norwood Community Center serves a public purpose, and requesting that City funds be administered to pay for this event in accordance with Section 3-1-7 of the General Code of the City of Birmingham. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor William Parker at 205.254.2464.

Announcements
1. The Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday May 13, 2014 4:00 p.m. – 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.

2. The Public Improvement and Beautification Committee Meeting will be held Wednesday May 14, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.

3. The Council Connecting Community Citizens Budget Hearing will be held Thursday May 15, 2014 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Regions Park Baseball Field.

4. The Public Safety Committee Meeting will be held on Monday May 19, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

5. Councilor Steven W. Hoyt will host the District 8 Town Hall Meeting on Thursday May 29, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 340. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand.

Over $146,000 awarded in G.R.E.A.T  Scholarships
The Metro-Birmingham Professional Women’s Association (MPWA) will host its annual “Getting Ready for Excellence In America Today” (G.R.E.A.T) Scholarship Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show Saturday, June 14, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at The Harbert Center.
MPWA, a 501c (3) nonprofit Association was founded in 1985 by Shirley Sanders-Ginwright. MPWA’s goals and purposes are: recognize achievements of young persons in the Birmingham area through awards and scholarships; provide service to the community through worships, seminars, and special projects; serve as role models; join forces with other organizations through networking; and to increase personal knowledge and professionalism of its members.
Annually six students are chosen for the G.R.E.A.T. Scholarship Award. Judges for the 2014 Award selections are: Ms. Tracie Allen, Teacher, Birmingham City Schools; Mr. Jason Branch, Assoc. Licensed Counselor for J. Branch and Associates; Ms. Bettie Davis, Ass’t Branch Manager, BBVA Compass; Mrs. Malinda White, Director of Christian Education, Faith Chapel; Ms. Martha Emmett, Benefits Coordinator, BBVA Compass; Mrs. Rhonda Coman-Shaheed, Teacher, Phillips Academy, Birmingham City School; Mrs. Gloria Meadows, Retired, Birmingham City School.
Tickets are $30 and will include lunch, door prizes, a grand door prize, fashion show, vendors and awarding of the 2014 G.R.E.A.T Scholarship Award to six deserving high school graduates.
For additional information please contact Mrs. Shirley Harris (MPWA President) at (205) 919-0303, Ms. Ashley Wiley (MPWA Financial Officer) at (205) 587-0722, Ms. Shannon Eady (MPWA Financial Officer Co-Chair) at (205) 744-7655.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) has named Ms. Priscilla Hancock Cooper as Interim President and CEO effective May 20, 2014.  Ms. Cooper will replace Lawrence J. Pijeaux who is retiring as BCRI’s President and CEO on May 30, 2014.
As interim President and CEO, Ms. Cooper will manage the organization’s day-to-day operations, continue to develop and expand program initiatives, and take a leadership role in the Institute’s fund-raising efforts. Cooper has served as BCRI’s Vice President of Institutional Programs since 2006 with responsibility for the BCRI departments of Education and Exhibitions, Archives and Technology, Communications, and Development. She has been instrumental in developing programs and grant applications resulting in millions of dollars in major support for BCRI programs.
“It is important that we maintain continuity of leadership as we search for a new President and CEO,” stated Lajuana Bradford, BCRI Board Chair.  “As we near the end of Dr. Pijeaux’s tenure at BCRI and thank him for his accomplishments, we are grateful that Ms. Cooper has agreed to assume this key leadership position, thereby maintaining the momentum that BCRI has achieved over the years.” Ms. Cooper’s work with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute began in 1990 as copywriter and researcher for the permanent exhibition and education consultant. She returned to the staff in 2000 to lead the Birmingham Cultural Alliance Partnership, BCRI’s innovative after-school program. In January 2007, she accepted an award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in a White House Ceremony for her work as the program’s coordinator (2000-2006). She also directed the Leadership Initiative for African American Museums, a national training program for museum professionals.
Cooper is an alumna of the Leadership Alabama Class of 2013, Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011 and the Getty Museum Leadership Institute Class of 2008. A graduate of Lincoln University of Missouri and the American University in Washington, D.C., she has been a communications faculty member and administrator at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) and the University of Montevallo (Alabama).
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Ms. Hancock Cooper has spent 30 years in Birmingham as an educator, artist, consultant and writer dedicated to preserving and sharing African American history and culture.
Ms. Cooper has received two individual artist fellowships from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and has reached thousands of students and teachers as an artist-in-residence. The recipient of numerous awards for community service, Ms. Cooper currently is on the board of directors of the Southeastern Museums Conference and Red Mountain Theatre Company. A member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, she is the mother of three adult children and grandmother of six.
“I am humbled and honored to accept this leadership position at BCRI during this important transitional period,” said Ms. Cooper. “At 21 years of age, the Institute is poised to increase its significance locally, nationally and internationally. We will continue to pursue innovative approaches to preserve the history of the Birmingham movement, educate people of all ages about the lessons learned, and inspire and empower committed individuals to create positive change.”

The mission of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) is to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education.  Opening its doors in 1992, BCRI presents an in-depth look at the Civil Rights Movement, especially in Birmingham, Alabama, from before the movement’s inception through today’s international struggle for universal human rights.  BCRI is more than just a museum; it is a place of research, a teaching facility and an acknowledged learning center for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Each year, BCRI reaches more than 140,000 individuals through tours and exhibitions as well as school and community outreach, public programs, special events, and archival collections.   BCRI is located at 520 Sixteenth Street North in Birmingham, AL  35203. Call 205-328-9696 or www.bcri.org for more information.

One of the greatest humanitarians of all time was Mahatma Gandhi, who utilized nonviolent strategies to lead the country of India into independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Many humanitarian activists adopted his teachings and employed his practices as they relate to human rights matters, which were used most notably by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Miles College students, faculty, staff and other guests had the extraordinary opportunity to experience a family legacy of greatness first hand by way of the Great Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Tushar Gandhi. A colloquium that featured him as the keynote speaker took place on campus focusing on the topic, “Gandhian Principles and Approaches to Internationalization.”
The Office of the President, the First Year Enrichment and International Studies and Public Policy Program worked in concurrence with the Division of Humanities to host the colloquium presenting Tushar Gandhi who shared with the audience how humanitarian influence transcends time, race and geographical boundaries.
Tushar Gandhi’s presentation showcased Gandhian principles with an emphasis on solving issues amicably through love, and how these principles set the tone for many other leaders around the world in general, Martin Luther King in particular, in their quests for justice through peace.
Miles College has strategically worked toward achieving the objective of embarking upon the goal of internationalizing the College. We now live in a society where human activity and engagement is no longer isolated by borders or ethnicity. Internationalization is here to stay, and the terrain of internationalizing our campuses is no longer optional. The College frequently organizes symposia focusing on global topics that expose the students, faculty, staff, and community to international issues, which will further pique their interest. This colloquium provided Miles College students and the community with a worldly perspective and an awareness of other cultures.