Spike Lee's "Mo’ Better Blues" (1990) is one of the films playing this month at Sidewalk Cinema. (Provided)
By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times
For 40 years, critically acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee has delivered movies that educate, elevate and entertain while also displaying the richness and diversity of the Black experience. This month, Lee fans in Birmingham can see some of the Academy Award winner’s most celebrated films on the big screen once again or for the first time.
Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema will showcase 10 of Lee’s most beloved movies for its Summer of Spike series, set for July 17 through August 6.
“This summer marks 40 years since Spike Lee’s debut feature, and I could think of no more exciting filmmaker to highlight across three weekends,” Sidewalk Cinema Program Coordinator Corey Craft told the Birmingham Times. “And even though we’re showing 10 of his movies, this series could be twice as long. Virtually everything he’s ever made is worth seeing and discussing, and we hope our series at Sidewalk introduces new audiences to those discussions and to American cinema’s bravest voice.”
The films scheduled to be screened include his breakout hit Do the Right Thing (1989), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The series will also feature the historical epic Malcolm X (1992) and the biographical crime dramedy BlacKkKlansman (2018), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Cannes Film Festival’s Grand Prix Award.
Other films on the Summer of Spike schedule include School Daze (1988), Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Jungle Fever (1991), Crooklyn (1994), Clockers (1995), Bamboozled (2000), and Inside Man (2006).
“Spike Lee’s filmography is one of the most significant and vital careers in American cinema,” Craft said. “His work is filled with important conversations, provocative stylistic choices, unanswerable questions, and sheer cinematic exuberance, celebrating the history of film while pushing it into uncharted territory. And among directors from the second half of the 20th century, Lee stands out as the filmmaker least afraid to hold a mirror up to American society and unflinchingly show us at our best and our worst.”
Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema is in the heart of downtown Birmingham’s historic theatre district in the Pizitz Building, located at 1821 2nd Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203. For Summer of Spike showtimes and tickets, visit sidewalkfest.com.
Southern University Football Coach Marshall Faulk, from left, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and Alabama State University Football Coach Eddie Robinson, Jr., pose for a photo during the July 14, 2026, press conference for the inaugural Birmingham Football Classic held at Legion Field in Birmingham. The game will be played at Legion Field on Saturday August 29.
(Mickey Welsh, Montgomery Advertiser)
By Jaeden Day | Montgomery Advertiser
It’s been a year and half in the making, and on Aug. 29 at Legion Field, Alabama State football will go to battle with Southern on the gridiron in the inaugural Birmingham Classic.
SWAC football has a 10-year schedule, and every two years a team will roll off the schedule. The Hornets and Jaguars knew that roll off was coming and utilized the relationship both have built with Birmingham to push for a Classic at Legion Field that wasn’t the Magic City Classic.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and the Birmingham City Council heard Alabama State and Southern, approving the Week 0 game.
Alabama State athletic director Jason Cable talked about the importance for the two SWAC teams to play a non conference game against a conference opponent, and generate revenue for both universities.
“Often times that doesn’t happen in a non conference game,” Cable said. “You go out and play a guaranteed game, and generate revenue that way. So, I hope this is a model that can be used for the future.”
SWAC commissioner Charles McClelland confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser that the conference entered into an initial two-year contract with the city of Birmingham with the goal of making it a staple in HBCU college football. As of now, Alabama State and Southern are not guaranteed to play in the Classic next season.
“We want to get through this year first, but we do know it will be back next year,” McClelland said. “Who’s going to participate next year, we don’t know.”
McClelland said the ultimate way success will be measured will be fan attendance. The game is already set to be broadcast on the national stage with ESPNU having rights to the game in the 2026 season. If successful after the contract is expired, McClelland said the game will see a rotation of SWAC football teams coming to Birmingham.
That doesn’t mean that Alabama State won’t always be in the back of the mind when it comes to future Birmingham Classics.
“Alabama State is only an hour and a half away from Birmingham, and it has great fan attraction here,” McClelland said. “So they will always be up for consideration.”
McClelland acknowledged the game is speaking for itself in terms of headlines, and he believes that it will generate the excitement both the SWAC and city of Birmingham is looking for.
Woodfin remembered a few years ago watching Alabama State and Southern play in Montgomery, and he knows that if it’s anything close to what he saw at ASU Stadium, the game will deliver.
“That was a game to remember, and I want to say on the city’s behalf, we are proud to host a Classic of this caliber. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Woodfin said.
Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12, or reach him at JDay@montgome.gannett.com.
Krispin Watson’s community, Confessions in Christ, will host Purpose & Power: The Professional Women’s Networking Experience. (Provided)
By Jordyn Davis | For The Birmingham Times
On Sunday, July 19, Birmingham transplant Krispin Watson will host her first public event for her faith-based women’s community. But the ideas for both her group and the upcoming event have been years in the making. As a woman who has experienced grief, trauma and isolation, Watson has been completely transformed by her faith and is now urging local women to seek God when experiencing heartache.
This is the message that will be at the center of her event, Purpose & Power: The Professional Women’s Networking Experience, hosted by Watson’s community, Confessions in Christ.
“Confessions in Christ has been on my heart for years,” Watson told the Birmingham Times. “I just wanted to create a women’s support group, basically a community where Black women have a need for connection. I just want to be a helping hand to guide one another.”
Confessions in Christ
Watson came to Birmingham on a whim. After graduating from Jackson State University in 2013, Watson had big dreams of becoming a lawyer. She earned her degree in Political Science and was on track to begin law school soon after graduation until she found out she was pregnant. Watson said life got “real tense, real fast.” Pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer was still an option with her parents’ support; however, Watson always envisioned being the best mother she could be. Leaving her daughter for school wasn’t an option.
Watson began exploring the world of finances and took a leap of faith when accepting a branch transfer to Trussville. She left her ultimate place of comfort — the small town of Grenada, Mississippi — and brought her husband and daughter to Trussville. Soon after arriving, her life began to quickly unravel, beginning with her marriage.
“It was really messy. I was at work one day, just riding in my car, and I was like, ‘God, please remove anything that is distracting me from you. And, I kid you not, two days later me and him [former husband] fell out. I ended up leaving on a Tuesday and that Friday I found out I was pregnant with our son. I had to begin this whole divorce while pregnant. I was about to be a single mom of two. Who wants to do that?”
Shortly after the beginning of her divorce in 2017, Watson entered a state of deep depression. She began neglecting herself and her baby and was even fired from her job. During this time, Watson felt as if there truly was no light at the end of the tunnel. And then she began a simple yet life-changing practice that became her steady anchor during the storm: she prayed.
Watson sought guidance from the Lord, she said. After battling depression and fleeing from thoughts of suicide, her prayer was finally answered. After on-and-off conversations about starting a women’s group in Birmingham, Watson finally mustered up the courage she had gained from God and put her dreams into action, she said.
After years of exploring the idea of creating a safe space for women to grow in their faith, Watson launched Confessions in Christ, a women’s fellowship group, this year.
“During those rough times, I thought to myself, ‘Okay, there has to be a community out here,’ because my parents aren’t divorced. They’ve been together for over 30 years. My sister was married at the time. All of my friends were married. They couldn’t really relate to what I was going through,” Watson said.
After a small interest meeting in April, Confessions in Christ blew up and has since amassed over 4,000 followers. The faith-based meetups consist of women looking to pursue Christ. Watson says she’s beyond blessed to meet these women, wherever they may be in life.
“A lot of people feel like we need to be so uptight at bible studies. That’s not us. We’re going to have some wine. We’re going to have a good time. You’d be surprised at how many women’s stories actually align. I always tell everyone who comes to not hold back. It’s a safe space,” Watson said.
In a short time, Watson has had the opportunity to hear all kinds of stories about how women are going through situations that Watson once endured. “One of my members talked about getting to a place of forgiveness after walking in on her husband cheating on her with the kids in the house,” Watson said. “She went through a period of depression. She’s a nurse now and is thriving.”
After a small interest meeting in April, Krispin Watson’s Confessions in Christ blew up and has since amassed over 4,000 followers. (Provided Photos)
After forming a close-knit community for women of faith in Birmingham, God’s plan for her didn’t end there, according to Watson. After being selected as a TEDxAlabaster speaker for her segment The Comeback is Always Bigger than the Breakdown last year and releasing her book, Shattered Vows: Turn Relationship Pain into God’s Purpose for Your Life, Watson continued speaking life into women and building a community from the ground up.
Now, Confessions in Christ will host Purpose and Power: The Professional Women’s Networking Experience, designed to facilitate meaningful conversations and lifelong connections. The panelists will include local Birmingham women making a difference:
Synetta Smith, a corporate professional, entrepreneur and reality television personality.
LaDonna Allen, a local stylist passionate about helping women gain confidence through clothes.
Tiffany White, a corporate legal professional, young mother and college student.
The networking event will take place on Sunday, July 19 at Hemings in downtown Birmingham from 2 to 6 p.m.
As for Watson, she continues to be amazed at what she’s built here in The Magic City. From being isolated as a single mother to reclaiming her power, she wants to inspire young women to seek God and to find a community in Christ.
“God told me this was an opportunity to not just shine light on myself, but to shine light on grace, forgiveness, and knowing that no matter what you go through, you can always get through it. And while you’re going through that, learn something so that you can help someone else get through it.” Watson said.
“I genuinely believe that the things we grow through is not about us. God makes us strong so that we can get through it and help someone who may not be as strong as us.”
Purpose and Power: The Professional Women’s Networking Experience is set for Sunday, July 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hemings,1623 2nd Avenue North, Suite 106, Birmingham, AL 35203. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
The Jefferson County Commission last week approved over $314,000 to local agencies fighting homelessness in Jefferson County. (Provided)
Special to the Times
The Jefferson County Commission last week approved over $314,000 to local agencies fighting homelessness in Jefferson County. The funds will be administered through the Commission’s Community Services Department and come from the county’s federal funding sources.
“Using the county’s federal funds, these organizations in our community help provide emergency shelter and services to prevent homelessness in our community and allow the participant to gain skills they need to improve their quality of life,” said Director of Community Services Frederick Hamilton. “This is just one of the many ways we are trying to address the needs of the most vulnerable in our community and support wrap-around services.”
The Jefferson County Department of Community Services also provides funding through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for neighborhood housing improvements such as roofs, HVAC systems, plumbing, and other housing repairs, for citizens living within the Jefferson County HUD Consortium, which is all of the county except for Birmingham, Bessemer, Hoover, Sumiton, and Helena. Birmingham and Bessemer are HUD Entitlement cities and have received their own HUD funding allocations. Hoover, Sumiton, and Helena chose not to participate in the county’s consortium.
The Commission has also approved $530,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward seven Habitat for Humanity single-family homes for eligible participants, two of which were just completed at the beginning of July.
The following agencies are set to receive funding:
The City of Birmingham is providing funding to organizations with evidence-based proposals that promote economic development, resilience, and mobility. (Adobe Stock)
Compiled From Online Reports
The City of Birmingham is accepting proposals for its 2027-2028 Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) funding program.
The City of Birmingham’s IEO is providing funding to organizations with evidence-based proposals that promote economic development, resilience, and mobility across our communities. The initiative provides financial support to organizations working to advance economic development across the city.
“Birmingham’s local organizations are essential allies in delivering transformative outcomes for our city,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said last year about the program. “We are committed to investing in initiatives that strengthen economic opportunity and community well-being. Continued support for BOLD awardees is a strategic decision, one that fuels resident empowerment, sparks neighborhood revitalization, and fosters stronger, more connected communities.
Applications are encouraged from nonprofits, post-secondary education institutions, and relevant for-profit enterprises. The proposal submission deadline is August 13.
To qualify for BOLD funding, applicants must:
Be a firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private (documentation required in application for verification). No individuals may apply. Applications are encouraged from Alabama-recognized non-profit organizations (IRC Section 501(c)(3) entities preferred), post-secondary education institutions, and relevant for-profit enterprises, particularly those with a social impact focus. Minority-, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Provide a cost matching plan, with matching funds secured at a rate of 20% of the total project budget (not 20% of the amount of funds requested from BOLD). For example, if an application has a total project budget of $250,000, the proposal may request up to $200,000 from BOLD and provide the other $50,000 toward the project as leveraged funding. Proposals that do not meet the 20% leveraged funding requirement of the total project budget will not be eligible for consideration.
Demonstrate organizational fiscal sustainability by uploading financial documentation to the application, including 1) a Profit and Loss Statement, and 2) IRS form 990 or 990-N (if tax-exempt entity) OR a recent audit report (if for-profit entity).
Funding Restrictions:
Funding for construction will not be provided.
Any equipment over $5,000 will require prior approval from IEO.
Most BOLD awards range from $50,000 to $150,000, though compelling proposals for other funding amounts will be considered.
The specific project that is proposed for BOLD funding cannot be supported by other City funding sources (i.e. the budget narrative for the proposal should not include other City of Birmingham funding sources).
Established in 2018, the BOLD program supports projects focused on five priority areas: small business development, workforce development, eliminating barriers to opportunity, creative placemaking, and high-growth industries. Since its launch, the program has awarded $6.2 million to 66 local organizations. Up to $1.5 million has been allocated for the program in the city’s FY27 budget.
A public information session will be held via Webex on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. Additional information about the funding opportunity is available at https://ieo.birminghamal.gov/bold.
Met: James Cole remembers the exact moment he saw his wife, Jalentha, for the first time on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas on September 13, 2005.
“I saw her in the student center, and it just so happened to be her birthday,” he said. “I saw her showing her shoes to one of her friends. One of her friends asked her about some shoes she had on. I remember she had on a white shirt, some jeans, some gold shoes and some shades on top of her head. I was like, “I don’t think I’ve seen her before. She’s beautiful.’”
He was there with his Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. brother, passing out roses to girls on campus during Kappa week. He wanted to introduce himself to Jalentha, but there was one problem: He had to leave for class.
“I told him, ‘Hey, look, I gotta go to class, I’m running late. I need you to do this for me: Go give her this rose, tell her it was me that gave it to her. I would have given it to her myself, but I’m running late for class,’” he said. “‘I need to meet her on Thursday. I would like to meet her because I think she’s beautiful.’” I went off to class.”
Little did he know that Jalentha had her eyes on him, despite her having a boyfriend at the time.
“I didn’t want to go to the student center, but my friends were encouraging me to go,” she said. “I got dressed and got really cute. I made it to the student center, and I’m talking to my friends. I remember when we first walked into the student center, we saw the Kappas handing out roses.”
She said she and her friend devised a plan to get a rose but ran into the Kappas who were standing near the restroom, including James.
“I saw James, but by the time I made it there, he wasn’t there anymore,” she remembered. “We were just walking to get our roses, and we were stopped by a guy who was like, ‘Hey, can I talk to you for a second? My frat brother thinks you’re beautiful, and he would like to meet you in the student center.’ I asked which one. He said, ‘the light skinned one.’ I said, ‘The one with the sideburns?’
“I’d been eyeing James,” Jalentha said. “I’d been watching James, but I didn’t make any moves because I don’t do that.”
They met a couple of days later.
It turns out she wasn’t as stealthy as she thought she was. She caught the shuttle to the center for the meetup, unknowingly with James’ younger brother.
“As we were approaching, I got nervous,” she said. “I had a boyfriend, but he was no good. He was not the right guy, and I knew it. As we were approaching the student center, I saw James. He had on a blue double-breasted suit. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I was so nervous.’ [James’ brother] heard the conversation about me being nervous.’
The moment ended up being surreal.
“I remember when we were introducing ourselves, it was like the world stopped,” she said. ‘When I tell you, everybody stopped what they were doing and were watching us like a TV show.”
Because Jalentha had a boyfriend, she gave James her landline number but told him she was going out of town. James forgot and gave her a call. When she didn’t call back, he was ready to chalk it up as a loss until he called one more time.
After that, they began talking and hanging out. A couple of weeks later, she broke up with her boyfriend. James said her initially being in a relationship didn’t bother him because he didn’t believe the boyfriend existed.
“I don’t mean to be arrogant when I say this, I didn’t care whether or not she had a boyfriend or not,” he said. “I saw her and I wanted her. I was going to work to get her; that’s how bad I wanted her. It is what it is.”
He didn’t have to work hard,” Jalentha said with a laugh.
First date: Their first official date was putt-putt golf.
“I beat him bad,” Jalentha said. “I talked so much smack, and he couldn’t believe it. I thought he was letting me win. He was just that bad that night.”
Then, they went back to her apartment to watch movies.
Jalentha said she knew something was different about James from their first phone conversation.
“We stayed on the phone for hours,” she said. “We talked about everything. Like I said, I had a boyfriend before, and I knew what wasn’t working. James was the complete opposite of that guy. He swept me off my feet just through a phone conversation.”
The turn: James said he knew Jalentha was the one for him when she didn’t judge him for his tastes.
“She’s just somebody you can let your hair down with,” he said. “One quirky thing about me is, at that young age, I liked old school music. That’s playing in my car, and she’s not judging me. It’s just one of those things where you could just be yourself with someone.
Jalentha said the two got serious quickly. She met his parents during homecoming within two months. James said that he knew she was different because of his father’s response to her.
“I think prior to Jalentha, there may have been two or three girlfriends that visited my family,” he said. “My father would usually meet them and go right back into the bedroom to watch TV. With Jalentha, the one thing I noticed was that he actually sat down and had a conversation with her to get to know her. Game recognize game, that’s who I need to be with.”
Jalentha, for her part, couldn’t stop saying, ‘I love James’ to all of her family and friends.
“He’s a straight up and down guy,” she said about her husband. “I’m outgoing. He came into my life, and I needed him. He gave me so much structure. I remember when we first started dating, he asked about my grades. To this day, he makes sure that I’m in order.”
James and Jalentha Cole met in 2005 at the University of Central Arkansas. The couple married in 2010. (Provided)
The proposal: The two had dated for years before James proposed, mainly to allow Jalentha to graduate from college first. Their loved ones expected a proposal every time a holiday rolled around.
“I was just like, let me do it on my terms,” James said.
Instead, he proposed on his birthday, June 8.
“I made my day her day,” he said.
He’d told her that he was going to visit his mother for his birthday. After his trip and coming back from the gym, she was making him food. When he came back home, he dropped down on one knee in the living room.
“I remember sitting on the couch, and I think time slowed down for me again,” Jalentha said. “I remember him sliding into the living room on one knee. That’s when he asked me to be his wife. I was shocked because it was his birthday.”
The wedding: The two are from different parts of Arkansas, so they had their wedding in the middle of the state, in Little Rock at Chenal Church of Christ. Reverend H. Earl Anderson officiated, and their colors were eggplant and silver
Jalentha said she remembers getting emotional upon hearing the Kenny G. song as she walked down the aisle.
“I remember being there with my dad and waiting for them to open the doors,” she said. “I was like,’ I don’t want to cry.’ He told me it was OK to cry. When I tell you, they cracked that door, and that saxophone was going and I saw James, I cried the entire ceremony. I had tissues stuffed in my sweetheart neckline.
James remembers trying not to get emotional in front of his family and frat brothers.
“I started to have a little mind shift,” he said. “I started to think about football to keep me from crying. I did not want to display those emotions in front of everybody like that. I wanted to keep it together.”
The honeymoon: The two went to the Sandals resort in Nassau, Bahamas. It was the first time the two traveled out of the country together.
“That was one of the best trips ever,” she said. “James did a skit while we were there. The Bahamas was amazing. We met some great people.”
Words of wisdom: The Coles credit putting God and their spouse before themselves as the key to a long-lasting marriage.
“Putting your spouse first is the foundation that keeps our family together,” he said. “If it’s not working out with you and your spouse, then the kids are going to be affected by that. I always want to make sure that I’m being intentional about a lot of things.”
Jalentha says that balance is also important.
“We’re making sure that we’re giving our best, but also forgiving,” she said. “Some people say love and marriage are 50-50. Some days, I have 20, and James has to pick up 80.”
They also check in with each other.
“You do that at a job, right?” James said. “You’re constantly getting feedback. Why not do that with somebody you plan on spending the rest of your life with to make sure everything is where it needs to be?”
Happily ever after: The Coles have three children: a 14-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 3-year-old. James is an oncology sales executive at Johnson & Johnson. Jalentha is the CEO of their home.
“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 editor@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.
A great summer staycation is about spending quality time with loved ones and creating lasting memories. (Adobe Stock)
By Mirella Bitas | UAB News
For families who are staying in town this summer, it can seem like there are not many ways to keep children occupied without a device. Experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham share educational and active ways to keep children engaged.
“Children prefer to play over working out or exercising,” Mowling said. “As parents, we should encourage playtime that elicits the idea of fun through movement. In addition, if parents will participate in the activities, it often increases motivation and provides an opportunity for creating memories.”Mowling suggests the following ideas for active play.
Take a hike
Spend time exploring the neighborhood and create a personalized hiking trail. Children can create a map that includes prominent features throughout the trail. Create invitations that include the trail map, deliver them to neighbors, and encourage them to post a family selfie with a hashtag created by the child, such as #HenrysHike.
Family Olympics
Gather the family and put together a series of outdoor activities. Some ideas could include races, hula-hooping, corn hole, jump rope and hopscotch. If desired, keep score and create a medal as a prize for whoever wins the most activities. Larger families can form teams.
The floor is (not) lava
There are lots of other games to play indoors if it is raining. One classic game is “The Floor Is Lava.” Create an obstacle course around the house, set a timer, and go. Challenge the child to see if they can complete the course faster each time. This activity gets children moving while building sequencing, memory and problem-solving.
Get groovy
Turn on some family-friendly tunes and get moving. Children can put their personal touch on the family dance party by creating the playlist and dance moves. Games such as freeze dance are a great way to play. Encourage children to create their own choreography and perform it if they wish for the family.
Easy activities for home
Benjamin Turner, an instructor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences, says there are ways to incorporate science into fun activities for kids this summer. “With these activities, students are able to hone their skills in science, math, technology and reading,” Turner said.
“Implementation and exposure to the wonderful world of STEM should be done at a young age to get a desired successful impact later in their academic path,” he added. Identifying engaging activities can make science enjoyable and fun for all ages.” He suggests parents and caregivers try one of the following activities with their children to open their minds to the world of science.
Activities for learning new skills
Exploring new hobbies and activities is another great way to spend a summer staycation while having fun. Learning new hobbies and skills piques children’s curiosity, stimulating active learning, brain development and memory retention. “One thing I’ve learned as both a parent and a biologist is that children are naturally curious,” Turner said. “The challenge usually isn’t finding something to teach them — it’s creating opportunities for them to ask questions and explore.”
Turner suggests the following activities for learning new skills and family quality time.
Braille
Braille is a tactile reading system for those who are blind or visually impaired. It involves the use of raised dots that are read by using fingers to glide and feel their patterns. Learning Braille enhances fine motor skills by boosting memory cognition and pattern recognition.
Gardening
Grab the gardening gloves and tools and engage children in planting fruits, vegetables and flowers. Allowing children to take part in gardening will provide them with hands-on learning, building a sense of responsibility and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Gardening will allow children the opportunity to connect with nature. “Gardening has become less about growing vegetables and more about growing connections,” Turner said.Other UAB experts suggest two fun science experiments that can be done with household items found at the grocery store
Can glue bounce? Fun with glue and Borax
The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the difference between a chemical change and physical change.Physical changes occur when the speed of energy in a substance causes it to change between a solid, liquid or gas, such as an ice cube’s melting. Chemical changes are smaller and happen at a more intense level, such as color changes.In conducting this experiment, children will see how physical changes are made when combining the two mixtures to create “flubber.” Chemical changes are shown by using the heat of a microwave. Adult supervision is recommended for this experiment. Materials:
Water
Borax soap
Microwave
Glue
Two beakers or containers, one of which should be microwave-safe
Stirring rod
Food coloring in the child’s favorite color
Gloves (because this experiment can be messy)
Procedure: Put 1.5 inches of water in container A. Add 1 teaspoon of Borax soap to container A. Heat the mixture in the microwave for one minute and set aside. Be careful, as the mixture will be hot.Put 1.5 inches of glue in container B and add 6 teaspoons of water and 12 drops of food coloring. Add the contents of container A to the mixture in container B. Stir well. The combination makes “flubber.”
Can colors run? Fun with soap and colors
Materials:
Six paper plates
1 percent milk
2 percent milk
Half and half
Buttermilk
Whole milk
Glue (to make a cool souvenir)
Food coloring: green, blue, red and yellow
Liquid dishwashing detergent
Cotton swabs
Procedure: Lay paper plates out in a straight line, one plate for each type of milk and glue. Pour the various milks into the plates, enough to cover the bottom of each. Drop three or four drops of different food colorings into the center of the milk. Be careful not to mix the colors. Dip a cotton swab into the liquid dishwashing detergent and place it in the center of the food coloring drops. Watch and discuss what happens as each plate transitions to a beautiful piece of art.
Making the most of a staycation
Trying to make the most of a staycation may seem challenging; but with a positive outlook, it is simple and very rewarding. Things that are considered “normal” errands such as going to the grocery store, exploring a new part of town, visiting a library, trying a new restaurant or dropping off a package can be turned into an adventure and a memorable experience.
“A successful staycation is often more about mindset than destination,” Turner said. “The goal of a staycation is the same as any vacation: Spend time together, be curious, and create experiences that you’ll talk about long after the week is over.”
An emergency lane closure will be in effect immediately at the intersection of Rocky Ridge Road and Dolly Ridge Road. (Adobe Stock)
Special to The Times
An emergency lane closure will be in effect immediately at the intersection of Rocky Ridge Road and Dolly Ridge Road. Jefferson County road crews identified a sub-grade subsidence failure that is creating a hazardous roadway condition.
Northbound and Southbound traffic on Rocky Ridge Road will be reduced to one lane and directed by flaggers, with drivers experiencing delayed signal timing through the work zone. Motorists should expect traffic delays and use extra caution when traveling through the area. Please allow additional travel time or consider using an alternate route if possible.
The county appreciates your patience and cooperation as this work is completed to improve traffic operations.
Birmingham native and American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, left, chats with Brightness in Black Program Director Kelvin Phillips, right, at the Birmingham stop of Storycorps’ Brightness in Black tour Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Carver Theatre. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times
Birmingham residents gathered at the historic Carver Theater Saturday evening for an event centered on conversation, community and the power of storytelling.
The Community Playback, presented by StoryCorps’ Brightness in Black initiative, gave attendees the chance to listen to impactful and insightful interviews that sought to cultivate connection and challenge stereotypes. The evening was the culminating event of StoryCorps’ two-week visit to Birmingham.
StoryCorps is a national nonprofit that aims to record, preserve and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. The recorded stories are permanently stored in the Library of Congress.
As part of the organization’s Mobile Tour across the Southeast, the StoryCorps Sprinter van — donated by Mercedes-Benz — anchored in Birmingham from June 28 to July 12. The StoryCorps team collected stories throughout the city and at various community events, including a Birmingham Barons game and LHUT Day at Sloss Furnace. The team also hosted a special luncheon for veterans.
“Birmingham was the very first city that I selected,” said Latojia Dawkins, the director of interview collection for StoryCorps. Dawkins shared that in previous years, the StoryCorps team has worked with National Public Radio (NPR) stations to collect stories.
“Certain communities didn’t always feel heard,” Dawkins said. “Whenever things go wrong, I always think about it as a way to shake up the energy and move in another direction.”
For this tour, she wanted to partner with individuals rooted in the community to ensure a variety of voices were amplified. She found the partner she needed in Shay Oden, founder of Rooted Impact Consulting LLC.
“Birmingham has so much to say, but it’s also been stifled throughout history, or our story has been changed to fit other people’s narratives, or to not hurt feelings,” Oden told The Birmingham Times in a previous interview. “This was so important, especially with me being a Birmingham transplant through two parents who were born and raised here, to showcase that we’re an amalgamation. We’re just as rich in culture as Ellis Island was when those immigrants crossed.”
Latojia Dawkens, Interview Collection Director of Brightness in Black, gives her opening remarks at the event. (Reginald Allen, For The Birmingham Times)
Birmingham did not disappoint. The team collected 40 stories while in town and turned two of the conversations into video vignettes that were screened at Saturday’s event.
“Birmingham really, really showed up,” said Kelvin Phillips, program director for the Brightness in Black initiative. “And this is sort of our way of giving thanks to the community of Birmingham for showing the love, for showing the interest, for being passionate about your truth, your story, your history, and allowing us in to actually be part of that.”
Brightness in Black
Participants could choose between a traditional StoryCorps conversation or take part in one of three main initiatives: Brightness in Black, One Small Step and Military Voices. Brightness in Black aims to highlight the stories of Black Americans; One Small Step brings together two strangers with opposing political views and tries to bridge the gap; and the Military Voices Initiative honors all service members.
At Saturday’s event, the Brightness in Black initiative took center stage, showcasing stories of Black love, Black families, and Black excellence.
“The Brightness in Black model is all about telling stories that shift the narrative,” Phillips said. “A lot of times, the media shapes in ways that don’t exactly fully represent us. It represents us in a way that’s more negative — things like ‘Black families are broken.’ We try to find stories that counter that.”
Phillips described the Community Playback event as a “mini film festival.” The evening featured a screening of several conversations collected through the years and throughout the country. Challenging stereotypes about broken Black families, several stories showed Black fathers fiercely loving their children, and one vignette featured a Black couple who had been married for 83 years. The stories were both heartwarming and hilarious. Audience members audibly expressed how moved they were by the poignant and powerful stories but also laughed out loud throughout the night.
Two Birmingham-produced videos premiered Saturday night. For one of the curated conversations, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin interviewed Edward Bowser, deputy communications director for the Mayor’s Office, about both the power of storytelling and the importance and impact of mentorship. Bowser, who coauthored Woodfin’s memoir, Son of Birmingham, and previously worked in journalism, has also spent decades mentoring youth through church ministry and other programs.
In another Birmingham-focused feature, Anthony Williams, director of the Negro Southern League Museum, interviewed Michael Mays, son of baseball icon and Birmingham native Willie Mays.
“Willie Mays is such an icon to a generation before us, but I don’t think we here in Birmingham or the younger people who are baseball fans realized his impact, and I just wanted to bring that out,” Williams said of the interview. “And I just wanted to figure out what he meant not only as a cultural icon and an athlete, but what he was like as a person. How did his roots reflect in the way he lived his life on a day-to-day basis?”
Kelvin Phillips, Program Director of Brightness in Black, gives his opening remarks at Storycorps’ Brightness in Black tour Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Carver Theatre. (Reginald Allen, For The Bitmingham Times)
A Family Reunion
When Oden was asked what she hoped attendees would take from Saturday’s event, her answer was simple: “I was hoping that it would feel like a family reunion,” she said. “And that’s what it felt like. It felt like home. It felt like a homecoming.”
Before the video screenings, attendees mingled in the lobby, enjoying food, drinks and conversation. The night’s atmosphere made it clear that Oden’s mission was accomplished. Yes, people were embracing and chatting with friends they hadn’t seen in a while, but the evening also sparked meaningful conversations between those meeting for the first time.
Birmingham native, actor, and Grammy award-nominated R&B artist Ruben Studdard also attended the event, taking photos with fans at the opening reception and later joining Phillips on stage for a fireside chat during which he shared how his Birmingham roots — including his family, church, and teachers — have shaped him as an artist and a person.
The goal of Brightness in Black may be to counter negative stereotypes about the Black community, but the stories shared Saturday night did much more.
The stories were from different parts of the country and featured conversations between people of different age groups and yet proved how much we all have in common. Audience members could clearly relate to stories about food bringing family together and about Miss Devine, who made sure the neighborhood kids never missed Sunday school. Bowser, in his conversation with Mayor Woodfin, commented that though he’s from Portsmouth, Virginia, elements of his childhood — such as trips to “the candy lady” — mirror those of people born and raised in Birmingham.
It was connecting with others that made John Vereen, a nonprofit founder based in Birmingham but originally from Maryland, want to attend Saturday’s event.
“It’s witnessing the power of story and how through human connection and storytelling we’re able to heal and restore through commonality,” he said.
Phillips said true connection can happen when we “get off of digital and actually look at each other in the eyes.”
And he summed up the mission and vision of StoryCorps simply: “When we tell stories to each other, it makes us more human.”
