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AP Sources: Shooting at Trump Rally is Being Investigated as Assassination Attempt

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Birmingham Times
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Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

By  JILL COLVIN, JULIE CARR SMYTH, COLLEEN LONG, ERIC TUCKER, MICHAEL BALSAMO and MICHELLE L. PRICE | Associated Press

BUTLER, Pa. — Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, law enforcement officials said. The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.”

A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee are dead. The Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured.

Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “pierced the upper part of my right ear.”

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”

The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.

▶ Follow the AP’s live coverage on the Trump rally shooting

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”

The Secret Service said the suspected shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue.” Trump is “safe and being evaluated,” the agency said.

“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump as the presumptive Democratic nominee, said in remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”

Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.

The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.

It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured as he was pulled to the ground by agents.

Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at least one rally attendee was killed.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surround by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A rally disrupted by gunfire

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when the apparent shots began just after 6:10 p.m.

Scene after Trump is whisked off stage following apparent gunfire at rally

It took two minutes from the moment of the first shot for Trump to be placed in a waiting SUV.

As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear, as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked.

As the first pop rang out, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard and he crouched down. More shots are heard then.

Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.

Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman is heard screaming louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying “shooter’s down” several times, before someone asks “are we good to move?” and “are we clear?” Then, someone ordered, “Let’s move.”

Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you sir.”

Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “Fight” twice his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”

The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.

His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he is put into a vehicle.

Reporters covering the rally heard five or six shots ring out and many ducked for cover, hiding under tables.

After the first two or three bangs, people in the crowd looked startled, but not panicked. An AP reporter at the scene reported the noise sounded like firecrackers at first or perhaps a car backfiring.

But then there were more shots. Panic set in as people realized what was happening. Shouts of “Get down!” rang through the crowd.

When it was clear the situation had been contained and that Trump would not be returning to speak, attendees started filing out of the venue. One man in an electric wheelchair got stuck on the field when his chair’s battery died. Others tried to help him move.

Police soon told the people remaining to leave the venue and U.S. Secret Service agents told reporters to get “out now. This is a live crime scene.”

Two firefighters from nearby Steubenville, Ohio, who were at the rally told the AP that they helped people who appeared injured and heard bullets hitting broadcast speakers.

“The bullets rattled around the grandstand, one hit the speaker tower and then chaos broke. We hit the ground and then the police converged into the grandstands, said Chris Takach.

“The first thing I heard is a couple of cracks,” Dave Sullivan said.

Sullivan said he saw one of the speakers get hit and bullets rattling and, “we hit the deck.”

He said once Secret Service and other authorities converged on Trump, he and Takach assisted two people who may have been shot in the grandstand and cleared a path to get them out of the way.

“Just a sad day for America,” Sullivan said.

“After we heard the shots got fired, then the hydraulic line was spraying all around, you could see the hydraulic fluid coming out of it. And then the speaker tower started to fall down,” Sullivan said. “Then we heard another shot that, you could hear, you knew something was, it was bullets. It wasn’t firecrackers.”

“They weren’t super loud shots,” he said.

“You could hear it landing, ammunition landing, on metal,” Takach added.

Then they took cover behind a farm tractor.

Sullivan said they were concerned for Trump and saw him stand up.

“He got up and he gave a motion he was OK,” Sullivan said, raising a fist as Trump had.

Political violence again shakes America

The perils of campaigning took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously hurt George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump’s. That led to increased protection of candidates, even as the threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.

Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even greater layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate.

Biden was briefed on the incident, the White House said. He received an updated briefing from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

He told reporters after 8 p.m. that he hadn’t been able to reach Trump yet but was briefed that the former president was “doing well.”

“I hope I get to speak to him tonight,” he said.

After the shooting at Trump’s rally the Biden campaign was pausing all messaging to supporters and is working to pull down all of its television ads as quickly as possible, the campaign said.

Donald Trump Jr. posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: “He’ll never stop fighting to Save America.”

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump’s shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words “God protected President Trump.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site.

“Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States,” he said.

Colvin, Balsamo and Price reported from New York. Long reported from Washington. Tucker reported from Westport, Connecticut.

Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green Launches Poet Fellowship Initiative in Partnership with BPL, Create Birmingham

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Birmingham Times
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City of Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green and the Birmingham Public Library have announced the 2024 Summer Poet Fellowship. Selected fellows will work with BPL to facilitate poetry programming in support of literacy and summer reading initiatives. (Adobe Stock)

Birmingham Public Library

Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green

City of Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green and the Birmingham Public Library are thrilled to announce the 2024 Summer Poet Fellowship. This initiative is a partnership between City of Birmingham Poet Laureate, BPL, and Create Birmingham. Selected fellows will work with two BPL locations to facilitate poetry programming in support of literacy and summer reading initiatives.

“BPL is excited to be a part of this amazing initiative, as we strive uphold our mission to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment,” said Birmingham Public Library- Public Service Regional Manager, Bessie Miller.

Green has nominated Karima Moore to serve as the inaugural Youth Poet Fellow and Maati Sanovia to serve as the inaugural Adult Poet Fellow. Both will work with the Birmingham Public Library to facilitate poetry programming this summer.

Fellows will receive a $500.00 honorarium that will be administered by Create Birmingham.

Youth Poet Fellow, Karima Moor

Birmingham Youth Poet Fellow Karima Moor

Youth Poet Fellow, Karima Moor is a Birmingham native who’s always loved writing but didn’t start writing poetry until the age of 18. In 2021, Karima recited her self-authored poem, “Unity,” at the 30th Inauguration of Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin.

“This nomination means a lot to me. I am excited to bring light and joy to the arts in my City,” said Moor. “It is a huge opportunity, and I don’t take it lightly.”

Moor worked with Birmingham Public Library’s Summer STEAMER Camp. The camp that took place at BPL’s Central Library provided elementary students with interdisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) curriculum, in an effort to reverse summer learning loss.

Taught by Better Basics certified teachers at Birmingham Public Library, children increase their skills in both reading and mathematics. Each summer a theme is chosen and different activities are completed to align with the topic. Students complete a variety of STEAM activities that tie to the novels they read through the reading aspect of the program.

Adult Poet Fellow Maati Sanovia

Birmingham Adult Poet Fellow Maati Sanovia

Maati Sanovia will serve as the Adult Poet Fellow, and is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), Retired Registered Nurse, Published Author of “A Journey to Forgiveness, Disowning 3 Generations of Violence,” Community Activist and Poet.

She is the Creator of MaYoni ‘aT Womb Yoga, a sequence that grew out of her work with her daughter in the Ancient Art of Yoni Steaming, through the Yoni Steam Institute. On the path of living Maat, Maati Sanovia’s journey is one of peace, offering a balanced, compassionate, reciprocal and harmonious way of being to all.

Trump Fine After Shooting at Rally, Campaign Says. Biden Says ‘Everybody Must Condemn’ the AttackProsecutor Says Gunman and 1 Attendee are Dead

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Birmingham Times
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Donald Trump was whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. He quickly ducked behind the podium as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams rang out from the crowd.

BY  JILL COLVIN, JULIE CARR SMYTH, ERIC TUCKER AND MICHELLE L. PRICE

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How Clotilda Discovery Helped Africatown Grow in Mobile, Alabama

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Birmingham Times
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A welcome sign is situated across from Union Missionary Baptist Church in Africatown in 2019, in Mobile, Alabama (Mike Kittrell, File)

By John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Africatown Hall & Food bank began welcoming food deliveries Tuesday morning, less than two weeks after the $2.4 million venue was officially opened.

Houses are under construction, and plans are still underway to build a Welcome Center near the Old Plateau Cemetery. And within the cemetery, archeologists and community volunteers are documenting gravesites in a first-of-its-kind effort to improve historical recordkeeping.

It’s business as usual for one of the most historic communities in Alabama, despite its origins called into question this past weekend. The Wall Street Journal, in a piece published Saturday, asked the question on whether the Clotilda story was a hoax.

According to journalist and author Erik Calonius, the story of the 110 enslaved Africans who were smuggled into Mobile 164 years ago, was a “fairy tale” and should be re-examined by historians and others.

“We are in a season right now in our country where certain kinds of history are being suppressed,” Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, whose commission district includes Africatown and who has been a chief supporter for redeveloping the community since the hull of the Clotilda was discovered in 2019.

“The reality is until this country reckons with its history as a slave holding nation, we’ll never make the kind of strides we need to make,” said Ludgood. “You got to own your problem. You have to call it for what it is and begin the healing process. We have been reluctant to do that.”

Ludgood’s comment came on the same day that the county commission, in a unanimous vote, approved a 10-year lease agreement with the Africatown Community Development Corp. (ACDC) to lease approximately 2,664 square feet of Africatown Hall for the use of a food distribution center.

The lease is for only a portion of the building; the other half of the building will be leased to the Africatown Redevelopment Corp. (ARC), which is focused on improving housing within the community that is approximately six miles north of downtown Mobile. A lease agreement with ARC is expected to be approved within the next month.

“Starving For Investment”

“For Africatown, whether there was a Clotilda or not, it’s a community that is starving for investment,” Ludgood said. “It needs as much help as it can get. My commitment is to that community and the people who live there, irrespective of the Clotilda.”

Karlos Finley, executive director of ARC, said organizers with the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Trail have been dealing with 25 years of people doubting history related to the community, despite the documentations through descendants and manifestos.

“We’re really not looking to give attention to what I think are ancillary opinions,” Finley said. “We have too much work to do.”

Indeed, that work includes the redevelopment of four properties on Susie Ansley and Green streets, which he said offers “unique possibilities” that include new residential housing or the potential for commercial use.

He said ARC is working on a master plan for the neighborhood that will be the subject of a retreat next month.

“We will know more after that,” he said.

ARC was formed through state legislation in 2021 and is focused on utilizing approximately $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to build new housing. Two of those houses have been wrapped up – at 1121 Newman Lane and 812 Susie Ansley St.

Finley said in May that ARC needs to have the ARPA money spent before December 2026. He also said at the time that ARC is looking to build 15 houses within Africatown, with much of that work occurring along Edwards Street after the organization acquired nine properties near the Robert L. Hope Community Center.

“The community has such positive energy about it now and we’re not really looking to address anything from a negative perspective,” Finley said. “There is just so much good going on.”

“Not About The Ship”

Jeremy Ellis, president of the Clotilda Descendant’s Association, said his group believes any focus or attention about the story about the slave ship should focus on the “survivors, their descendants or the communities where the survivors lived such as Africatown, Dallas County, Gee’s Bend, etc.”

Said Ellis, in a statement, “It is not about the ship, it is about the people on the ship, their descendants and their communities and that is where our focus will continue to remain.”

Africatown, in the aftermath of the Clotilda discovery in May 2019, has seen a surge of national media attention and interest. It culminated in the opening last year of the $1.3 million Africatown Heritage House, a small museum that became known as one of the top new museums in the U.S.

The developments are meant as a way to tell the story of the Clotilda that, according to Calonius, never occurred and might have been part of a hoax planted by proslavery agitators aimed to humiliate the federal government ahead of the Civil War in 1860s.

Calonius points to the 1858 arrival in Georgia of another slave ship, the Wanderer – which he writes about in a book published in 2008 – as being the last slave ship to enter the U.S., and one that “sparked uproar and extensive newspaper coverage” at the time, as opposed to the Clotilda. Calonius believes the African-born people in post-Civil War Mobile likely came from the Wanderer, according to the Wall Street Journal story.

“I believe the timing of the article and the attempt is essentially to undermine history,” Ellis said, noting it was published ahead of the anniversary of the Clotilda’s arrival into Mobile Bay. He also called it an attempt by the “far-right” political movement in the U.S. to undermine Black history.

“It’s unfortunate this type of article would be written and published at this time, and at a time when history is attempted to be rewritten,” he said.

R&B Mega Star Chris Brown Electrifies at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena [PHOTOS]

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Birmingham Times
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Chris Brown, R&B singer/songwriter entertainer, brought his 11:11 Tour to Birmingham’s sold out Legacy Arena on Thursday. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Story/Photos by Marika N. Johnson | For The Birmingham Times

Chris Brown, R&B singer/songwriter entertainer, brought his 11:11 Tour to Birmingham’s sold out Legacy Arena on Thursday for a spectacular showcase of his talents as a singer, dancer, and entertainer.

Known for his high-energy performances and captivating stage presence, Brown thrilled fans from start to finish in a spectacularly executed show as the artist soared across the stage, rose from the floor and presented hits from his vast discography.

His choreography was intricate and flawlessly executed, showcasing his agility and rhythm. He back flipped and seamlessly blended dance moves with singing, showing why he is often compared to legends like Michael Jackson.

It was an evening of electrifying performances, memorable music, and a strong connection with fans. For those in attendance, it was a night to remember.

3 Birmingham-Based Groups Announce Initiative to Expand High-Quality Internet Access

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Birmingham Times
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Woodlawn United, Prosper and IGNITE! Alabama announced they are taking next steps in their collaboration by beginning to accept requests for proposals to make high-speed internet access a reality for every Birmingham resident. (Adobe Stock)

By Anthony Cook | Alabama NewsCenter

Three Birmingham-based organizations are partnering to pursue their mission of ensuring every resident in the city has access to high-quality internet.

Following this year’s celebration of Juneteenth, Woodlawn United, Prosper and IGNITE! Alabama announced that they are taking next steps in their collaboration by beginning to accept requests for proposals (RFPs) to make high-speed internet access a reality for every Birmingham resident.

Mashonda S. Taylor, CEO of Woodlawn United; J.W. Carpenter, president of Prosper; Torin Darling Brazzle, founder, CEO and president of IGNITE! (Provided)

“At Woodlawn United, we believe that access to high-quality internet is a fundamental right in today’s society,” said Mashonda Taylor, Woodlawn United CEO. “It is essential for education, healthcare, economic development and social connection. Our commitment to bridging the digital divide is not just about technology — it’s about ensuring that every resident of our city has the opportunity to thrive. We are excited to take this next step and work with our partners to make this vision a reality.”

This initiative stems from last year’s Juneteenth event, “Bridging the GREAT Divide,” in which the three organizations committed to bridging the digital divide affecting Birmingham communities. The organizers highlighted the critical need for economic and social freedom that reliable internet access can provide.

The event, supported by Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales and Birmingham’s District 4 City Councilman J.T. Moore, showcased a collaboration with Microsoft and Open Broadband to enhance connectivity across Birmingham.After reviewing initial plans, organizers realized it was broader than just one area of the city and decided to delve deeper.

The Importance of High-Quality Internet Access

In today’s digital age, access to high-quality internet is not just a luxury but a necessity, reads a joint press release, adding that this technology plays a pivotal role in various aspects of life, including:

  • Education: Students require reliable internet for online learning, research and completing assignments. Quality internet ensures equal educational opportunities for all.
  • Health care: Telehealth services have become essential, especially post-pandemic, enabling residents to consult with health care providers without the need to travel.
  • Economic development: Small businesses and entrepreneurs rely on internet access to reach broader markets, manage operations and access digital tools that enhance productivity.
  • Employment: Job seekers need internet access for searching and applying for jobs, as well as for taking part in remote work opportunities.
  • Social connection: The internet helps maintain social ties and reduces isolation, which is particularly important for mental health.

“I am extremely grateful to both the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Microsoft for their support in bridging Birmingham’s digital divide,” said Torin Darling Brazzle, founder, CEO and president of IGNITE! “The internet is as vital as electricity to our communities. Since the pandemic, I believe that without intentional efforts to connect our Black communities, we may never recover. The urgency to act is greater than ever.”

Community Engagement and Next Steps

Over the past year, Woodlawn United has conducted numerous conversations with community members to understand their needs and how best to address the digital divide. The partnership is now accepting RFPs to deploy resources that will provide high-speed internet access to all areas of the city.

The initiative aims to cover underserved and marginalized communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, can benefit from the opportunities the internet provides. This effort will create a more inclusive and connected city, paving the way for economic growth and social equality.

“Prosper is thrilled to partner with Ignite Alabama and Woodlawn United to move the ball forward to close the digital divide for the city of Birmingham,” said J.W. Carpenter, president of Prosper.

By collaborating with community partners, technology providers and local government, Woodlawn United aims to make Birmingham a model city for digital inclusion, according to the press release.In the spirit of Juneteenth and the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality, the partnership commits to ensuring that every resident has the tools to succeed in the 21st century, and high-quality internet access is a fundamental part of that vision.

For more information or to submit an RFP, please visit www.woodlawnunited.org or email connectbhm@woodlawnunited.org.

Renasant Exec. Dr. Tracey Morant Adams Installed for a Second Term as South Eastern Regional Dir. of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

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Birmingham Times
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Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D., center, was recently installed in her second term as South Eastern Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. South Eastern Region Facebook)

Special to The Times

Birmingham — Tracey Morant Adams, Ph.D. was recently installed as South Eastern Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA), an international service organization of more than 300,000 members. The installation marks her second election and installation as the leader of 119 chapters and more than 13,000 members residing in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. As the South Eastern Regional Director, she serves as a board member of the 116-year international organization.

Dr. Tracey Morant Adams. (Provided)

“To serve is a high calling, and to be trusted to serve is even higher. I commit to strive every day to uphold this honor and the outstanding legacy of our distinguished organization,” said Adams.

Adams is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Development Officer of Renasant Bank, a position she has held for 11 years. In this capacity, she oversees economic and community development; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and corporate social responsibility. She is also architect of The Nest for Women, an award-winning small business and entrepreneurship platform for women-owned businesses.

For the past two years, Adams has made significant contributions to transform, magnify and accelerate operations and membership in the South Eastern Region and Alpha Kappa Alpha. Under her leadership, nearly one-half million dollars have been garnered for scholarships to support the academic aspirations of undergraduate students at colleges and universities in Alabama; the 40 Under 40 program was established to celebrate the professional achievements of young members in the South Eastern Region; and POISE (Power of Internships in South Eastern) program was created to provide meaningful internship opportunities for members attending colleges in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, through strategic partnerships with corporations and nonprofit organizations.

To accelerate the professional and educational advancement of women, the Glenda Glover Leadership Institute (named in honor of former AKA International President and CEO and President of Tennessee State University) was created. The program offers training workshops, conferences, and leadership development programs from industry experts and academia. Additionally, under Dr. Adams dynamic leadership four new chapters were chartered in the South Eastern Region, increasing the number of members in the organization, and expanding the service reach.

As Adams enters her second term, she is focused on continued brand enhancement, members engagement, growth, and resiliency of the South Eastern Region of AKA. She said her efforts, in concert with the region’s dedicated members, will help fulfill and sustain the organization’s long-term mission of service and sisterhood.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® is an international service organization that was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek letter organization established by and for African American college-educated women. 

Titusville’s Sunday Best Gospel Concert Planned for This Weekend

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Birmingham Times
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Allen Pruitt Jr., of the Call II Worship Ensemble will be among the performers at Titusville's Sunday Best Gospel Concert this Sunday. (File)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Titusville’s Sunday Best Gospel Concert will be held Sunday, July 14 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 1101 Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211.

“It’s always been a service, not a competition, never a competition. We just want to come together to lift the name of Jesus in song,” said Keith Mims, organizer. “[The mission is] bringing the community together with gospel concert that someone’s life might be helped, changed, blessed, saved, or encouraged.”

Every year, choirs are invited to the worship service and this year’s event will include performances by Dr. Allen Pruitt Jr. and Call II Worship, along with Voices of Victory, Olivet Monumental Baptist Church Mass Choir, Hardy Men of Distinction Male Chorus of 6th Avenue Baptist Church, and  New Hope Baptist Church led by Mike Mays.

“We started the concert at a little small church in Titusville, Green Liberty Baptist, Church where my brother, Rev. Ronald Mims, served as the pastor,” said Mims, adding, “when we first started the crowd was so huge we knew that we had something very special. We had to stop letting people into the church.”

In addition, there will also be a giveaway of more than $25,000 in gifts and prizes that include luxury handbags and premium human hair wigs.

“We don’t give away just one or two of these items. We’re giving away 12 designer bags like Louis Vuitton, Brahman, Gucci, Coach, Marc Jacobs, and Fendi. As well as 12 human hair wigs, 12 40-inch flat screen televisions and 150 pairs of children’s footwear like Nike and Puma,” said Mims.

Mims, 67, has been giving back to the greater Birmingham for decades as owner of Vie’s Children’s Shoes at the Heritage Towne Centre in Woodland Park and the voice of Legion Field.

For more visit here.

How Birmingham’s Christine Law Provided a ‘Life-Changing Blessing’ to Someone in Need

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Birmingham Times
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Christine Law donated a kidney to Jerome Skinner on Dec. 27, 2016. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Christine Law, Army veteran, author, model, owner of a fitness gym in Bessemer and recovering alcoholic, remembers browsing Facebook nearly seven years ago and coming across a post from Jerome Skinner, a fellow church member at Faith Chapel in Birmingham.

Law had abused alcohol for a decade before praying for help, and through her faith, prayer and action, says she was “delivered” from alcohol. Because God had spared her life, Law believed she could be a “life-changing blessing” to someone in need.

“I saw [members] praying for a kidney [for Jerome] … so I reached out,” she said.

After five months and many extensive tests, Law was found to be a perfect match. “After this, we became like family. We started going to each other’s events and family functions. [Skinner] became like my brother,” she said.

Their story is one of many being shared as Birmingham hosts the 2024 Transplant Games which have been held every two years since its inception in 1990 and aimed at uplifting and highlighting those who have survived transplant procedures.

The games bring together survivors, their families and medical professionals for a five-day event with over 20 sports and raise awareness through donors and recipients like Law and Skinner.

“I am so excited for the world to see Birmingham, Alabama shed light on transplant and organ donations,” said Law.

Jerome’s Story

Skinner, a Birmingham native and Ensley High School alum was first diagnosed with kidney failure in 2014 at age 36.

“It started with doctors telling me I had too much protein in my urine. I went to a kidney specialist, and they said I needed to cut back on protein shakes and focus on eating regular food, so I did that,” he said.

After monitoring his protein, he became a patient of a former middle school friend who was a doctor, Dr. Jamie Bell.  “First thing she told me was that my blood pressure was kind of high and she put me on some medicine.”

While at a casting call for one of Tyler Perry’s movies in Atlanta, Skinner learned he had kidney failure.

Dr. Bell left a message and told him to go to the nearest hospital. His year on dialysis was difficult, he said,

“I remember overhearing the nurses tell my family and the girl I was talking to at the time that everything was failing rapidly. Just by me overhearing that, all kinds of thoughts started running through my mind. I thought I wasn’t going to live that much longer. (And then) when you’re used to doing things on your own and now you need assistance for almost everything because you’re so weak and fragile, depending on people, it’s kind of hard when people are not used to helping you in that matter. It made me feel worse.”

On Dec. 27, 2016, just two days after Christmas, Skinner, now 43, received a gift of life, a kidney from Law.

A Calling

Law, 42, believes becoming an organ donor was a calling. “God spoke to me and said, ‘you are his donor.’ I prayed on it and then I acted on it,” she said.

“After 10 years of alcohol abuse … I should have been the one that needed an organ the way that I was going. It’s easy for people to say you don’t look like what you’ve been through. It’s more so a testimony than just saying, ‘I gave a kidney away.’ It’s deeper than that for me, it’s about overcoming the challenges in my life and then being able to bless somebody else’s life.”

As a recovering alcoholic, Law has shared her story of overcoming the disease in a number of ways.

“I was able to overcome that and decided not only to publish my book, ‘10 Years in A Bottle’ in 2019, talking about my journey to help others, but I also went as far as to get certified as a trainer.  I opened my own gym in March 2022 on 4200 Bessemer Super Highway in Bessemer [to help] people take control of their health and wellness, and I wanted to be able to tap into the community.

By sharing her experience, Law believes she will “bring awareness to [organ donation] and save lives.”

For more information about the Transplant Games of America, please visit: https://www.transplantgamesofamerica.org/

Arthur Fisher Jr.: From a Musical Childhood to Making History in Chelsea AL

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Birmingham Times
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Arthur Fisher Jr. is a public policy manager at Grenergy USA. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Arthur Fisher Jr. knows about multi-tasking. Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, he played piano, drums, violin, and the trumpet.

As he got older, he spent time in varied fields from engineering to finance to get a better perspective on how companies make money, “and now I work in a space where I can marry both my technical background, my finance [background], he said.

That space is public policy manager at Grenergy USA. “In the U.S., we focus on solar and battery storage development in multiple states across the southeast region, Texas, and other states around the country,” he said. “Our business model covers the entire project lifecycle from development and construction to financial structuring, plant operation, and maintenance.”

He added, “Grenergy is making a significant impact in the transition to clean, safe, reliable, and sustainable energy.”

As a public policy manager, Fisher monitors and analyzes policy issues and developments that affect the renewable energy sector nationwide.

“I also develop and execute policy positions and government affairs strategy, working with the development team (at Grenergy) to prioritize federal, state, and local efforts,” said Fisher, who became the first minority on the Chelsea City Council in 2023.

Reading Music

He credits his mother, Phyllis Fisher and grandmother, Ethel Maye Kimble with providing the guidance for helping to him excel and multi-task.

“My mom is a musician, so I played four different instruments.,” said Fisher. His favorite was his drum set. “It was the first instrument I played starting at the age of 4. I even played in the high school band starting in the 5th grade … I could actually play. I wasn’t just banging the drums for show … and I was super smooth. I practiced in the mirror every day.”

His mother retired as an elementary education teacher after 34 years. Currently, she owns and operates an Arts Center, “Bottoms Up Art Center,” focusing on teaching music to underprivileged kids in the community. She still lives in Opelousas. Louisiana, the small town where Fisher grew up.

His mother taught him how to read music, Fisher said. “My parents set me up with different music instructors for each instrument, but the foundation of being able to read music really helped me out tremendously.”

His great grandmother, Ethel Maye Kimble passed in 2012 at 94 years old.  “She raised my mother as one of her own. I always called her ‘grandmutha.’ I was the youngest of all her grandchildren and she called me, “Boochie.” I was always hanging with her in church, her house, and I was always with her when I attended the same school she used to teach.

Grandma’s Baby

Fisher attended Opelousas High School where he played basketball and baseball before graduating in 2008. He has an older sister who currently resides in Washington, D.C.

“My dad was a state trooper for 25 years. He is the backbone of everything our family does. My great- grandmother spent a lot of time in the education system. She was an English teacher in elementary education, adult education, and a Sunday School teacher for 60 plus years.  I’ve always been heavily involved in church (Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Opelousas, LA) and anything educational wise. My family has been involved in our local community from music education in schools or serving as a school board member,” said Fisher.

Fisher said he started his college career at Louisiana State University (LSU), in Baton Rouge, LA but transferred to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he got his BS in electrical engineering in 2015.

“I transfer to SU because there was something that I wanted to do with my senior design project that I couldn’t do at LSU. … My first job out of college, I ended up in Port Lavaca, Texas but I lived in Victoria, Texas, which is the hometown of Stone-Cold Steve Austin, the professional wrestler.”

Since 2016, Fisher has called Alabama home. “I started working for [Southern Company] back in 2016 as a design engineer. It was a great experience. I got the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and learn about the power industry, but the job I was working didn’t really mesh well with my personality,” said Fisher adding, “I believe that I’m super outgoing and I’m not really a behind the desk worker like that.”

He went on to earn his MBA in finance from Samford University in December 2020. “I started working on my MBA in 2018 before COVID and I worked as an operational analyst at Spire before doing some lobbying. “

Councilman Fisher

The Birmingham-area is notable for a number of reasons for Fisher.

He was sworn in as the newest member of the Chelsea City Council during a regularly scheduled meeting in October, 2023 to fill a vacant seat. He will serve the remainder of the term until the next election in 2025.

“To come to the State of Alabama, to a county that has had some heavy voter restrictions in the past, and even though I wasn’t elected in but appointed by the existing council, being the first minority [on that council] in that city that is rapidly growing, that not only I’m super proud of but my great grandmother would be,” said Fisher.

He currently resides in Chelsea with his wife Jacy Fisher. Although he doesn’t have any children he “looks forward to growing out his family.”

He also has an interesting streak ongoing. “I’ve been to Disney every year since I’ve been born in 1990,” he said. “I’ve had those opportunities with my parents, my sister, and I’ve transition over those same experience with my wife and I plan to push it forward to my kids. That would be amazing to me.”

As a “heavy Marvel fan”, Fisher said his favorite character is Falcon aka Black Captain America. As a treat to his family, Fisher makes sure that each family member has a special t-shirt that correlates to the theme that they chose each year.

“I’ve seen all phases probably four or five times and I’ve grown a liking to Falcon. He is my favorite character. I do shirts every year when we take these family trips, so I’ve made myself him.”

In January, Fisher was announced as one of the Birmingham Business Journals 40 under 40 for 2024. “I was surprised that I made it. I was super thankful for it,” he said.

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