While there is a lot of uncertainty around the housing market in 2025, affordability still remains a top challenge for homebuyers – especially first-time home buyers who, according to a 2025 Bankrate survey, often cite the upfront costs of homeownership[1] as the biggest barrier to homeownership. And a 2023 study from LendingTree shows that while 39% of homebuyers nationwide use financial assistance[2], around 22% look to their friends and family for help vs. tapping into available local resources.
Here are some tips to access assistance programs and address some of the upfront costs of homeownership.
What are my down payment assistance program options?
Down payment assistance programs aim to make housing more affordable and can be used to address the upfront costs of homeownership. Some down payment assistance options, which span government, municipalities, non-profits, local lenders and so on, include:
Grants: Homebuyers can receive funds to put toward their down payment—which can be available at the local, state and lender-level. Homebuyer grants may also cover closing costs if you already have the full down payment amount and may be stacked with other forms of assistance. For example, Chase offers a homebuyer grant of up to $5,000 when purchasing homes in 15,000 eligible areas in the country, including qualifying neighborhoods in Alabama.
Forgivable loans: Also known as second mortgage down-payment assistance programs, these are low-interest or no-interest down payment loans that may be forgivable. In order to qualify for forgiveness, you may have to satisfy certain requirements. In most cases, borrowers may have to continue to own and live in the home after a period of time to avoid repayment of the loan.
Deferred-payment loans: These tend to be zero- or low-interest loans that offer a fixed rate to help cover down payment and closing costs. Typically, payments are not due unless you sell the home or refinance your mortgage. If you decide to sell and have a zero-interest deferred-payment loan, you might only have to pay back the amount that you borrowed, regardless of how much time has gone by.
Low-down payment loans: Outside of down payment assistance, there are a variety of low down payment mortgage options available with flexible credit requirements. These can be offered by the lender, such as Chase’s DreaMaker mortgage, or through government agency loans such as FHA, Standard Agency, etc. These loans may be as little as 3% down for a qualifying borrower.
How do home buyers know if they qualify?
Eligibility depends on a variety of factors. While each program has different eligibility requirements, some of the elements that determine how much help you can receive and on what terms include your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, income, number of people in your household and completion of a homebuyer education program. In some instances, the home purchase price cannot exceed the maximum limitations set by the agency offering assistance.
Prospective buyers can use the Chase Homebuyer Assistance Finder to research and identify assistance programs at the local, state and lender-level they may be eligible for.
Using mortgage calculators can help you estimate what you can afford, and consulting with mortgage professionals can provide tailored advice and alternative financing options to fit your situation. For more information, visit chase.com/afford.
Top, from left: Splashed by DKG founder Daniel Grier, designer, stylist, creative director, Perry Varner, designer Lawrence Fencher; muralist Dewon Moton.
Seated, Derricius Breon Chambers, left, and stylist Ian Rashaud. Photographed at La Fete in downtown Birmingham (Reginald Allen, For the Birmingham Times.)
By Ameera Steward | For The Birmingham Times
(First of two parts)
For Ian Rashaud, fashion can mean anything from power to affirmation to how seriously a person can be taken. And for a well-tailored Black man, it could even mean being in “a class of his own,” he said.
“I think when young Black men see themselves reflected in style campaigns, in runway shows, [in creations from] designers and stylists, it affirms that they belong there,” said Rasahud, a Birmingham native who is founder of a fashion show that helps people craft “elevated” versions of themselves. “So, number one, [fashion] speaks to the affirmation.”
“As a Black man, especially, I think we have to make sure we look the part before we prove that we belong there,” he added. “We have so many images of the Black man, but when you bring that lens into a more narrow scope of a well-tailored man, of a real put together man, it puts him in a class of his own, … it causes people to take notice, and [it may even] intimidate people a little bit.”
Ensley native Derricius Chambers said it has always been important for Black men to look good.
“[From] generation to generation, we always would look well even if we weren’t feeling well or we didn’t have anything. We took pride in that, and I still take pride in that,” said Chambers, a makeup artist, stylist, and creative director. “If I don’t have anything, I’ve got me. So, by me having me, I have to treat [myself] like I appreciate myself. … For a Black man, the way he steps into a room is how he’s going to be perceived. And I think that, personally, when I look well and when I’m doing well it goes hand in hand.”
This year, Black men and fashion have been in the forefront of fashion discourse. The theme for the 2025 Met Gala, held earlier this year, was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a cultural and historical examination of Black style “through a presentation of garments and accessories, paintings, photographs, decorative arts, and more, from the 18th century to today,” according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is currently hosting an exhibition of the same name.
A dandy, the root word of “dandyism,” … “is defined as someone who ‘studies above everything else to dress elegantly and fashionably,’” the Met website explains — and that aesthetic will be evident at this year’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which runs from September 11–16.
With this theme top of mind, The Birmingham Times spent the past three months interviewing and photographing some of the area’s leading fashion designers and tastemakers and asked them several questions: Why is dressing well important for Black men? How do they approach getting dressed every day? What advice they would offer young Black men who wish to dress well?
Here’s what they shared with us — and you.
Fashion multi-hyphenate Derricius Breon Chambers photographed at La Fête in downtown Birmingham. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
DERRICIUS CHAMBERS
Chambers, a 42-year-old native of Birmingham’s Ensley community, serves as an outreach coordinator for a company named EHeal by day. By night, he is a makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, photographer, creative director, director, and model under his company, DreeckBreon LLC.
“I put on plays, and I teach kids production. … [I also] love fashion, I love arts, I love beautification [and] the extent of glam — high fashion and editorial,” he said.
It all started when Chambers would watch his parents, Henry and Paulette Chambers, dress and groom themselves.
“They are two well-groomed individuals,” he said. “My mom was very into culture, … so she took me to [stores like World Market]. … We traveled a lot, too. She liked to find different [events] as far as fashion goes, … [and she took me to] Ebony Fashion Fair shows.”
Chambers recalls a routine he and his mother would have on Saturdays. They would eat breakfast, go to the mall, eat lunch and then return to the mall before heading home — so, “I was in dressing rooms at a young age,” he recalled.
Additionally, he started performing at the age of 5: “I was always around makeup and wardrobe,” said Chambers, who also became the go-to person for fashion-related events.
Chambers graduated from Ensley High School in 2001 and went on to attend Alabama State University (ASU), where he studied criminal justice with a concentration on juvenile justice; his minor was theater.
Aside from his studies, Chambers was part of ASU’s Elite Models, an organization which has worked with some of the best of models and designers in the [fashion] industry. He also worked with the school’s Theater Artists Performing School (TAPS) program and Camp 3T (Teaching through Theater), both of which are dedicated to teaching children theater and production.
“I really grew fond of teaching grooming, hygiene, and wardrobe choices — what you wear to a business interview, what you wear to church — because a lot of people don’t think that we have certain wardrobe pieces and certain outfits for certain [situations],” said Chambers, who was introduced to another realm of fashion when he worked for Ulta Beauty and MAC Cosmetics at Montgomery, Alabama’s, Eastdale Mall.
“That job gave me a lot of knowledge,” he said. “[MAC doesn’t] do magazines or billboards, so the company [invested] all their advertising in [its employees]. … Working at MAC, I [was] meeting people from China, Canada, [the] Bahamas, … building networks and [learning] the aesthetics of different cultures and different places.”
After graduating from ASU in 2007, Chambers returned to Birmingham to take care of his mother, which meant finding a nine-to-five job. Still, because people knew of his talents and he stayed in fashion-related spaces, he was able to build his name and his business.
Chambers has worked as a stylist, makeup artist, and creative director with THS Productions, a Birmingham-based company that offers a broad range of creative services, including photography, videography, streaming, graphic design, and more. He also has worked with freelance photographer Myke B.
You can follow Derricius Chambers on Instagram: @dreeckbreon.
Q&A
Why is dressing well important?
Chambers: “Because that’s the first thing a person can know about you. … We see you before you open your mouth. [When] you think about your doctor or your lawyer or anybody in a profession, you know culture has given it a look. … Would you want to go and have a doctor operate on you and he didn’t look like a doctor? “I’ve always thought that the way you look is the first thing that will represent you before [anyone] even gets to know who you are, and I [take] that to heart.”
Designer Lawrence Fencher wearing a custom piece from his design company Mojo’s Machinations at La Fête on Morris Ave. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
LAWRENCE FENCHER
“I am a visionary in progress,” said 24-year-old Fencher. “I do a lot of things as of right now.”
Fencher is originally from Birmingham’s Ensley community but grew up in the Smithfield community. As a child, he didn’t take his creativity seriously because he didn’t believe it would lead to a reliable career path — but, he said, “I’ve always been creating.”
Fashion was the first thing he had access to as a child to fully express himself.
“I always used to be very skeptical when I [saw] everybody doing the same thing,” he said. “The first [example] I remember is being in elementary school, [at Glen Iris] and in middle school [at Phillips Academy] and having to wear uniforms. … I absolutely hated the fact that we all had to look the same.”
Also, he enjoyed watching anime (a style of animation originating from Japan), which solidified his love for and interest in fashion.
Fencher graduated from the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in 2019 and went on to attend the University of Alabama, where he earned a degree in business administration.
After graduating in 2022, he decided he needed a change of scenery and wanted to incorporate more creativity into his daily life. So, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was introduced to the ballroom community, a Black and Latino underground LGBTQ+ subculture that embraces fashion and originality.
“I was only there for a year and a half, … but [the ballroom scene is what] has been driving my creativity recently,” Fencher said. “[I’m] currently pursuing different outlets—working with the fashion industry, working as a creative director, things like that.”
In addition to pursuing more of his creative dreams, Fencher is pursuing a master’s degree in healthcare analytics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), as well as working as a service representative for Medicaid.
You can follow Lawrence Fencher on Instagram: @opticsonata.
Q&A
Why is dressing well important as a Black man?
Fencher: “Other people really judge you based on how you dress, … [so] it’s always important to show up as your best self so that that’s not even a factor. … And then I studied dandyism after seeing the Met Gala. … The story is that when slaves first became free, they wanted to dress their best because they finally had the right, [whereas before] they were [denied the right] to dress themselves—and I understand that exhilaration. You’ve never been able to have these clothes, never been able to have access to this stuff. … [Then], when you finally do, of course you want to make it look your 100 percent best. That’s something I keep in mind, and I want to carry that proudness and exhilaration.”
Daniel Grier, featured in his brand, Splashed by DKG. Grier is the founder of Magic City Fashion Week, an emerging designer competition. (Photo/Eli By Myke B.)
DANIEL GRIER
Grier is a designer under his brand, Splashed by DKG, and the founder of Magic City Fashion Week, an emerging designer competition.
“I’m someone who’s totally about community,” said the 39-year-old. “I love to see people win, see people succeed. The underrepresented populations really mean a lot to me in [regard to] visibility, access, [and] equity.”
Grier’s initial interaction with fashion was through his grandmother, Ellen Jean Green, and his father, Kenneth Harris.
His grandmother often wore a different wig every day, sometimes multiple styles in a week.
“I felt like she was a different character, or like an avatar every day,” he added. “She’s [four feet, 11 inches tall], but she would walk into a room and everybody would look at her.”
His father worked at Flowers Bakery in downtown Birmingham, where he wore an all-white uniform. He would start getting dressed an hour and 15 minutes before work.
“Everything was white, everything was clean, everything had to [be hit] with the iron. … I would see steam going up in the air, pressing out that uniform, and by the time he left for work he was polished,” Grier recalled.
His father and grandmother both exposed Grier to luxury within their means by taking care of themselves—layering cologne, laying their outfits out the night before, and more.
Grier is originally from Fairfield, Alabama, but when he was in the fifth grade his family relocated to Gardendale, Alabama, where he spent the rest of his school years. He graduated from Gardendale High School in 2004.
“Gardendale was the first place that I really noticed community,” he said. “I started learning the power of connecting and making friends of your own. … I learned the power of joining clubs, joining organizations, playing sports.
The community Grier built in Gardendale was so strong that he still dresses some of his classmates today.
“I now thank my mom for [moving to Gardendale] because, I didn’t know it at the time, but it was like a crash course for everything I’m doing now,” Grier said, adding that his Gardendale peers expressed themselves a bit more than his Fairfield peers when it came to fashion and art.
After graduating from high school, Grier attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to study community health education with a minor in human services. He made it to his junior year but felt unfulfilled and chose a different path.
One day, he was trying to repurpose clothes in his garage instead of giving them away, so he tried to tie-dye them with bleach. After seeing the end product and the response to his creations, he started his brand, Splashed by DKG, in 2013—and the rest is history.
Any advice for young Black men who wish to dress well?
Grier: “Start learning. … Is there anybody [you see] that you like the way they dress naturally? … [Ask yourself where] your style inspiration comes from. … Start learning about what it is that’s drawing you into this industry, even if it’s yourself.”
Muralist Dewon Moton photographed outside of La Fête on Morris Ave. in downtown Birmingham. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
DEWON MOTON
Thirty-three-year-old Dewon Moton was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Pinson, Alabama. His life often didn’t have much structure, so he “needed a coping skill,” he said.
“I got a pencil and paper and found out I could draw, [which gave me] the ability to re-create different worlds,” he said. “I could literally draw myself into my new existence. … I’m a big believer in if I could draw it, I create it, and I live it. I feel like that’s the key: to be able to visualize something and bring it into existence.”
Moton has been using art to express himself ever since.
As for his style, his mom, Shonda Moton, was a fashionable diva, and she sparked his interest in fashion.
“As a straight male, it was … conflicting,” he said. “I could be more like her because that was my role model at the time. Or, [I could be more like] what a man [traditionally] looks like. I feel like I’m a blend of the two, still being able to dress out and [be] comfortable. … [I’m] comfortable in myself no matter what I’m wearing.”
Moton is a “very avid thrift shopper,” he said.
“I just simply found out that all the great stuff is in the women’s section,” he explained. “It has everything — all the patterns, all the lace, all the colors, all the textures. Things from the women’s section fit really well; they are just tailored way better.”
Moton believes wearing women’s clothes is a physical interpretation of how clothes can be art because of their fit, flow, patterns, and colors. His favorite women’s pieces are lace shirts and bell-bottom pants.
“Sensory wise, people love to feel, to touch, to see how things are made. … I feel like textured clothes make you more interesting. … And, I mean, it kind of works for me because I’m an artist and I can get away with that. [People] expect me to be weird anyway, so I kind of use it to my advantage — without a doubt.”
Moton graduated from E.B. Erwin High School (now Center Point High School) in Birmingham in 2010 and went on to earn a degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pennsylvania in 2013.
Despite having a degree and a passion for his craft, Moton didn’t realize that being an artist could be a lucrative career. In 2010, he was commissioned to paint his first mural on Commerce Street in Dallas, Texas — and then he brought his talents back to Birmingham.
“I got my first opportunity to do a mural downtown and realized the money was 10 times better [than anything else I had done], so I’ve been a full-time muralist for the past seven to eight years,” said Moton, who works under the name Dewon Moton Arts.
What is your process when getting dressed for the day?
Moton: “Color matching. … My pants have to match my shoes. And I’m crazy about a crop top. … Color theory is a thing [for me], for sure. I just graduated from a business class [in which] they were talking about [elevating your business], and one of the topics was colors and how emotions are tied to [them]. I thought that was cool because it’s like science.”
[Moton along with other artists applied for the City of Birmingham Community Arts Grant Program through Create Birmingham. As part of the grant, the artists received business development training, including classes held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).]
Wardrobe and hairstylist Ian Rashaud photographed at La Fête on Morris Ave. in Birmingham. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
IAN RASHAUD
Rashaud is a wardrobe stylist, minister, and founder of Faith and Fashion, a fashion show and presentation that aims to “merge two worlds that are often separated,” he said.
“Being younger and called into ministry but still having a passion for fashion, it was like, ‘Wait, I can’t put these two together,’” added the 34-year-old, who is originally from the east side of Birmingham. “[But] one of my mentors said, ‘Ian, don’t lose your identity. You are a minister, you are fashion—put them together.’”
Rashaud added, “My goal has always been to motivate [people] to style according to purpose, … to almost pull your purpose out, … to create an elevated version of you.”
Though Rashaud grew up with a natural interest in fashion, what really solidified his interest was watching his mom, Pam Allen, use fashion and dressing up as a stress reliever, he said: “I saw her change. I saw her turn into a different person.”
In addition, his mom would take him and his brother Joel to the thrift store, giving them $20 to buy what they wanted.
“I noticed how it made me feel and how it shifted my perspective, [how] it shifted me as a person. … With that passion, I grew up looking at clothes, looking at textiles, [and] looking at design. I would sit in church and watch folks,” said Rashaud, who would admire and critique the congregations’ threads.
Rashaud graduated from Birmingham’s Carol W. Hayes High School in 2009. He then went to Tuskegee University, where he studied sales and marketing in order to “give me the skills to market myself,” he said.
Rashaud graduated from Tuskegee in 2014 and then went on to attend Virginia College in Birmingham, where he studied cosmetology because he had a natural knack for doing hair. He graduated a year later.
Although his studies were centered around his fashionable goals, Rashaud didn’t jump into the cosmetology industry after graduating. He took a corporate position, and one day while sitting at his desk he said to himself, “This is not my life. It’s now or never”—and he left his job on January 5, 2024.
Two days later, on January 7, 2024, he hosted the inaugural Faith and Fashion show, which was held at the Alcove Birmingham event venue.
“The feedback I got was so inspiring [and] motivating,” said Rashaud, who said to himself, “I might really be in my purpose. I might really be where I’m supposed to be.”
Rashaud: “Because fashion is really power. I think when young Black men see themselves reflected in style campaigns, in runway shows, [in creations from] designers and stylists, it affirms that they belong there. So, number one, it speaks to the affirmation. Number two, I feel like you only get one chance to make a first impression. … Whether we like it or not, how you dress determines how serious people take you. … Before you ever get a chance to say anything, they sum you up by how you look.”
Designer and Parsons School of Design alum Perry Varner photographed at La Fête on Morris Ave. (Reginald Allen Photos, For The Birmingham Times)
PERRY VARNER
Varner, 52, likes to describe himself as a full-time designer, stylist “and somewhat of a socialite in Birmingham.”
Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Varner has always been an artist: “I did all the flyers and yearbook stuff at Verbena High School, in Verbena, Alabama.”
He added, “I can draw. I can paint. I can sketch anything. … But I was also very well dressed, … and I loved to take vintage clothes and reconstruct and upcycle them.”
Those skills led him to design for other people and school organizations. “My love for the arts turned more toward fashion, [and] I stuck to fashion,” said Varner, who found his way to Atlanta, Georgia, for an internship with a company called Earthlink Live, an internet service provider with a concert venue.
“I was learning how to market products and services related to promotion, entertainment, concerts, … artist development,” he said. “But I was working so much because nobody knew how to find designers, brands, or stylists—and that was the lightbulb moment.”
Realizing that people struggled to find designers, brands, stylists, etc., gave Varner the idea for The Style Experience, a fashion show centered on cultivating the talent of Black designers.
Having made so many connections while working in Atlanta, Varner realized that “I could take all of these resources … and just put Black designers and stylists on [by] bridging the gap between clients and artists, entrepreneurs, designers, stylists, [and] makeup artists.”
Then in 2003 Varner made his way to Birmingham, where he continued his work in fashion as creative director at 205 Flava, a brand that was frequently worn by “American Idol” Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. He also was the designer of Amani Raha Ultra Lounge, a venue in Birmingham’s Pepper Place entertainment district that was owned by NFL Hall of Fame player Terrell Owens.
Additionally, Varner served as creative director of BirminGLAM, an HIV awareness fashion show, and he coordinated the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Black Student Awareness Fashion Show. He brought The Style Experience to Birmingham, too.
You can follow Perry Varner on Instagram: @perry_varner.
Q&A
Any advice for young Black men who wish to dress well?
Varner: “ … show up as your best self all the time. You never know where the opportunity is going to be. You never know who’s watching. You never know who’s listening. … There’s no excuse [not to show up as your best self] because it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It just has to be [an investment], it has to be intentional—and you can do it … at work, at church, and in the streets.
(Part Two will appear in the Birmingham Times print issue on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 and feature more from the Magic City’s fashion designers and tastemakers.)
The Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir thrilled the judges on Season 20 of "America's Got Talent" with a performance of "Praise You" and “When I Think About Jesus" in the quarterfinals. (Trae Patton, NBC)
The Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir moved one step closer to victory on “America’s Got Talent”, the NBC reality series, on Wednesday securing a spot in the semifinals.
The BYYAFC is now among acts that will perform again on Sept. 16, hoping to gain viewer votes and a spot in the finals.
Results from overnight voting were announced on Wednesday’s episode. “It feels amazing,” Ahkeem Lee, the choir director, said when the group was announced as a semifinalist. “These young people have worked really hard.”
The Alabama vocal troupe, more than 30 members strong, performed on AGT Tuesday night during a round known as the quarterfinals. The choir offered joyful vignettes of two songs: Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You” and Kirk Franklin’s “When I Think About Jesus.”
The group closed the two-hour episode, delighting the show’s four judges — Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and Mel B — and earning applause from the studio audience. Cowell, in particular, appeared to be wowed by the choir and its director lavishing the singers with kudos.
“That was fantastic,” Cowell said on Tuesday. “That’s called lighting up the room, lighting up the sky. I mean, seriously, that’s what a great choir should do, right? Every single one of you played a part.”
People who watched the show evidently agreed with Cowell, voting the choir into the semifinals.
The choir has been a favorite on AGT this season, earning a coveted “Golden Buzzer” from Cowell during its initial audition, which aired in July. The choir’s performance of “Joyful, Joyful” impressed the notoriously tough judge, and allowed the singers to advance directly from the auditions to the quarterfinals, skipping any cuts in-between.
The choir, founded in 2015, is a nonprofit organization that “aims to provide a creative space for youth and young adults to share and develop their musical talents through proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” according to its website.
Director Lee talked about the choir’s origins during a video clip that aired on Tuesday’s episode.
“I started the Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church,” Lee said. “The whole idea was providing a place for youth so they could feel safe. Ten years later, we’re still here. If anything, it has blossomed into something even more. … It has been a massive outpouring of love from our city and now we are back and we are ready to do some great things on stage.”
In the next round of “AGT” the number of acts will be trimmed to six via overnight voting by viewers. The semifinals are set to air on Sept. 16-17.
The finals for Season 20, scheduled for Sept. 23-24, will feature the top vote-getters from the semifinals, a Golden Buzzer wildcard (to be determined next week) and four acts that moved directly from the quarterfinals to the finals.
If you watch:The semifinals of “America’s Got Talent” airs on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. CT on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
Torey Amerson, owner of Marcdión Clothier, at his storefront in downtown Birmingham. (Reginald Allen Photos, For The Birmingham Times)
By Ameera Steward | The Birmingham Times
Torey Amerson’s interest in fashion hasn’t always come solely from a place of love. Some of it was based on survival, he said.
“We didn’t have very much so [I] had to be creative with what [I] did have,” said Amerson, originally from Bessemer, of his upbringing. “Whatever was out at the time when I was growing up, we were not able to afford it. So, we [he and his older sister, Dwyanna Amerson Penn] would create [what we wanted] … we had to be creative with the means that we had.”
There were no sewing classes involved, so Amerson learned his craft through “a whole lot of trial and error,” he said, and from the day he successfully made his first shirt, he continued to make his own pieces.
“It took me a while to think [what I made] was good enough,” he added.
He’s good enough now to run his own business. From manufactured pieces to custom made, Marcdión Clothing [located at 2217 2nd Ave N], brings quality clothing to men in the Birmingham metro area.
“There’s a need for men’s clothing,” said 49-year-old designer. “I have a personal passion for men’s clothing so…it doesn’t feel like a job.”
With his business, he strives to offer “the best fabrics [and] the best products to the area for the people … that love clothing,” Amerson said. “There is no reason why the people in this area shouldn’t have great options.”
Necessity Breeds Creativity
Amerson attended Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer and graduated in 1994. After high school he made his way to Mobile, Ala. to the University of South Alabama where he received his bachelor’s degree in science in 2000.
Eventually, he went on to work for a pharmacy management company where he worked for over 15 years. His work with the company required Amerson to travel, sparking the start of his business, where he would tailor his own clothes, and if the opportunity presented itself, he would take on clients.
“I would be out of town [in garments] that I created … somebody would say ‘hey where did you get that tie? Where did you get the suit?’ Eventually people would say ‘hey man, you’ve got a knack for this … so then I started doing personal shopping.”
In the midst of providing personal shopping he would create pieces for clients who would came from all walks of life. Some as a compliment and they ranged from CEO’s, politicians, athletes, medical professionals, actors, postal workers, and public workers.
“Really anyone that loves to dress, needs to dress or has the desire to change their image,” he said. Amerson would tote his products around from location to location like a “food truck for clothes,” he recalled.
In 2020 he acquired his current location at 2217 2nd Ave N, and two years after opening his brick and mortar he decided to leave his full-time job and turn his focus completely on Marcdión Clothing.
“I wanted to have something for myself,” Amerson said. In addition to calling all the shots he wanted to bet on himself because “I don’t have to prove myself to anybody. I [only answer] to myself.”
Torey Amerson, owner of Marcdión Clothier, at his storefront in downtown Birmingham. (Reginald Allen Photos, For The Birmingham Times)
“Nothing Like a Well-Dressed Man’”
The name ‘Marcdión’ is a play on Amerson’s middle name DeMarco, and his mission has always been to bring the best product to the city of Birmingham. “Even if I did move somewhere [else] … I would still want to have a blueprint in Birmingham,” he said.
Although he does have some women as clients, his main focus is to provide men with great options and great tailoring.
“There’s tons of places where you can buy lady’s clothing … Men’s clothing is a little bit different,” he said. “Most men, not all, need a little direction when it comes to finding what works best for them and their body types.”
Marcdión Clothing carries ready-to-wear garments such as men’s blazers, shirts, suits, jackets, ties, pocket squares, shoes, socks – “the whole gamut.”
Amerson’s clothing is made with fabrics sourced from Turkey, Canada, and Italy. If he’s not visiting to source fabrics, he has brokers abroad who he speaks with, causing some of his days to begin at 3 am.
“I have duffel bags that are made in Italy. I have briefcases that are made in Italy … I [also] carry a bit of denim,” he said. “I don’t do rentals, but I have off the rack tuxedos [and] dinner jackets.”
Additionally, he makes his own shoes by illustrating the designs and having them made abroad.
His products are priced from medium to high, and “the sky’s the limit on the custom side,” depending on fabric choice, size, and style, he said.
“I’m not expensive, but I don’t carry inexpensive goods,” he added.
In addition to providing a sense of style to the men of Birmingham, Marcdión has also become a great meeting place. “People are finding things in common … they’re communicating with each other … it’s like a barber shop,” he said with a chuckle.
Marcdión Clothing operates Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Amerson also takes appointments [on and off site depending on the client] for those interested in custom pieces.
“I really want to provide a service that is second to none … to the clients and customers that we touch,” Amerson expressed. “There is nothing like a well-dressed man and I love putting my own little spin on helping [gentlemen] create [their] look.”
Facebook: Marcdión Clothier; Instagram: Clothiermarcdion; Phone Number: Address: 2217 2nd Ave N Unit 1A
**WEEKDAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**ARTIST DRAKE WHITE, country-soul artist performs, 7 p.m. at ASC.
**THE BASEBALL PROJECT with THE MINUS 5 at Saturn.
**DYLAN GOSSETT – THE WESTWARD TOUR with KINGFISHER & JAMES TUCKER at Avondale Brewing Co.
**CUT THROAT FREAK SHOW ROUND 1 at The Nick.
**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE MINGLE, each week with Karaoke at 8 p.m., Spin to Win ‘til 9 p.m. and Happy Hour ‘til 9 p.m. with Sounds by DJ SLUGGA and hosted by JIRUS HORTON at Tee’s on 2nd. FREE Entry all night.
**3rd THURSDAY at the Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at The Nick.
**JOSE CARR EVERY THURSDAY, 5-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 1631 4th Avenue North.
**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2nd Avenue North
**EVERY THURSDAY- THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.
**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.
**FILM at Sidewalk Film.
**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**DURAND BERNARR with LADY STOUT and JUS10 at Saturn.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12…
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**PARROTFISH with LUNAR PARQUE & LAYLA TUCKER at The Nick.
**LATE NIGHT CUT THROAT FREAK SHOW ROUND 2 at The Nick.
**SHE BETTA DON’T WITH NICOLE PAIGE BROOKS at Saturn.
**UNITED WE DANCE: THE ULTIMATE RAVE EXPERIENCE at Iron City.
**PUBLIC CIRCUIT performs at Firehouse is a New York synth band with a post-punk bite. Don’t miss their current release “No Faith.’
**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13…
**CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM performs at Iron City
**THE MIDNIGHT EFFECT: HALLOWEEN OMEN at Saturn.
**MARA NAGRA, DOS FUEGOS, BLEACH GARDEN at the Nick.
**LATE NIGHT PHISH AFTER PARTY with KIRKOS at The Nick.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14…
**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.
**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7th, 2808 7th Avenue Suite105
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**2ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.
**THE JUG SLAMMERS + SLICK SKILLET SERENADERS at The Nick.
**LATE NIGHT PHISH AFTER PARTY WITH KIRKOS at The Nick.
**4th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.
**SUNDAY FUNNIES WITH BENNIE MAC at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**3RD ANNUAL WORDPLAY at Saturn.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15…
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16…
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**TACO TUESDAY R & B NIGHT, EVERY THURSDAY at Hemings on 2ND Avenue.
**PODCASTING 101 at CREED63, EVERY TUESDAY at 5:45 p.m. Learn how to launch and create your own podcast at 1601 5th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203.
**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.
**SONGWRITER’S NIGHT EVERY TUESDAY at The Nick.
**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE LATE NIGHT TUESDAYS at The Nick.
**FREE – MOVIE TRIVIA NIGHT at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17…
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**BIRMINGHAM BEVY KARAOKE at Saturn.
**JUNO DUNES with MODERN BODIES & BLOOD MOON RIOT at The Nick.
**WESTERN JACKSON-OLIN ALUMNI w/ Comedian STEVE BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**SANTIGOLD at Iron City.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19….
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**THE CRITICALS with NEW TRANSLATIONS at The Nick.
**BACK TO THE TRAP, LATE NIGHT at The Nick.
**CAN’T FEEL MY FACE: 2010s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
**THE STORY SO FAR: FALL TOUR 2025 at Iron City.
**BLACKBERRY SMOKE – RATTLE, RAMBLE & ROLL 2025 w/ NAT MYERS at the Avondale Brewing Co.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…
FOR HISTORY LOVERS…
**HONORING THE SURVIVORS OF THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH BOMBING is TUESDAY at the Carver Theatre, 3-5 p.m. with a cocktail reception to follow. Speakers are Bishop James Lowe, Lisa McNair with Special video presentations and the moderator is Gaile Pugh Gratton Greene. Also, Former Senator Doug Jones, Former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley, John Robbins, David Simpson with Moderator Johnathan F. Austin. Admission is FREE, but registration is required. For more info, jwilson@birminghambar.org.
FOR BOOK LOVERS…
**BOOK – WHILE Author CAROLYN MCKINSTRY is reading book: THE WORLD WATCHED, Saturday at 10 a.m. There is a Book Signing at 11 a.m. at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the BCRI Commons. McKinstry shares her firsthand account of growing up in the Jim Crow South, surviving the violence of segregation, and bearing witness to the pivotal struggle and triumphs of the Civil Rights movement. Her story is a deeply personal memoir and reflection on how far we have come as a nation and how far we still must go. Register at bcri/org/events.
FOR BUSINESS AND BUSINESS LOVERS…
**ALABAMA MINORITY VENDOR CONFERENCE is next weekend (September 19-20) in Birmingham at the BJCC East. Featured Speakers are DR. EGYPT SHERROD, HGTV host, real estate broker and entrepreneur at the Opening Luncheon and LARENZ TATE, actor entrepreneur and producer at the Keynote Breakfast. For more on the two days of learning, networking and opportunities, go to: minorityvendorconference.com.
FOR CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY…
**CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA 17th ANNUAL BABY STEPS MEMORIAL RUN – The Amelia Center at CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA and the Baby Steps Memorial Race registration and pickup is Saturday, 7 a.m. at Homestead Hollow in Springville, Alabama. The 5 K starts at 8 a.m. follow by the Fun Run Start. This program provides hope for grieving children, parents and their families. The center offers professional counseling for children age five and above and teenagers grieving the death of a parent, grandparent, sibling, close relative or friend. It also provides counseling for parents grieving the death of a child of any age. For more, babystepsal.com.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS…
AT THE SIDEWALK FILM FEST…
**NOW THROUGH NEXT THURSDAY – LOVE, BROOKLYN, 2 p.m.
**NOW THROUGH NEXT THURSDAY – SPLITSVILLE, 2:30 p.m.
**THURSDAY – Student Film Night featuring Scott Pilgrim VS. The World with a social hour at 5- 6 p.m. before the film
**SATURDAY AND SUNDAY – JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, 10:30 a.m.
**SUNDAY – IF THAT MOCKINGBIRD DON’T SING, 6 p.m.
**FREE – SUNDAY – 2025 EMMY AWARDS WATCH PARTY.
FOR OUTDOORS AND PLANTS LOVERS…Looking for something to do…
AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS – September and October…
**TUESDAY – PLANTING, TRANSPLANTING, AND RE-POTTING TREES AND SHRUBS at 1-2:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Classroom. Master Gardener DAVID DODGGETT shares the latest research-based recommendations and practices for how to plant, transplant or re-pot. Register.
**FRIDAY – PRINTING WITH THE SUN, 10:30 a.m.-Noon in the Outdoor Classroom. SAM ROBERTS, artist, educator and curator will share information on how to work with cyanotypes, where iron-based chemicals turn light into striking blue prints and anthotypes which use plant pigments like turmeric that change color in the sun. All materials are provided. Bring your small trinkets for home to print. Register.
**SEPTEMBER 23 – PITCHER PLANTS: EMPRESS OF THE BOG at 11 a.m. – Noon in the Outdoor Classroom. Expert DALE SCHAEFER will show the different pitcher species, where they grow, and how to care for them using plants from his collection. After the talk, take a guided tour of the pitcher plant bog in the Kaul Wildflower Garden. Register.
**SEPTEMBER 27 – FALL COMMUNITY HARVEST at 10-11 a.m. in the vegetable garden. Gather sweet potatoes, peppers, and more guided by Specialty Garden horticulturist KATELYN BAHR. FREE with Registration.
**OCTOBER 2-5 – SAVE THE DATE for ANTIQUES IN THE GARDENS. There are four days of finds from 25 top dealers, plus inspiring talks on interior design, architecture, garden design and floral artistry.
**OCTOBER 25 – FLICKS AMONG THE FLOWERS at 5:30 – 8 p.m. Get your blanket or low profile chair, go early for the costume contest and enjoy a cozy night outdoors at the Gardens.
THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER...FOR MUSIC LOVERS…
AT TUXEDO BALLROOM…
**SEPTEMBER 20 – WE ARE ONE – An All White Celebration Honoring the Legacy of FRANKIE BEVERLY with YUNG VOKALZ AND THE MOVEMENT featuring JUBU SMITH plus DJ CHOCOLATE IN THE THROWBACK MIX, 7-11 p.m., at the Tuxedo Ballroom, on Avenue D in Downtown Ensley. There will be live music, food, cash bar and a cigar lounge.
AT ALYS STEPHENS CENTER…
**SEPTEMBER 28 – SUTTON FOSTER, Tony award-winning Broadway powerhouse is a dazzling talent who captivates audience with her magnetic stage presence and energy, her talent as a television star and an accomplished recording artist. She is called a triple threat. She performs 7 p.m. at ASC. (Get there early and see students from the UAB Department of Theatre and ArtPlay perform in the lobby before the show.)
FOR OUR YOUTH…
**AKEELAH AND THE BEE – THE PLAY at the ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME in the Carver Theatre, October 2-4 by the Encore Theatre and Gallery. It is not just about spelling words; it is about courage, community and the kind of determination that changes lives. For more, 205-202-4008.
**YOUTH VOLLEYBALL starts next Monday, September 15 through October 27 for 3rd – 8th Grade games on Mondays at 6 p.m. Game location is Fountain Heights, 1101-15th Avenue North. Contact 205-335-0483 and 205-451-9895.
**KIDS FEELINGS SURVEY – University of Alabama is sponsoring a research study and KIDS ARE NEEDED, ages 6-11. Families receive up to $600 for participating Involvement includes: 11 sessions at the clinic at UA, engaging activities for kids, kids earn prizes and cash payments for parents and kids. The program is designed to help kids learn about other peoples’ feelings. Questions: Does your child show little concern for others’ feelings? School performance? or Rules and consequences?
**SAFE HAVEN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – This program has hours Monday -Thursday, 3:30 – 8 p.m. and Friday, 3:30 – 6 p.m. for Grades K-8. It will offer reading initiatives, chess club, homework assistance, creative writing, tutoring and more. This program is offered at the following parks: Central Park, Ensley, Fountain Heights, Hawkins, Inglenook, Memorial, M.L. King. For more info, contact 205-254-2391 or www.birminghamal.gov/parks-and-recreation/
COMING SOON…
AT BJCC…DON”T MISS!!!
**ONE NIGHT ONLY DECEMBER 10 – TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA is bringing “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – The Best of TSO and More” to the Legacy Arena for ONE NIGHT ONLY, 7 p.m.
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send your questions, contact info with your events, your things of interest and more to: gwenderu@yahoo.com AND thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com
Andrea Whitfield was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for her commitment to service, action and education. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times.)
By Jordyn Davis | For The Birmingham Times
Add another prestigious honor for Birmingham’s Andrea Whitfield who has accumulated a lifetime worth of recognition: Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
On August 10 at the Montgomery Marriott in Prattville, Alabama, Whitfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame with nine others and honored for her commitment to service, action and education.
The 71-year-old mother, grandmother, poet, author and a retired Birmingham educator, has a resume that includes founder of a praise dance company, Mrs. Senior Titusville, and chaplain of the Birmingham Retired Educators Association.
“Winning the 2025 Alabama Citizens Senior Citizens Hall of Fame award is like receiving another tiara,” she said. “Although we are senior citizens, we still can impact our community and our family. I look forward to forging on, enjoying my life and making sure I’m educating and sharing experiences with others.”
Whitfield was nominated for the award by her daughter Amber. “She [Amber] said to me, ‘Mom, you do so much … then I received a congratulations letter and a table for 10, which I used to bring all of my family members,” Whitfield said. “I didn’t know at the time, but there were only 10 inductees, and I was the only African American. That’s another threshold and I’m still breaking grounds.”
Andrea Whitfield with plaque from her induction into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Class of 2025. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times.)
“The Black Alphabet”
Her groundbreaking career has included lifelong work with education in Birmingham City Schools. She was born and raised in Birmingham’s Titusville community and recalled having an exceptional third-grade teacher and saw how her teacher was kind to students. Whitfield said she knew right away that she wanted to pursue an opportunity where young students could look up to her as well. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University and master’s degree in education and certificate of administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She then began teaching second and third graders at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Moore Elementary School, Councill Elementary School and Oxmoor Valley Elementary in Birmingham.
“Now that I am retired, something that has impacted my career is seeing my former students. I love it when they come up to me and say ‘You were my baby’s teacher.’ I have also written five books and have had my students learn the “Black Alphabet.” I once had a former student recite the entire “Black Alphabet” to me. [The Black Alphabet is book written by Whitfield that incorporates inclusion and different methods in memorizing the alphabet.]I’ve always told [former students] them I wanted to see them become productive citizens of society and to see that come to life, even with my three daughters, has been a miracle. I loved being able to instill Black history and educating my own children and students,” said Whitfield.
After retiring in 2014, Whitfield never stopped working. She continued her dedication to a number of organizations, including reaching the 50-year-member status of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., member of Ladies Link Golf Club, Secretary of the Birmingham Ski Club, member of the Birmingham Retired Chicks, past president of the Birmingham Education Association and founder of her own praise dance company, Melodies from Heaven Dance Academy.
“When it comes to getting involved and having a full plate, you have to make sure you prioritize yourself,” she said. “Some days I would tell myself, ‘I’m not doing anything today,’ and I would stick to it. You have to rest and enjoy life. Of course, life is going to bring you trials and tribulations, but if you trust in God and keep the faith, it will all pan together.
A Mentor And Friend
Much of Whitfield’s drive and motivation were skills taught to her by her late mother, Ollie Lee Bolden Billingsley.She hopes to continue passing down these lessons to her three daughters, aged 42, 39 and 36, and her grandson.
“I was a very shy kid growing up [and my mother] used to tell me, ‘Anne let your light shine.’ She told me to find my niche and stick with it and so reading and writing became my niche. From there, my mom would always inspire me to go beyond. Everything I do now is as if I were flying a kite, and it ascends so high, you can’t even see it. Everything that has been connected to my life has been part of that kite: education, my upbringing and that tug, to want to go higher, is still there,” she said.
Even as she continues to break ground, Whitfield said she will continue to enjoy life.
“When people see the name Andrea Billingsley Whitfield, I want them to know I will always continue to be responsible, dependable, hard-working and fully committed to excellence in all aspects of my life and willingness to help others,” she said.
She added, “I will continue to fulfill any need, however I can. My main slogan is ‘take your passion and make it happen.’ You have to enjoy life, so slow down and enjoy every moment. Your whole life is a celebration.”
This is our defining moment and with the city having recently elected Mayor Randall Woodfin to a third term, the election is over so now we can get back to the business of making Birmingham great.
Harsh tones, cheap shots and negative nuances no longer fill headlines that were common prior to Election Day August 26.
I think it’s safe to say that a number of people have had their say about this city and the election process, and whether we liked it or not, we were forced to endure it. And yes, I meant to use the word endure because some of the cutting words and actions this election season were tough to witness.
But as I look back on those moments, I am quickly reminded to leave the past there … the voters have spoken (even those who didn’t show up) and the consensus was that we are going to continue with the Woodfin administration. And we, the citizens of Birmingham, can be part of a solution that allows our community to thrive and sincerely do better and be better.
We have a chance to make a difference, and I can’t think of a time that’s more needed than now. I’m not asking you to do something that I’m unwilling to do. I’ve adopted the attitude that I will do my part to make my community better… and that won’t involve tearing anyone else down.
Will truthful conversations be had? Yes they will. Will I opt to bring solutions rather than complaints to the table? I sure will. And will I take a sincere look at how I can positively contribute to my neighborhood? It’s already done.
What difference does it make to waste time arguing over what has happened or what could have been? That conversation has to be over because if we wanted something different, we (the voters and others) would have done something different at the polls. We had every opportunity.
So that you’ll know why this is on my heart, I have a sincere and genuine love for this city because of how those in this city have treated me. The people have shown me nothing but love as part of me coming here and uprooting myself from my hometown of Montgomery just down the road.
The Magic City will always hold a special place in my heart. Even with some of the challenges, it’s still a community I absolutely love and call home. And I am participatory. I acknowledge the challenges, but I also accept the responsibility of contributing what and where I can. And I’m issuing a challenge for you to do the same.
The election is over and the blame game should be too. Our city leaders, law enforcement nor any other person in a position of authority holds absolute sway over how their community stands. They steer the ship and will ultimately be held accountable, but we share a role in the success of our community.
Offer a solution to police. Partner with them or your neighbors in crime-fighting efforts. Attend a city council meeting, rep your ‘hood and offer meaningful thanks and solutions for a better tomorrow.
The door has always been open for you to create a better community, but many have been too afraid, distracted, or unconcerned to walk through it. Birmingham can be better. Birmingham can do better. But Birmingham is also depending on you.
This is not the time to turn your back on the community. I’m betting on my city, even as I get frustrated with some of the things I see. But rather than give up, I choose to step back, take a deep breath and with a new perspective, see what I can add to help bring forward movement.
Will you join me?
Just call me Cheerleader in Chief. As always, I’m Keisa, Coach K and I am cheering for you (and my community).
(This is Part I of a 4-week series on how we can collectively make Birmingham a better place.)
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved a $14 million agreement with the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) that included $11 million for fixed bus routes and paratransit services, and $3 million for Bus Rapid Transit services citywide.
“Public transportation is a top priority for our residents,” said Council President Darrell O’Quinn. “It’s something we see in every survey that’s conducted. I tell people all the time, we are not yet the city that we aspire to be and that these changes take time. As leaders, we’re not satisfied with where we are currently but we’re going to continue to push forward.”
Currently between 10 to 15 percent of residents in Birmingham do not have access to reliable transportation, an issue that underscores the importance of prioritizing and improving public transportation for residents who depend on them, say City leaders.
Councilor Hunter Williams, who opposed the agreement, said he continues to hear complaints about transit in Birmingham.
“I am 37 years old, and we have complained about the public transit in this city for [longer] than I have been alive and the fact that we are giving more and more money [during] the eight years that I have been in this council seat and we’re still getting the same complaints about a broken system is unacceptable,” said Williams.
Transit officials say they continue to see an increase on ridership “particularly in [Williams’s] District 2, where recent improvements to Route 17 have made a real impact,” they told wbrc.com. “Route 17 is now one of our strongest performing routes with ridership up 13 percent since last month.”
Earlier this summer, the Council received an update from officials at the BJCTA regarding bus routes and ongoing plans to overhaul the system.
Charlotte Shaw, CEO and Executive Director of MAX Transit, explained how the agency is re-allocating resources to better serve the needs of the public by dedicating 70 percent of the buses to fixed routes and 30 percent to micro-transit.
“We’ve come a long way; we yet have a ways to go, but we’re at least creating solution to a problem Birmingham has had for the last 20 or 30 years with absolutely restricted funding,” she said.
Shaw said 80 percent of the overall budget is funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the total budget is about $55 million annually while BJTCA does not receive any funding from the state.
The Alabama legislature passed a constitutional amendment in 1952 preventing gas tax revenues from being utilized to fund public transit. As a result, the BJCTA relies largely on federal grants and local funding to overcome this operational funding hurdle.
O’Quinn said transit authorities across the nation are funded by their state’s gas tax, so they can count on many millions of dollars annually — in perpetuity “ … however in Jefferson County, we get absolutely zero dollars in state funding,” he said. “Only a handful of the 30-plus municipalities in Jefferson County have opted in to provide funding for these transit services. Needless to say, these are challenging circumstances.”
Birmingham City Schools said it is the first in the nation to provide district-wide specialized sensory inclusivity training.
Through a partnership with KultureCity, BCS has trained all employees and equipped each school.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan
“We wanted to make sure that our students were treated in a way that was sensitive to what their abilities are,” BCS Superintendent Mark Sullivan said. “We wanted to make sure that our principals, our teachers, our secretaries, our bus drivers were aware of students who may be on the spectrum and the behaviors that those students may display — some of the characteristics the students may display — and not confuse some of those characteristics with disciplinary issues.”
Pamela Wimbish, the director of special education for BCS, said having the whole district sensory trained is exciting because it’s a need she’s seen within the schools. She said the goal is to have every student who comes through their doors be supported in their academics and social well-being.
“There are all different kinds of disabilities, and some of them are not seen,” Wimbish said. “Sometimes, you don’t know because a child is quiet, but that doesn’t mean they’re not having a sensory issue.”
BCS has been receiving the sensory training and resources from KultureCity for the last two years. The training has been rolled out in every school in 2025, and it reaches beyond teachers and administrators.
“A bus driver sometimes is the first person that sees our children first in the morning,” Wimbish said. “So we want to make sure that they understand what to do and how to respond if they’re having any challenges coming onto the bus and being able to come into the school building, they are feeling safe. That’s an expansion we’re making this year as well is making sure we have custodians, bus drivers, all of our operational staff that come in contact with our schools to be trained.”
KultureCity aims to create safe spaces for people to decompress from overwhelming sounds and crowds. (Provided)
BCS is equipped with sensory bags with noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys, but the schools also have mobile sensory stations with calming lighting. Some schools in the district have full classrooms designated to sensory regulation, like Charmain Means’ classroom at Hudson K-8 School.
“Dealing with autistic children, sometimes they have moments where they just blurt out, have moments where they’re not so good moments,” Means said. “So the sensory room helps them again to calm down their emotions because some are nonverbal, and they can’t let you know what’s going on with them. No matter what a child may go through, whether it quote, unquote, ‘normal,’ students, autistic kids, they all need something where they just have a place to relax, calm down because you never know what they’re going through at home.”
Alice Murdoch teaches Pre-K through fifth grade at Norwood and Princeton elementary schools. She said the training helps to fight the stigmas against those who are on the spectrum or who are neurodivergent.
“They might see a child with a fidget, but they know ‘Oh, that’s just that person’s name, but he can stay in here and do the work, or she can stay in here and do the work if she just has that pop it’,” Murdoch said. “Even us, we get sensory overloaded, we get upset about things, but we are adults, and so we can kind of calm ourselves down or go to the restroom, things of that nature. Small children do not have the capability of doing that, so they have to go someplace that they can just chill out.”
While Sullivan knew it was a general need in the district, it’s also a need he’s seen firsthand.
“I have two nephews who are on the spectrum, so I know personally the issues that they may have at school and how some of the behaviors can be misunderstood and seen as disciplinary issues and not necessarily issues that tie to the abilities that those students have,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he’s shared the training and the KultureCity resources with other superintendents, hoping to see others follow suit.
