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BCS Facilities & Maintenance Dept. Gives Back through Angel Tree Program

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Birmingham Times
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Birmingham City School's Facilities and Maintenance Department completed two major service projects: the Angel Tree Donation and the Helping Hands Contest. (BCS)

Birmingham City Schools

The Facilities and Maintenance Department (F.O.A.M), under the direction of Victor Pettus demonstrated its commitment to community support this holiday season by completing two major service projects: the Angel Tree Donation and the Helping Hands Contest. On December 3, the department proudly showcased its spirit of generosity and unity.

Angel Tree Project

As part of the annual Angel Tree outreach, the department donated toys and clothing for seven Angels, ensuring local children receive essential items and joyful gifts for the holidays. Angel Tree has long been a tradition for the Facilities and Maintenance team, serving as a meaningful way to uplift families in need across the community. Staff members collaborated to collect, package, and prepare items tailored specifically to each child’s wish list.

Helping Hands Contest

In addition to the Angel Tree effort, the department expanded its community service commitment by joining the Helping Hands Contest, a new initiative in partnership with the Lovelady Center. This project focuses on providing practical support to women and children facing challenging circumstances.

For the contest, the team designed a festive display decorated in red and pink Mickey and Minnie Mouse, representing their creative theme, “Little Mouseketeers.” Donated items for the Helping Hands initiative included Little Mouseketeers Baby Essentials—carefully selected to bring comfort and joy to participating families.

The Helping Hands tree will be displayed on December 5, 2025, highlighting the team’s creativity, generosity, and festive holiday spirit.

A Season of Service

This year’s dual efforts reflect the department’s dedication to “Putting Unity in Community,” a guiding principle embraced by leadership and staff. With teamwork, creativity, and a shared passion for service, the Facilities and Maintenance Department continues to make a lasting impact.

Team members expressed pride in contributing to both projects and are confident that their commitment will create a win-win for the department and the communities they serve.

University of Alabama Suspends Student Magazines to Comply with Anti-DEI Regulations

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Birmingham Times
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The University of Alabama on Monday announced to staff of student-run publications Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six that the magazines would be suspended, effective immediately, in compliance with federal regulations. (UA)

By Heather Gann | hgann@al.com

The University of Alabama on Monday announced to staff of student-run publications Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six that the magazines would be suspended, effective immediately, in compliance with federal regulations.

In their decision, UA officials cited a memo released by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi this summer claiming that DEI initiatives can be considered discriminatory and may be in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws.

The university said it hopes to work with students “to develop a new publication that features a variety of voices and perspectives” in the next academic year.

“The University remains committed to supporting every member of our community and advancing our goals to welcome, serve and help all succeed,” representatives wrote in a release Tuesday.

“In doing so, we must also comply with our legal obligations. This requires us to ensure all members of our community feel welcome to participate in all provided programs, including student publications.”

Alice Magazine, which celebrated its 10th year this month, describes itself as “a fashion and wellness magazine,” on its website.

“Our mission is to help students learn how to feel comfortable in their journey of navigating college life during this transition from teen to adult years,” the site reads.

“It is so disheartening to know that so many of us have put so much hard work into these magazines that are now being censored,” Gabrielle Gunter, editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine, told student news outlet The Crimson White.

1956, which was established in 2020, describes itself as “a student-run magazine focused on Black culture, Black excellence, and Black student experiences at The University of Alabama.”

“With our content, we hope to keep students informed about what’s happening around them and provide a space for students of color to feel seen and heard and to share their stories rather than take them,” its site reads.

“We strive to showcase the complexities of the Black and brown experience and how people of color are not a monolith.”

Steven Hood, vice president of student life, told the staff of both publications Monday night that because they target specific groups, they are “unlawful proxies” per the guidelines of Bondi’s letter.

UA representatives said in their statement that the university “routinely reviews programming as the compliance landscape changes. If compliance with legal obligations impacts a program on UA’s campus, we will work to find new opportunities to take its place.”

Last summer, following the passage of state anti-DEI law SB129, the UA system announced it planned to close the schools’ DEI offices and replace them with offices that seemingly addressed similar goals.

Later in August, UA closed its Black Student Union and Safe Zone, its LGBTQ+ resource center, citing compliance with SB129.

AIDS Alabama CEO Kathie Hiers, A Southern HIV Icon, Announces Her Retirement

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Birmingham Times
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Kathie Hiers, the longtime CEO of AIDS Alabama on Tuesday announced her retirement. (Provided)

The Birmingham Times  

Kathie Hiers, the longtime CEO of AIDS Alabama, the nation’s only statewide AIDS Service Organization, on Tuesday announced her retirement. She will continue to serve as the AIDS Alabama Chief Executive Officer until her retirement on June 1, 2026.

​Since joining AIDS Alabama in 1997, Hiers has built the organization into a model of comprehensive HIV care, providing housing and supportive services to low-income persons with HIV, as well as education, outreach, linkage to care, and testing across the state.

Under her leadership, the agency has become the coordinating force for the only statewide AIDS service coalition in the country, working with eight other AIDS Service Organizations and numerous clinics to ensure no Alabamian faces HIV alone.

As the only Deep South resident selected by President Obama to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS in 2010, she co-chaired the Disparities Committee and championed resolutions on comprehensive sex education, HIV-specific criminal laws, and addressing the epidemic in transgender and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

Her advocacy helped modernize two critical pieces of federal legislation: the Ryan White CARE Act in 2006, ensuring more equitable distribution of federal funds to communities most affected by HIV, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) legislation in 2016, after 15 years of persistent work to align funding with the epidemic’s geographic realities.

​”I have spent my career fighting for one simple truth: that every person living with HIV deserves dignity, housing, healthcare, and hope,” said Hiers. “The work we’ve accomplished together, from housing hundreds of families to changing federal policy, has only been possible because of the extraordinary staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners who believed in this mission.”

The AIDS Alabama Board of Directors has retained the national search firm Kittleman and Associates who has begun a national search for the organization’s next leader.

POZ magazine contributor Mark S. King spoke with Hiers this week about her work, her legacy and what comes next for the community and for herself.

Recent government actions have crippled so much of our work. It’s been tough on everyone. How are you?

Today, I’m sitting in my office, and I am about to tell the staff about my retirement. I’ve got the door shut. My board already knows. It’s hard to tell people. I’m a big crybaby.

How will that go, telling your staff, do you think?

This is hard after doing this for 30-plus years. This work is a calling for me. In the early days, I lost so many friends. I threw an address book away because I couldn’t stand to look at it anymore. I’m scared we’re going back to those times with all that’s going on now. My retirement date is June 1, and I will stay around for another six months to help with projects.

When did your HIV work begin?

In 1993, I walked into the local organization in Mobile, Alabama, and got hired. Before that, I had started a nonprofit organization to help people with AIDS with their Christmas wish lists or visit people alone in the hospital. We helped people die with a little dignity, since there was nothing you could do then. By 1998, I was on the board of AIDS Alabama, and in 2002, I became their director.

You’ve become an iconic national HIV leader—and from Alabama of all places. How?

I was driven by what I felt was an inequity. People living with HIV in the South were being wronged. When I began to understand the national landscape, it became very clear to me that the South was being royally screwed. We had the fastest-growing HIV population, the most people dying and over 1,000 people on waiting lists for medications. Nobody wanted to talk about the fact these were minority people. That fired me up. So I got together with some other Southern AIDS directors, and we started the Southern AIDS Coalition. We put on a full-fledged campaign, writing op-eds, going to every conference, showing the disparities between urban and rural areas. It did not make me popular, though. I was at the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA) one year, talking about this in a meeting, and someone from New York started screaming that I was a liar and that I was trying to steal money from big cities.

You were able to change the way HIV funding goes to the South?

Yes. By 2006, we managed to get more money from the Ryan White CARE Act, and then we started working to get the HOPWA [Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS] laws changed, which we did by 2016. That helped a lot.

What are your thoughts about retirement? You’re about to walk through a door you’ve been looking at for a long time.

It’s such an unknown for me. When you’ve done something your entire adult life, you can’t imagine a life without it. It’s a little sad, but I know I can’t do this forever and need to quit while I’m in decent shape.

What’s a defining memory of your work?

When we finally persuaded President George W. Bush to put money in ADAP [AIDS Drug Assistance Program], and the waiting list we had in Alabama disappeared. I’ll never forget when the Ryan White law got changed in 2006 to give more money to the South. I was watching C-SPAN when they started debating and passed it, and I was all by myself screaming in joy at the television. It was the culmination of years of advocacy and hard work.

You saved lives that day.

Yeah. It was a group effort, but yeah. Definitely.

Activism makes strange bedfellows. I hear you once found common ground with former Trump attorney general and Alabama senator Jeff Sessions. How in the world did that happen?

I’m a big believer that you go into the offices of people who don’t agree with you. I had never gotten much traction with Senator Jeff Sessions. He would meet with me—I’ll give him that. But I found out his pet peeve was Alabama getting cheated on federal dollars. So I explained to him how Alabama was losing these HIV funds, and he was all about it, then. He got other senators involved, and they fought on the Senate floor for us. He became a huge ally.

There has been a rash of prominent HIV leader retirements this year—Paul Kawata of NMAC, Jesse Milan of AIDS United and now you. What’s going on?

We’re getting old! I’m 71 now. I’ll be 72 when my role here ends. That’s just the laws of nature. But all the retirements worry me. Those are the people who lived through the dark days. I often have young people come to work for me who know nothing about the history of the epidemic.<

How vital is new leadership to our movement and balancing that with people who understand organizational and pandemic history?

I’m not saying those young people can’t turn into dynamic leaders, but we need to make sure they understand our history, especially today when we are facing the same challenges we faced in the early days.

Is that your message to younger folks joining this movement?

Yes. Look at the history of the epidemic and understand the dangers of where we are now. I can’t think of any other disease that has made as much progress in such a short time. In 40 years, we’ve moved from a death sentence to a normal life expectancy. This has happened quickly but not evenly. We still have key populations and geographic areas that aren’t doing as well.

What’s next for you?

I definitely want to take a little time off, do something fun. I’m also moving back to my hometown of Mobile.

Do you have a bucket list?

I love to travel. I’ve never been to Asia. That’s something I’ll be doing.

I’m a romantic, so I hope there will be a loving partner at your side in the future to enjoy retirement with.

That’s on my bucket list too. It hasn’t happened, but I’m open to it. I get to do a lot of cool things. It would be fun to share it with someone.

Consider this interview your Hinge profile.

What’s Hinge?

It’s like Tinder.

Oh, like the boys have Grindr? There should be one for the girls called Shrub.

I love it. That’s your new project. Launch that.

Got it.

Thank you for your service to so many people, Kathie.

You’re welcome but I’m not going anywhere.

Click here to read the AIDS Alabama press release or watch a video on Kathie Hiers’ retirement, or to make a contribution in her honor.

Alabama Power Commits to Steady Rates Through 2027

By
Birmingham Times
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All components of Alabama Power’s regulated retail rates are not scheduled to increase through 2027. (Alabama Power)

alabamapower.com

Following Tuesday’s Alabama Public Service Commission meeting, Alabama Power announced its commitment to keep customer rates steady through 2027 while maintaining the dependable service customers count on.

All components of Alabama Power’s regulated retail rates are not scheduled to increase through 2027.

“We know budgets are tight, and power bills are a real concern for many families and businesses,” said Moses Feagin, Alabama Power’s executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. “This commitment gives customers more certainty and predictability around electric rates at a time when many other household and business costs are rising.”

Alabama Power will hold in place all existing factors in customer rates, including delaying until 2028 the implementation of previously approved adjustments for the Lindsay Hill generation facility.

As part of the commitment to keeping rates steady, the company will absorb the newly acquired facility’s costs in 2027 rather than deferring or shifting those costs to a later date.

“Since 2017, Alabama Power has reduced operating expenses by about $100 million despite the cost of equipment, such as transformers, poles and wires, increasing significantly during this time,” Feagin said. “We will not waiver in our efforts to strengthen the energy grid and invest in smart, storm-resilient infrastructure, so customers receive the reliable service they deserve in communities across our state.”

While rates will remain level through 2027, bills could still go up or down based on the amount of electricity a customer uses each month.

To help customers manage their bills, Alabama Power is pairing rate stability with tools and assistance. These include the company’s Bill Explainer, Rate Advisor, Energy Assistant, Budget Billing and payment assistance programs that help customers better understand their bill, choose options that fit their needs and find help when they need it.

For more information about tools to help manage power bills, visit alabamapower.com/save.

A Program in Jefferson County Helped 585 People Out of Homelessness. Then the Money Ran Out

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Birmingham Times
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Tiffany Edwards said she and her three children almost lost their home after the Jefferson County Housing Authority ended its Continuum of Care program due to federal funding gaps. (Alaina Bookman, AL.com)

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com

Tiffany Edwards used to greet her children every day after school on the porch of their red brick house north of Birmingham.

Now she’s working 12-hour shifts and missing time with her kids to maintain the roof over their heads and keep up with the ever-mounting bills.

After moving from home to home and battling addiction for a decade, Edwards found hard-fought stability for her three children.

The Continuum of Care, a program that helped thousands of people out of homelessness across the nation, was a key part of that stability.

Gaps in federal funding for the housing program can leave some of the nation’s most vulnerable people to drown.

Its demise put Edwards in a precarious situation.

“I don’t want to be left in the blind and don’t want to have an eviction and I’m left wondering about what I’m gonna do with me and my three children,” Edwards told AL.com.

Beginning Of The End

In March, a letter arrived from the Jefferson County Housing Authority telling Edwards in big bold letters that she would no longer have help paying the rent: “Effective June 1, 2025, you will no longer be a participant of the Continuum of Care…”

The federally funded Continuum of Care program once helped 370 households — 585 people, including 128 children and teens — find safe and affordable homes in Jefferson County through housing choice vouchers.

Representatives of the Jefferson County Housing Authority said they had to end their Continuum of Care program because the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development didn’t provide enough funding to sustain it.

“The only options really were for [Housing and Urban Development] to fund us exactly what we needed and none of this would have taken place,” said Hannah Gore, the executive director of the housing authority.

When the program ended, the housing authority and local homeless organizations helped more than 200 participating households find alternative resources and housing.

But others fended for themselves.

A representative of One Roof, a local homeless relief organization, said it is unknown exactly how many individuals were left without housing options or resources since the program’s end.

Edwards’ is one case that slipped through the cracks, leaving her worried about what comes next.

“If it’s underfunded, things are going to fall through the cracks. It’s not a perfect system, and we never claim it to be,” Gordon Sullivan, One Roof’s executive director, said.

“We try our best, because truly, at our core we believe everyone deserves to have a safe place to call home.”

Tiffany Edwards said she and her three children almost lost their home after the Jefferson County Housing Authority ended its Continuum of Care program due to federal funding gaps. (Alaina Bookman, AL.com)

Why It Matters

The Continuum of Care has 400 programs nationwide, including nine in Alabama, which have helped thousands of people around the country out of homelessness since 1994.

Communities and organizations come together to provide outreach, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing for those in need.

For Edwards, the Continuum of Care gave her one less thing to worry about by ensuring her rent was paid in full every month.

Without the program, some families would be left with few options.

And some may even return to homelessness.

From 2023 to 2024, central Alabama saw a 7.8% increase in homelessness.

In January 2025, One Roof counted about 810 people who were homeless in the city of Birmingham, Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby Counties. Because the count is done on a single night, One Roof says it is likely an underrepresentation of the realities of homelessness in the area.

Of the 810 homeless individuals, 518 were Black, 82 had serious mental illnesses, 71 were under the age of 18, and 61 were adults with substance use disorders.

The Continuum of Care helps provide stability to people in need, like Edwards and her children.

Jefferson County Housing Authority representatives said they could not sustain their Continuum of Care program due to lack of funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Alaina Bookman, AL.com)

A Safe Place To Sleep

From 2006 to 2015, Edwards struggled with drug addiction, moving from home to home in west Birmingham.

“It was a lot of hanging with the wrong people in the wrong crowd, living the fast life. That’s how I ended up getting addicted,” Edwards said.

She said Continuum of Care, which she joined in 2018, was her saving grace.

“I went to treatment to get myself together for not only myself, but for my children,” Edwards said.

“In recovery, they say get away from familiar people, places and things.”

Jefferson County Housing Authority’s Continuum of Care helped Edwards, her daughter and two sons move from the West End to find stable housing in Center Point by providing her a housing choice voucher and paying her rent.

“It gave me the outlook to continue to move forward and attempt to try to get things together,” Edwards said.

But other bills kept coming.

Edwards’ daughter was born prematurely, weighing only a pound and three ounces. Now 8 years old, she has cerebral palsy, which limits her mobility, and learning disabilities.

Edwards is often in and out of the hospital with her daughter and says she needs to be home to attend to her special needs.

Her only source of income was her daughter’s disability payments, about $960 a month.

“I couldn’t find a job. With that program, I was secure enough where we at least have somewhere to stay. We won’t be homeless because my rent was taken care of,” Edwards said.

“It gave me that comfort and support.”

But behind the scenes, funding was drying up.

One Roof is the lead agency for the Central Alabama Continuum of Care program which provides housing assistance for those in need. (Alaina Bookman, AL.com)

How It Fell Apart

In Alabama, there is no state budget line item for homelessness relief, which Sullivan says makes resources and services uncertain.

Continuum of Care’s sole source of funding comes from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development through a competitive grant.

One Roof is the lead agency for the Central Alabama Continuum of Care program, which includes 67 partner organizations and the Jefferson County Housing Authority.

In 2024, the Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Central Alabama’s Continuum of Care Program $10.3 million, which each partner agency can apply for.

Sullivan said that money is only a “drop in the bucket,” to tackle homelessness across the region.

“As a system of care, we are woefully underfunded. I would say we only receive maybe a third of what we really need,” Sullivan said.

The amount of money a program can receive depends on a strict set of guidelines set by the federal government.

The guidelines include serving people who are chronically homeless, meaning unhoused for over a year, and providing participants costly and labor intensive wrap-around services like employment, legal and medical support.

Those guidelines limited the federal dollars the housing authority received because they operated solely by providing housing vouchers and rent assistance.

“There was no way that we could push our program into that mold and make it fit. And they did not accept the fact that this is the way we operate,” said Diane Clark, the human resources director of the housing authority.

“What housing authorities do is not consistent with the way those programs operate.”

Without additional funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program couldn’t go on.

“There honestly was not another alternative, other than get the money that we needed, but we wouldn’t have been in compliance,” Gore said.

“So we had to just start taking people off the program. That was the only way…It’s very, very, very unfortunate for the participants.”

The End Of The Program

Jefferson County Housing Authority representatives said they could not sustain their Continuum of Care program due to lack of funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.Alaina Bookman

In 2024, the Jefferson County Housing Authority made the difficult decision to opt out of the Continuum of Care.

To close out the program, the housing authority broke the participating households into three groups: those who could survive without the program, those who would need additional assistance and those who would need the most help.

On Aug. 7, 2024, the housing authority sent out 100 letters to the first group of households, informing them that their last rental payment would be made on October 1, 2024.

But that was only the beginning.

In January 2025, the housing authority, One Roof and the Department of Housing and Urban Development began helping more than 200 participating households find viable housing options and resources.

In March 2025, Edwards, who was in the second group of participants, received her letter from the Jefferson County Housing Authority telling her that her saving grace would no longer exist.

“I started immediately feeling stressed, trying to figure out what I’m gonna do, how I’m gonna do it, if I could afford to even stay in the house,” Edwards said.

How would she find a viable job? Who would take care of her daughter? Would the changes burden her sons? Would they have enough to eat? These were all questions Edwards said she didn’t have the answers to.

In May 2025, the Jefferson County Housing Authority sent letters to the final group of 100 households telling them that the funding had officially run out.

With help from the housing authority, some participants were transferred to different housing programs. Others moved in with relatives. Some got help from partner agencies that aid in homelessness outreach like the Lovelady Center and the JBS Mental Health Authority.

According to Gore, the housing authority helped more than 200 households find alternative housing and resources.

“One lady has ended up with a house…and her community has come in to support her,” Clark said

“Another individual is in a wheelchair and he was absolutely frantic…We have been able to give him a mainstream voucher so he will continue to get help.”

Gore said the process was long and heartbreaking.

“It took forever, but we tried to have a plan for everybody,” Gore said.

“We have been very hands-on with this, because we actually care. We have a conscience. We know that these are people, these are families,” Gore said.

But not everyone found a solution.

Edwards said neither the Jefferson County Housing Authority nor One Roof reached out to offer help or resources, despite her calling and sending emails.

“We have lost sleep,” Clark said. “The whole thing is tearing us apart emotionally, and it’s very frustrating that we can’t do anything about it.”

All the while, Edwards was also losing sleep.

A Precarious Situation

For months, Edwards was behind on rent, putting her daughter’s disability payments toward keeping the lights on, the water running and food on the table.

“Once you pay the bills, within that first week, you’re broke, and you’re looking like a deer in headlights,” Edwards said.

She said her days were like a “constant rollercoaster,” trying to figure out what to do.

Finally, in September 2025, after a lucky break, things changed for the better.

Edwards’ landlord helped her find a job as a caretaker for the elderly.

“It was the grace of God that I ended up running across it…[The landlord] has been extremely helpful, going over and beyond to try to help me to be able to stay,” Edwards said.

“I even called One Roof to try to get assistance and I still haven’t heard anything from them…If it wasn’t for [the landlord] helping me, we’d be on the streets.”

Even with her new job, Edwards said it’s been hard to “get back to normalcy.”

As a caretaker, she works 12 hour shifts, sometimes longer, running back and forth from her clients’ homes to her own to spend what little time she has with her children.

Edwards said she worries the United States Social Security Administration will deduct from her daughter’s disability payments because of her new job, even though it doesn’t pay much.

Without the Continuum of Care, her utility bills and daughter’s medical bills are still piling up.

Spending long days at work, being in and out of the hospital with her child, having no family to rely on for child care, and not knowing where to turn for resources, Edwards said, has left her treading water.

The week of Nov. 17, One Roof reached out to Edwards to connect her with rent assistance resources.

Edwards said it’s only led her to more unanswered calls and waitlists.

“I’ve been depressed, but one thing that I refuse to do is to relapse,” Edwards said.

“I just want to be able to smile again.”

How To Get Help

One Roof is still assisting Jefferson County clients and anyone in need of housing assistance or resources.

Anyone who is at risk of becoming homeless or is already currently experiencing homelessness can contact One Roof through their website or at 205-254-8833.

The Lovelady Center offers women housing assistance, educational and career programming, counseling and medical treatment. Visit their website or call 205-833-7410 to learn more.

JBS Mental Health Authority offers case management to those with mental illnesses, providing transportation, referrals and support. Those experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis can call their crisis center at 205-263-1701.

One Roof has created a list of community resources including where to go for emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, substance use treatment programs, transportation, mental health and youth services.

Click here to find affordable housing options near you.

Lessons Learned: What a Supermarket Job Taught Mayor Woodfin About Helping Others

By
Birmingham Times
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Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin shares a laugh with a student in a fourth-grade class at John Herbert Phillps Academy. (Amarr Croskey, For The Birmingham Times)

By Solomon Crenshaw Jr. | The Birmingham Times

Looking back on a political career that includes two terms on the Birmingham Board of Education and three terms as Mayor, Randall Woodfin said his best training for elected office probably came from working at a supermarket and a downtown Birmingham hotel – two jobs where customer service were paramount, he said

At age 15, he bagged groceries at the Western Supermarket on Crestwood Boulevard “and then at the same grocery store I ended up being a cashier,” he told the Birmingham Times in an interview ahead of his November 25 inauguration for a third term. “I did display work (and) I did stocking and receiving. I did everything. I ended up being like an acting deputy manager in the summer at 19. That’s where I learned the whole notion of the importance of customer service, which is our No. 1 core value that I’ve taken with me and applied here in this job as mayor.”

In high school, Randall Woodfin bagged groceries at the Western Supermarket on Crestwood Boulevard. He attended North Birmingham Elementary School, Putnam Middle School, and Shades Valley High School. (File)

Later, Woodfin was a bellman at the Sheraton Hotel, which looks much different today after recent upgrades.

“I’ll never forget the coolest opportunity as bellman was [R&B legend] Prince did a show here in 2004,” the mayor said. “I think it was his last time in Birmingham, and his team came in advance. I took care of them so well (that) they gave me a ticket to the concert that I couldn’t use because I was working. I called my mom, who loved Prince. She got a chance to see Prince.

“But that was all because of how I took care of them,” he said. “They didn’t have to do that. Customer service. I apply it in this job every day as mayor.”

That level of service will keep residents in the city, said the mayor who believes people tend to leave Birmingham for one of three reasons – safety, their child’s education and an opportunity to get a job.

He outlined the priorities: “Neighborhood investments, so people can not only feel safe but actually are safe, education (and) job creation,” he said. “I want Birmingham to be a place where families move to and families who are already here don’t have to leave. They can feel safe, their child is educated and they can have gainful employment. That’s not rocket science. That just takes pulling everybody to the table, making sure we focus on those three things.”

Woodfin cited public safety, acknowledging having taken a page from Richard Arrington, the last Birmingham mayor to serve five terms.

“(Arrington) formed the Crime Commission and he made real recommendations,” the mayor said. “Then you saw crime go down before it went back up. I’m proud of the public-private partnership of this Crime Commission [established in October 2024 to address the city’s high homicide rate, which reached record levels that year], and I’m proud of what Chief [Michael] Pickett is doing … We can’t be everywhere. We can’t be in every apartment, every car, every home, but we’re going to hold people accountable.”

The mayor pointed out the homicides are down 50 percent in 2025 from where they were at this point in 2024 and police recruitment is up substantially.

Accountability

During his inauguration at the Boutwell Auditorium on Nov. 25, the mayor pointed to leaders who will help with his administration’s customer service. Reappointed to his executive team are Cedric D. Sparks, Sr., Chief of Staff; Ed Fields, Chief Strategist and Senior Advisor; Melissa E. Smiley, Chief Economic and Community Development Officer; and Chaz Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Sports and Entertainment.

The mayor also announced three new leadership roles: James Fowler as Chief of Public Infrastructure, Dr. Sylvia Bowen as Deputy Chief of Administrative Services, and Carlton Peeples as Deputy Chief of Public Safety.

To help address the problem of long-delayed projects Woodfin said Smiley “will make sure we hold internal and external team members accountable for moving projects and projects coming to fruition,” he said.

One of the most visible examples and one that has many residents wondering is the proposed Family Fun Center at the Birmingham CrossPlex. To date, the only visible evidence of that project is a fenced area on the CrossPlex campus.

Woodfin said, “[The Family Fun Center] is going to happen,’ … and [some] people didn’t honor their part. So, we’re back at the table trying to figure out how to land this plane.”

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

By
Birmingham Times
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The Vulcan statue will be lit up with a sound-to-light Christmas show this year. (Photo via Vulcan Park and Museum)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

TODAY, DEC. 4…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**DUCKY NEPTUNE, CINEMA NOW, PENNY CIRCUS at The Nick.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE IMPROV, featuring PEPPERMINT PATTIES  Middle Part Pigeons at Saturn.

**RnB POETICALLY LIT, 5-7 p.m. at Lit on 8th, 518 Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. with HUNCHO ZAVY, KD MCQWEEN, CAROL HOOD, DKMODE, BRIANNE SHARDAW and hosted by HEMP THE ARTIST. Every Thursday.

**JAZZ IN THE MAGIC CITY HAPPY HOUR featuring Alabama’s own Jose Carr and his band, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. FREE. EVERY THURSDAY!

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**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.

**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.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**SATURN SANTA SPECTACULAR at Saturn.

**QDOT & JAXXXON + FRIENDS at The Nick.

**FUTUREBIRDS at Iron City.

**A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS with JEFFREY BUTZER at Saturn.

**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.

**FREE – MELLOW-MAS CHRISTMAS RAVE at Saturn.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6…

**HOLIDAYS ON THE MOUNTAIN, 4-8 p.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum.

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**THE MIDNIGHT EFFECT BEFORE CHRISTMAS at Saturn.

**DUSTY SANTAMARIA + BLOOD MOON RIOT + GALACTIC ENGINEERS at The Nick.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7…

**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.

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**FREE SHOW with LUKE WOOD at The Nick.

**KILLER WHALE at The Nick.

**VOODOO DAWN & GENERAL TRUST at The Nick.

**2ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.

**4th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.

**FREE – BORN, REFUSE TO THRIVE and EFD at Saturn.

**FREE- SATURN KARAOKE NIGHT at Saturn.

**MOTION SUNDAYS at Platinum, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. with DJ CUZZO X DJ A1 Controlling the Vibes. There will be Drink Specials.

MONDAY, DEC. 8…

**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.

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**MONDAYS – THURSDAYS – CFJS CARES RESPITE PROGRAM, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**MONDAYS – GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, 10-11:30 a.m. at CJFS Conference Room. Open to survivors who have experienced loss within the past 2 years. Call 205-278-7101 to sign up.

**MONDAYS – DEMENTIA CAREGIVER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, 3 p.m. and/or Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.

**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick with Special Guest ANGELIC DESOLATION and GRAVEDANCER.

TUESDAY, DEC. 9…

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**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.

**THE BROOD (FREE SHOW) at Saturn.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10…

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.

**OPEN DECK with SUNDROP EVERY WEDNESDAY at The Nick.

**FREE – GLYDERS with HAYCOP, CASH LANGDON, BARBER POLE SOUND at Saturn.

**COBB LANE BENEFIT CONCERT – The Upstairs at Avondale.

THURSDAY, DEC. 11…

**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.

**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**WAKING APRIL with MINDSHAFT at The Nick.

**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.

**KENDALL STREET COMPANY with BUFFALO LEMONPEPPER PROJECT at Saturn.

**ZACK FOX (DJ SET) at Iron City.

 FRIDAY, DEC. 12….

**GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo through January 4.

**SKA NIGHT: ANALOG DAY DREAM, CLOSE ENOUGH, LEFT HAND HOTDOG at The Nick.

**7 CHINESE BROS – ONE NIGHT OF CLASSIC REM at Iron City.

**CAN’T FEE: MY FACE: 20102 DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…

 **HOLIDAYS ON THE MOUNTAIN, SATURDAY, 4-8 p.m. at Vulcan Park and Museum.  This is a NEW seasonal tradition debuting. As night settles over Red Mountain, people gather to watch Vulcan statue illuminate in a dazzling light show.  Friends and family will take in city views and create memories that will last for years.  This event is debuting Saturday with joyful celebrations at the park. Performing will be Clog Wild Cloggers at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., Karar Performing Arts at 6 p.m., Iron City Revival at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.  There will be over 30 vendors of all kinds. There will be music, lights and family-friendly activities. Get your tickets online at www.visitvulcan.com or onsite at the ticket booth.  DON’TMISS IT!!!

IN  THE CITY OF IRONDALE…

**TODAY – NATIONAL COOKIE DAY where you can swap recipes and enjoy a free cookie while supplies last at the Irondale Public Library.

**TODAY – PIGEON PARTY, 5 p.m. at the library for stories, snacks and fun…. AND TOMORROW, at the parade at 6 p.m.

**DECEMBER 5 – IRONDALE CHRISTMAS PARADE & TREE LIGHTING, 6 p.m. with the Route: 16th St., So. to Highway 78 to 20th St. So. to City Hall for Tree Lighting. People can enjoy FREE Hot Cocoa, Treats, Santa Photos and More!

**DECEMBER 9 – HOLIDAY SPIRIT OF GIVING BLOOD DRIVE, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Irondale City Hall.

**DECEMBER 11 – JANE AUSTEN TEA PARTY with an evening of celebrating and honoring Jane Austen, author with light refreshments, games and fellowship.

**DECEMBER 20 – CHRISTMAS HAM GIVEAWAY, 8 – 9 a.m. at Irondale City Hall Drive through service with one Ham per family, while supplies last.

**DECEMBER 7-15 – HOLIDAY HOUSE SHOWDOWN judging with Winners Announced on December 16.

**DECEMBER 15 – 19 – SEE SANTA ON THE FIRE TRUCK with rides beginning at 5:30 p.m.

**DECEMBER 17 – MENORAH LIGHTING, 6 p.m. at Irondale City Hall.

**JANUARY 19, 2026 – DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY BREAKFAST at the irondale Public Library.  SAVE THE DATE!

**MUNICIPAL COURT AMNESTY DAYS are December 4, 11 and 18 at 1 p.m. if you are in violation of court-ordered obligations and wanted to get things settled?  Call 205-951-1414 to verify eligibility and be placed on the docket. This only applies to The City of Irondale warrants.

**FEED THE NEED FOOD DRIVE in Irondale – The City of Irondale is having a food drive until January 8, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Irondale City Hall. Donate can good and non-perishable items: canned meats (chick and Tuna), canned vegetables (low sodium), canned fruit or applesauce, peanut butter, beans, peas (canned or dried), pasta, rice, cereal, oatmeal, grits, boxed mac & cheese, 100% fruit juice and canned milk.  Also, donate money for maximum impact: $1 provides four meals, $25 feeds a family for a week, $100 provides 400meals. Money allows the purchase of fresh items and specific needs. Cash or check made Payable to: “Irondale Community Foundation OR give online: www.IrondaleCommunityFoundation.com. All donations will be directed through the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama for distribution to families in need.

**DON’T FORGET THE IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has something every day.  Check It Out!

Show of the Month

Bel-Air

Streaming On Peacock

Bel-Air, the acclaimed Peacock original series, returns with its highly anticipated fourth and final season, now available for streaming. This modern reimagining of the iconic ’90s sitcom takes viewers on an emotional journey through the complexities of family, ambition, and identity, set against the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles. Fans can expect powerful performances and dramatic twists as the show bids farewell to its beloved characters, cementing its place as one of the standout hits of the streaming era.

Book of the Month

Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell

By Taj McCoy

Now an original movie, airing on the CW, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy is a heartwarming romance novel that celebrates self-discovery and the courage to embrace positive change. The story follows Savvy Sheldon, a woman navigating life’s ups and downs with wit, resilience, and an infectious optimism. As she embarks on a journey to revamp her home and herself, readers are treated to a narrative filled with humor, relatable struggles, and the uplifting message that true happiness comes from within. This empowering read encourages audiences to find joy in the everyday and reminds us that it’s never too late to prioritize our own well-being.

THIS IS THE SEASON FOR GIVING!!! THINGS TO HELP…and To Do.

**SUPPORT THE BALLARD HOUSE PROJECT to continue the mission to preserve and share Birmingham’s Culture and Community History.  The GHP delivers groundbreaking historical research, education-programming, and digital and physical preservation which is a tapestry of Birmingham’s African American Community History. For more, go to: www.ballardhouseproject.org.  Check out the STACKS & STORIES” Pop-Up book sale, coming soon -“ RARE AIR” HOLIDAY SALON COMMUNITY PROGRAM.

**GIVING SEASON AT GLENWOOD – Glenwood is asking for help from the community for their services to help autism and behavioral health needs in the community. Supporters can visit: www.glenwood.org/operationsanta to choose their girl level and submit a donation.

**NO PLATE LEFT EMPTY AT FIREHOUSE MINISTRIES – Help Firehouse Ministries through the holiday season and into the future. Go to: www.firehouseshelter.com for more.

**HELPING ALABAMA BALLET – The Alabama Ballet brings world-class performances to our community and create life-changing opportunities for the students, dancers and musicians in the community. This season the Alabama Ballet will perform four major works in collaboration with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana, and Serenade.  This season nearly 80 children will share in the unforgettable experiences.

**SUPPORT BIRMINGHAM AIDS OUTREACH – The BAO Supports the needs of our community. They continue to develop and deliver innovative approaches for meeting those needs.  Support their BAO Bingo, Crestwood Crawl, donate artwork to the Arty Party or tell a friend about h service that BAO provides.  For more, visit www.birminghamaidsoutreach.org.

**SUPPORT THE GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY this season where your compassion can fuel every rescue, every medical procedure and every second chance to our animal friends. For more, go to: www.gbhs.org.  Your supports doesn’t just change lives – it saves them.  HAPPY PAW-LIDAYS!

**MAGIC CITY TOY DRIVE is NOW until FRIDAY accepting new and unopened toys for boys and girls form ages birth – 10 years old, new bicycles and coats and jackets.  Donation sites are at the East, West, north and South Police Precincts, Police Ad Building, All Birmingham Fire and Rescue stations, All AmFirst Credit Unions in Birmingham, Department of Youth Services and City Hall. For more info, www.birminghamal.gov’DYS/ToyDrive. OR call 205-320-0879.

**BE KIND BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY POP-UP in December:

1st Wednesday – Titusville Library at 10 a.m., 2nd Wednesday – North Birmingham Library at 3 p.m., 3rd Wednesday – East Ensley Library at 11 a.m. and 4th Wednesday – Southside Library at 3 p.m. Always check Be Kind on Facebook for updates and changes to schedules.

**ASBURY UMC FOOD PANTRY, 6690 Cahaba Valley Road, Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. and Every 1st Sunday at 12:30 – 2 p.m. For more info, 205-995-1700, info@asburybham.org and www.asburybham.org/food.

**TOY DRIVE IN DECEMBER – Juicy’s Sunday Funday and MoneyGang Enterprise presents the First Annual Toy Drive. Dates and Locations: December 7 at Patton Park, December 14 at Avondale Park, December 21 at Harrison Park and December 28 at Linn Park. The times are 2-3:30 p.m. Each child received 1 free toy, an instant photo with the Grinch and can enjoy music, fun and festive surprises for the whole family.  For more info, call 205-413-0577, go to: Juicyshoppe.com or FB: MoneyGang Mikey.

**FOR EMERGENCY RESOURCES, Call 205-942-8911 or visit www.feedingal.org/findfood for more.  OR call 211 for assistance.

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN…

**SOUTH ARTS ARTIST CREATIVE PRACTICE GRANTS is offering $3000 to help Southern artists access professional development and career-milestone opportunities NOW through June 30, 2026. Recipients can still apply to other South Arts programs including Southern Prize & State Fellowships, Jazz Road for unrelated projects. Contact jcrawford@southarts.org or estevenson@southarts.org.

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. 

Embracing the Beauty of Fall, All That it Brings

By
Birmingham Times
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As autumn arrives, the world transforms into a breathtaking canvas of gold, crimson, and amber. The gentle rustling of fallen leaves and the crispness in the air remind us that change is not only natural, but also beautiful.

Fall teaches us to let go of what no longer serves us, just as trees release their leaves to prepare for new growth. In this season of transition, take a moment to reflect on your journey. Allow yourself to embrace change with hope and curiosity, knowing that every ending is the beginning of something new.

As nature slows down, find time to appreciate simple moments—a warm cup of cider, the laughter of loved ones, or the peaceful silence of an early autumn morning. Let the vibrant colors inspire you to pursue your passions with renewed energy and gratitude. Remember, just like the changing leaves, we too can transform and thrive through every season of life.

A couple of lessons come to mind: First, it’s our chance to fully embrace change and adaptability. Life is a constant journey of mutations, and the ability to adapt is crucial for personal growth and success. Embracing change means being open to new experiences, learning from them, and evolving as a person. It’s important to understand that change is inevitable and resisting it can lead to missed opportunities and stagnation. Instead, view change as a chance to grow and improve.

As nature slows down, find time to appreciate simple moments—a warm cup of cider, the laughter of loved ones, or the peaceful silence of an early autumn morning. (Adobe Stock)

Whether it’s a new job, moving to a different city, or even a shift in personal relationships, adapting to change can lead to unexpected and rewarding experiences. By staying flexible and open-minded, you can navigate life’s uncertainties with confidence and resilience.

Second, we learn there’s power in positivity. Maintaining a positive outlook can significantly impact your overall well-being and success. Positivity is not about ignoring life’s challenges but rather about approaching them with a constructive mindset. When faced with difficulties, a positive attitude can help you find solutions and stay motivated.

It also influences how you interact with others, fostering better relationships and creating a supportive environment. Positivity can be cultivated through practices such as gratitude, mindfulness, and surrounding yourself with uplifting people.

And finally, we are reminded of the importance of self-care. Taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Self-care involves recognizing your needs and making time to address them.

This can include activities such as regular exercise, healthy eating, adequate sleep and engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. It’s also important to set boundaries and prioritize your well-being, even if it means saying no to others sometimes.

Self-care is not selfish; it’s a necessary practice that enables you to be your best self and effectively support those around you. Embrace the shift that comes with the season. There are beautiful things that await you.

As always, I’m Keisa, Coach K and I am cheering for you.

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

64 New Homes Planned in Birmingham’s Northside Community Near Vacant Hospital Site

By
Birmingham Times
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By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

“New residents, new families, and new life.” That’s what citizens in Birmingham’s Northside community can expect, said Birmingham City Councilor Brian Gunn, as crews begin construction that will bring 64 new homes along a stretch of property facing Carraway Boulevard north of 17th Avenue.

Birmingham City Council approved plans Tuesday morning, clearing the way for the new residential construction to begin near the Coca-Cola Amphitheater which opened in June with its first outdoor concerts and just north of the former Carraway hospital site.

“As more housing comes, we’ll see more business, more services, and more opportunities for everyone who calls the Northside home,” said Gunn at the site on Tuesday.

Homes are expected to be ready for new residents by early 2027 and will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages and townhomes, as well as a clubhouse to serve the community. The development will be owned and managed by CR-Endeavors.

From left: Brian Gunn, Birmingham City Councilor, Janet Maycock, President of Druid Hills Neighborhood Association, LaTonya Tate, Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem, Robert Simon, CEO of CR- Endeavors, and Barbara Thomas, President of Norwood Neighborhood Association. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)

Janet Maycock, president of Druid Hills Neighborhood Association and Barbara Thomas, president of the Norwood Neighborhood Association said “excitement” was the best way to describe the new homes.

“We are excited by what we’ve seen with the amphitheater, what we’re going to see next year, and what we’re going to see in the years to come,” said Maycock.

“It’s exciting to be at this point, where demolition is wrapping up and we’re going to start seeing things built here,” said Thomas.

Robert Simon, CEO of CR-Endeavors, said residential was always a key component to the entire project that includes an overall plan to revitalize the 50-plus acre site that was the former Carraway campus that calls for commercial and entertainment-related venues on the south end of the property, closer to Top Golf.

“As we’ve envisioned this project, we always wanted to start with residential …  reestablishing what is and was a great neighborhood, coming in with quality housing and affordable housing in many different ways, shapes, and forms,” he said.

The impact is expected to go beyond the Druid Hills neighborhood, where the new homes will be located.

Birmingham City Council Pro Tem, LaTonya Tate, whose district includes the Carraway site and who moved away from city before returning, remembers when the hospital provided medical care before later becoming an eyesore.

“I grew up right here. I still have a lot of ties to this community,” she said. “I never, ever dreamt that coming back to Birmingham after spending almost 12 or 15 years away from here that I would ever see this sight, transformed.”

After Stunning Performance, Birmingham’s Jazz Mckenzie Advances to Finals on ‘The Voice’

By
Birmingham Times
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Jazz Mckenzie will next perform on The Voice's live finale airs on NBC on Dec.15. (NBC)

By Marika N. Johnson | For the Birmingham Times

Birmingham native Jazz Mckenzie took another step to the finals on The Voice, the NBC singing reality competition television series, after her standout performance in the playoffs.

McKenzie advanced Monday night by digging deep into her gospel roots with a stirring rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” a song she says reflects her life in this moment. “Here we are — I’m chasing my dream. ‘Don’t Stop Believin’’ is literally the mantra of my life. If it can happen for me, it can happen for anybody,” she said Monday night on NBC.

The Voice live finale airs on NBC on December 15 with McKenzie one of 6 contestants. The Top 6 will perform live on Monday, December 15, at 9/8c, with voting open online and in the app until early Tuesday morning, December 16th. The results show will air the following night, Tuesday, December 16, at 9/8c.

When Mckenzie stepped onto the national stage as a contestant on “The Voice”, she brought with her not only a powerful voice but the rich musical heritage of Birmingham. Her coach, Michael Buble’, praised her talent, “I think Jazz might be one of the greatest singers that I have heard in a long time. She has a massive range. She has power. I think that Jazz could be a frontrunner for this competition,” he said.

Jazz Mackenzie photographed at Mars Music Hall in Huntsville AL opening for Leela James (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Now residing in Huntsville, Mckenzie grew up in Birmingham’s West End, attending Glen Iris Elementary and Arrington Middle School before graduating from Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. Her earliest musical foundation was built at Bessemer First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where she sang in the children’s choir. Her greatest influence though, she says, was her mother, Brenda Mackenzie.

“My mom made sure there was music everywhere –in the car, on the way to school, at the store, even at home,” Mckenzie told The Birmingham Times. “She kept music around me constantly.”

Those sounds ranged from gospel legends to soul icons. Mckenzie draws inspiration from artists such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, The Clark Sisters, The Winans and Donny Hathaway.

Despite her vocal talent, Mckenzie never imagined that singing could become a full-time career. “I’ve always looked at singing as a side job –until now,” she said.

Her appearance on The Voice marked a turning point. ‘This opportunity has replenished me,” she said in her interview with The Times. “It showed me that when you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. You never know when God is going to bless you.”

She sees her journey as a lesson in preparation and faith. “In the meantime, you have to be a good steward of what He’s given you –protecting your gifts, protecting yourself– because you never know when you’ll need to rise to the occasion. All things are possible.”

Perhaps most meaningful is how the experience has helped her reclaim her confidence. “I’ve had this gift for a while, but I’ve felt unseen, looked over,” Mckenzie said. “To be chosen has replenished me thoroughly. It reminded me to be thankful and grateful for what I have.”

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