Report: Miles College Generates Nearly $70 Million in Economic Impact For Local, Regional Areas

September 19, 2024

Miles_pix3 — The 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report from the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), states that Miles generates $69.3 million in total economic impact; and 286 on-campus jobs and 355 off-campus jobs. (File)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Miles College, the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) based in Fairfield, Alabama, generates nearly $70 million in total economic impact for its local and regional economies and creates hundreds of on-campus and off-campus jobs, according to a recently released report.

The 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report from the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest minority education organization states that Miles generates $69.3 million in total economic impact; and 286 on-campus jobs and 355 off-campus jobs.

The report also shares that a Miles College graduate working full-time throughout his or her working life can expect to earn $1,255,978 in additional income due to a college credential.

“It is clear that institutions like Miles College continue to serve as powerful engines of economic growth and opportunity,” said Miles College President Bobbie Knight. “For generations, Miles College has been a cornerstone of progress in our community, even during periods of underfunding by state and federal administrations.”

Through the resilience of students, faculty, and alumni, “our graduates not only uplift themselves but also their families and communities, with the potential to earn over $1.2 million in additional lifetime income,” Knight added.

Dr. Steven E. Hairston, Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Development Miles College, said the work continues. “We look forward to continued growth and advancement as we work together to create new opportunities for generations to come,” he said.

The 2024 HBCU Economic Impact Report is a comprehensive, data-driven analysis highlighting the substantial contributions that HBCUs make to students, local communities and the nation.

The report says that HBCUs have long been pillars of educational excellence and economic engines, driving prosperity across the nation, but warns that despite these contributions, chronic underfunding threatens the ability for some institutions to maintain a high level of impact.

“This report reaffirms what we have always known about the resilience of HBCUs: despite a deadly pandemic … and the economic uncertainties HBCUs continue to do more with less— not only in preparing the next generation of leaders but also in contributing to our nation’s economic impact,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.

Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs is a continuation of the landmark 2017 study, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which showed that the economic benefits of HBCUs extend beyond the students they educate.

In addition to the comprehensive report, a website has been launched where users can explore state-specific data and insights for individual HCBUs. This resource allows users to explore the localized impact of any given HBCU, emphasizing the critical role HBCUs play in communities across the nation.

To explore the full report of Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs, visit: 2024 Economic Impact Report – UNCF

Miles Law School’s Brendette Brown Green Elected Chair of National Judges Group

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Brendette Brown Green has been elected chair of the National Judicial Council of the National Bar Association.

“That is an awesome honor and responsibility, but it’s something not to be taken lightly,” Green told the Birmingham Times. “The chair is the person who will run the organization. The term is for one year and you have the honor and responsibility of running the organization … it is of upmost importance, it’s a very distinguished position but it is also a position that requires a high level of service.”

The Judicial Council is made up of primarily African American judges and formed so that the judges also had an organization of their own where members are not just members of the National Bar Association.

In a statement the council said in part, “Judge Green is poised to lead with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment to justice. Her election signals a bright future for the Council and reinforces its dedication to upholding the highest standards of judicial conduct and professional development.”

Grreen credits Miles College Law School where she earned Magna Cum Laude honors with a lot of her success.

“I knew that I wanted to go to law school and I decided to step out on faith and try it and Miles afforded me the opportunity to do that,” Green said. “And I will forever by eternally grateful to Miles for that. I enrolled at Miles Law School and this is the way I describe it. ‘Miles Law School located on the campus of the historical Miles College.’ Miles provided that opportunity for me and I grabbed it and ran with it. The rest is history.”

“Daddy Loved Us”

That history dates to Theodore, Alabama, where Green was one of 10 — “I was number 10” — five girls and five boys.

“I just remember listening to my parents talk about the struggle that they were in,” Green recalled, “neither of my parents were college educated, but they made sure that their children had an opportunity for an education. But not only did they show us that education was important they showed us by example that service was important as well. I tell people all the time my daddy taught me to read my mom taught me to serve by example.”

Green said she never made it to kindergarten. “My dad had become disabled, so I had to stay home with him and he did what we now call homeschooling, but I thought it was torture because I wanted to go to school and color pictures,” she laughed. “Daddy taught me to read and we would look at the news together … I remember looking at [legendary CBS news anchor] Walter Cronkite with my daddy and he would explain things to me because I was a curious little child and he insisted that we all looked at the news; and of course we as a family we just thought that daddy was just so mean but we learned later that daddy was smart and daddy loved us.”

Green said she learned an education from her parents that she carries to this day.

“We’re talking folks who would have us sitting around listening to them talking about the importance of voting and when they would go to vote and how they had rocks and stuff thrown at them,” she said.

Her mother, Leila G. Brown and father Henry Brown Sr. “lit a light in me and my whole life has always been about service,” Green said. “That has been the trajectory I was placed on was a life of service. They instilled in me the importance of education. I started from there. I knew that I always wanted to do something that made life better not just for me but for people around me. It all started with a dream.”

After graduating Theodore High School in 1976 she first attended Bishop State Community College in Mobile Alabama which “allowed me to stay home and work and help my mom out because by then my dad had passed away,” Green recalled, “and then I went on to the University of Alabama which ultimately is where I knew I would always end up because my daddy told me I could go there.”

After stops in corporate America and a successful career working for companies like Duracell Battery and SmithKline Green said, “I knew that I wanted to do something in service and I knew that I wanted to go to law school and I decided to step out on faith and Miles afforded me the opportunity to do that.”

“Iron Sharpens Iron”

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Brendette Brown Green has been elected chair of the National Judicial Council of the National Bar Association. (File)

Green’s tenure on the bench began when she was appointed to the bench at Jefferson County Family Court, where she served as a Senior Trial Referee and Special Circuit Judge from 2003-2006 and subsequently served nearly nine years as a Birmingham Municipal Court Judge before being elected to the Circuit Court of Jefferson County in 2016.

As a member of the judicial council, Green started out serving as a board member and as a treasurer for three years, being elected each time without opposition … and in 2023 she ran and was elected, again without opposition, as chair-elect and this year ascended to the seat of chair.

“You preside over meetings,” she said. “We will have a continuing education for judges, provide opportunities for them to become better judges. We will work with judges as far as networking with other judges. Being a judge sometimes is a lonely position where you are kind of isolated. We’re constantly trying to improve on what we do [and] this will provide opportunities for us to hone our skills and to have the camaraderie with other judges from an emotional standpoint to get with your colleagues out there administering justice in your particular location but when you come together as a particular group.”

She added, “iron sharpens iron so it’s the way that the council brings together judges from across the country and sometimes even from your own state that you don’t get to see because you’re so busy in your own courtroom running things you don’t get a chance to confer with other judges but it provides you with an outlet to get with other judges and to collaborate and to encourage each other.”

It’s also “about education, it’s about having a united voice on certain issues that might come up involving judicial education and making the community more aware of the access to justice. It’s an opportunity to just be more involved in the community in a united way and that’s one of the things I’m looking forward to is doing some programs in the communities across the country.”

Green said she also wants to focus on her hometown. “I want to do some programs here [in Birmingham],” she said. “Of course all of this takes time, it takes resources and when you are heading up the organization it’s easier for you to pull together judges and to try to make some things happen that goes to benefit the community.”

“I can’t tell you how important it is to me and to the community and I hope that my being elevated to this position is an encouragement to other little Black girls and other Black boys to say it’s not where you come from it’s where you end up because we can do it.”

Green is a mother and grandmother, with two adult daughters, one granddaughter, four grandsons, and one grand dog.

Dreams Become Reality

Even though she now serves as chair of the National Judicial Council of the National Bar Association, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Brendette Brown Green always remembers how and where it all began

“I’m from Theodore, Alabama, who would have ever thought it,” said Green, a graduate of Miles Law School. “Most people never even heard of Theodore, Alabama. They’ve heard of [nearby] Mobile but not Theodore.”

She continued, “Always realize that dreams do become reality, and I think if we’re willing to put God first and work hard that dream can become a reality. Don’t give up on trying because sometimes when we think we have failed at something it’s just an opportunity to try it from a different perspective. There’s always hope.”

She continues to mentor high school and law students, many of whom have gone on to excel at prestigious institutions such as the University of Alabama, Northwestern University, Spelman College and many others.

In addition to her judicial responsibilities, Green has held numerous leadership positions within the legal community serving as Treasurer and Chair of Membership for the National Bar Association’s Judicial Council, and currently Co-Chairs the Alabama Lawyers Association Judicial Council. Green also serves as a board member of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association. Her involvement with the Alabama State Bar’s Quality of Life, Health & Wellness Task Force, and the Magic City Bar Judicial Council as Secretary and Scholarship Banquet Committee highlights her dedication to advancing the legal profession.

Green is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham and serves on the Education Committee of the Virginia Samford Theatre Board as well as other community organizations. Her service and leadership have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Judicial Award of Merit from the Alabama State Bar in 2021.

Notable Judges, Lawyers and Leaders Have Attended Miles Law School. Here Are Some

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

Decorative Scales of Justice in the Courtroom — Miles Law School admitted its first class in August 1974, and has seen many notable graduates. (Adobe Stock)

Complied by Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

In the early 1970s, several esteemed leaders in the Birmingham area including then Miles College President W. Clyde Williams; Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Chester A. Kirkendoll, who served as chairman of the Miles College Trustee Board; Judge J. Richmond Pearson, then an Alabama state senator, and past chairman of the trustee board, and Arthur D. Shores, noted Civil Rights attorney, and others mobilized and provided the impetus for Miles Law School.

Out of their desire to change the legal landscape of Alabama, Miles Law School was founded, admitting its first class in August 1974.

Before his appointment by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 as the state’s first Black federal judge, then-State Senator U.W. Clemon served in an advisory role to the law school. Clemon co-chaired with Pearson an effort to raise funds for the fledgling school.

The law school’s motto of “Striving to Balance” directly relates to the imbalance, disparity and disproportionality of Black lawyers and of the underserved minority populace that existed in Alabama.

Since the first graduates in 1978, the law school’s sons and daughters have made tremendous strides in closing the gap.

Here are some, according to the school’s website:

Emory Anthony

The noted criminal defense attorney graduated from Birmingham City Schools and went to work for Stockham Valves and Fittings, for whom he competed in industrial league baseball in the early 1970s. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Alabama A&M University in 1974 and went on to enroll in evening courses at the Miles College School of Law, completing his Juris Doctorate in 1979. After passing the bar, he took a job as a prosecutor in the office of the Jefferson County District Attorney. He served from 1983 to 1995 as a municipal judge and later served as the dean of Miles’ School of Law.

Anthony finished second in the 1991 and 1995 Birmingham mayoral elections in which Richard Arrington Jr. won his fourth and fifth terms. In the 1999 Birmingham mayoral election he supported Bernard Kincaid (with whom he had founded People’s Choice to oppose Arrington’s Jefferson County Citizens Coalition) and served Mayor Kincaid as a legal advisor.

William A. Bell Sr.

First elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1979, Bell is a former Mayor of Birmingham, serving from 2010 to 2017. He was appointed in 1999 to succeed Richard Arrington Jr. as interim Mayor of Birmingham. After the 2009 conviction of Larry Langford, Bell won a runoff against attorney Patrick Cooper in a special election to serve the remainder of his term of office.

He grew up in Titusville and was one of the first African American students to enroll at John Carroll Catholic High School in 1966. He graduated the following year and went on to earn a Master’s degree in psychology and guidance counseling from UAB and a Juris Doctorate from Miles College.

In the 2017 Birmingham municipal election challenger Randall Woodfin forced Bell into a runoff, and then defeated Bell by a 59 percent to 41 percent margin.

Donald Blankenship

Blankenship, a Birmingham, Alabama native, is a member of the Jefferson County Circuit Court, Civil Division. He was elected to the bench in Nov. 2012 and assumed office on Jan. 15, 2013.

Blankenship is a 1974 graduate of Ramsay High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Samford University, 1978. In 1982, he received a Master of Arts in Urban Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Miles Law School in 1989.

From 1990-1994, Blankenship was employed as an Associate in the law firm of Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick, and from 1994 – 2012, he was engaged in the solo practice of law. During his 23-year tenure as a lawyer, he practiced extensively in the areas of Real Property, Probate, Land Use, Zoning and General Litigation.

Danny Carr

Carr was first elected in November 2018 as Jefferson County District Attorney. Before his election, Carr became the first African American appointed District Attorney in Jefferson County Birmingham Division and serviced as Chief Deputy District Attorney.

His work as a prosecutor began after graduating from Miles Law School in May 2000. He has successfully prosecuted thousands of felony cases in circuit, district, and juvenile court in Jefferson County. Carr has been admitted to practice law in the Alabama Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court. He has also been admitted to practice law in the Federal Courts in the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama.

Carr has lectured and trained local police officers and sheriff deputies in courtroom procedure, victimless prosecution of domestic violence cases and the Criminal Code of Alabama. He has served as an adjunct professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at Jefferson State Community College and Professor of Law at The Birmingham School of Law where he teaches Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure.

Carr attended Council Elementary and Jackson Olin High School. Carr received his undergraduate degree from Alabama State University. Carr is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 2010, he was selected by his peers as one of the top 100 Attorneys in the state of Alabama and top 40 most influential males in Jefferson County.

George T. French

In 2019, George T. French Jr. became the fifth president of Clark Atlanta University, the largest United Negro College Fund (UNCF) member institution in the country and the largest private HBCU within the state of Georgia.

Prior to his appointment, French served for 14 years as the president of Miles College, making him one of the longest serving university presidents in the nation. A nationally recognized leader and influencer in higher education and educational policy, French has served three secretaries of education under two United States presidents as a congressional appointee to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.

He is a three-term board member for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Chair of the Atlanta University Center (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine,) Council of Presidents; and chair of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC) Council of Presidents and member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) Board of Directors. French also has served as a member of the national diverse council of Regions Bank since 2011.

Juandalynn Givan

Givan was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in November 2010 representing the 60th district. She is the owner of Givan & Associates Law Firm. Formed in 2004 as a Woman Owned Business Practice in the city of Birmingham, Givan & Associates offer their clients comprehensive legal services that include government relations and program management consulting services.

Givan received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Miles College and her Doctorate of Juris Prudence from the Miles School of Law. Upon graduating from Miles, she became a Political Appointee serving as an Administrative Cabinet Member to Birmingham’s first African American Mayor Dr. Richard Arrington Jr., where she was responsible for Capital Projects and Development

Brendette Brown-Green

Brown-Green’s tenure on the bench began when she was appointed to the bench at Jefferson County Family Court, where she served as a Senior Trial Referee and Special Circuit Judge from 2003-2006 and subsequently served nearly nine years as a Birmingham Municipal Court Judge before being elected to the Circuit Court of Jefferson County in 2016.

This summer she was elected chair of the National Judicial Council of the National Bar Association which is made up of primarily African American judges and formed so that the judges also had an organization of their own where members are not just members of the National Bar Association.

John O. Hudson III

Hudson III is senior vice president of federal policy, regulatory and government affairs at Entergy. Hudson is responsible for several key groups focused on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues, sustainability and environmental policy, federal governmental affairs and corporate social responsibility.

He is a licensed attorney who served as president and chief executive officer of Nicor Gas Corporation, Illinois’ largest gas distribution company, which reached more than 2.2 million customers. Previously, Hudson was executive vice president and chief external affairs officer at Southern Company Gas, where he was responsible for the company’s external affairs, customer operations, environmental affairs, corporate communications, and marketing efforts.

Hudson received an MBA from Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, a Juris Doctor from Miles College School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Alabama A&M University. He also completed the executive accounting and finance program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School.

Carole Smitherman

As Birmingham’s first African American female mayor Smitherman was also the first African American woman hired as a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County and the first African American female Municipal and Circuit Court Judge in Birmingham, Smitherman was first elected to the Birmingham City Council in 2001 and re-elected twice.

Smitherman said the killing of her best friend, Denise McNeal in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing motivated her to pursue law from a young age.

Smitherman graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor at Miles Law School, where she finished first in her class. Today she serves as a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge.

Rodger Smitherman

Smitherman is a member of the Alabama Senate from the 18th district first elected to the Alabama Senate in 1994 pledging to improve education in the state, support programs for senior citizens and work with others to break the gridlock in Montgomery. The Senator has consistently introduced and supported legislation to make good on his pledge and is committed to continuous and dedicated service in his sixth term as the Senator for District 18.

He graduated from the University of Montevallo and years later was appointed to that institution’s board of trustees. He went on to Miles Law where he received his Juris Doctor which he earned with honors. Smitherman has enjoyed success in his 20 years in the Alabama Legislature, and that success has been beneficial for the residents of District 18. He served for two years as president pro tempore of the Senate – the most powerful position in that house.

Patricia Stephens

Stephens became a circuit court judge, Domestic Relations, in January of 2013. She is a graduate of Auburn University and the Miles College School of Law where she graduated Cum Laude. Prior to taking the bench, Stephens served as a prosecuting attorney for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and with a general practice law firm, where she represented litigants in criminal and civil defense, family law and personal injury.

Stephens is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association, the Birmingham Bar Association, the Magic City Bar Association, and the Birmingham Inns of Court.

Stephens is an alum of Auburn University and Miles College School of Law, graduating from the latter honored as cum laude, a Latin phrase that indicates the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. Before taking the bench, she was a prosecuting attorney for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and held a general practice law firm. She was elected to the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, Domestic Relations, 10 years ago.

Lynneice Washington

Washington is the elected District Attorney for the jurisdictional area of Jefferson County known as the Bessemer Cutoff. In November of 2016, she made history by becoming the first African American woman in Alabama elected as district attorney.

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she is a product of the Birmingham Public School System. From youth, she aspired to pursue a career as a lawyer and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and Corrections from Auburn University at Montgomery. She went on to receive a Juris Doctorate from Miles Law School.

Washington began her professional career as a General Law Practitioner. She continued her career as a prosecutor with the Bessemer District Attorney’s Office, then, became appointed as Presiding Judge over the Bessemer Municipal Court. Later she served as an Appellate Prosecutor of Irondale Municipal Court and hearing officer for the Jefferson County Personnel Board while maintaining Judgeship for Bessemer Municipal Court.

Priscilla Dunn, Former Alabama State Senator, Dies at 80

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

news-sept-2024-priscilla-dunn — The Honorable Senator Priscilla P. Dunn, a native of Birmingham, died on September 17. She was 80 years old. (File)

The Birmingham Times

Priscilla Dunn of Bessemer, a former Alabama State Senator who served 24 years in the Alabama Legislature died on Tuesday. Mrs. Dunn was 80.

Mrs. Dunn served in the Alabama House from 1998 until 2009, when she defeated seven Democratic opponents to win a vacant seat and went on the serve in the Senate three times. She missed much of her final term because of an illness and did not run for reelection in 2022.

State Sen. Merika Coleman, who succeeded Mrs. Dunn in representing District 19, wrote in a social media post: “I and many other women stand on the shoulders of Senator Priscilla Dunn. To me, she was more than a mentor and friend; she was a mother-figure and the epitome of strength, grace and compassion.

“Her legacy of dedication to women, children, the homeless and public education will continue to inspire and guide us all. My only prayer is that I can make as much (of) an impact on District 19 as Senator Dunn did.”

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell also said she was inspired by Mrs. Dunn’s accomplishments.

“She was a grand dame whose footsteps we Black women elected officials are blessed to have followed,” Sewell wrote.

Mrs. Dunn had a bachelor’s degree in education from Alabama State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo.

Her memorial service is planned for Saturday at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Bessemer.

Jamella Stroud: Finding Emotional And Spiritual Well-Being Through Somatic Yoga

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

As owner of Sacred Soma Yoga Therapy in Birmingham, Jamella Stroud encourages individuals to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with their bodies through somatic yoga. (Provided)

By Keisa Sharpe | For The Birmingham Times

In a world that often prioritizes speed and productivity, Jamella Stroud offers a refreshing contrast. As owner of Sacred Soma Yoga Therapy in Birmingham, she encourages individuals to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with their bodies through somatic yoga, which utilizes a gentle and mindful approach to exercise that focuses on body awareness and sensation.

The objective, she said, is to bring people back into their bodies and practice more “authentic yoga.”

“Yoga, in itself, is somatic, [which is defined as ‘of, relating to, or affecting the body’],” Stroud explained. “In the West, however, yoga has become more, I would say, ‘colonized’, and the focus has shifted toward postures, doing challenging things, and making yoga more of an exercise.”

Stroud’s practice, rooted in the belief that the body holds the key to emotional and spiritual well-being, is gaining recognition in Birmingham and beyond. In her line of work, she uses exercises and techniques for a wide range of clients, including those who’ve experienced childhood trauma, suffered from anxiety and depression, and dealt with eating disorders.

“I believe it’s important for us to understand how these [traumatic] experiences show up in our body,” she said. “I help people understand where the trauma is [in their bodies] and how it’s impacting them on a physical level.”

Stroud begins her day with a “consistent” morning routine, including the practice of Ayurveda, defined as “a form of alternative medicine that is the traditional system of medicine of India and seeks to treat and integrate body, mind, and spirit using a comprehensive holistic approach, especially by emphasizing diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing, and physical therapy.”

“I wake up around 4:45 a.m. and practice an Ayurveda routine, which includes oil pulling and tongue scraping as I shower,” she said. Oil pulling is “an oral therapy used in the traditional Indian medicine system of Ayurveda in which certain types of oils are swished in the mouth for 20 minutes.” Tongue scraping involves the use of “a stainless steel V-shaped tool [to scrape the tongue] … and remove accumulated toxins from [the previous day’s] digestive activity, which can be seen on the tongue as a thin white coating.”

Stroud continued, “After the shower, I drink a glass of water to begin my digestive process. Then, I do something called a Kriya, [a term for a set of practices, mainly breath control techniques and exercises ]; this cleansing practice purifies my organs before I begin asana, the movement part, [or poses], of yoga. I practice asana for about 15 to 20 minutes. From there, I practice pranayama, [“methods to extend and expand vital life force energy through the deliberate control of respiration”], sometimes through nostril breathing, depending on what my body needs. After that, I have a daily meditation practice that lasts between five to 15 minutes, depending on when I need to leave the house.”

An Unusual Path

Jamella Stroud uses exercises and techniques for a wide range of clients, including those who’ve experienced childhood trauma, suffered from anxiety and depression, and dealt with eating disorders. (Provided)

Stroud, 41, a Birmingham native, is the fourth child of four children; she has three siblings, two older brothers, one who’s deceased, and a sister. Stroud is single and has one daughter, who’s 21.

A graduate of Ensley High School and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Stroud also attended the Birmingham School of Law for a semester before transitioning careers into the tax industry. She also has been an avid student of yoga, practicing for about a decade with a focus its “yamas” (right-living guidelines) and “niyamas” (virtuous habits, behaviors and observances) before really getting into asana (postures).

In 2020, Stroud obtained her yoga teacher certification through an online program and attended Soul of Yoga, an internationally renowned yoga studio, in 2021 to become a yoga therapist.

“I went to Thailand to the International School of Massage to get my certification as a Thai yoga bodyworker in 2023 and finished my certification in 2023 from the School of the Soul of Yoga to be a yoga therapist,” she said.

In December 2023, Stroud was certified by the International Association of Yoga Therapists, an organization of thousands of professionals with a mission to advance yoga therapy as a recognized health profession. She received her certification in Thai yoga bodywork in Thailand.

“To deepen my understanding and training, I decided to get certified in Thai yoga bodywork,” she explained. “Although I could have done this in the [U.S.], I prefer learning from the original source. Since I was already going to Bali, [Indonesia], I extended my journey to Thailand to obtain my certification and information directly from the source.”

Stroud started yoga as part of a spiritual journey to heal from childhood trauma, “specifically sexual trauma,” she said.

“When I began the asana part of yoga, it was to support my anxiety, which stemmed from a past eating disorder. Although I was no longer actively struggling with the disorder, I still had a lot of anxiety. I started practicing yoga at a very low point in my life, seeking change after trying many other things. Yoga was the different approach I needed.”

She began with hot yoga once a week and said she felt different every time she was on the mat. Hot yoga is “practiced in heated rooms with the temperature usually between 85 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.”

“It was a euphoric feeling. Over time, I felt called to pursue a career in yoga to support others,” Stroud said.

“Yoga therapy felt like the natural path for me. After learning about it, I pursued it immediately,” she added. “My yoga therapy training was somatic based, focusing on using traditional yoga practices for healing rather than just postures. This was truly transformative for me, and that’s how I got into somatic yoga.”

Deeper Connections

When she’s not meeting with individual clients or leading group sessions, Stroud also organizes annual somatic yoga retreats in Bali, and those are by design.

“We hold an annual retreat in Bali called the Nurture Retreat. I chose Bali because its energy is very different,” she said. “I believe sometimes we need to step away from our usual lives to experience deeper healing, and Bali has been that place for me. My intention has always been to invite others—women, men, and seekers—to join this journey of healing outside their normal lives.

“I’ll also be offering retreats in Peru, [in South America], and St. Lucia, [in the Caribbean], as these are places where I have personally experienced transformation and healing. I like giving people the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a different environment and culture. This allows them to see, hear, and experience something different, facilitating internal transformation and becoming a different version of themselves.”

By cultivating a deeper connection with the body, individuals can release physical tension, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, Stroud said.

“The body is a brilliant communicator,” she explained. “It holds the wisdom of our experiences. Somatic yoga provides a space to listen to the body’s messages and respond with compassion and care.”

Stroud’s Sacred Soma Yoga Therapy has operated out of Olive Branch Mind and Body Suites, a co-working space for professionals in mental health or bodywork owned by Lamar and Tiffany Stewart. Lamar owns Life Touch Massage, and Tiffany owns Story House Counseling. These suites were created to offer a workspace for others in these fields. Stroud also offers group classes every Saturday at Grindhouse Gym from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Olive Branch and Grindhouse are both located in Birmingham.

Exhale to Excel

In addition to her practice, Stroud conducts the Exhale to Excel program, which is designed to help Birmingham City Schools (BCS) students enact a mindful approach to navigate tense situations.

“I created this program while studying yoga therapy, inspired by research on the impact of yoga and my own personal experiences. I realized how vital these tools would have been for me growing up, helping me manage stress, anxiety, anger, fear, and emotions, and learn emotional regulation,” she said.

Stroud saw an opportunity to offer the program to children from the communities, “where I grew up,” she said.

“Emotional regulation is not taught in schools but is crucial for life,” she explained. “Yoga provides these tools through social-emotional learning, making it a great fit for educational settings. The program aligns with both social-emotional learning and yoga practices, including physical aspects through asana.”

“We work weekly in schools between Birmingham and Fairfield. We’re currently at 11 schools in Birmingham and three in Fairfield, with plans to expand. Feedback from students, faculty, and staff has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

A video on her website features several students recounting how Stroud’s yoga sessions help them in everyday life. Some of the testimonials include: “What I like about yoga is that it keeps me focused.” “I like yoga because it helps me control my anger issues.” “One thing I like about yoga is it helps me calm my nerves.”

To learn more about Jamella Stroud or her practice, visit https://www.sacredsomayogatherapy.com; you can also send and email to info@exhaletoexhaleyoga.com or jamila@exhaletoexhaleyoga.com.

Just As Seasons Change, So Can the People in Your Life

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

As a new season turns the calendar, we love to think about all things new and get excited. For many, fall brings fond anticipation of more comfortable weather, family holiday traditions and fashionable clothing trends. But, just as seasons change, so do relationships.

We recognize that we can’t carry all things into the next season on the calendar. In fact, we have become acclimated to that and prepare for it. But we also have to accept that not all people can go with us into our next season.

Just as seasons change, so do relationships. (Adobe Stock)

Yes, let’s take a deep breath on this one as I encourage you to really think through on this one. It may come across as harsh, but that is not the intention. Just as we change garments, we must change people’s access into our lives as well.

The danger of being passive with relationships revolves around this one principle — relationships influence you positively or negatively. There is no such thing as no impact when it comes to those you call friends. If you just think about it, when you think of the five people you associate with most often, it moves you to one side or the other.

You will have either positive or negative thoughts about them and that relationship moves us either forward or backward. There are rare instances when relationships have no impact. So let this serve as a reminder to us all. Pay attention to your circle and protect access to yourself. Every loss is not a loss. Think on that one.

And remember, I’m cheering for you always and I’m just a call or an email away.

Keisa Sharpe is a life coach, author and speaker. Her column appears each month online and in The Birmingham Times. You can contact Keisa at keisasharpe@yahoo.com and visit http://www.allsheanaturals.com for natural hair and body products.

Help Your Family Plan Ahead for Emergencies, Natural Disasters

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

September is known as National Preparedness Month. The annual campaign theme for 2024 is to remind people to “start the conversation” about planning and preparation for emergencies and disasters. This planning and preparation can help keep them, their families and their communities safe.

Starting the conversation today can help individuals and communities take more actions to prepare. There are some recommended steps you can use that are simple but will help you build your preparedness at your own pace. These recommended steps include the following:

Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
• It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions are not rushed into, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
• Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. (Adobe Stock)

Conversation Discussion Tips:

• Conversation starters are defining the types of hazards that are common where you live, work, and/or travel. Share any personal accounts of these common hazards and how the individual maintained their safety.
• Review ways to get warnings and alerts in your location. Remind everyone it is important to fully charge your cell phone when preparing for hazardous conditions.
• If emergencies strike, discuss how you stay connected with your family/friends and get information from your local officials.
• Create an evacuation plan for you, your family and/or pets in cases of emergencies. Discuss options like taking shelter at a friend or relative’s house, a community shelter or a hotel in another town.
• Consider what supplies may be needed to take care of your children, older adults, any disabled family members and/or pets. This consideration should include any medicines and any medical supplies.
• Lastly, discuss how you will keep important documents, family mementos, heirlooms and treasured possessions safe in case of a disaster or emergency. Water resistant plastic bags or containers may be used or digital copies.

These types of conversations are sometimes difficult to have but are necessary to Keep an Eye on Safety for you and your family.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

PPT0919 1 — Rickey Smiley and son Brandon. (ETOnline)

By Gwen DeRu | Birmingham Times

TODAY…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**HOLY FAMILY HIGH ALUMNI WEEK with TORNADOES WHINE DOWN at D’Zire Bar & Lounge on 3rd Avenue South in Avondale.
** FOOD+FRANK: THE FRANK STITT, 5:30 p.m. at Birmingham Museum of Art.
**FOOD+HERITAGE, 6 p.m. at Pepper Place.
**EVERY THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at the True Story Brewing Company.
**TYLER HUBBARD, 7 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Company.
**LILY ROSE – RUNNIN’OUTTA TIME, 8 p.m. at the Iron City
**STANDARD TIME JAZZ TRIO, 7 p.m. at 430 41st St. S. Suite B.
**GALACTIC ENGINEERS & RUNI SALEM at The Nick Rocks.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**EVERY THURSDAY LATE NIGHT with GREAT JANE at The Nick Rocks.
**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.
**FILM at Sidewalk Film.
**KARAOKE WITH JOSEPH, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

FRIDAY…

IT IS Friday…the weekend starts…
**MIAMI TIP LOVE & HIP HOP BOOK SIGNING 6-9 p.m. at D’Zire.
**BLACK JOY FEST, 6 p.m. at Railroad Park with James Fortune, Logan the Entertainer and Jazz McKenzie.
**J.O THE LIT CLASS OF ’05 at D’Zire.
**ROARING 20’S GATSBY THEMED, 6:30 p.m. at the Arlington Historic House & Gardens.
**CANDLE MAKING & COCKTAILS, 7 p.m. at City Club.
**HERE COMES THE MUMMIES, 7 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Company.
**FOOD+MARKET MIX 7 a.m. at The Farmers Market at Pepper Place.
**DRAG NIGHT at the Nick.
**AMIGO THE DEVIL: YOURS UNTIL THE TOUR IS OVER, with TK & THE HOLY KNOW-NOTHINGS and NATE BERGMAN at Saturn.
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.

SATURDAY…
**SOUTHERN LIVING’S FOOD+ FIRE,12 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.
**LEZDAY PARTY at D’Zire.
**BLACK MARKET FALL FEST, 2 p.m. at 604Bham
**CITY WALK BHAM ART MARKET, 3 p.m. at City Walk downtown.
**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.
**KELTON B’DAY BASH at D’Zire.
**LIBRA SEASON with DIRTY REDD BDAY BASH at D’Zire.
**FALL SEASON GHOST HUNT, PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION, 7 p.m. at the Arlington Historic House & Gardens.
**DAYGLOW: THE TOUR, 7 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.
**CLAY CONNOR, HEATH GREEN, and ADAM GUTHRIE at Elysian Gardens.
**BURLESQUE NIGHT with Host BELLA DONNA at The Nick.
**CLAY STREET UNIT with COLE SPAIN at Saturn.
**LATE NIGHT with R.1.Y.T. at The Nick Rocks.

SUNDAY…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.
**THE UPSTAIRS COMEDY SERIES, 7 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company.
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing
**EVERY 4TH SUNDAY TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick Rocks.
**HOPE CASSITY & MEAGAN LEA at the Nick.
**WHORES with THOUSANDAIRE, and LONG COLD STARE at Saturn.

MONDAY…
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.

TUESDAY…
**PIECES at Saturn.
**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE TUESDAYS at The Nick Rocks.
**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

WEDNESDAY…
**EDGEHILL with MASSIE99, and BILLY! at Saturn.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**BRITTI at The Nick Rocks.
**FIGHT CLUB OPEN DECK with Host LEMON BELOVED! Every Wednesday at The Nick Rocks.

NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**NICK TEALE with EDMONDS BUTLER BAND 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.
**OPEN MIC with EUNICE ELLIOT at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**THE USED at Iron City.
**NEAL FRANCIS with DAISYCHAIN at Saturn.

NEXT FRIDAY…

**THE WEEPING WILLOWS and LACHLAN BRYAN at the Nick.
**SUBSONICS with ANGEL FACE at Saturn.
**LATE NIGHT WITH DJ JACK BAMA at The Nick.

NEWS TO USE

**BOOK: SIDESHOW: LIVING WITH LOSS-MOVING FORWARD WITH FAITH was written by Birmingham’s own Rickey Smiley. Smiley hosted a book release and signing event recently to celebrate the completion of his book and to share with others. His book ‘Sideshow: Living with Loss: Moving with Faith’ is for anyone who may be dealing with loss or who may have experienced grief. Smiley wrote the book after the loss of his son Brandon. “Far from healed, he has learned how to find moments of peace. He’s practicing how to hold the good with the grief, the past gifts with the present heartache, the hope with the hurt. It is the “sideshow” he is living. It is anything but a smooth path, but he’s on it, and he is moving forward. He invites others to come with him.” Look for the book at Rickeysmiley.com.

NEWS TO KNOW…

**JOIN BIRMINGHAM TODAY …for an evening of thoughtful discussion, learning, listening and healing with…WOVEN TOGETHER – THE ART OF HEALING: ISMS AND PHOBIAS, TODAY, 6 p.m. at the Fennec. DR. GAIL C. CHRISTOPHER, D.N., N.D., the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, is the featured speaker. She is the creator of the Healing Circle model and the author of RX Racial Healing: A Guide to Embracing Our Humanity. Dr. Christopher will lead participants through a Healing Circle exercise where individuals from diverse ideological, racial, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds can engage in open, honest and empathetic dialogue to foster understanding. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be available at a reception following the event. Register. Tickets are only $5 with limited seating. This is a community initiative that brings people together across lines of division in a thoughtful and healing way. Alabama humanities Alliance, the Birmingham Jewish Federation, and the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham will host the event as part of a continued learning series that seeks to bridge divides and build solutions.

**MAX TRANSIT JOB FAIR, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., NEXT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, at 1801 Morris Avenue, downtown. Explore career opportunities within the transit system including bus operators, skilled mechanic, detailed maintenance staff with competitive pay, benefits and more.

**REMEMBRANCE, RESILIENCE & HOPE – The Birmingham Jewish Federation is hosting a community-wide program marking the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks in Israel. It is scheduled for October 7, 6 p.m. at the LJCC. To learn more and to register, go to www.bjf.org. For questions, contact vkimerling@bjf.org.

FOR PERFORMING ART LOVERS…

**AT HOME: ART IN MOTION is a collaborative series with the Birmingham Museum of Art at the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance, October 18-20 and 25-27. It is curated by Alabama Ballet Artistic Director CHRISTOPHER STUART and features all-new works by HAYWARD OUBRE and JOHN RHONDEN. The event will offer an intimate setting where one can experience the synergy between visual and performing arts. Choreography is by Aidan Nettles, Kendia Bennett, Roger VanFleteren, Michael Matthews and Juan Rafael Castellanos.

FOR ART LOVERS…
**SEPTEMBER 28 – RHYTHMS OF COLOR Art Festival & Student Art Competition, 5- 9 p.m. at the Harbert Center.
**OCTOBER 5 – CERAMIC HAND-BUILDING CLASS: Create Functional Pottery with Cheryl Lewis, 10 a.m. – Noon at Space One Eleven.
**NOVEMBER 16 – FRENCH MATTING with Patty B. Driscoll, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Space One Eleven.

FOR FILM LOVERS…

At Sidewalk Film Film Center + Cinema –

**TODAY – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, SidewalkFilm 101 Short Cuts, Monthly Movie Trivia (FREE),
**FRIDAY – Seven Samurai, Monthly Networking Nights. Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut, The Godfather, Bad Movie Night,
**SATURDAY – The Godfather, God Father Part II
**SUNDAY – Sidewalk Film 101 Short Cuts, Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut,
**THIS WEEKEND – The Substance.

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.

“[Fashion Night Out] is basically just to celebrate fashion…it would be a great opportunity for us to get together and get everybody excited and information for these shows that will be one month later.”

Birmingham Times

September 19, 2024

MAGIC CITY FASHION WEEK PRESIDENT AND CEO, DANIEL GRIER AS SEASON 5 OF MAGIC CITY FASHION WEEK GEARS UP; BIRMINGHAMTIMES.COM, SEPT. 13.

Birmingham Housing Authority Set To Open Doors To First Phase of New Mixed-Income Community

Birmingham Times

September 18, 2024

Cropped-Bldg-1024x768 — The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for Southtown Family at Edgehill at Southtown, seen here in May, on Friday. (Southtown Photo)

Special to The Times

The highly-anticipated Edgehill at Southtown will soon open its first residential property. The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for Southtown Family at Edgehill at Southtown on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 10 a.m.

Construction began on the $17M facility in April 2023, and residents are scheduled to move in beginning October 1. The building consists of 60 units which include 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes that are equipped with major appliances.

“This is an exciting time to embark on expanding communities and opportunities for our residents.” said Dontrelle Young Foster, President and CEO of HABD. “The opening of Southtown Family is a testament to our commitment to providing quality affordable housing for our residents. They are our why. We will continue to propel our communities by being an agent of change and a catalyst for opportunity.”

The facility boasts several amenities including a business center, community rooms, charging stations for electric vehicles, and more. BREC Development, Hollyhand Companies, Southside Development Corporation, and SPM partnered with HABD for this redevelopment. The original Southtown Court was built in the 1940s.

WHO: Housing Authority of the Birmingham District

WHAT: Southtown Family Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

WHEN: Friday, September 20, 2024 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: 9th Avenue South and 23rd Street South Birmingham, AL

Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) is the state’s largest provider of public housing serving over 23,000 residents including its Section 8 program. To learn more about HABD, visit www.habd.org.

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