Quarterback Kamren Ivory is an important part of Miles College's 6-game win streak. He had a terrific game against Benedict College last week completing 17-of-25 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. (Tam'Ron Williams, Miles College)
By Donald Hunt | For The Birmingham Times
Miles College is playing some of its best football of the season. The Golden Bears (6-2, 6-0) are alone in first place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) standings and will showcase its winning ways on Saturday, Nov. 2 at home against Morehouse College (1-7, 1-5). The kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The team has a six-game winning streak heading into this game.
The Golden Bears are coming off an impressive 26-14 win over Benedict College last week. Quarterback Kamren Ivory had a terrific game completing 17-of-25 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three carries for 62 yards and will be a key player against Morehouse College along with his wide receivers Keidarris Griffin, Franck Pierre, Jaquel Fells and tight end Travaunta Abner.
In other SIAC action, Tuskegee University (5-3, 5-1) will visit Clark Atlanta (5-2-1, 4-2) on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. for a conference game. The Golden Tigers are on a five-game winning streak and had a nice 30-14 road victory over Central State last week. Tuskegee University linebacker Charles Davis Jr. led the team’s defense with six solo and seven total tackles. The Golden Tigers will need another strong defensive effort against the Panthers.
In the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Alabama State (4-3, 3-1) will host Alcorn State (4-4, 3-1) on Saturday, Nov. 2 in the Port City Classic in Mobile, AL. The kickoff will be at 4 p.m. ASU will be taking plenty of momentum into this game following a 27-19 win over its longtime rival Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic. The Hornets are trying to keep pace with first place Jackson State (6-2, 4-0) in the SWAC East. Alabama State quarterback Kareem Keye could be a player to watch in this game. Keye connected on 14-of-20 passes for 131 yards and two TDs for a good performance in the Magic City Classic.
In other conference action, Alabama A&M (3-4, 1-2) will entertain Southern University (4-4, 3-1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. The kickoff will be at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs will face a tough conference opponent with the Jaguars (4-4, 3-1) who lead the SWAC West standings.
Ashley Pritchett, left, and April Pritchett-White, Co-Owners/Operators, of Etheridge Senior Car Wash in downtown Birmingham. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
By Sym Posey and Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times
After being in business for more than three decades, a staple of the historic downtown Fourth Avenue business has closed.
Etheridge Senior Car Wash at 1600 3rd Ave N, closed October 25 leaving a void downtown and also in the hearts of longtime customers.
Etheridge Senior Car Wash, a staple of the historic downtown Fourth Avenue business, has closed. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
“After 31 wonderful years, we regret to announce that we will be closing our doors,” wrote April Pritchett-White and Ashley Pritchett, Co-Owners/Operators of Etheridge Senior Car Wash earlier this month in a joint statement on their social business page. “The evolving economy and challenges in hiring have made it increasingly difficult for us to continue operating at the level of excellence you have come to expect.”
“I’m thankful for all of our loyal customers who have supported our family and business throughout the years. It’s been amazing to serve them and I will always cherish the memories and relationships that we’ve built,” Ashley told The Birmingham Times. “I am sad. This has been in my family since I was young. …”
“I will miss the customers,” April said. “Serving the community, helping people who were just getting back on their feet. We’ve been going down there (to the car wash) since we were little. There’s a lot of memories.”
Last week, many longtime customers stopped by downtown business for one last car wash and detail.
“I’ve been coming to the car wash for about 10 years. I will miss the quality of work,” said Daijah Bell, of Birmingham. “Every time I left … my car looked brand new. There was consistent attention to detail. I will also miss the community. You never know who you’ll meet while there. You could connect with different people from the Birmingham community and form many connections and relationships.”
Ashley Pritchett, Co-Owner/Operator at Etheridge Senior Car Wash. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
Anita Davis, of Birmingham, said she’s not sure where she will take her car now. ‘What are we going to do?” she asked. “They do such a good job. It’s like you just bought your car off the showroom floor … We come here all the time, my whole family.”
Located in the historic Black business district which stretches along 15th to 18th streets North, and from Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard to Second Avenue North, the car wash first opened in 1993 by their grandfather Willie T. Etheridge, the patriarch of several family-owned businesses that have included five barbershops and beauty salons and a catering facility. Mr. Etheridge died in 2003.
His daughter Felecia Etheridge-Dovi took over the car wash business in 2002 until her passing in 2017 when April and Ashley became co-owners.
“My mom died on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2017, and we opened up this business the next day, and we have been going every day since non-stop…This is the first time in eight years since my mom died that we have decided to choose us. We want to enjoy our lives too,” said Ashley.
With the cost of products increasing and a shortage of workers, the business took a toll, she said.
“We had to adjust our hours. We were Monday through Saturday. We lost some workers and then we changed to Tuesday to Saturday,” she said. “We have been struggling for workers for a long time. Sometimes I can have 30 cars and I, with my hands, wash 25 of those 30 cars. That’s how short we’ve been lately.”
Just before the pandemic in 2020 the business had 14 employees. It was down to two just before the final closing, which meant the sisters often had to help wash and detail cars.
“My mom worked all the time,” April said. “Growing up, we went on family vacations with my aunt. We never went on family vacations with our mom for real. She didn’t take a lot of pictures with her. I’m looking forward to doing all the things that my mother didn’t get to do.”
Ashley Pritchett, Co-Owner/Operator with April Pritchett-White, lock up the building at 1600 3rd Ave. N. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
“Committed To Working”
April, 43 and Ashley 40, remember the Car Wash being a part of their lives since they were little girls raised in the east side of town. Ashley graduated from Huffman High School and April from Ramsay. The Etheridge family owned a barbershop, beauty shop and the car wash which were all on the corner of 16th and 3rd Avenue North.
“We were like barbershop and beauty shop kids,” Ashley said. “We didn’t go over there (across the street to the car wash) often. We just used to watch from across the street at the beauty shop … we weren’t allowed to sit around [over there] because we were little.”
Once she got to high school, April remembered driving a car owned by her grandfather while she had to do small tasks at the car wash. “Once I was committed to working, he gave me the car,” April recalled of 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier. “On the weekend I would drive the car and do stuff for the car wash … get his clothes out the cleaners, go the bank and get change.”
April Pritchett-White, Co-Owner/Operator, of Etheridge Senior Car Wash in downtown Birmingham. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
April said she learned every aspect of the business after her grandfather passed. “When my mom took over the business, I had to help her with billing and ordering supplies and doing the customer database, doing the profit and loss statements, all the financials,” she said. “When we were younger it was more fun than anything counting the change out of the drink machine … [But it] prepared me for the business. When my mom passed away, I knew exactly what I needed to do, I knew exactly what to do to run the business.”
Ashley said the sisters began discussing the future of the business in 2022 not long after the pandemic. “We lost a lot of employees … everything just changed. We had 14 employees at one time in 2016-2020. After the pandemic, four came back. Now we have two loyal employees that I’ve had for five-plus years Jeffery Edmondson and Louis Dixon.”
As for the future, Ashley, who works at UAB, said she has returned to pursuing nursing at Lawson State Community College and April has been at Blue Cross Blue Shield for 17 years.
Louis Dixon provides car detailing at Etheridge Senior Car Wash a week before its closing in downtown Birmingham. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
“Support Black Businesses”
As the sisters prepared to close the business last week, Jennifer Tiehen who lives in McCalla, Alabama, stopped by with her personal car. Tiehen said she found out about Etheridge Senior Car wash through a Google search while working at her job downtown. That was after she and co-workers had scheduled someone to wash cars at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center there they worked.
“[We] scheduled someone to come to us to detail the cars that we have there, and they didn’t show up,” Tiehen said. “I Googled and found Etheridge Senior Car Wash and since then we have brought almost seven vehicles back. “
The work was so good that Tiehen said she and co-workers brought back their personal cars.
Ralph Woodfin, of Birmingham, was also at the car wash last week and said he’s been a return customer.
“I’ve had my vehicles washed here on several occasions and they have always done an excellent job. They were always thorough, and my car always left there sparkling from the inside to the outside,” he said. “The community will miss this business because they did such an excellent job. I’m not happy to see this Black business leave but I do think we need to continue to support Black businesses in the area.”
Jeffery Edmondson provides car detailing at Etheridge Senior Car Wash a week before its closing. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)
Officials from 33 law enforcement agencies across the state presented Devarjay “DJ” Daniel, 12, with badges, resolutions and more. (Provided)
The Birmingham Times
In the midst of the festivities in Birmingham surrounding America’s largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) football game last week, several area law enforcement agencies took a moment to honor a critically ill youth and fulfill one of his dreams.
Officials from 33 law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Birmingham Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the FBI, Alabama State University’s (ASU) Public Safety Department presented Devarjay “DJ” Daniel, 12, with badges, resolutions and more. Daniel was diagnosed with terminal brain and spine cancer when he was just 6 years old.
“It’s an awesome day to support a young man who has a lot of challenges in front of him,’’ said Police Chief Scott Thurmond. “It’s reinvigorating to us to have someone who wants to be a part of profession and give back to others.”
Kevin Kendrick, ASU’s director of Public Safety, bestowed upon Daniel the title of “honorary police officer” with the University’s Department of Public Safety. The presentation was made at noon on Friday (Oct. 25) at Birmingham’s CrossPlex.
Honoring Daniel was among the most meaningful duties that he has ever performed in the line of duty, Kendrick said.
“It was truly an honor and privilege to take part in DJ’s swearing in ceremony,” said Kendrick. “The strength and courage that he exudes is a testament of what it means to protect and serve, and I am proud to have him sworn in as an (honorary) Alabama State University police officer.”
DJ is being treated for an advanced stage of brain cancer. His number one desire is to have a career as a law enforcement officer. ASU joined the city of Birmingham’s Police Department in making DJ’s dream a reality. The young man’s ultimate goal is to be sworn in as an honorary officer by 1,000 different police departments.
Despite undergoing 13 surgeries, the Texas boy’s determination to become a police officer has never wavered. In 2019, he was first sworn in as an officer by the Brookshire Police Department in Texas.
When he was initially given five months to live, he set a goal of being sworn in by 100 police departments.
Since then, he has been sworn in by 871 police departments across the U.S. and beyond, including recently in Italy.
Daniel said he wants to keep traveling the world visiting police departments “until my gas tank runs out.”
“I’m pretty sure you know what that means. That’s when God calls you home,’’ Daniel said. “Pray for kids that have brain cancer.”
AL.com contributed to this post.
Updated at 5:06 p.m. on 10/31/2024 to clarify where Daniel is from.
Jontavious Willis at Woodlawn Theatre) (Photo: jontaviouswillis.com)
By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
TODAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**WALE – EVERY BLUE MOON TOUR at Iron City.
**DEAD MAN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY, 5- 10 p.m. at Sidewalk Film.
**DAY OF THE DEAD FOR LOVE RAT, 6 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Co.
**MILK AND HONEY: HALLOWEEN, 8 p.m., at Saturn.
**HALLOWEEN BURLESQUE NIGHT at The Nick with BELLA DONNA at the Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS with GREAT JANE 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…
**COFFEE WITH CREATIVES, 8:30 – 10 a.m. at East Village Arts with Accounting Tips and Insight for Small Businesses and Non-Profits with TALIBAH M. BAYLES. Register, then FREE.
**GUITARIST JONTAVIOUS WILLIS at Woodlawn Theater.
**NATE JACKSON: SUPER FUNNY at the LYRIC THEATRE.
**LATINOS CON ONDA X MELO EVENTS by DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, 4 – 11 p.m. Avondale Brewery
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.
**POKEY LAFARGE with THE TAILSPINS at Saturn.
**PLAYIN’ WITH FIRE, 88 DGRZ and FIRE CAMINO at The Nick Rocks.
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.
**THE CANCELLATIONS WITH CAYLA & MILLENNIAL JONES at The Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT with R.1.Y.T. at The Nick Rocks.
**TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick Rocks.
**HOTEL FICTION with ZION GOINS at Saturn.
**CLUB XCX – CHARLI XCX & HYPERPOP DANCE PARTY, 8 p.m. at Iron City.
SUNDAY…
**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**MIKOL FRACHEY & JOSEPH CULPEPPER at The Nick Rocks.
**EVERY 4TH SUNDAY TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick Rocks.
**AN EVENING WITH BLIP AND FRIENDS: BENEFIT FOR CANCER CARE at Saturn.
**MOJO BROOKZZ at StarDome Comedy Club.
MONDAY…
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.
**IDKHOW: IMPENDING GLOOM TOUR at Iron City.
**SWEET HOME SPIRITS NIGHT at Birmingham Bandstand (Open Mic) at the Nick.
TUESDAY…
**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE TUESDAYS, 10 p.m. at The Nick Rocks.
**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.
**KEN CARSON – CHAOS TOUR at Iron City.
WEDNESDAY…
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**FIGHT CLUB OPEN DECK with Host LEMON BELOVED! Every Wednesday at The Nick Rocks.
**WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH DJ SUNDROP at The Nick Rocks.
**VINCENT NEIL EMERSON at Saturn.
**BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY at Iron City.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!.
**WALE – EVERY BLUE MOON TOUR at Iron City.
**CASEY ROCKET at Saturn.
**DAYMARES at the Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT THURSDAYS with GREAT JANE at The Nick Rocks.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
NEXT FRIDAY…
**COMEDIAN TIP “T.I” HARRIS featuring the HAHA MAFIA at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**ATLUS with JORDAN GRAY at The Nick Rocks.
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.
**POP PLANET: HYPERPOP RAVE at Saturn.
**CAVETOWN at Iron City.
FOR ART LOVERS…
**FRIDAY…A RECEPTION FOR SOLIDARITY, 6-9 p.m., a juried exhibition of works created by members of the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance through November 15 in the Anne Arrasmith Gallery at Space One Eleven on 2nd Avenue North. FREE. Artwork in this exhibition address racial justice, LGBTQIA + rights, gender equality, immigrant and refugee rights and income inequality as well as diverse artistic approaches to highlight pressing global issues.
AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…
**NOVEMBER 8 – WILDFLOWER WALK, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Kaul Wildflower Garden with KEITH TURNEY for an autumn walk among the wildflowers that celebrate the diverse flora of Alabama and demonstrates a variety of roles native plants can play in our gardens. Register.
**NOVEMBER 12 – THYME TO READ BOOK CLUB, 4 p.m. book ‘Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Foods’ by Sara Lohman. FREE.
**NOVEMBER 12 – NATURE TRIVIA NIGHT, 7-9 p.m. n the Outdoor Classroom. Register.
**NOVEMBER 15 – BACK TO NATURE: FALL TABLE ARRANGEMENTS, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. with ZACHARY WESTALL to learn how to select seasonal plant materials and experiment with composition using unexpected elements to create a stunning arrangement. Register.
**NOVEMBER 21 – FALL BULBS, SPRING FLOWERS, 11 a.m. – NOON with BETHANY O’REAR sharing about spring-blooming bulbs including variety selection, soil preparation and more for garden beds and containers.
**NEW!!! A NEW HOLIDAY DAY CAMP on NOVEMBER 25 – School Day Out at the Gardens Herb Garden Chefs is what young explorers will enjoy as they take a scavenger hunt to uncover and identify a world of culinary herbs. The journey starts in the new Garden Lab where campers will harvest and prepare fresh ingredients to create a special treat and continues to the Bruno Vegetable Garden where they will dig into the wonders of cool-weather gardening. The camp is for K-5th Grade children that offer hands-on learning, culinary fun and outdoor exploration.
THINGS TO DO or know…in town, around the state…
**NOVEMBER 9 – WAYWARD WHIMSY at WILDFLOWERS CHILDRENS BOUTIQUE in Trussville, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
**NOVEMBER 10 – ONE NIGHT IN HARLEM: A FUNDRAISING EVENT, 6 p.m. at Michael’s Restaurant.
**NOVEMBER 10 – FRIENDS GIVING BRUNCH 2024, 1-3 p.m. at the Trussville Civic Center with COMEDY BY AUNTIE PAM. To register and for more info, go to acaevents.net.
**NOVEMBER 12 – FRESH BLACK FILMS (PAY WHAT YOU CAN), 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Sidewalk Film and the Luminal Theater.
**NOVEMBER 16 – FRENCH MATTING with Patty B. Driscoll, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Space One Eleven.
**NOVEMBER 19-24 – CHICAGO presented by Broadway in Birmingham at BJCC.
**NOVEMBER 21 – JELLY ROLL: BEAUTIFUL BROKEN TOUR, 7 p.m. at The BJCC.
FOR FILM LOVERS…
At Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema… TODAY …
**EXHIBITING FORGIVENESS starring Andre’Holland, Andra Day and John Earl Jelks.
**STEPHEN KING FEST: THE SHINING, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd and directed by Stanley Kubrick.
**CARRIE starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, John Travolta and directed by Brian DePalma.
**DEAD MAN’S PARTY – HALLOWEEN NIGHT ONLY (FREE) – All ages can experience a haunted Overlook Hotel atmosphere in the basement of the Pizitz while enjoying Spooky games, a Costume Contest, Specialty Cocktails + Mocktails with a Themed Lobby Programming starting at 5 P.M. – Complimentary Drink Tastings with Easy Hemp Co., Truck Tea and Sunboy, 7 P.M. – Halloween Charades and an In-Person Costume Contest with prizes, 8 P.M. – Jackbox Games on the lobby scenes and 9 P.M. Scary-oke (Halloween Karaoke) hosted by J Matt. RSVP!!!
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY…
**PARIS, TEXAS 40th ANNIVERSARY 4K RESTORATION starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell and directed by Wim Wenders.
**A DIFFERENT MAN starring Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson and directed by Aaron Schimberg.
SATURDAY…
**NO ONE ASKED YOU, 8 p.m. with Comedian Lizz Winstead. This is a special one-night only encore.
SUNDAY…
**INTRODUCTION TO SUPER 8 mm + 16 mm with Kodak Film Lab for learning about celluloid formats and capturing a scene using celluloid film. The workshop covers the history of the types of film and cameras also demonstrates film loading and filming exercises.
**GETTING LOST (w/INTRO and Q+A) starring Damon Lindelof, Jorge Garcia, Terry O’Quinn and directed by Taylor Morden.
**DEADLINES for STOWE STORY LABS 2025 NARRATIVE LABS, FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS is November 11. This includes the Seventh Annual Sidewalk Narrative Lab. Stowe has two specific fellowships dedicated to the Sidewalk Narrative Lab. The ‘SAGindie Fellowship’ is awarded annually to a top emerging filmmaker of color. The ‘Law Firm of Stacey A. Davis Fellowship’ is awarded to a woman-identifying emerging screenwriter, filmmaker, and/or creative producer who is over the age of 40. They each cover fee, VIP badge to the festival and $250 travel/lodging stipend to the fellowship winner valued at over $3,000. Apply at: stowestorylabs.submittable.com.
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.
Well, the ghosts, witches and goblins have had their day with Halloween decorations, trick-or-treaters, Halloween parties and haunted houses. Now it’s time to switch and gear up for the two big upcoming holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas. These two holidays are the biggest of the year as well as the most popular in America.
Because of the amount of people who celebrate these holidays, our next safety series will focus on tips on how to stay safe while preparing and enjoying these holidays. Let’s do a quick overview of upcoming safety topics you can expect to read about.
Our first topic in our holiday safety smarts series will focus on online shopping scams in 2024. Tech thieves (online scammers) are always plotting ways new technology can benefit them. Their pursuit in ways to steal your hard-earned dollars is crafty and endless.
American consumers lost an average of over $1,500 in holiday shopping scams in 2022 per All About Cookies research. Online shopping scams were among the riskiest scams in 2023, according to the most recent Better Business Bureau (BB) Institute Online Scams Report. Not only are these scams common, but 82 percent of those targeted in online shopping scams reported losing money. So, in the newest safety series, we will draw attention to some of the latest safety online pitfalls to avoid in 2024.
We will continue over the upcoming weeks in our Holiday Safety Smarts series ways you can safely decorate your resident both inside and out. We will also explore how to safely order food for your holiday feasts online, which can be convenient and a lifesaver during the holidays. Traditional holiday safety tips when shopping for presents and food will also be included.
We will not forget about those of you traveling over the holidays. A safety article focusing on travel safety during the holidays will also be highlighted. 15 percent of consumers say they have experienced fraud when booking. We will highlight holiday safety dealing with charitable giving along with gift card scams. One in four people has given or received a gift card with no balance.
As you can read, we have a great deal of safety topics to cover, so let’s get started with our first online Holiday Safety Smarts tip.
Beware of Online Markets: Practice extra caution or simply avoid shopping on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, NextDoor and other online marketplaces.
If you are buying directly from a person and paying cash, you will not have the same purchase protections you would if you would buy from a reputable retailer.
Where the holidays can contain some dangerous safety pitfalls, it is also a time that brings joy, time off from work and days spent with family. Our goal in our newest Keeping an Eye on Safety series is meant to help protect you so you can cherish your holiday experiences.
Epic Elementary School Principal Aulundria Grace with State Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)
By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
It was a gathering of EPIC portions on Tuesday at one Birmingham Elementary School as students, facility, and staff celebrated being named a National Blue Ribbon School, one of the nation’s top education honors.
This is the second time that Educational Plan for the Individual Child (E.P.I.C) Elementary, located in the heart of Birmingham’s Southside near UAB, has received the honor. The last time was in the early 90’s. The State Department of Education nominated EPIC. A total of five Alabama schools were named a National blue Ribbon School this year, said State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey.
“We look for schools that have really outstanding academic achievement and growth,” he said. “They also consider historic gains made by students year over year, as well as the overall character of a school,” he added.
During Tuesday’s ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium, Principal Aulundria Grace said, “in education, it truly takes a village where everyone must invest in our school’s vision where we strive to prepare our scholars to lead in a global society. As the instructional leader of EPIC, I want to thank everyone for believing that we are the best at getting better …”
Dr. Mark Sullivan, BCS Superintendent, said the success at EPIC is an example of achievement throughout the school district. All EPIC third-grade students met the reading requirement on spring assessments in 2024. Sullivan said he looks forward to continued success at EPIC.
Epic Elementary Band, led by Tamara Travis. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)
The Blue Ribbon distinction highlights schools across the country that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools.
“The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue-Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
Next week, EPIC will be recognized for the honor in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Education. On Nov. 14, EPIC will be recognized during a meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education.
T. Marie King created a showcase at Sidewalk Film Festival which highlighted films that not only center on Black characters and Black culture but also are created by Black filmmakers. (File)
By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times
T. Marie King, who spearheaded the launch of Black Lens at Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival, will begin a new chapter, she announced on social media this week.
“I have a few projects I’m working on and I’m working on a play I’m about to start raising more [for] that I want to produce next year,” King told The Birmingham Times on Tuesday.
King created a showcase in Birmingham which highlighted films that not only center on Black characters and Black culture but also are created by Black filmmakers.
“I wanted to see different stories from the Black community highlighted,” she told the Birmingham Times in a 2023 interview, explaining that she was interested in seeing a variety of Black films, including comedy, horror, and love stories.
“I’m trying to make sure I hit the intersections within our community,” added King, who served as lead shorts programmer and Black Lens programmer at Sidewalk. “We’re not a monolithic group of folks.”
This week, she wrote on social media, “As I step into a new chapter, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey with Sidewalk. Your support has meant so much to me.”
She wrote, “To the Sidewalk team, thank you for your collaboration, encouragement, and trust. Being a volunteer and programmer has been an honor and a joy, and I couldn’t have done it without you.”
King also thanked Chloe Cook, who serves as executive director of Sidewalk and has been with the organization for nearly 16 years, “for always being the biggest cheerleader behind the scenes, center stage and giving me freedom to grow a vision for Black Lens and Shorts.”
King, 44, is a W. K. Kellogg Foundation-trained facilitator, who leads race-reconciliation workshops across the region.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Global Economic Development and a master’s degree in Leadership and Divinity.
Some of her notable work includes “Shuttlesworth,” co-produced with J. Hardy Whitson through the support of Alabama Public Television, which chronicles the life and work of Birmingham Civil Rights activist the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth.
In her post this week, King wrote in part,
“To the incredible Birmingham community, thank you for always showing up, embracing both the lighthearted moments and the tougher, raw discussions. I loved sharing laughs, hosting shenanigans, and also witnessing your willingness to be vulnerable with challenging films and meaningful conversations.
“Finally, to every organization that sponsored a Black Lens screening or contributed in-kind services, your support was instrumental in making those events successful and impactful. I’m going to miss it all deeply, but I leave with gratitude and anticipation for what’s to come. See you at the movies.”
BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times
BERNICE & JOE COOPER
Live: Pine Ridge [Oxmoor area]
Married: Feb. 11, 1961
Met: November 1959, at Bernice’s family home in Birmingham in the Airport Hills neighborhood. Her uncle, who was close in age to her, lived with their family and worked with Joe for a cleaning service. Bernice and Joe met one Saturday evening when he gave her uncle a ride home from work.
“I spoke to Bernice and she smiled and we chatted for a while and that’s the way it got started,” recalled Joe.
“He was dark and handsome and when he came in the house behind my uncle I thought he was a nice-looking guy. I was 19, and I wasn’t looking for a husband because I was raised that he [her future husband] had to find me,” said Bernice.
“I asked her if I could call her and she said ‘yes’, and I called her the next day. I remember going to see her once or twice at her house to sofa sit because I had to gain her mother and father’s confidence; I wanted them to know what kind of man I was before I asked to take her out,” Joe said.
First date: December 1959. They hung out at Bernice’s girlfriend’s home in the Brookside area. “There were other people there, it was a get-together, my sister and my uncle were there too… I was just happy to be out and alone with Joe,” she said.
“I remember having a nice conversation. We were still getting to know one another. I didn’t try to pressure her in any kind of way, I wanted to make sure she understood I was a good human being… My father and older brothers taught me to treat my girlfriend the way I would want my sister to be treated and that’s what I did,” he said.
The turn: Late January 1960, Joe and Bernice realized they had “the real thing.”
“I asked Bernice to be my girlfriend after the first or second date, but we grew closer with each day that passed and got more comfortable with one another,” he said. “And as our confidence in each other grew, that’s when we realized we had the real thing with one another.”
“We talked every day and I used to wait for him to call because we were getting closer and understanding each other better. And I realized I was falling in love with him after Christmas [1959] had passed,” she said.
The proposal: November 1960, at Bernice’s home in Birmingham in the Airport Hills neighborhood. This was the night they were going to tell Bernice’s parents that they had agreed to marry.
A few weeks prior, “we were sitting on the sofa and I asked her if she would marry me and she said ‘yes’. And we kept it to ourselves for a couple of weeks and kept discussing it, and then one night right before Thanksgiving, we decided to tell her parents,” Joe recalled. “I told her father that I would like to speak with him and Mrs. Jackson for a minute and I told him my plan and asked him did they have any objection to me marrying her, and neither of them objected,” Joe said.
“I knew they would agree because they respected my opinion, so it went just fine. They agreed wholeheartedly. I was the oldest of seven, and they were happy to give my hand in marriage,” Bernice said.
Bernice and Joe Cooper met at her home in Birmingham in 1959. The couple married in 1961. (Provided Photos)
The wedding: At Bernice’s family home in Birmingham. Her father built an arch, dressed it with flowers and greenery, and made the flower bouquet she walked down the aisle with. Their colors were red, white, and black, and the ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Bowens, of Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church.
Most memorable for the bride “was when it was over,” Bernice laughed. “It was very stressful and nerve-wracking getting everything ready because it was mainly me and my father getting [preparing everything]. And when they said ‘you shall now cleave unto your wife and they shall be one flesh’, I was happy that it was over and that we were married,” Bernice said.
Most memorable for the groom “was when the preacher said, ‘you are now husband and wife.’ When he told me that I was happy. I wasn’t shy about kissing my bride, she was mine and I went for it,” Joe laughed.
Words of wisdom: “Don’t live with anybody, it’s best to leave father and mother and establish your own home and cleave to one another. Keep Christ in the center of your home and continue your courtship. Remember that God joined you together, pray together always, and never retire for the night angry with each other,” Bernice said. “Agree that divorce is not the answer. Remember that criticism is nagging and that destroys love, so try not to criticize so much. Love is something you have to work on daily. You should be reasonable in money matters, and be determined to speak softly and kindly.”
“What helped me along in my marriage is my upbringing. I come from a good home, and my mother and father taught me [life principles], and told me to listen to their advice because one day I would have a family of my own and would be able to make good godly decisions,” Joe said. “My mother used to talk with me about how I should treat my wife and those were regular conversations. I respected my mother and father so much, and that’s why I respect my wife so much and as I grew older; I always remembered [my parents] advice.”
Happily ever after: The Coopers attend Liberty Faith Christian Church in Bessemer, where Joe serves as an Elder, and Bernice is a Mother of the Church. They have three adult daughters: Robin Cooper, Yolanda Pearson, and Josette Cooper, two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Bernice, 84, is a Birmingham native, and Hooper City High School grad. She attended Lawson State Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in office management. She worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for more than 25 years before retiring in 1999 and spends her retirement side by side with her husband.
Joe, 84, a Union Springs, Alabama, native, attended Merritt High School, and worked at Merita Bread Bakery for 33 years before retiring in 2002. He spends his retirement “trying to please my wife,” he laughed.
“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.
Legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh, who appeared at Birmingham's A.H. Parker High School last week, knows what it means to be able to fight in a way so that you can live to see another day, said St. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who hosted a panel discussion at the school. (BCS/Facebook Photo)
By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
Ahead of his performance during a Magic City Classic showcase last week, legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh participated in an anti-violence panel discussion at Birmingham’s A.H. Parker High School.
The rapper talked about growing up in Harlem, New York, in the 80s, at the height of the crack era and asked, “How many of y’all know somebody that used drugs, and later they’re not the same anymore? So guess what? So as much as you believe that the drug is making you feel good, it’s actually destroying you,” he said.
In the early 1980s Fresh was part of two songs, “The Show” and “La Di Da Di“, which are considered early hip hop classics. “La Di Da Di”, in particular, is one of the most sampled songs in music history.
His Birmingham visit was hosted by State Representative Juandalynn Givan who was joined on the panel by Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr as well as other law enforcement officials who spoke words of encouragement to the ninth through 12th graders.
Fresh encouraged the students to have conversations with those older who have their best interests in mind. “What you’re going to see is that you don’t know as much as you think you know. You’ll learn that as smart as you think you are, you’ll be shocked at how much you don’t know,” he said.
Students packed the auditorium at Birmingham’s A.H. Parker High School last week to head legendary rapper Doug E. Fresh. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)
Givan said Fresh was speaking to an important demographic. “He’s doing this out of generosity from his heart,” she said. “… We have a killing issue in the city of Birmingham. We have an issue with our youth somewhere between 15 to 18.”
During the panel discussion, Givan said, “We wanted him to come because being from New York, he knows what it means to walk those mean streets. He knows what it means to hustle and to avoid those bullets. Most importantly he knows what it means to simply be able to fight in a way so that you can live to see another day.”
Carr told the students that if they commit a crime, that can mean life in prison or even the death penalty. “You can choose to participate in crime, but you can’t choose the consequences,” he said.
