A Back-to-School Bash that Serves Families in Birmingham, Bessemer and Fairfield

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July 31, 2025

Greeks having a great time giving back to the community (Provided)

By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times

What started as a passionate idea from Julius Bedford, founder of Ladder Day Movement and a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., has turned into a growing tradition of service, unity, and support for local students.

The 2nd Annual Back-to-School Bash will take place on Saturday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Kloset, 5200 Valley Road Fairfield, AL, 35064. The event will feature free school supplies, haircuts, community resources, and more for students and families in the Fairfield, Bessemer and Birmingham School Districts. All begin classes August 7.

“I reached out to Shurmaine Pruitt as well as TaMarcus Pruitt, and they were gracious enough to agree to collaborate with me,” said Bedford. “The partnership was just organic, and it started about two years ago at the first one that we did, and we’ve been together ever since.”

The initiative is more than just handing out school supplies — it’s about setting students up for success on day one.

“Being a child myself that did not have school supplies going in and depending on other people, I know this is crucial,” said Bedford, originally from Memphis Tennessee and a Miles College graduate. “Every student should be day-one ready.”

Asked about expectations for this year, Bedford reflected on the broader significance of the effort. “With everything going on in the world, especially in the African-American community, it’s important we show unity,” he said. “We’re doing something for us, by us, but it’s open to everyone.”

Shurmaine Pruitt, Event and Outreach Coordinator for Alabama Greek Foundation and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of lifting others up.

“We believe in reaching back and pulling someone up,” she said. “When policies are being put in place to disenfranchise the less fortunate, it’s important we take care of our own.”

She emphasized that unity is at the heart of this effort. “We are all more powerful together,” she said. “It’s important for students to see collaboration because collaboration is how you get things accomplished. Networking is important.”

This year’s bash isn’t just a repeat of last year’s success, it’s an expansion. “All I can say is bigger and better,” Bedford said. “More supplies, more entertainment, a new location, and more community involvement. We even have raffles and certificates for free haircuts.”

Greeks and family are excited for the upcoming Back-to-School bash that serves students and families in Birmingham, Bessemer and Fairfield. (Provided)

The team has also partnered with Brown’s Barber and Beauty School to offer complimentary haircuts and hairstyles not just for students, but parents as well. “In addition to that, we have Brown’s Educational Consulting providing ACT prep courses,” said Shurmaine Pruitt. “We’re expanding this event into something truly community-based.”

Looking at the impact, the event is not only meeting material needs but also inspiring young minds through example. “When students see us working together, doing something positive, it becomes a memorable experience,” she added. “They’ll see how adults collaborate and hopefully apply that to their own futures.”

TaMarcus Pruitt, President of the Alabama Greek Foundation and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., explained the deeper mission: “The Alabama Greek Foundation is based on collaboration, community, and uniting. These are the pillars we are built on, and we always try to display unity.”

With expanding resources, deep-rooted partnerships, and a mission grounded in love and unity, the Back-to-School Bash is more than just an event it’s a movement.

Shurmaine Pruitt concluded with a powerful message about action and love: “Showing love is an action word. That’s what we’re doing putting in the work and showing love to the community.”

The Back-to-School Bash will take place Saturday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Kloset in Fairfield Alabama. Free supplies, haircuts, and community resources will be available for students and families.

Remembering Malcolm Jamal Warner

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Birmingham Times

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July 31, 2025

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He was our brother and friend. And he grew up — along with us — right before our eyes. We lived vicariously through Emmy-nominated actor and consummate artist Malcolm Jamal Warner and his role as “Theo Huxtable” on the Cosby Show (which ran for eight seasons from 1984 – 1992).

Warner died after drowning in the waters off Costa Rica last week and man, did that feel like a crushing blow. His life, his work and his passion celebrated our culture. He was intentional and respectful from beginning to end.

When I think about his role as Theo, I remember him being relatable and likeable. Some of us didn’t grow up in a household with two successful parents as Warner’s young character did, but we respected him, admired him and cheered him along in that role.

He genuinely reached us at some point, and we felt we genuinely knew him. So much so, I’ve never heard an unkind word about him or his characters. In a profession that sparks genuine disdain for character roles, his work was beloved. And we not only cheered for Warner, and we connected.

Realistically we all know that it was his life’s work as an actor and artist, but he made us believe. And I dare say, Warner’s work made us hope — hope for more success, hope for better chances in this life. And we also watched as he evolved into more mature acting roles and other projects in the arts.

Some of us remember the laughs from the sitcom “Malcolm and Eddie,” in which he co-starred with comedian Eddie Griffin. And then there was his television show with actress Tracee Ellis Ross, “Reed Between the Lines.” And did you know he won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R & B performance for a collaborative project with Stevie Wonder? He was a celebrated spoken word artist (receiving a Grammy nomination in 2023). And Warner created a podcast – Not All Hood – to talk about the diversity of experiences within the African American community.

He was accomplished and it appears he used up nearly all, if not all, of his creative gifts bestowed upon him. Here’s to a life well lived and gift generously shared, Malcolm. We already miss you.

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS

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Birmingham Times

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July 31, 2025

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BillBellamy 1 — The Week Zero Classic Comedy Jam is coming to Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium in August, featuring the hilarious Bill Bellamy and hosted by the always entertaining Nephew Tommy. (Provided)

By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times

COOL WEATHER!!! ENJOY IT!

…FIND A SHADY SPOT UNDER A TREE!

TODAY, JULY 31…

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

**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

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

**THE BAND SOLSTICE, ORANGE MUDD & THE BAND HONEY at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT THURSDAY with ALABAMA SO & SO at The Nick.

**BACK TO SCHOOL BASH FOR EDUCATORS at Avondale Brewing Co.

**DREW MORGAN at the Upstairs Comedy Series at Avondale Brewing Co.

**(FREE) BLACK SABBATH’S PARANOID at Saturn.

**3^rd THURSDAY at the Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at The Nick.

**JOSE CARR EVERY THURSDAY, 5-7 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 1631 4^th Avenue North.

**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2^nd 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, AUGUST 1…

IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…

**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

**ROBIN SHAKEDOWN, MOSTLY STRANGERS, FETCH at The Nick.

**LATE NIGHT with SHOCK TEA, THE BAND HONEY, THE RUGS & BRUNCH WITH ROSIE at The Nick.

**JULES at Saturn.

**Y2K – A THROWBACK DANCE PARTY at Saturn.

**LAND AID w/BIG HEAD TODD & THE MONSTERS + THE HIP ABDUCTION at Avondale Brewing Co.

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2…

**FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET, 8 – 11 a.m., Every Saturday through August 2, located at By the Tracks at Irondale City Hall -Free Honey Samples & Bee Demo. There will be fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, baked goods, honey and handcrafted items.

**SATURDAY – HEAL THE BLOCK, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 13^th Street S.W. between Cotton Avenue and Tuscaloosa Avenue. There will be food, entertainment, music, free haircuts, school supplies, health screenings, vendors, children’s corner, community resources, giveaways, job training, voter registration, mental health resources and more.

**LAWNDOG, MODENEL, OUTSIDE DOG, LUNAR PARQUE at The Nick.

**OF MONTREAL with BIJOUX CONE and SICK FUCKS at Saturn.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3…

**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.

**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7^th, 2808 7^th Avenue Suite105

**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.

**LATE NIGHT at The Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE.

**LATE NIGHT SUNDAYS at The Nick with TABULA RASA and RABBIT HOLE.

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

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

**HARBOUR with CARVER COMMODORE, ABBY HOLLIDAY at Saturn.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4…

**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.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5…

**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.

**FREE ADVICE FROM VOLUNTEER LAWYERS IN BIRMINGHAM – ASK AN ATTORNEY at Homewood Library. Volunteer attorneys will be on hand 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to answer your legal, FREE. VLB assists with civil legal matters. For more 205-250-5198 and www.vlbham.org.

**PODCASTING 101 at CREED63, EVERY TUESDAY at 5:45 p.m. Learn how to launch and create your own podcast at 1601 5^th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203.

**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.

**(FREE) GARY RANDY NUMAN VINYL DJ SET at Saturn.

**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE LATE NIGHT TUESDAYS at The Nick.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6…

**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

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

**MOLD, HIRAETH, DOMESTICATRIZ & THE REPUBLICANTS at The Nick.

**FREE – GROCER, CAPTAIN KUDZU, & BITTER CALM at Saturn.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7…

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

**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.

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

**THE LAST RESPONDERS WITH FIEND WITHOUT A FACE @SKEPTIC? at The Nick.

**GLADYS IMPROV at Saturn.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 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.

**Q DOT & JAXXXON + FRIENDS at The Nick.

**ANDREA REALLY – ZEITGEIST EP RELEASE SHOW at Saturn.

**BACK TO SCHOOL ROCK & RALLY w/ THE VELCRO PYGMIES at Avondale Brewing Co.

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

**GREG GOSSETT APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF FORTIS INSTITUTE IN BIRMINGHAM – GOSSETT was recently named the new campus president for Fortis Institute (Birmingham). Fortis Institute is a higher education school that provides medical career training and skilled trade to students with real-world work and training experiences to enter the workforce in the healthcare, dental, welding technology, HVAC-R and other field. Welcome Greg Gossett!

LOOKING AHEAD AND PLANNING SOMETHING TO DO…

FOR LOVERS OF ENTERTAINMENT…

**THE MILTONS – A STAGE PLAY BY RICO SHAY – The Miltons, a powerful new stage play is hitting the Birmingham stage this Saturday with two (2) show times – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the newly renovated Woodlawn Theatre, 5503 First Avenue North. It is a ‘must see’ performance with some of the best around, starring: Patrick Bishop, Deirdre Gaddis, E. Josiah Kenty, CJ Steele, Raiya Goodman, Clarence Tyler, Kenji Hundley, Delores Byrd Smith, Stephanie Byrd. (If you don’t know one of them, you know more of them.) For more info, sovisionairefilms@gmail.com

FOR LOVERS OF BALLET…

There are things going on at Alabama Ballet that are important to many, especially ballet lovers… THINGS INCLUDE: *SEASON TICKETS are available now and the season included classics, featured works and a tribute to Roger VanFleteren. *INDIVIDUAL TICKETS go on sale August 11 which could include Legacy in Motion, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, at home: Mixtape, Sleeping Beauty and Unbound. *SCHOOL REGISTRATION is now open and you can register today. *FREE EVENT is August 16 – Family Day at the Ballet, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Alabama Ballet Center for Dance. *NUTCRACKET YOUTH CAST AUDITIONS registration is open for registration. LEGACY IN MOTION: CELEBRATING ROGER VANFLETEREN is a One-Night-Only Tribute in September. For more information, go to alabamaballet.org.

FOR MOVIE LOVERS…

AT THE SIDEWALK FILM FEST… DON’T MISS – August 18-24 – The 27^th ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL!!

**TODAY – POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING, 2 p.m. Matinee.

**TODAY THROUGH AUGUST 7 – SORRY BABY.

**TODAY- STEEL MAGNOLIAS. 7 p.m.

**AUGUST 1-7 – CAT VIDEO FEST.

**AUGUST 1-7 -ARCHITECTON.

AT THE VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM…

**AUGUST 16 – MOVIES ON THE MOUNTAIN, Saturday with TOY STORY at Vulcan Park & Museum.

FOR STUDENTS – BACK TO SCHOOL…

**TODAY – BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, 5- 7 p.m. at 5330 Oporto-Madrid Blvd. with free school supplies and book bags.

**SATURDAY – BACK 2 SCHOOL RALLY, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Greater Saint Thomas Community Church.

**SATURDAY – BLOCK PARTY, at Ballin Fast Gym, 4412 9^th Avenue, 35224 with back packs, school supplies, bouncy house, haircuts, personal growth educators, DJ booth and food.

**SATURDAY – JACKSON’S BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, 2-4 p.m. at 507 41^st Street North with Free school supplies and food.

**SATURDAY – BACK TO SCHOOL YOUTH DAY FUN DAY, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Zion City, 1104 Gene Reed Road with moonwalk, water slide, snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos and popcorn.

**AUGUST 2 – REHOBOTH CHURCH BIRMINGHAM BACK TO SCHOOL BASH, 12-4 p.m. at 2120 Center Point Parkway with backpacks, giveaways, games, financial literacy, food, movie and more.

**SATURDAY – ENSLEY CHURCH OF CHRIST BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY, 10:30 a.m. with school supplies for all students.

**SUNDAY – TOOLS FOR SCHOOL, 2- 5 p.m. at Linn Park with games, inflatables, food trucks and more.

**SUNDAY – KENSATION’S ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL HAIR CHARITY, 8 a.m. until at 921 19^th Street North, Bessemer. For boys and girls ages 13 and under, must have all hair washed, blown out and braid ready. For more, 205-862-3424.

**TUESDAY – APPLEBEE’S BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY, 2 – 6 p.m. at Five Points Location, 2246 Bessemer Road.

**NEXT SATURDAY – CORNELL LEWIS 10^th ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY, 2:30 – 6 p.m. at Helena Sports Complex, 110 Sports Complex Dr. For more, cornellewisfoundation@gmail.com.

FOR FOOD LOVERS…

NEAR AND AROUND THE SOUTHEAST … IN ALABAMA, IN LOUISIANA AND FLORIDA! PLAN!!

**AUGUST 10 – DISTRICT 6 SUMMER FARMERS MARKET, 1:30 – 3:30 pm. at Memorial Park with free ice cream, free hamburgers, hot dogs and chips, live chef demo with Chef Amanda and $5 vouchers while they last.

**SEPTEMBER 18-21 – LOUISIANA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL is in Lake Charles, LA.

**NOVEMBER 7-9 – WHISKEY, WINE & WILDLIFE is in Vilano Beach, St. Augustine, FL.

**MAY 7 -10, 2026 – ST. AUGUSTINE FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL is in St. Augustine, FL.

FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND FUN… LAUGHTER, FOOTBALL AND MUSIC…

**AUGUST 29 – WEEK ZERO CLASSIC COMEDY JAM featuring BILL BELLAMY, hosted by NEPHEW TOMMY with Special Guest MS. VEE at the Historic Boutwell Auditorium.

**AUGUST 30 – CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY vs VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY AND FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY vs UNIVERSITY of WEST ALABAMA at Legion Field.

**AUGUST 30 – BBQ FESTIVAL at Legion Field with live music and food.

**AUGUST 31 – LABOR DAY CONCERT – ONE NIGHT ONLY – A TRIBUTE TO LUTHER VANDROSS featuring JAY LAMBERT & THE BYRON THOMAS COLLECTIVE, 7 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

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.

“Most bars today treat music as background noise, but a listening bar is different. It’s about people coming specifically to enjoy and celebrate music.”

By

Birmingham Times

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July 31, 2025

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QADEEM HASSAN, SET TO OPEN THIS FALL RALPH’S LISTENING ROOM, BIRMINGHAM’S FIRST LISTENING BAR, WHICH WILL SHOWCASE A SOULFUL COLLISION OF COCKTAILS, SOUNDS AND ATMOSPHERE; ALABAMA NEWS CENTER, JULY 25.

Miles College Initiative Takes Step to Connect HBCU Innovation with High-Growth Industries

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Birmingham Times

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July 30, 2025

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miles.edu

The 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth expanded its national footprint with the launch of its Infrastructure iLAB focused on Public-Private Partnership (P3) Knowledge Center in New York City. This initiative builds on 2150’s commitment to fostering innovation ecosystems rooted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by creating high-growth, sector-specific iLabs that bridge talent, research, and industry.

The P3 iLab will serve as a collaborative hub for HBCU students, faculty, industry subject matter experts, corporate leaders, and government partners to explore scalable, equity-driven solutions in infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusive economic development. The gathering featured a strategic dialogue centered on entrepreneurship and innovation, aimed at driving public-private collaboration and product commercialization.

“We’re creating a space where students and industry leaders can co-design real-world solutions,” said Erskine “Chuck” Faush, CEO at the 2150 Project. “This iLab will prepare HBCU talent to lead on the front lines of infrastructure innovation and unlock new opportunities through strategic partnerships.”

From left, Dr. Tonya Perry – Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs – Miles College; Jasmine Russell- Class of 2026 – Miles College; Dr. Erskine “Chuck” Faush – Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development/ Founder In Residence & CEO 2150 Innovation Center at Miles College. (Miles College)

The goal of the iLab model is to identify real challenges — particularly in underserved ecosystems — and convene cross-sector teams to develop actionable solutions. These efforts are designed not only to address urgent public needs but also to create entrepreneurial opportunities, allowing students and founders to build businesses directly out of the innovations sparked during these events. Students and professors will convene campus sessions over the semester and reconvene with industry professionals to present findings. Along the way, this mentor-mentee framework will.

“I enjoyed the opportunity to contribute valuable insights, fresh ideas, and diverse perspectives to help expand the iLab concept,” said Jasmine Russell, class of 2016.

“Having the opportunity to participate in 2150’s iLab with my incredibly talented Stillman student Alirea was a privilege about which we are extremely excited,” said Dr. Skyller Walkes, Stillman College. “The highlight was collaborating with other thought leaders aiming to bring innovative solutions to the forefront of a competitive global knowledge economy.”

This launch follows the successful debut of the Public Policy iLab in May in Washington, D.C., and represents the next step in a national effort to connect HBCU innovation with high-growth industries.

Hank Aaron Invitational Brings Elite Baseball Players to Birmingham’s Historic Rickwood Field

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Birmingham Times

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July 30, 2025

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hxdn9huuvcxab1julb9l — The 2025 Hank Aaron Invitational (HAI) will be played at Rickwood Field. (MLB.com)

Following a memorable experience at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex (JRTC) in Vero Beach, Fla., 44 of the 112 participants from Week Two of the 2025 Hank Aaron Invitational (HAI) have been selected to play in the annual HAI showcase game also known as the “44 Game,” reflecting the number Aaron wore throughout his career.

The elite showcase will take place at historic Rickwood Field for the first time in event history on Wednesday at 5 p.m. This will be the third event MLB will conduct at Rickwood Field since last June following MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues and the East West Classic.

The Hank Aaron Invitational, hosted by MLB and the MLB Players Association, is powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) and is the premier diversity-focused baseball development experience for high school-age baseball players in the United States. Notably, the showcase game rosters include five players from the greater Atlanta region. All players are expected to graduate high school in 2026 or 2027. Rosters for the Hank Aaron Invitational Showcase Game at Rickwood Field are available below.

The rosters will be broken down into two teams “Team Hank Aaron” and “Team Jackie Robinson.”

Admission for the showcase game is free for families and fans of Birmingham and surrounding communities. Additionally, the showcase matchup will stream LIVE on MLB.com, MLB.TV and in the MLB App, and will re-air on MLB Network on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Michael Bourn will be on the call with Sedric Granger, MLB Voices program alumnus.

FACTS ABOUT THE HANK AARON INVITATIONAL:

The event started in 2015 as the Elite Development Invitational but was renamed at the 2018 World Series to the Hank Aaron Invitational to honor the legacy of the legendary Hall of Famer.
The event is powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, which is a joint initiative by MLB and MLBPA to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally.
Over the last six MLB Drafts, more than 65 alumni of this event were selected, including 10 in 2024. These include 1st round picks Christian Moore (8th overall, LAA), Braden Montgomery(12th overall, BOS), and Cameron Smith (14th overall, CHC); 4th round pick Ty Southisene (Chicago Cubs); 8th round picks Tyler Wilson (New York Yankees) and Cameron Hill (Philadelphia Phillies); 11th round pick Christian Little (Seattle Mariners); 15th round pick Erik Parker (Los Angeles Dodgers); 16th round pick TJ McCants (Seattle Mariners); and 17th round pick Jacoby Long (New York Mets). Previous HAI alumni selected in the first round include Dillon Head, George Lombard, Termarr Johnson, Elijah Green, Justin Crawford and Cam Collier.
In total, more than 200 alumni of the program are playing baseball at the next level, either professionally or on the collegiate level.

‘He Would Have a Dozen of the Prettiest Peach Roses Delivered to my Office Every Month for Almost a Year…’

By

Birmingham Times

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July 30, 2025

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

CYNTHIA & KENNY PERRY

Live: Huffman

Married: Dec. 17, 2005

Met: Fall 2003, at Greater Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church, in East Lake. Kenny was born and raised in that church, while Cynthia had been a member for more than 20 years. They were well acquainted but had each been married to other people. After Kenny’s first marriage ended, he took time away from his home church and later discovered that Cynthia had been divorced for a few years as well.

“I was at my parents’ house [in Center Point] one evening talking to my sister, Sandra, and somehow we got on the subject of dating and ladies in the church, and I told her that there’s only one woman at that church that I would talk to because I liked her mannerisms and how she carried herself as a lady, and that was Cynthia,” Kenny recalled. “And Sandra said, ‘Cynthia’s available now, you know?’… And I think Sandra might have put a bug in Cynthia’s ear [about me], but the next Wednesday night, I decided to go to Bible class, and afterwards I walked up to Cynthia and asked her if I could have her phone number.

“After my divorce, I had made myself content regarding relationships, and I had told God that me and my girls [who were 5 and 9 years old at the time] would live happily ever after,” Cynthia said. “And his sister, Sandra, [said something about Kenny] and I noticed that [he] started coming back to church more often, and had begun showing interest in me. And when he asked for my number, I was a bit hesitant at first because I was content at that point — so I thought — and wasn’t looking for a relationship. Obviously, God had other plans, so I gave Kenny my phone number and we went from there,” Cynthia recalled.

First date: The following week, at Ruby Tuesday in Gardendale. Since Kenny worked the night shift at the Piggly Wiggly warehouse, they opted for a day date during Cynthia’s break from work at UAB and they met at the restaurant for lunch.

“It went extremely well. We talked and got to know one another, and on that date I thought ‘hmm… maybe I could give relationships another try’,” Cynthia said.

“It was good conversation, the food was good and we discovered we loved the restaurant,” Kenny laughed. “That was the first of many, many visits to that restaurant,“ added Cynthia.

The turn: Gradually over a year. “It was important to me to take my time with Kenny because I had daughters. We dated for a couple of months before I began bringing him around my girls, and we eventually shared the news with our kids that we were dating,” Cynthia said. “ … it wasn’t long before I discovered that Kenny was a kind-hearted, easygoing, loving person. At the beginning of each month, he would have a dozen of the biggest, prettiest, peach roses I had ever seen delivered to my office, and this went on every single month for almost a year…”

Cynthia shared there was an adjustment period for her oldest daughter, then 9, who was accustomed to it being her, her mom and sister. However, Kenny had a talk with her and assured her he wasn’t there to take their mom away, and that he only wanted to add to their happiness.

Kenny who also had three children, Kenny Jr., Kenderrel, and Brandi, who were 15, 13, and 10, at the time, had to share the wonderful news with them as well. “After dating for so long, I thought it was time to share the news with my kids too. I, too, had never brought anyone around my kids. But I sat them down and told them one by one that I was serious about someone and they were okay with it,” Kenny said. “For me, after my first marriage, I said I wouldn’t marry again unless the woman was of good character, loving, caring and could cook like my mama, and that (Cynthia) was,” he said. “And when it was time to introduce the kids, I asked her to cook a family dinner, and it went well. The kids got along well, and all of the qualifications to be my wife were met.”

The proposal: One Saturday night after dinner in December 2004, at Cynthia’s home in Roebuck.

Kenny proposed with the help of Cynthia’s daughters, Breanna, and Brayley [who were now 7 and 11]. “They were excited to help… we went into the living room, and they could hardly hold themselves together. I got down on one knee, and they stood on each side of me, and both of the girls helped me open the ring box, and then I asked Cynthia if she would marry me, and she said ‘yes’,” said Kenny. “By then, we [Kenny, Cynthia and the children] were all in tune with one another, it was good. We’d go shopping, go to the mall, we were together all the time, so it already felt right for them and for me.”

“I was super excited, and all smiles,” Cynthia said, “I said ‘yes’.”

Cynthia and Kenny Perry met in 2003 at an East Lake church. The couple married in 2005. (Provided Photos)

The wedding: At the home of Kenny’s brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Timothy and Allyson Perry, in Huffman, officiated by their former pastor, Pastor Gregory Holsey, of Family Life Center, Warrior, Ala. Their colors were cream and pink.

Most memorable for the bride was the whole ceremony, said Cynthia. “It was just beautiful and intimate and signified the start of the rest of our lives. It was our happily ever after.”

The groom shared similar sentiments. “ … it was a very intimate wedding. It was just family and it was a beautiful time, and I kept thinking about the fact that we had just wed,” Kenny said. “She was beautiful, she was my wife, and she was mine. That’s what stood out to me the most.”

Words of wisdom: “Keep God as the center and core of your marriage,” Cynthia said. “Consistency, prayer, extending grace to one another, regularly setting aside intentional time together, and finding that balance with one another. [And in times of conflict] communication is key, it’s not necessarily my way or your way, but what way best benefits our marriage and family. Know that you can not read one another’s mind… And be one another’s best friend and biggest supporter.”

Kenny said, “Always keep God first, and communication is a must in any marriage. I had a great example of marriage growing up with my parents, who are still alive and have been married for almost 64 years. I’ve had great examples of how to be a man and how to treat your wife, and how to raise a family.” said Kenny.

Happily ever after: The Perry’s attend Love City Church in Forestdale, where Kenny serves as a Deacon and on the security team, and Cynthia on the Greeter’s, New Partners, Marriage, Women’s, and Outreach ministries. They are a blended family with five children: Kenny Jr., 35, Kenderrel, 33, Breanna, 31, Brandi, 30, Brayley, 26, and nine grandchildren.

Cynthia, 65, is a Wenonah native, and Wenonah High School grad. She attended Jefferson State Community College, where she earned an associate’s degree in business administration. Cynthia retired from UAB in 2010, after 25 years as a program administrator in the department of optometry and currently works part-time for there as a consultant.

Kenny, 56, is a Bush Hills native, and Ensley Magnet High School grad. He worked as a forklift operator at the Piggly Wiggly Distribution Warehouse in Bessemer, for the last 33 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

JPMorganChase Commits $2 Million to Increase Capital Access for Alabama Small Businesses

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Birmingham Times

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July 29, 2025

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JPMChase 1 — JPMorganChase announced a $2 million commitment in support of Alabama’s small businesses. (Provided)

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times

JPMorganChase on Monday announced support of Alabama’s small businesses through a $2 million commitment to help local companies across the state succeed by improving capital access, assisting entrepreneurs in running their businesses more efficiently, and offering technical assistance for local capital providers.

The Alabama Capital Access Collaborative will help small business owners, including Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) and Urban Impact, obtain the necessary resources to grow, create jobs and thrive long term.

The initial phase will be facilitated by the Milken Institute, which will work closely with each participating organization to create plans that address existing challenges and identify growth opportunities. In addition to BBRC and Urban Impact participating organizations include:

“To be one of the handful of Birmingham organizations selected [for the Collaborative] means a lot to us” said Bob Dickerson, Executive Director of BBRC. “We’re proud to have a great and growing relationship with the biggest bank in the world. Anytime, as a nonprofit leader, somebody gives you [access to capital] it helps because we spend a lot of our time fundraising and every hour we spend trying to raise money to keep the doors open is and hour we don’t spend helping our clients.”

Having the bank in Alabama is the best way to assist the small businesses located in the state, said Tim Berry, global head of corporate responsibility for JPMorganChase. “We cannot be a New York bank in Alabama. We have to be an Alabama bank in Alabama … you have to be the bank for that place,” he said. “You have to have the right strategy, products, services, investment strategy, relationships, understand what the local politicians care about, what people in that community care about and you have to be a part of that community.”

Victoria Phipps, vice president of global philanthropy for JPMorganChase, said the Collaborative is a statewide effort that spans the breadth and depth of geographies.

“We want to make sure we are, first and foremost, picking the right partners who are doing high-capacity great work with yielding dividends, but we are also spending significant time with them to understand the challenges they are experiencing and the opportunities that they see on the horizon.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy here in Alabama. Investing in their success will build stronger communities in our state and drive local economic growth,” said Jennifer DiSalvo, Head of Chase branches in Alabama and a member of the firm’s Market Leadership Team.

Earlier this year, the banking giant announced plans to triple the number of branches in Alabama and hire an additional 170 bankers by 2030 as part of broader efforts to increase access to financial services across the state.

The expansion will bring the total number of Chase branches in Alabama to 35, putting more than half of the state’s population within an accessible drive time to a Chase branch.

“Alabama is a vibrant state with a strong manufacturing economy, good small business growth, and burgeoning aerospace and technology sectors. Our mission is to support economic growth and foster opportunity for all,” said Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, earlier this year. “This is the right time and the right place for an expansion of Chase branches and jobs in communities all across this state- from Mobile to Montgomery and Muscle Shoals.”

Chase opened its first Alabama branch five years ago near Auburn University. There are currently seven Chase branches in Greater Birmingham and 11 statewide, including Auburn, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville.

Wrapping Up Birmingham 2025 World Police & Fire Games by the Numbers

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Birmingham Times

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July 29, 2025

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bhm2025.com

The Birmingham 2025 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) concluded Sunday, July 6, after 10 days of competition, camaraderie, and celebration among the global first-responder community. Beyond the athletic achievements and cultural exchange, the Games delivered a significant boost to the local economy – drawing tens of thousands of visitors, filling hotels, and energizing local businesses. The event also positioned the Birmingham region on the global stage as a premier host for international sporting events, showcasing its hospitality, infrastructure, and vibrance to a worldwide audience.

Standout Statistics:

8,750 registrants from 72 countries around the world descended upon the Magic City for 10 days of competition from June 27 – July 6, 2025. This was a 20-percent increase in registrants from the 2023 Winnipeg, Canada Games and the 2022 Rotterdam, Netherlands Games.
Athletes competed in 65 sports at 30 different venues across Greater Birmingham.
Top-attending countries were: United States (2,670 athletes), Canada (1,020), Brazil (925), and India (555).
644 registrants hailed from Alabama bringing home 118 medals^[i].

“Having these Games come to the City of Birmingham and seeing firefighters and police officers from all over the world serves as a reminder that these Games not only highlight the high level of competition but also showcase the high level of camaraderie between first responders,” said Birmingham Fire & Rescue Chief, Cory Moon. “Being a part of these Games has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Economic Boost for Local Businesses

The 2025 Games delivered a meaningful economic boost to Birmingham’s hospitality and retail sectors over the event’s 10-day span.

Hotel occupancy surged during what is typically a slower period for the city’s lodging industry. Downtown hotels averaged 77 percent occupancy, a 42 percent year-over-year increase, while hotels across the Birmingham metropolitan area averaged 72 percent occupancy, reflecting a 21 percent increase.

Though final spending and economic impact figures are still being calculated, businesses across Greater Birmingham reported increased foot traffic, sales, and brand visibility. Among those seeing a notable uptick were Stivers Ford, Taco Mama, Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Mountain High Outfitters, Soho Social, and Paramount. Hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants, and transportation services also experienced heightened demand throughout the event.

“We’ve had people coming in here eating all of our food. Last night we ran out of meat and had to close an hour early,” said the hostess at one of WPFG’s Proud Host restaurants, Creekside BBQ in Pelham.

Community Engagement & Recruitment Success

Various activations gave first responder communities and Alabama residents a preview of the Games, building momentum and sparking interest in participating as athletes and volunteers.

Global Ambassador Program: The Birmingham 2025 WPFG Host Committee established the inaugural Global Ambassador program early in planning to help with athlete recruitment and increase brand recognition. The program yielded 230 ambassadors (new, former, and current WPFG athletes) from across 26 countries.
BHM 2025 Road Shows: WPFG embarked on a statewide road trip to engage with public safety agencies and raise awareness about the Games. Through these events, not only did WPFG secure athlete registrations but also received commitments from several cities to sponsor the cost of athlete registration, which removed financial barriers for many competitors.
Chick-fil-A “First Responder Appreciation” Series: WPFG teamed up with Chick-fil-A across Alabama to produce “First Responder Appreciation” events, where the community could meet local first responders at Chick-fil-A, try out WPFG events like axe throwing and cornhole, and register to volunteer at the 2025 Games.
BHM Shuttlesworth Welcome Campaign: A six-week welcome campaign at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport (elevator graphics, pole wraps, floor decals, and digital screens) was implemented for increased branding and to create a touchpoint for arriving athletes and guests.

Global Media Spotlight

Media coverage of the 2025 World Police & Fire Games reached unprecedented levels, driven by strategic outreach and timely regional developments:

Targeted National & Regional Outreach: WPFG developed original, market-specific content and secured a steady stream of broadcast and online coverage across major U.S. cities, capturing media hits in Tennessee, Florida, and Boston, doubling athlete registration from Florida and tripling registration from Tennessee.
Alabama-Focused Recruitment Campaigns: WPFG partnered with Governor Kay Ivey for video messages and press conferences that were amplified through statewide media, which helped increase Alabama first responder registration by over 500%, far exceeding recruitment goals.
Volunteer Recruitment Success: WPFG ran four consecutive weeks of earned media campaigns focused on volunteer recruitment, which helped quadruple the number of volunteers to more than 1,500, ensuring strong operational support throughout the 10 days of events.
Wall-to-Wall Local News Coverage: In the weeks leading up to and throughout the Games, WPFG prepared unique athlete stories for each journalist, rotating local, national, and international spotlights. Every major local news network aired original content on nearly every news broadcast for three weeks straight, securing more than 800 earned TV and radio hits.
National Spotlight via ESPN: ESPN spent two days on-site filming Pickleball, Jiu Jitsu, and Boxing, and reported live from the Firefighter Challenge as part of its “50 States in 50 Days” series. The coverage was amplified by local media outlets, which reinforced the enormity of the event, garnering millions of impressions.
International Reach: Media outlets from Canada, France, Czechia, India, Indonesia, and others broadcasted highlights, interviews, and cultural features, which elevated Birmingham’s profile as a premier global host city.
Earned Media Impact: Total earned media coverage reached into the thousands of placements, spanning broadcast, print, and digital platforms.

Social Media & Digital Performance

Over 100 posts during the Games directly reached 3.88 million views across Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Factoring in the views on shared and tagged content, BHM 2025 content reached an estimated 13 million.
Content posted to the BHM 2025 accounts was shared roughly 8,000 times, received roughly 3,000 comments, and nearly 2,000 mentions.
Grew the following on BHM 2025 accounts by over 5,000 people, to reach almost 20,000 subscribers.

The BHM2025.com website saw over 356,000 visitors during the Games from 142 countries.
63% of website visitors were engaged for an average session duration of five minutes.

A Legacy of Unity & Service

Beyond the medals and records, the 2025 World Police & Fire Games fostered a spirit of unity among first responders worldwide. “This wasn’t just a competition – it was a celebration of shared purpose,” said DJ Mackovets, CEO of the Birmingham 2025 WPFG. “Birmingham values hospitality and a deep respect for service, and that was on full display throughout the Games.”

As Birmingham leaders reflect on this momentous event, plans are already in progress to build on its legacy as a premiere global event destination. Meanwhile, the World Police & Fire Games torch has officially been passed to Perth, Australia, host of the 2027 Games, followed by Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, which will welcome the Games in 2029.

Kiwanis Club of Birmingham’s Service Project Wins International Award for Literacy Project

By

Birmingham Times

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July 29, 2025

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Honora-Gathings-scaled — Kiwanis Club of Birmingham Executive Director Honora Gathings read “Chicken Little” to this preschool class, and the club gave them copies of the book to add to their home libraries. (Kiwanis Club of Birmingham)

By Elise Kidd | WBRC

A Birmingham organization focused on serving the community, especially children, has earned an international award for their 2025 service project which promotes reading for children. This win marks the first time the organization has ever received the award.

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham is an organization with a mission to move the city forward. The Birmingham chapter was founded in 1917 and is the world’s largest Kiwani club, according to a representative. Each year, members of the club, called “Kiwanians” spend hundreds of hours serving Birmingham’s children and they invest more than a million dollars into the city.

The Birmingham Kiwani Club is credited with spearheading the effort to move Vulcan to the top of Red Mountain, upgrading LED lighting for shows at Vulcan Park and Museum, the Kiwanis Giraffe encounter at the Birmingham Zoo and the Kiwanis Early Learning Center at the McWane Science Center, amongst other projects.

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham’s service project, Kiwanis Reads, a program promoting preschool literacy, won the Kiwanis International 2025 Signature Project award.

According to the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, there were 519 projects up for selection. Among the 519 project entries was a free dental and health clinic that delivered care to over 3000 people in Jamaica, and another which provided 50 comfort care kits for families of children in end-of-life care in Australia. However, Kiwanis Reads won.

The Birmingham club was recognized for their win at the Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Birmingham Club President Andrew Nix and Executive Director Honora Gathings accepted the award and received a grant to continue expanding the program.

The Birmingham Club says the Kiwanis Reads project has brought books to schools and homes of thousands of children over the last four years. Members visit 900 preschoolers in Birmingham twice a year to read to the students and they each give a student one book to build up the students at home library. These books have a Kiwanis bookplate with a QR code the students can scan which leads them to a video of a Kiwanian reading the book out loud, which the club says is an extra tool to help kids in homes where there may not always be an adult available to help read.

This year, the Birmingham Kiwanis Club said that the Kiwanis Reads project received a grant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund which allowed it to expand into ten new schools, doubling the number of students they are able to work with.

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham said they also partnered with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to restart a program titled “Books Not Bullets,” which provides books for police officers to hand out while they’re on patrol.

According to the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, school officials say that students are growing their vocabulary and reading fluency through the Kiwanis Reads program, and most of all, they’re learning to associate reading with fun.

“Kiwanians believe in strengthening our communities by serving children. It’s truly inspiring to see how 600,000 Kiwanians around the world are creatively using resources to change lives,” says Gathings. “To hear their stories and to see the impact being made even by clubs with only 25 members was inspiring. It’s an honor to be recognized for our work in Birmingham to help develop and inspire a love for reading.

“Our Kiwanians bring so much love and energy — dressing up as Santa or a book character, making the books come alive through character voices, and hanging out to read more books and answer student questions. We cannot wait to use this gift to put more books in the hands of students this fall through Kiwanis Reads and Books Not Bullets. We are eagerly looking forward to getting back into the classroom.”

To learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and Kiwanis Reads, you can visit here.