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LaTonya Tate, Birmingham’s Public Safety Chair, on How City has Reduced Homicides by 46%

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Birmingham Times
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LaTonya Tate, who represents district 9, has served as Chair of the Birmingham City Council’s Public Safety Committee since 2021. (Provided)

By Don Rhodes II | Birmingham Times

On Tuesday, members of the Birmingham City Council’s Public Safety Committee joined Mayor Randall Woodfin for a proclamation in observance of Gun Violence Awareness Month and pointed out that homicides are down 46 percent in the first five months of 2025 after the city ended last year with a homicide total that broke a record set in 1933.

Councilor LaTonya Tate, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said the decrease can be attributed to the holistic approach that city officials have taken to reduce violent crime including hospital-based violence intervention programs, mentorships, community-facing organizations and investments in youth programming.

Tate also said a straightforward approach can also be credited. “Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” she told the Birmingham Times. “When I took on the role as Chair of Public Safety [in 2021] I felt it was my obligation to pursue strategies that actually work. That meant looking beyond Birmingham and studying proven models from cities like Newark and Baltimore.”

For example, she pointed to One Hood, an initiative that trains certified “violence interrupters” and “credible messengers” community members, often formerly justice-involved, who mediate conflict and offer alternatives to at-risk youth, a program she said came from Newark, New Jersey. With support from the Mayor and City Council, more than 30 Birmingham residents have completed the training, bringing their lived experience into roles that foster healing and change.

Another part of the program she said is Pull Up for Peace, a mobile outreach initiative that brings resources like GED assistance, job placement, and mental health services directly into high-risk neighborhoods. “We can’t just ask people to leave the streets,” she said. “We have to offer them something better.”

She added, “we’ve got to reach them young. That’s why programs like RESTORE program are critical; it’s intervention before incarceration,” said Tate.

The RESTORE juvenile re-entry program was formally launched in 2023 to provide comprehensive services and support for youth ages 16 to 19 who have been placed in state custody for a minimum of 30 days at a Department of Youth Services placement, the G. Ross Bell Detention Center or any Department of Youth Services diversion facility.

The program is designed to provide multiple services including comprehensive family intake and assessment; creation of a participant educational/career plan and work with families to ensure safe housing and stability.

Tate, who was first elected in 2021 to serve district 9 and is running for re-election in the August 26 city elections, said a critical component of her mission is youth empowerment, and projects like “205 in Park” modeled after BET’s 106 & Park, the live event features young people running the show — interviewing community leaders, artists, and each other on topics like mental health, gun violence, and restorative justice.

That popular BET program ran on cable television from Sept. 11,2000 to Dec. 19, 2014.

In her program, “205 in Park “They [four youth hosts] asked the questions. They chose the guests. They ran the stage,” Tate said. “It’s their future, and they deserve the mic.”

Birmingham Mayor Woodfin’s FY 2026 budget proposal supports many of these youth-centered efforts with funding toward juvenile justice alternatives like the Restore Program, operated in part at the Christian Center in Birmingham Al, offers both in- and out-of-facility interventions for young people at high risk of entering the justice system. Other key partners (of the RESTORE Program) include the Offender Alumni Association, Determined to Be, and local schools eager to bring restorative practices to students.

During Tuesday’s council meeting, Tate said, “I want to thank the Offender Alumni Association, One Hood., violence interrupters and all those who have helped us make a tremendous impact in the last year. We want to remember the survivors and help them with the resources they need so that we can end the cycle of violence in our communities. I want to thank the mayor for embracing this strategy to help reduce gun violence and for investing in proven, community-driven tactics to stop it before it occurs.”

Birmingham Asks Public to Help Shape City’s First ‘Sustainability Plan’

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Birmingham Times
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Residents are invited to attend one of the upcoming workshops where they can share their ideas and help shape the future of Birmingham, according to the city. (Birmingham Sustainablility Plan)

bhamsustainabilityplan.com

The city of Birmingham is developing its first “Sustainability Plan.”

Birmingham is already home to a variety of sustainability efforts aimed at improving environmental resilience, social equity, economic vitality, and community well-being. These initiatives are shaping a greener, healthier, and more inclusive future for all 23 communities across the city.

Residents are invited to attend one of the upcoming workshops where they can share their ideas and help shape the future of Birmingham, according to the city. The interactive sessions are free and open to the public. Those who attend can offer input on key priorities and review draft goals related to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

The workshop schedule:

  • Wednesday | 6-8 p.m. | Birmingham Botanical Gardens
  • Thursday | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | North Birmingham Library
  • June 12 | 6-8 p.m. | Birmingham CrossPlex
  • June 17 | 6-8 p.m. | SocialVenture

City vs. Regional Sustainability Planning: What’s the Difference?

The City of Birmingham’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability (ORS) is working to support multiple planning initiatives including the Birmingham Sustainability Plan and Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP). These planning efforts are distinct yet related. 

  • Geography: The Birmingham Sustainability Plan is focused specifically on the City, while the CAP focuses on initiatives that impact the Counties of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St Clair, and Walker. 
  • Focus: The Birmingham Sustainability Plan goal is to support the City’s Comprehensive Plan by addressing the city’s sustainability challenges including equity, social justice, environmental justice, air quality, soil contamination, water quality and efficiency, water quantity, energy and resource use, waste management, placemaking and equitable land use, and community health. The CAP core goal is to identify economy-wide strategies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while identifying co-benefits of emission reductions such as improved air quality, improved public health outcomes, and economic benefits.​
  • Funding: The Sustainability Plan is funded through the City, while the CAP is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG).​
  • Timeline: The Sustainability Plan is expected to be finalized in early 2026, while the CAP is expected to be finalized by December 2025. 

Together these plans will help create a more sustainable and climate-resilient city and region by addressing environmental, social and economic challenges.

For more information, click here.

“It Was That Simple … We Had the Conversation and Decided to Get Married”

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Birmingham Times
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BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times

ALTHEA & ROBERT YOUNG JR.

Live: Oxmoor Valley/ Birmingham

Married: Sept. 22, 1984

Met: May 19, 1982, in Rainbow City, Alabama, at Kmart. Robert moved to Rainbow City from Birmingham after being promoted and relocated. Meanwhile, Althea had been at the location for a year after getting her promotion and being relocated by the company. Robert and Althea first crossed paths on his first day on the job as they waited to be let in the store.
While they waited Althea was playing with a butterfly and he had two questions: “why and what position she worked,” Robert laughed.

“Robert thought I was a checkout girl because of how I was dressed. I had on jeans because it was my day off and I was only coming to fill in a few hours, and I guess it didn’t help that I was trying to catch a monarch butterfly either,” Althea laughed. “Who knows why I was doing that…”

“There weren’t many Black folks at the store, and that was the first thing that attracted me to her… we were in separate departments, and it got around to lunch time and I asked her to go eat. It was more of a business thing, it was my first day there and I was [trying to get my bearings] so [the lunch outing] was casual,” Robert said.

“Being polite I agreed to go to lunch with him, but I was not going to let him pay. And because there were so few Black people at the store, I was hoping that the company wouldn’t send a Black manager because I didn’t want to be the designated Black person that had to entertain him,” Althea laughed. “Once, I knew what [management] position he was there for, I said ‘well there goes that’. Not only that, the company also moved him into my apartment building, right above me.”

Even though the two became neighbors Robert said, “Althea wouldn’t give me the time of day.” But that changed after he invited her to a Temptations concert which happened to fall on the same weekend as their company picnic.

First date: June 1982. The pair attended their company picnic in Gadsden, and then the Temptations concert at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) Concert Hall.

“Our first date was my first time seeing him dressed up, and I said ‘ok, he does know when to put a suit on’, I was pleasantly surprised,” Althea said. “We did have a good time, I don’t think he fed me though,” she laughed, “I was thinking maybe I could get a raincheck for dinner on Sunday. I did enjoy watching him enjoy the concert from my side eye, he was playing his imaginary guitar and having a good time. He really does enjoy music.”

“It was a good evening, she was looking cute, and we had fun,” Robert said.

The turn: October 1982. “Robert was kind and fun to be around, but I was looking to move up the ladder at KMart. And four months after we met, I asked for a transfer to Houston Texas, and two weeks later I got it,” Althea said.

As she shared the news with Robert in his office he looked shocked and surprised at the same time. “I thought, ‘wow, he must really like me,” said Althea. “I thought we were just spending time together as friends.”

Althea moved to Texas and Robert offered to drive her there and make sure she was set up in her apartment. The couple dated long distance for two years until Robert transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1984.

“Anybody who worked at that location in Rainbow City wanted to get out of that store,” said Robert. “So when I got moved to Corpus Christi, it was still three hours south of where she was, but we were closer, and we got closer.”

Althea and Robert Young Jr. met in 1982 at a Kmart in Rainbow City, Alabama, and married in 1984. (Provided Photos)

The proposal: In 1984 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Althea left Kmart, got a job with another company and moved in with Robert. The couple said that they didn’t have a traditional engagement. As Robert put it, “We looked up and we were together, and said ‘since we’re gonna be together, we might as well do this,” he laughed.

“It was that simple, we had the conversation and decided to get married,” Althea said.

The wedding: Virginia Beach, Virginia at Althea’s home church, at First Lynnhaven Baptist Church, officiated by its pastor, the late Reverend Matthew Lewis and the late Rev. William Granger of Gadsden, Alabama. The couple’s colors were red and white.

Most memorable for the bride was being excited about the day and looking forward to their future. “And my father was an hour late to church so we had to hold off until he arrived, and that was a lot of drama but everything worked out,” Althea said. “We had a nice reception, we had two cakes, we did the garter toss and all was well that ended well.”

Most memorable for the groom was a sobering moment at the altar. “I was up there thinking, ‘what am I getting myself into?’” Robert laughed. “But my immediate thoughts were that I got a good woman and she was somebody who was worth spending the rest of my life with, so I rose to the occasion.”

Honeymoon: The couple opted not to have a traditional honeymoon but took a road trip back to Corpus Christi, Texas, stopping to see sights, friends, and family along the way.

Words of wisdom: “You have to compromise and understand that your spouse is another person that will not necessarily do things how you do them,” Robert said. “But you can always believe that person will stand with you through the test of time, and if you believe in your spouse they will believe in you.”

“After close to 43 years together, I can say there is no fairy tale to share, but God has helped us stand the test of time,” Althea said. “Our foundation is solid and we are always reminded of the saying ‘until death do us part’. We have cherished the joy in our marriage and learned from our mistakes, challenges, and disappointments. We’ve had a lot of fun, some [stories] we can share, and some we can’t,” she laughed. “I love my husband, and at this point in life, I live life with the end in mind so I try to make sure we value the time we have left.”

Happily ever after: The Youngs attend Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, in Titusville, where they serve as Deacon and Deaconess. They have two adult children, Candace, 39, and Robert III, 36, and one grandchild, Celeste, born last month. “We are so excited to be grandparents,” Althea said.

Althea, 64, is a military brat and spent her formative years in Virginia Beach, Virginia and many other states. She attended Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned an associate’s degree in fashion merchandising, and moved to Rainbow City, Alabama in 1981, when she took a job with Kmart, and settled in Birmingham 1986. Althea works for State Farm insurance in the claims department with a 32-year tenure.

Robert, 67, is a Eutaw, Alabama, native, and Eutaw High School grad. He attended The University of Alabama where he studied business administration, and Stillman College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and works for Boy Scouts of America as the outreach director for the last 10 years.

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

Booker T. Washington K-8 School in Birmingham Awarded National Certificate for STEM Excellence

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Birmingham Times
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Booker T. Washington Principal Dr. Antonia Ishman, left, and Kenneth Chamberlin, Chair of the school's STEM Committee. (Don Rhodes II, The Birmingham Times)

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times

Excitement filled the air as students, teachers, and community members gathered at Booker T. Washington K-8 School in Birmingham to celebrate a major milestone — the school’s official Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) certification by the National Institute for STEM Education.

For Principal Dr. Antonia Ishman, the national certificate for STEM excellence is more than a sign of the hard work at the school; it also represents a deep commitment to preparing students for the future.

“This honor means that everyone here will forever see the value and importance of STEM throughout their curriculum,” said the principal. “They will see school as more relevant because it’s not just words on a page — they’re living it.”

Students engaged in inquiry-based learning, monthly STEM challenges, and even collaborated with community organizations such as the Birmingham Fire Department and University of Alabama at Birmingham. “We want [students] to see the world as a place with hope where there may be problems, but there are solutions, and they can find those solutions in STEM,” Ishman added.

Students Take The Lead

The school held a STEM showcase last week that featured student projects across all grade levels that included roller coasters, business pitches, and creative displays. Eighth grader Ra’Naja Bell-Rucker proudly shared her role in designing and presenting a table of roller coasters, created with the help of classmates.

“The red one — I helped make it and presented it,” she said, pointing to one of the roller coasters. “The brown one — I made most of the parts. And the red one, even though I didn’t make it, I inspired it.”

She explained why her group chose roller coasters: “They showcase potential and kinetic energy, also centrifugal force — all in one,” she said.

Fourth grader Zoe Brentlinger worked with her classmates on a poster board that detailed their own business concept. “Me and my friends made it together. It just tells about the features of our product,” she said

Both students agreed the program helped bring STEM to life. “It’s a great way to show what we do and how we do it,” Bell-Rucker said. “It’s a great way to learn about things you wouldn’t normally learn about in the classroom.”

Ra’Naja Bell Rucker, left, eighth-grader and Zoe Brentlinger, fourth-grader with their STEM-recognized projects. (Don Rhodes II, The Birmingham Times)

Making STEM Real

The certification process was no small feat. Over the course of a year and a half, staff and students worked diligently to document and showcase their STEM efforts. From hands-on projects to community partnerships, the school transformed its learning environment into one driven by problem-solving and innovation.

“We want them to experience science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Kenneth Chamberlin, Chair of the STEM Committee at Washington K-8. “That’s why you see the projects they’ve done in the gym. We do projects monthly so that learning is real and relevant.”

He added, “Part of the process with the National Institute for STEM Education was for us to present evidence projects, pictures, and videos of what teachers and students are doing in the classroom.”

Booker T. Washington K-8 offers STEM clubs for every student, from kindergarten through eighth. These include aviation, UAB Nursing, math competitions, and chess. “Every child in middle school participates in a club on Fridays,” Chamberlin said. “We even have five teachers who are nationally certified STEM educators we’re very proud of them.”

He continued. “We want our students to explore the world through internships, labs, and even their own businesses — because they can shape and help our community.”

A Shift In Culture

The school community hopes this milestone will drive a cultural shift in how students view learning. “We want our students to investigate, to inquire about the world around them and not just see teaching, learning, and school as something that happens from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Ishman said.

One of the school’s next major projects is a community garden their third in collaboration with Jones Valley Teaching Farm and city leaders. “The first garden was so exciting — they [students] would make salads and share them with other students in the school,” Ishman recalled. “They didn’t even know where things like tomatoes came from. Now they understand how what they learn in school can impact the community.”

The principal hopes this certification will elevate the school not only within the district, but across Alabama. “We want Booker T. Washington to be a leader in Birmingham City Schools — and in the state,” she said. “This helps Washington stand out and shows everyone else what an amazing school this really is.”

Railroad Park Foundation to Hold 15th Anniversary Luncheon on June 12

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Birmingham Times
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Known as “Birmingham’s Front Lawn,” Railroad Park has brought the community together and helped catalyze Birmingham’s revitalization. (File)

railroadpark.org

Railroad Park Foundation will host its 15th Anniversary Luncheon on Thursday, June 12, at The Fennec beginning at noon where community members, supporters, and sponsors are invited to gather in honor of the Park’s enduring legacy and continued impact on Birmingham. The event will be hosted at The Fennec in the Parkside district and presented by JeffCo Concrete Contractors.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Railroad Park. We’ve seen tremendous outcomes since 2010, particularly the impact on hundreds of thousands of lives through free programming offered at the Park,” Camille Spratling, Executive Director of Railroad Park Foundation.

Since opening in 2010, Railroad Park has become a beloved landmark, a place for first steps and forever moments, a hub for health and wellness, and an oasis for connection. Known as “Birmingham’s Front Lawn,” the 19-acre green space has brought the community together and helped catalyze Birmingham’s revitalization.

The luncheon will highlight Railroad Park’s impact over the past 15 years while raising funds to ensure it remains a welcoming, vibrant space for generations to come. Guests will enjoy a program featuring community stories and the 2025 Lawn of Fame Awards, honoring individuals who have helped shape Railroad Park.

The celebration will also include a pre-luncheon networking reception where attendees and sponsors can connect, and a silent auction offering exciting items and experiences, with proceeds directly benefiting Railroad Park.

“We’re excited to welcome the community to a special luncheon that celebrates connection, honors the legacy of Railroad Park, and raises important funds to keep this space thriving for future generations. It’s more than a gathering — it’s a way to invest in a place that brings us all together,” Ashley Mann, Railroad Park Foundation Board of Directors & Luncheon Co-Chair.

Members of the public are welcome to purchase tickets while supplies last. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available for those interested in supporting Railroad Park’s mission. For more information, to become a sponsor, or to purchase tickets, visit rrpluncheon.swell.gives or contact the Railroad Park Foundation at info@railroadpark.org or 205-521-9933.

Meet the Local U.S. Air Force Veteran Advancing Alabama’s Tech Sector

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Birmingham Times
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Venus Quates, CEO of LaunchTech, previously spoke with JPMorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon in a fireside chat about her business success story and the firm’s commitment to veterans in business. (Provided)

By J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking | Sponsored Content

Given her name, it may have been written in the stars that Venus Quates would pursue a career involving aviation, space, or both.

Venus Quates, LaunchTech CEO and U.S. Air Force Veteran

The U.S. Air Force veteran and trailblazing entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of LaunchTech, a high-growth technology solutions company now headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. The city, often called Rocket City USA, is known for its deep roots in aerospace and defense, making it a fitting home base for a company delivering cutting-edge services that support complex missions and critical infrastructure. LaunchTech also operates satellite offices in New York and Washington, D.C.

With a nationwide footprint, LaunchTech employs over 50 professionals and supports enterprise-level federal, state, and commercial customers, including defense and private-sector agencies across Alabama such as the Missile Defense Agency. The company generates annual revenues in excess of $14 million, specializing in technology modernization and transformation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence solutions.

Venus’ journey to establishing a business presence in Alabama began in 2021, when she started exploring new headquarters locations outside her native New York. “Before I got out of the airport, I felt that it was going to be the right decision,” she recalls. “I saw photos in the airport highlighting the state’s vibrant STEM and space industries, and everyone was so welcoming and kind.”

Since that first visit, Venus has invested in both the state’s economy and its people. In addition to leading major tech initiatives through LaunchTech, she is committed to cultivating the next generation of STEM leaders, especially young women. Through LaunchTech’s Launching Scholars initiative, the company has helped send dozens of girls from diverse backgrounds to national STEM, aviation, and cybersecurity camps.

LaunchTech also supports organizations like the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama and other community-focused efforts across the state. Venus personally contributes her time on several boards, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University, reinforcing her commitment to the region’s education and innovation ecosystem.

“Service to my community and to others was instilled in me by my family, but the foundation was further solidified by my time in the Air Force,” she says. “The Air Force taught me the art of service before self,” a principle deeply embedded in her leadership and the company culture at LaunchTech.

But even self-made leaders need support. A catalyst for LaunchTech’s sustained growth has been Venus’ participation in CEOcircle, a program powered by JPMorgan Chase and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). The initiative supports veteran and military-spouse business owners with expert guidance, access to capital readiness resources, and a strong peer network.

“With the support of JPMorgan’s team, CEOcircle has given us access to experts and successful entrepreneurs who have encouraged me to rethink my already big dreams and dream even bigger,” Venus says.

Since launching in 2021, CEOcircle has supported more than 170 entrepreneurs. Over 70 percent of participants report gaining new business opportunities directly tied to their involvement.

“Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey,” Venus adds. “Having access to fellow veteran business owners to share pain points, wins, advice, or even business opportunities has been a wonderful experience.”

Her advice to aspiring founders is simple and powerful. “Don’t pay attention to what others are doing. You need racehorse blinders. Comparisons can stagnate you instead of propel you. Run your own race with your mission at the finish line.”

Venus’ story underscores the growing impact of veteran-owned businesses on the local and national economy, a mission that JPMorganChase is proud to support. “I am incredibly proud to support CEOcircle and the incredible business leaders like Venus who have served our country,” says Alex McKindra, Managing Director and Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives at J.P. Morgan Commercial and Investment Banking. “Veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs are a key driver of American business growth.”

When Venus reflects on her journey, she often thinks back to something her mother used to say. It is a mantra she has passed on to countless young girls through her company’s work in STEM outreach: The sky is not the limit.

Pride Month Kicks Off in Birmingham with Numerous Activities to Support the LGBTQ+ Community

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Birmingham Times
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Pride Month in Birmingham is full of events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. (File)

centralalabamapride.org

Pride Month in Birmingham kicked off June 1 with a morning Pride Ride at Three 15 Studio in Homewood and an evening awards reception at Al’s on 7th to celebrate the parade grand marshals, pageant titleholders and annual awards.

Here’s a listing of upcoming Pride Month activities in The Magic City

Monday, June 2

Birmingham AIDS Outreach Pride Bingo

7 p.m. at BAO (205 32nd St. S, Birmingham)

Join us at BAO for this fundraiser drag event funding HIV services. Pre-purchase game tickets online at baobhm.org/Bingo.

Tuesday, June 3

Pride Skate Night

7–10 p.m. at Skates 280 (7043 Meadowlark Dr., Birmingham)

Join us for an all-ages Pride event at Skates 280! Entry and skates are free with donations accepted at the door!

Wednesday, June 4

Pride Drag Assassins

10 p.m. at Al’s on 7th (2627 7th Ave. S., Birmingham)

Bring your tips for this open-stage competition with a $200 cash prize.

Thursday, June 5

Barons Pride Night

7 p.m. at Regions Field (1401 1st Ave. S., Birmingham)

Celebrate equality and baseball under the lights in the heart of The Magic City.

Drag Bingo

7:30 p.m. at Paper Doll (2320 1st Ave. N., Birmingham)

This pop-culture themed event will be hosted by Fawn and Kharris!

#NoFilter benefitting Steel City Men’s Chorus

7:30 p.m. at Saturn (200 41st St. S., Birmingham)

Come ready to be impressed at this adults-only cabaret variety show fundraiser for Birmingham’s gay men’s chorus.

Friday, June 6

Youth Pride Prom

7–10:00 p.m. at The Magic City Acceptance Center

This LGBTQ+ youth-focused event is free with registration required at magiccityacceptancecenter.org

Send Dudes: Drag Night at The Nick Kings Showcase

8 p.m. at The Nick (2313 6th Ave. S., Birmingham)

21+ only at this drag kings showcase.

Rocky Horror Hot Dogs Present: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Midnight at Sidewalk Cinema (1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham)

Spend your Friday night doing the Time Warp at this interactive film viewing and showcase performance. Tickets at www.rockyhorrorhotdogs.com.

Pride Month in Birmingham is full of events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. (File)

Saturday, June 7

Alabama Pride Hike

9 a.m.–Noon at Oak Mountain State Park (200 Terrace Dr., Pelham)

Lace up your boots and bring your pride for a scenic 3-mile trek through Alabama’s largest State Park. This ADA Accessible Pride Stroll will be fun for all ages and includes an inclusive, barrier-free route so that everyone can join in.

Funky Food Truck Festival

11 a.m.–4 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Co. (4500 5th Ave. S., Birmingham)

Roll into Cahaba for funky eats, live music, local vendors, and ice-cold brews—all supporting AIDS Alabama. Free admission, all ages, all flavor!

Pride Community Picnic

11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Covenant Community Church (2817 6th Ave. S., Birmingham)

Take part in food, fun, and fellowship with an affirming faith family.

Mayawell Pride Night

6–9 p.m. at Mayawell (2900 4th Ave. S, Birmingham)

We’ll be sippin’, spinnin’, and supporting Central Alabama Pride with live DJs and 15% of all sales benefitting CAP.

Somos Un Pride

10 p.m.–2 a.m. at Bosses Lounge (3923 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Birmingham)

Visit aidsalabama.org/cala to purchase tickets for this nightclub event supporting our LGBTQ+ Latine community.

Sunday, June 8

Queer Wedding Blitz

9 a.m.–9 p.m. at Avenue D Events (3008 4th Ave. S., Birmingham)

Registration is required for this day-long celebration of free legal/spiritual day of weddings and renewals.

Garden Party

2-8 p.m. at Golden Age Wine Garden (2021 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham)

The 4th annual inclusive event is Birmingham’s BIGGEST Day Party! All gender identities, sexual preferences, orientations, races, LGBTQIA+ and the entire community is welcome to party with your favorite DJs, food, drinks, and live performances.

Tuesday, June 10

Pride Interfaith Service

6 p.m. at Edgewood Presbyterian Church (850 Oxmoor Rd., Birmingham)

Join our annual Pride interfaith service as leaders of various faiths gather for a night of memorable worship.

Wednesday, June 11

Pride Idol

8 p.m. at Saturn (200 41st St. S., Birmingham)

Catch the annual Pride singing competition with a $300 cash prize! Admission is free with donations accepted at the door. Register at centralalabamapride.org.

Thursday, June 12

Pride Glow Bowling

9:30 p.m. at Vestavia Bowl (1429 Montgomery Hwy., Birmingham)

Join us for cosmic bowling! $20 admission includes unlimited bowling and complimentary shoe rental.

Friday, June 13

Milk & Honey Pride

8 p.m. at Saturn (200 41st St. S., Birmingham)

Visit saturnbirmingham.com for tickets to Birmingham’s biggest bi-monthly dance party for the 21+ queer community.

Saturday, June 14

Pride Drag Brunch

11 a.m. at Boutwell Auditorium (1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham)

Get ready to brunch with the stars! RuPaul’s Drag Race sensations The Widow Von’Du and Miz Cracker are hitting the stage at Birmingham’s most popular Pride Drag Brunch. Multiple ticket packages are available—from show-only to full VIP with food, meet & greet, and preferred seating! Visit centralalabamapride.org to get your tickets before they sell out.

Annual Pride in The Magic City Parade

8 p.m. on 7th Avenue South in Lakeview, Birmingham

The 2025 Central Alabama Pride Parade steps off at sunset—starting at 30th Street South and 7th Avenue South, march with pride through the vibrant Lakeview District as the celebration struts its way to 22nd Street South!

Loud & Proud Parade Afterparty

9 p.m. at Saturn (200 41st St. S., Birmingham)

Keep the party going at Loud & Proud, the official Pride Parade afterparty—featuring fierce performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars India Ferrah and Aja! This show will sell out, so grab your tickets now at saturnbirmingham.com! 21+

SUNDAY, JUNE 15 

47th Annual Pridefest

Noon–6 p.m. at Linn Park (710 20th St. N., Birmingham)

PrideFest takes over Linn Park in downtown Birmingham with a full day of celebration! Featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Sapphira Cristal, Darienne Lake, India Ferrah, DeJa Skye, and The Widow Von’Du, plus live music from Ahli and Dutch singer Jules Lies, hosted by Obsinity & Dominique Divine. Enjoy food trucks, artisan vendors, a kid zone, health fair, and local entertainment — Free and open to all!

Official Pridefest Afterparty & Karaoke

8 p.m. at Al’s on 7th (2627 7th Ave. S., Birmingham)

Keep the celebration going at the Official Pridefest Afterparty with karaoke at The Showplace with Space! Belt out your favorites, dance the night away, and toast to an unforgettable Pride Week with friends old and new. The mic is hot and the vibes are high — don’t miss it!

Central Alabama Pride, P.O. Box 13859, Birmingham, AL 35203, Info@centralalabamapride.org

Tykirel Jordan: From a Painful Chapter to a Life of Helping and Lifting Others

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Birmingham Times
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Thanks to Birmingham nonprofit Youth Towers, Tykirel Jordan, once facing homelessness and sleeping in her car with her young daughter, has not only found stability, but now plays a pivotal role in helping others. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times

What began as a painful chapter in Tykirel Jordan’s life has grown into a story of healing, service, and inspiration — thanks in large part to the Birmingham nonprofit Youth Towers and its passionate founder, Alice Westery.

Once facing homelessness and sleeping in her car with her young daughter, Jordan has not only found stability but now plays a pivotal role in lifting others through the very organization that helped her rise. Jordan’s life took a dramatic turn after escaping an abusive relationship that left her without shelter.

“I was sleeping in my car with my daughter,” Jordan said. “I had nowhere to go. But then I was referred to Youth Towers through One Roof, [a coalition of over 50 agencies to reach vulnerable youth and provide essential support] and that changed everything.”

Founded by Westery, a licensed social worker and former Independent Living Program Coordinator with the Department of Human Resources, Youth Towers exists to serve youth 19 to 26 who are aging out of foster care or escaping unsafe living conditions. The organization fills critical gaps in services — offering everything from emergency housing and job training to transportation, ID support, and compassionate mentorship.

“I started Youth Towers because I was tired of watching young people fall through the cracks,” said Westery. “We created this space to offer not just shelter, but dignity, stability, and the power to choose their own path.”

Founded by Alice Westery, left, a licensed social worker and former Independent Living Program Coordinator with the Department of Human Resources, Youth Towers helps those like Tykirel Jordan with everything from emergency housing to compassionate mentorship. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

Dignity, Options And Love

For Jordan, 27, the support came at just the right moment. Youth Towers helped her secure safe housing, regain her independence through a driver’s license and car, and even supported her in pursuing her love of dance. “The support I received was unbelievable,” Jordan said. “They never treated me like a case — they treated me like a person. That made all the difference.”

That approach is intentional, Westery said. “Everything we do is based on what the young people told me they needed. They wanted to be heard. They wanted choices. They wanted to feel human again,” she said. “So that’s what we give them — dignity, options, and love.”

Inspired by the support she received, Jordan has become a vital part of Youth Towers. She now helps plan events, prepare meals, decorate facilities, sort clothing, organize donations, and assemble gift baskets for children. She’s also embraced a leadership and mentorship role, offering firsthand insight to help other young people navigate their own challenges.

“Everything I do now is about giving back,” she said. “Youth Towers gave me the strength to start over, and now I want to be that strength for someone else.”

Jordan’s efforts also extend beyond the organization itself. Jordan is part of The Rise, a youth-focused initiative supported by the Birmingham Mayor’s Office, which seeks to expand Youth Towers’ model citywide. “I want to help grow this organization so that other young people have the same chance I did,” Jordan said. “I know what it feels like to need a lifeline.

Westery sees young leaders like Jordan as a sign that the mission is working. “When a young person who once needed help turns around and becomes the help — that’s the goal,” she said. “That’s what this is all about.”

Since its incorporation in 2007 and Westery’s full-time commitment in 2016, Youth Towers has served over 600 young people across Birmingham. The nonprofit works closely with One Roof, a coalition of over 50 agencies — including UAB outreach, Way Station, and the Salvation Army — to reach vulnerable youth and provide essential support. Youth Towers also operates a downtown assessment center and multiple housing units across the city.

One of the organization’s most profound stories involved a young woman who was eight months pregnant and living on the streets. “If we hadn’t stepped in, she would’ve lost her baby to the system,” Westery shared. “Instead, she left the hospital with her child — and a future.”

Pressing On

Still, the work isn’t easy. Limited funding, a lack of affordable housing, and broken public transportation systems present ongoing challenges. “We don’t rely solely on federal dollars,” said Westery. “We rely on God, our community, and people who believe in what we do. Because the system that failed these youth isn’t always equipped to save them.”

And yet, Youth Towers presses on — fueled by compassion, collaboration, and a deep belief in every young person’s potential. “We don’t just hand out rules. We offer relationship,” said Westery. “We give our kids the tools to stand, and the belief that they’re worth standing for.”

As Jordan continues to serve and grow, her journey reflects the mission of Youth Towers itself: to turn pain into purpose and obstacles into opportunities. “This isn’t just a shelter,” said Westery. “This is a ministry. It’s a calling. And we’re just getting started.”

For more on Youth Towers visit Youth Homelessness | Youth Towers | Birmingham, AL or contact Alice Westery at alicewestery@gmail.com | 205-383-1965

Non-Profit Launched at Miles College to Gather ‘Brightest Minds’ for National Mentoring Initiative

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Birmingham Times
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Kennedi Lowe, a student at Florida A&M University, was at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to discuss a new entrepreneurship initiative from the Birmingham-based 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth. (Contributed)

By Joseph D. Bryant | jbryant@al.com

A Birmingham-based non-profit organization is gathering college entrepreneurs from several institutions to launch a national mentorship initiative.

Leaders with the 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth gathered recently at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to announce its Public Policy iLab.

The 2150 Center was launched by Miles College last year as a business and innovation collaborative designed to expand to institutions around the country. Miles is a private liberal arts college in Fairfield, just west of Birmingham.

“This iLab model convenes and curates the best and brightest minds to problem solve and build businesses,” said Erskine “Chuck” Faush, CEO of the 2150 Center.

The new iLab initiative includes students from Miles College, Florida A&M University, Johnson C. Smith University and Jackson State University. The goal is to engage institutions, students and professionals in the latest innovation to encourage entrepreneurship.

The goal is to make mentorship more scalable, personalized, and accessible across campuses.

The 2150 Center is also partnering with the mentorship initiative MentorPro, a mobile-first technology platform that connects students and early entrepreneurs with real-time, interest-aligned seasoned mentors.

“With these amazing institutions and through partnership with MentorPro, we’re creating a framework where students can engage directly with leaders, build relationships, and help design the systems they want to champion,” said Miles College Provost Tonya Perry.

Ultimately, the iLab initiative seeks to grow innovation through mentorship, collaboration and pairing entrepreneurs with resources and investors.

Organizers said additional iLabs are planned to focus on manufacturing, artificial intelligence, health and energy sectors.

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Providing Free Meals, Snacks to Children This Summer

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Birmingham Times
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Over the summer, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is providing free, prepared meals and snacks to children 18 and under. (Adobe Stock)

By Sara Hampton | WBRC

Through its Child Hunger initiatives, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is providing free, prepared meals and snacks to children 18 and under.

In addition to snacks and meals, the food bank says it will offer food box distributions to families with children across central Alabama.

With school out for summer, that means no lunch for thousands of children in our community.

“In central Alabama, one in five children faces food insecurity,” said Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank. “We want to ensure children have access to the meals they need and every child is nourished and thriving.”

  • Summer Meals – Serves prepared lunches and snacks directly to children.
  • Food Box distributions – Families will receive a food box, snack packs, fresh produce, and a frozen protein.

A complete list of sites, times of operation, and closures can be found at the Community Food Bank website.

The Food Bank says prepared meals will be provided, Monday through Friday, beginning in June, offering children the nourishment they need to grow, play, and enjoy the season.

Food box distributions will run from June through August. Holiday closures will affect some days of service. Parents or guardians are encouraged to call sites in advance to confirm availability.

In addition to summer meals, families can access free groceries at distributions happening daily across the region. A complete list of food distributions is available at this website.

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