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BJCTA Donates Two 40-Foot MAX Transit Buses to Miles College

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Birmingham Times
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Last week, MAX Transit donated two 40-foot buses to Miles, the Fairfield, Alabama, Historically Black College and University (HBCU), just outside of Birmingham. Charlotte Shaw, executive director and CEO of MAX transit presented Miles College President Bobbie Knight with a certificate of the in-kind donation. (MAX Transit/Facebook Page)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

For the first time, Miles College will have its own transit buses for students to travel on and off campus and to area destinations, courtesy of a gift from the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority’s (BJCTA’s) MAX Transit.

Last week, MAX Transit donated two 40-foot buses to Miles, the Fairfield, Alabama, historically Black college and university (HBCU), just outside of Birmingham.

“Our buses are good buses,” said Charlotte Shaw, executive director and CEO of MAX transit. “I can’t keep them in useful life for a long time. [Because of federal regulations], I can do only 700,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first. And, of course, most of the time I meet my miles first. … I had two really good buses, and I wanted [Miles] to have them.”

“I am grateful to [BJCTA Executive Director Shaw] because bus service does not come into Fairfield,” said Miles College President Bobbie Knight. “If you go to Miles College and don’t have a car you can’t get around.”

Shaw and Knight met for dinner shortly after Shaw’s January “State of the Transit” address, which she gave at the Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham. As the two dined on Hamburger Fonfon at Chez Fonfon on the Southside, Knight asked the transit chief what happens after buses are disposed of. Shaw said they are sometimes put up for auction and sometimes sold for a dollar.

Knight said to Shaw, “If you have any after this next round of disposal, keep Miles in mind because I’d love to have two of those buses.”

That same evening Shaw called with good news, telling Knight, “Hey, all you have to do is pay a dollar for each. It’s an in-kind donation. I will get them cleaned up and delivered.”

“And that’s what we did,” said Shaw.

The buses were provided to the Miles campus following a ceremony last week. (MAX Transit/Facebook Page)

The buses were parked on the Miles campus following a ceremony last week.

“She was true to her word,” said Knight. “[Shaw] brought all of her team with her. We don’t have any drivers, [but] she told us [the BJCTA’s] drivers do a lot of part-time driving, … and she would give us their information so we can contact them. [She also told us] we could work out a deal with her for maintenance on the buses. We would rather have her people maintain the buses because they know the buses.”

The buses are now on campus and need to be wrapped in the purple and gold of Miles, Knight said: “It’s going to cost $9,000 per bus to wrap them. I have to find a sponsor. I think we have one. We’ll put their logo on the side of the bus.”

The Miles president added that there are plenty of uses for the vehicles, including shopping trips for the students.

“Fairfield is a food desert,” she said, using the term that describes areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

“There’s not a Walmart. There’s nowhere to go for toiletries and shopping,” Knight added. “We can also [use the buses for] student trips downtown to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute or the Birmingham Museum of Art, or even if we want to take them to see the baseball team play a [nearby school like the University of Montevallo]. When we go recruit to high schools, particularly around the area, when we pull up we’re branded.”

The buses are the start of a relationship that will only grow, said Shaw: “I would love to help out Miles, a HBCU … It’s about partnerships, and it’s really our responsibility to HBCUs and higher education to ensure that they have what they need.”

Consolidated Pipe Will Invest $28.7 Million to Relocate Headquarters to Lakeshore Parkway

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Birmingham Times
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Tom Brinkley, attorney with Maynard Nexsen, left, and Barry Howton, CFO of Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company inside the downtown Jefferson County Courthouse last week after presenting a rendering of the new company headquarters to the Commission's Committee of the Whole. (Barnett Wright Photo, The Birmingham Times)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

Consolidated Pipe & Supply Company, Inc., which currently has its headquarters on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College, will invest $28.7 million to relocate its corporate headquarters off Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham and create at least 40 new full-time jobs.

The Jefferson County Commission voted on Thursday to provide economic incentives of up to $290,000 and the relocation is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2028, according to the company.

The average annual salary for the jobs will be about $58,000, according to Consolidated Pipe, which will combine its distribution and warehousing operations and management for the sale of pipes, fittings, and values, as well as expand its pipe coating function and facilities at the Lakeshore location and one at Avenue V in Ensley.

Consolidated Pipe & Supply Company, Inc., which currently has its headquarters on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College, will invest $28.7 million to relocate its corporate headquarters off Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham. (Greg Garrison/AL.com)

“Consolidated Pipe has a long history in Jefferson County, dating back to 1960,” said Jeff Traywick, Economic Development Advisor for the Commission. “With several operations in Birmingham and Bessemer, they make a significant contribution to our local economy.  Ensuring that their corporate operations stay here and that they have the ability to also grow their Ensley operation will ensure that they continue their presence in the area for many years to come.”

Commissioner Mike Bolin, chairman of the commission’s economic development committee, said, “providing businesses and industry, like Consolidated Pipe, both the ability and the inclination to always remain in Jefferson County is government at its best … successful economic development plans ultimately provide good pay checks to both its new and existing employees. It just does not get any better than that.”

Consolidated Pipe has operated a coating facility and warehouse in Ensley since July 1960, one of its 70 locations across the country. It manufactures pipe for use in water, sewer and gas lines. It’s owned by the Kerr family, which is in its third generation of ownership, Consolidated Pipe CEO Barry Howton said last year.

There would be some storage of mostly PVC and polyethylene pipe on the 14 developed acres of the new campus, Howton told the Birmingham City Council in September. The remainder of the property will remain wooded to provide a buffer from nearby neighborhoods.

The office on the BSC campus was intended for 60 employees, but now has 100 employees, Howton said.

Once the new headquarters is built, it will make room to add another 20 new jobs, he said.

Over the life of the project, even with incentives in place, the county expects the project to generate more than $2.1 million in tax revenue, of which $945,990 will go to county schools, said Traywick. “To put this into perspective, that would equal about 13,500 new textbooks or about 19 new teachers and this doesn’t even include the new revenues to the city and state,” he said.

The Birmingham City Council in September approved rezoning for a light manufacturing district for 28 acres located at 705 Tom Martin Drive and 801 Lakeshore Parkway. The new Consolidated Pipe headquarters would include a corporate office, sales office and distribution center.

Howton told the council at the time that the company had already donated its current headquarters building, valued at $2.5 million, to Birmingham-Southern College in December 2022 and since January 2023 has been paying BSC rent.

Traywick said last week that the county’s incentives, combined with support from Birmingham and Alabama, offset costs of the site development “which is significant due to topography and need to extend sewer service to the site.”

The Morgan Project Launches ‘Courage’ Curriculum in Birmingham Schools

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Birmingham Times
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The Morgan Project recently announced the launch of its "Conflict and Courage" curriculum in two Birmingham City Schools — Phillips Academy, and A.H. Parker High School. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

After three years of planning, coordination, and commitment, The Morgan Project recently announced the launch of its “Conflict and Courage” curriculum in two Birmingham City Schools — Phillips Academy, and A.H. Parker High School.

The Morgan Project was inspired by the social justice movement of 2020 and founded by members of the Young Men’s Business Club (YMBC). The group, which has roughly 60 members of all genders and ages, is a Birmingham civic organization that meets weekly for the members to learn more about what is happening in their community.

The Morgan Project seeks to introduce evidence-based lessons into classrooms and lead public conversations in meeting spaces to present a fuller picture of the country’s history, with a focus on Alabama.

The mission of The Morgan Project is to teach Civil Rights and social justice through Birmingham’s history of conflict and courage.

The inaugural pilot program kicked off with speakers Charles Morgan III and Lisa McNair engaging with 11th graders with insights and personal stories.

Morgan is the son of Charles Morgan Jr., known for a speech he gave Sept. 16, 1963, the day after the 16th Street church bombing in Birmingham that killed four girls. McNair is the younger sister of Denise McNair, one of the girls killed in the bombing.

The Morgan Project is focused on introducing into the social studies and civics curriculum a true accounting of the conflict and courage that defined the modern-day Civil Rights movement.

“The enthusiasm and passion for learning that we’ve seen from the students have been profound and affirming,” Rachel Gandy, Executive Director of The Morgan Project, said. “Our work is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about inspiring a new generation to carry forward the torch of justice, equality, and civil rights.”

Gandy said that a student recently shared that they gained a deeper appreciation of the struggles and sacrifices made by Civil Rights activists after listening to one of the presentations and research.

“Such reflections underscore the impact of our mission — to not only educate but to foster empathy and understanding through the lens of our shared history,” Gandy added.

The primary aim of the “Conflict and Courage” curriculum is to introduce and empower educators to confidently deliver this essential content.

“In light of recent legislative efforts that could hinder the progress we’ve made; The Morgan Project stands firm in its convictions. We believe that an honest and comprehensive education in civil rights is essential for creating a society that not only acknowledges its past but learns from it,” Gandy said.

For more information about The Morgan Project and to financially support their educational initiatives, please visit their website. https://www.morganproject.org/

Titusville Library to Host A. Faye Boykin’s Portrayal of Harriet Tubman on March 26

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Birmingham Times
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In honor of Women’s History Month, the Titusville Branch Library will present A. Faye Boykin’s renowned portrayal of Harriet Tubman at 11 a.m. on March 26. (Provided)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Titusville Branch Library will present A. Faye Boykin’s renowned portrayal of Harriet Tubman at 11 a.m. on March 26.

Tubman serves as a pivotal figure not only in Black history, but in American history for her efforts in leading slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

The one-woman show will, “be paying tribute to women. I will be coming like the ancestors bearing gifts,” Boykin told The Birmingham Times.

Boykin, a celebrated elocutionist, distinguished author, international speaker, glove fashion designer, and NNA-certified notary embarks on a noteworthy Tabletop Book Lecture Tour celebrating the contributions of African Americans to society.

The Tabletop Book Lecture Tour is an immersive journey through time that highlights the narratives of courage, triumph, and resilience that serves as a touching reminder of the enduring impact of African American contributions throughout history. Through her eloquent prose and insightful storytelling, Boykin illuminates the strength and solidarity within African American communities, hoping to inspire audiences to reflect on the power of unity and support.

Boykin brings Tubman’s legacy to life, inviting audiences to explore the rich tapestry of African American history and culture.

“Harriett has inspired me to never give up on your hopes and dreams, because your life has destiny … I have been in touch with one of her descendants, and she had given me her blessing,” said Boykin.

The tour’s inaugural stop at the Titusville Branch Library is significant, as it underscores the historical importance of this location within Birmingham’s African American community. As the city’s second branch library constructed for African Americans during the era of segregation, the Titusville Library stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of knowledge and community enrichment.

MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition Unveiled

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Birmingham Times
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Randall L. Woodfin, City of Birmingham Mayor joined in the announcement in June 2023 about MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition. The game was unveiled this week. (File)

birminghamal.gov 

On Friday, local officials and business leaders, along with Mr. Monopoly, proudly unveiled the official MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition board at the iconic Vulcan Park & Museum overlooking the Birmingham skyline. This game is the only MONOPOLY version based in the state and is produced by Top Trumps USA, the American division of Winning Moves International, creators of classic games and puzzles, and under license by Hasbro, a leading toy and game company.

MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition replaces the classic board game’s famous Atlantic City squares (from ‘Boardwalk’ to ‘Park Place’) with Birmingham cultural sites, historic landmarks, charitable organizations, and businesses. It features customized Community Chest and Chance playing cards to ensure the board is a historic and enduring tribute to all the wonderful places and sights that make up the city of Birmingham.

To guarantee this special edition MONOPOLY board game captured the Magic City’s most beloved spots, Top Trumps USA asked the Birmingham public last June for suggestions of who should have permanent squares on the board, and they listened! See below for the full list of board spaces:

• Rotary Trail
• Greater Birmingham Humane Society
• Legacy Community Federal Credit Union
• Boutwell Auditorium
• Heaviest Corner on Earth
• Kelly Ingram Park
• Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema
• Southern Museum of Flight
• Birmingham Museum of Art
• Seibels Camp & Cottage Outfitters
• Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
• Memory Lane
• At Home Furnishings
• Golden Rule BBQ & Grill
• The Alabama Peanut Company
• The Market at Pepper Place
• The BJCC
• Protective Stadium
• Legacy Arena
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Birmingham Zoo
• Kulture City
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
• Sloss Furnaces
• Bromberg’s
• Vulcan Park & Museum
• City of Birmingham

“We appreciate all those who suggested landmarks, organizations and businesses that make Birmingham so unique and truly special. We loved seeing so many of them race in to win the opportunity for a place on the board,” says Katie Hubbard, a representative at Top Trumps USA.

“It is an extraordinary honor for Birmingham to be chosen for its own edition of MONOPOLY,” says Randall L. Woodfin, City of Birmingham Mayor. “This is an incredible way for Birmingham’s rich history, cultural diversity, and thriving community spirit to be experienced and shared through generations.”

Cornell Wesley, Director of the City’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, adds, “MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition celebrates everything this treasured city has to offer, and we can’t wait for everyone in the Magic City to get a chance to show their love for their city. Time to roll the dice and experience the magic of Birmingham at your next game night!”

MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition will be available in stores and online at retail partners, including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kulture City, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Sidewalk Film Center, Birmingham Museum of Art, Memory Lane, At Home Furnishings, Golden Rule BBQ & Grill, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Sloss Furnaces, Bromberg’s, Protective Life Insurance, and Smith’s Variety.

For more information regarding MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition, please contact Krista Conlin at Krista@KCProjects.net. To learn more about Birmingham MONOPOLY, visit https://toptrumps.us/monopoly-birmingham.

Live HealthSmart Alabama Announces Expansion into Central Alabama

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Birmingham Times
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Live HealthSmart Alabama, an initiative of the University of Alabama at Birmingham to improve the health of all Alabamians, is beginning to expand its programs and services beyond Birmingham and into central Alabama, thanks in part to a recent $2.47 million gift from Novo Nordisk Inc. (Adobe Stock)

Live HealthSmart Alabama, an initiative of the University of Alabama at Birmingham to improve the health of all Alabamians, is beginning to expand its programs and services beyond Birmingham and into central Alabama, thanks in part to a recent $2.47 million gift from Novo Nordisk Inc.

Funding will support LHSA’s programs and services, including revitalization of the built environment, a new mobile wellness van and mobile market – much-needed resources that will be deployed in Selma, Demopolis, Camden and beyond.

“We thank Novo Nordisk Inc. for their remarkable $2.47 million gift to help propel our shared goals and Live HealthSmart Alabama’s mission of improving healthy living across our state,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Public/private partnerships have been absolutely critical to the early successes of Live HealthSmart Alabama, and we are excited and eager to work with others who share our passion for making a difference in the lives of Alabamians as we expand the initiative to other areas of the state.”

Novo Nordisk, Inc. — a global pharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people with chronic diseases like diabetes — is viewed as a key partner in helping LHSA improve the health of Alabamians.

“Investing in a healthier tomorrow, Novo Nordisk Inc. is proud to partner with UAB’s Live HealthSmart Alabama and its mission,” said Apurva Patel, Director of Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact with Novo Nordisk Inc. “Together we are striding forward, fostering access to nourishing foods and securing spaces for physical activity in underserved communities. Our hope is to ease the burden of chronic disease and shape a future of vitality for all.”

LHSA has been operating in 11 Birmingham communities since 2019 and has developed a playbook of evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes, such as reducing chronic disease rates and improving access to healthy food. These strategies have been implemented in all 11 communities, and LHSA is seeing early positive results. In all these efforts, corporate partnership is vital, and LHSA’s goal could not be accomplished without a broad coalition of supporters and partners, like Novo Nordisk.

“These efforts can positively impact the incidence of chronic disease, supporting more Alabamians in achieving better health,” said Mona Fouad, M.D., chief executive officer of LHSA and director of the UAB Minority Health and Health Equity Research Center.

LHSA is committed to working with local partners to develop a plan that is specific to the local communities to make a significant impact on the health of Alabamians. In Selma for example, support has been committed by the city of Selma, United States Representative Terri Sewell, Cadell Construction, Henry Brick Company, Ingram Construction, Vaughn Regional Medical Center, YMCA of Selma and the UAB-Selma Family Medicine Residency Program, in addition to Novo Nordisk. Preliminary meetings with community members, pastors and local leaders in Selma have already taken place, while a built environment plan has received approval from the city of Selma. Additionally, research is ongoing to support a food access and wellness event strategy.

Live HealthSmart Alabama is committed to improving access to healthy eating, physical activities, and prevention and wellness to reduce high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol in the state of Alabama.

“We are honored that so many have agreed to support the mission of LHSA,” said Teresa Shufflebarger, chief administrative officer of LHSA, which is facilitated by the UAB MHERC. “Making good health simple includes making healthy food choices accessible, encouraging more physical activity and providing free preventive health screenings.”

To learn more about Live HealthSmart Alabama’s efforts across the state, visit its official website.

UAB Department of Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Co-Present “Sister Act”

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Birmingham Times
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Joining the UAB/Red Mountain production as Deloris is the dynamic Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, who recently finished an international tour run in the role. More than half of the cast and crew members for “Sister Act” are current UAB students, who are not only earning class credit, but in many cases making their professional debuts at RMT. (RMT)

sister act streamTwo of Birmingham’s musical theater education powerhouses have teamed up to present the feel-good musical comedy “Sister Act,” with shows from April 5-21.

This is not the first time the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Theatre and Red Mountain Theatre have collaborated; they have historic ties. But it is the first time the two groups have co-presented a production like this.

“Sister Act” is based on the popular 1992 film: After witnessing a murder, disco diva Deloris Van Cartier must hide in a local convent disguised as a nun. At odds with the strict lifestyle and even stricter Mother Superior, she finds her niche in revitalizing the church choir — until it blows her cover.

Show times are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $49. A 20 percent discount is available for UAB students and employees. Purchase tickets at redmountaintheatre.org. The show is recommended for ages 13 and older. Use the code BLAZER20 until April 14 for a 20 percent discount on tickets.

The Birmingham, Alabama-based nonprofit organization Red Mountain Theatre has been inspiring audiences and creating conversations through theater experiences since 1979. RMT also offers educational programs for young people and growth opportunities for theater professionals.

The UAB Department of Theatre, in the College of Arts and Sciences, has won the highest honors awarded to university theaters, including best in region from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Faculty members in the department continue to work professionally in addition to teaching.

More than half of the cast and crew members for “Sister Act” are current UAB students, who are not only earning class credit, but in many cases making their professional debuts at RMT. When current faculty and alumni of UAB’s prestigious theater program are included, UAB Blazers represent two-thirds of the team uniting to present the beloved show, according to RMT.

Joining the production as Deloris is the dynamic Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, who recently finished an international tour run in the role. Ortiz is up against the stodgy Mother Superior and Monsignor O’Hara, played by UAB’s Valerie Accetta, head of Musical Theatre, and Dennis McLernon, head of Performance. Stepping into the role of Officer Eddie Souther is UAB musical theater student Jalen Kirkman, who just won Best Male Vocalist in the 2024 NextGen National Competition.

The show’s director, Roy Lightner, is well aware of this kind of crossover energy. He is RMT’s Singh Artistic Director and an associate professor at UAB.

“It is an awesome, artistic skill-building collaboration between the two,” Lightner said. “Pooling our creative resources means the talent level in Birmingham, and the talent we attract, just keeps going up and up.”

The partnership marks a return to RMT’s roots in Birmingham. Its original incarnation, Summerfest, was started in 1979 through a partnership with UAB that lasted until 1993. Though unofficial relationships and crosspollination continued, “Sister Act” marks the beginning of a new era for both groups.

“This is a collaboration we intend to sustain into a long and bright future,” says RMT Executive Director Keith Cromwell.

“Sister Act” is sponsored by Bruno Rumore Foundation, Will Donaldson and Steve Holmes, The Palmer on Parkside and The Drummond Family.

For the First Time in 37 Years, Jefferson County Makes Major Change to Tax Maps

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Birmingham Times
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For the first time in 37 years, the Jefferson County Tax Assessor’s Office has completed a comprehensive countywide resurvey that has modernized parcel data that will impact more than 600,000 residents and departments like the Board of Equalization. (File)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

For the first time in 37 years, the Jefferson County Tax Assessor’s Office has completed a comprehensive countywide resurvey that has modernized parcel data that will impact more than 600,000 residents and departments like the Board of Equalization.

The tax map is the foundation for some of the county’s most important functions from emergency services to the US Postal Service and every municipality within the county.

Officials said the antiquated tax application relied on obsolete technology which caused potential security issues and led to inaccuracies that caused confusion and raised questions about the reliability of the data.

Gaynell Hendricks, Jefferson County Tax Assessor, in the downtown courthouse. (Barnett Wright Photo, The Birmingham Times)

The conversion took about four years and involved more than 400,000 parcels, said Gaynell Hendricks, Jefferson County Tax Assessor. “[The technology] was really bad. It was old. … [But] now we now know where every parcel is located and the boundaries in the entire county.”

As Hendricks learned more about the antiquated GIS system in 2019 and found corrupted data in the Bessemer division could spread and put major systems at risk for the entire county she took action, she said.

The tax assessor said it was a huge and expensive ($3 million from the tax appraisal budget) undertaking.

“When we began this project, this was the largest tax data conversion in the history of the United States and we were only recently eclipsed by Harris County, Texas, which is the 3rd most populated county in the U.S.,” said Joshua Chris, Enterprise GIS Manager in Jefferson County’s IT department.

The inaccuracies in the antiquated tax map posed several challenges across various business operations and the inconsistencies proved disruptive for many departments.

“… it goes without saying that the assessment and collection of taxes is of critical importance to funding government,” said Chris. “Additionally, the data feeds into business systems across the county and impacts nearly every citizen within the county.”

Commissioner Joe Knight said the “pinpoint accuracy” of the maps makes a huge difference for residents who want to know exactly where their property lines and parcels are.

He also spoke of the importance for law enforcement and first responders.

“When you get a 911 call you know exactly where that property is … same thing with the police department and the fire department. That’s a great addition to our county.”

The parcel data is now “spatially accurate” which means that it is tied to its true location on the earth, Chris said. “When it comes to land ownership, location, and accuracy are imperative and carry legal implications. Through a two-pronged approach of recovering section corners and updating parcels to align with those legal boundaries, the data is more accurate than it has ever been.”

The county’s Parcel Lookup App has over 1.5 million unique visits and gets around 1,200 visits per day, he said.

“This technology has also allowed us to leverage the data in new ways,” he said. “We are building dashboards that allow for leadership to track updates over time and provide assessors in the field with up-to-date metrics on parcels that have been assessed and those still pending assessment.”

On Tuesday, Chris told the Jefferson County Committee of the Whole, “prior to this we were leveraging 20th century technology that was outdated, cumbersome, and not scalable to the needs of Jefferson County. I am happy to say we are now in the 21st century and implementing cutting edge technology and applications.”

Justin Jones: The Taste of Sweet Potato Pies Along With Sweet Success

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Birmingham Times
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Justin Jones, co-owner of Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies in Birmingham. (Barnett Wright, The Birmingham Times)

By Keisa Sharpe-Jefferson | For The Birmingham Times

He started off as a kitchen helper for his mother and grandmother while they baked sweet potato pies in Birmingham’s Central Park community.

Justin Jones, co-owner of Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies in Birmingham, would taste the desserts and would ask his mother, Rena Jones, and grandmother, Johnnie Mae Lewis, to tweak them based on his palate.

“If I felt like it needed a little bit more of something …  more sugar …  more vanilla …  they would make their pies according to my taste,” said Jones.

And when his mother became tapped out making sweet potato pies (she’d made so many and was tired of making them for the holidays), her son stepped up.

“Somewhere around 2020 … I would make them for her. Then my wife’s family got a taste of the pies too, and so many people wanted me to make sweet potato pies in the family, so I just said, “You know, I’m going to start charging people for these,” said Jones.

And Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies were born. Justin started making pies in his own kitchen in Center Point for the holidays and delivering them to family members.

Not only does Jones make sweet potato pies, which is “my mom’s recipe and I just tweaked it to my taste buds,” but his homemade dessert lineup also includes pecan and apple pies, as well as peach cobbler.

And each dessert has a gluten-free option.

Birmingham’s Best

The 38-year-old Jones is Birmingham born and bred. “I grew up on the West side of Birmingham, in the Central Park and Green Acres areas.”

He’s a 2004 graduate of Midfield High School and although he knew he wanted to be a businessman, his life didn’t take the path he expected.

He and wife Charity, who’s also co-owner of Sweet Daddy’s Sweet Potato Pies, have six children between them both and a one-year-old granddaughter.

“Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” said Jones. “But I thought I was going to play football all my life (he was a running back and strong safety at Midfield High) and (I thought) that was going to support my dream.”

Jones graduated high school in 2004 and then played football for the now-closed Concordia College in Selma.

“All in one year, I transferred from Concordia College in 2005, then finished the school year at Miles College, and then went to the Army stationed at Vilseck, Germany where I stayed two years and worked as a generator mechanic,” said Jones.

After the military, Jones went to Norfolk Southern in Irondale in 2018 and in 2021, he was hired at Nucor Steel in Birmingham, which was his last job before launching his business in September 2023.

It’s Moving Fast

Jones recently celebrated his 38th birthday in February and celebrated four years of marriage to Charity on March 9.

He sets up at various markets with a tent (with the Sweet Daddy Pies logo) and a table to sell his desserts.

Most weeks, his schedule is pretty set with fresh pies ready by the weekend.

He works from a community kitchen in Hoover, where several small businesses rent kitchen space that comes with appliances and tools.

“Normally, I start cooking on Wednesday and have it (pies) packed up by Thursday and Friday and have them fresh and ready to go on Saturday morning for market.”

Jones delivers to various customers, including businesses, throughout the week.

When at his markets, Jones said he loves to do more than just sell. “I like talking to my customers while they eat my pies,” he said. “That’s one of the things I enjoy the most about setting up at our markets – meeting and talking to our customers face-to-face.”

Markets included in Sweet Daddy’s rotation include locations from Pepper Place in Birmingham to Ross Bridge in Hoover.

For those who want to get into business, Jones offers this advice. “Don’t be intimidated and don’t be scared, just trust the process,” he said. “Always be confident and make connections. Network, network, network – it’s a big part of what I do. I like to talk to people and get to know them and you never know who you come across that can help you and help your business grow.”

He adds, “at first when you start, it might be kind of slow. Keep networking so you can get to bigger markets, and you’ll find your way and that builds confidence.

To place an order call Jones at 205-801-6219, he said, or Instagram @SweetDaddyPies, where Jones and his team post their market schedule. 

Jehovah’s Witnesses Launch Invitation to Special Events

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Birmingham Times
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On Sunday, March 24 millions will gather at sundown to commemorate what is considered the most important day of the year for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Memorial. (File)

jw.org

On Sunday, March 24, a one-hour talk highlighting the significance of Jesus Christ’s death and what it means for all of mankind will be held around the world.

Millions will gather at sundown to commemorate what is considered the most important day of the year for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Memorial, which is observed annually on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar in adherence to Jesus’ statement found at Luke 22:19, “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” Though there are over 8.6 million Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world, almost 20 million people attended the event last year.

“Around the world, many people who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses attend the Memorial. We hope that members of our local community will also join us in remembering the death of Jesus Christ to show gratitude for his sacrifice,” said Clarence Fortune, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “While it is a solemn occasion, it is also a joyous one.”

In Birmingham, a special campaign was launched during March 2024 to invite local residents to attend the annual observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal as well as a special public talk that was delivered the week before.

Titled “The Resurrection—Victory Over Death!”, the special talk was delivered at local Kingdom Halls on the weekend of March 16 and 17. This 30-minute, Bible-based public discourse focused on the scriptural hope of a resurrection of the dead in the near future.

James Robinson said: “My family looks forward to the special talk and the Memorial all year. Both events help us to pause and reflect on all the things we can be grateful for, things that we can consider blessings from God. We learn practical ways to draw closer to Jehovah and to draw closer together as a family.”

To learn more about how Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Supper, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page found on jw.org.

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