From left, Alease Sims; Marshelle Harris; Eva B. Johnson; Kasandra Brindidge; Loretta Herring; Nataly Swann; Germaine Robinson and Denetra Johnson, all breast cancer survivors who did not get a chance to the ring the bell when they finished their treatments. But did get a chance to ring a ceremonial bell at the SurviveHer at the Table Luncheon at Arlington House. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
Germaine Robinson was only 21 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Almost immediately she was brought to tears.
“It was like it was taking a piece of my womanhood. I think that was the most heartbreaking part,” she said. “Being that I was so young, and you’re just really discovering yourself, and then cancer. It broke me for a minute.”
Germaine Robinson was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at age 21. (Provided)
According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, while breast cancer still remains low in younger women, those under 40 are almost 40 percent more likely to die from their breast cancer than women over 40, and it has become the leading cause of cancer death in women aged 20 to 49 in the U.S.
“I did surgery and chemotherapy, but no radiation,” said Robinson. “I went through six months of chemotherapy with a booster every week after my chemo treatment.”
By 23, Robinson was cancer free, but doctors told her she would not be able to conceive. Today, at age 56, she is the mother of two adult daughters, who have motivated her to go after all the things she thought she lost.
“Having my girls, they inspired me to go back to school. I got my bachelor’s degree [in business management from Virginia College in 2005] and my master’s degree [in business administration from Walden University in 2010],” she said. “For a while, the one thing we didn’t have was a home. We ended up receiving our own home through [Habitat for Humanity]. I feel like I went full circle on that one.”
“Touched My Heart”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, but earlier this month Robinson was one of 26 survivors, supporters, and health care professionals who gathered at the historic Arlington Home and Gardens in West Birmingham to honor those affected by breast cancer, as well as promote early detection and education.
Part of the program — organized by local advocate Chanda Temple, senior project manager for the City of Birmingham — was the ringing of a bell, which has become an honored and cherished tradition in the realm of cancer survivorship care.
Outfitted in various hues of pink, survivors, fighters, and friends grabbed the pink pompoms placed at each of their seats, lined the pathway in the back of the building leading to a bell, and cheered the first-time bell ringers to the groove of “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross.
The sun was shining brightly, the air was tinged with the scent of sweet flowers, and the song’s upbeat tempo and affirming message served as a source of strength and encouragement, reminding these women that they are not alone and that their journeys, no matter how difficult, are worthy of celebration.
Some of the women fought and beat breast cancer before ringing the bell to signify completion of cancer treatment became a tradition, and they were cheered as they got a chance to ring the bell for the first time. Robinson was one seven other women who were first-time bell ringers.
“It was beautiful, and it touched my heart because didn’t get a chance to do it during my time. Ringing that bell provided a feeling I never thought I would experience,” said Robinson. “It was like something out of a movie.”
Eva B. Johnson, a breast cancer survivor, rings a ceremonial bell signifying the completion of her treatments. Johnson did not get a chance to the ring the bell when she finished her radiation treatments in 2012. (Marika N. Johnson Photos, For The Birmingham Times)
“I’m Still Here”
For Eva Johnson, ringing the bell was something she’d always thought about but never knew she’d get the opportunity to do.
“It was overwhelming. Now I can say I finally got to ring my bell,” said Johnson, who has remained cancer free for 11 years.
Today, Johnson hosts her own breast cancer awareness walk — the EB Johnson Breast Cancer Walk, which started in 2019 and is held annually at Birmingham’s East Lake Park.
“When [the nonprofit breast cancer organization] Susan G Komen left Birmingham, I started my own walk. People would hang around in the park after the walk was over, so three years ago my family and I decided to grill out, as well,” said Johnson.
For Nataly Swann, another first-time bell ringer, it meant, “ringing to the universe, ‘Hey, I’m still here and I’m still fighting.’ I never had closure like that,” she said.
Swann was first diagnosed in 2019.
“I [went] through a surgery, through chemotherapy, and a lot of recovery,” Swann told The Birmingham Times. “This year, I had a recurrence, and I had another surgery. When my blood tests came back cancer free, I was just crying. That’s all I could do. I’m still here.”
Swann explained that during her first battle with breast cancer, she tried to put it behind her.
“I thought, ‘OK, I’m done.’ I put it in my rear-view mirror, turned the page, and moved on,” she said.
During her second diagnosis, Swann faced insurance hardship after she received a letter stating that her testing for breast cancer was not needed.
“They sent me letter saying the testing was not medically necessary, but I tested anyway — and it saved my life,” she said. “My main focus now is being an advocate for women who may have experienced hardship with their insurance policies while battling. When you receive this letter, it’s basically your ticket coupon to a cemetery or something and it makes you want to fight.”
For more survivor stories, visit http://www.chandatemplewrites.com, where local advocate Chanda Temple, project manager for the City of Birmingham, has compiled a series called “SurviveHer at the Table: Food. Faith. Fight.” In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, each day of October 2025 Temple has profiled one female breast cancer survivor, highlighting food from local restaurants or food vendors that each one liked at some point during her breast cancer journey or enjoys today.
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Shelia Williams, breast cancer survivor and comedienne, outside Arlington House after the SurviveHer at the Table Luncheon. (Marika N. Johnson Photos, For The Birmingham Times)
Kasandra Brundidge, a breast cancer survivor, is celebrated at the SurviveHer at the Table luncheon. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
Alease Sims lost her daughter, Stacey, to breast cancer in 2023. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
From left, Alease Sims; Marshelle Harris; Eva B. Johnson; Kasandra Brindidge; Loretta Herring; Nataly Swann; Germaine Robinson and Denetra Johnson, all breast cancer survivors who did not get a chance to the ring the bell when they finished their treatments. But did get a chance to ring a ceremonial bell at the SurviveHer at the Table Luncheon at Arlington House. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
Sheila Williams, left, breast cancer survivor and comedian with Chanda Temple, organizer of the SurviveHer at the Table luncheon in Birmingham. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
Marshelle Harris, a breast cancer survivor, rings a ceremonial bell signifying the completion of her treatments. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
Toby Richards, left, director of Arlington House with Alease Sims, a breast cancer survivor during the SurviveHer at the Table luncheon in Birmingham. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
The Birmingham Times
In America, one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Chanda Temple, an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, profiled one female breast cancer survivor each day in October. The stories also highlight a food from a Birmingham, Alabama, restaurant or food vendor they liked at some point during their breast cancer journey or today. The series is titled “SurviveHer at the Table: Food. Faith. Fight.”
Each story is the opinion of the survivor, with a goal to increase awareness about early detection and treatment for breast cancer. Readers should consult with their physician for medical and health advice and their nutritionist for healthy eating tips. Here’s a look at some of the survivors.
Every day, Alease Sims walks past a pink wreath that once belonged to her daughter, Stacey Sims Turner.
Alease Sims, right, lost her daughter, Stacey, to breast cancer in 2023. (Provided)
A sign on it reads: “I stood strong. I fought hard. I won.”
Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. As Stacey fought the disease, Alease knew her pain because Alease had fought the same disease in 1989. Alease comforted Stacey through a mastectomy, chemo, radiation and six-month checkups.
Doctors eventually told Stacey she was cancer-free. But in 2021, the cancer had returned and spread to Stacey’s lungs and brain. Again, Alease was by Stacey’s side, telling her, “We are going to fight this.”
They found a trial at a research center in Nashville, where they traveled back and forth to Birmingham for a year. Stacey improved, enjoying time with family and eating the jalapeño-flavored popcorn from Birmingham’s Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co. because its spice kicked through to her tastebuds during treatment. Alease joined in on the popcorn fun, opting for the sweeter/savory flavor.
But by early 2023, things had changed for Stacey. She had grown weaker in her fight against breast cancer, but she still managed to order school clothes and birthday presents for her son and daughter. Stacey stored them in a hallway closet, and told Alease she wanted her to give them to the children, letting the children know they were from their mama.
On Feb. 10, 2023, Stacey had a frank conversation with Alease.
Stacey: “Let me tell you something.”
Alease: “What?”
Stacey: “You’ve got to let me go. I’m tired.”
Alease: “Oh, baby.”
Stacey: “You kiss me on me. You pray with me, and I don’t say anything. But you’ve got to let me go. You’ve got to let me go. God’s got me, and He’s got you, too. Promise me you are not going to just be here in the house and not go any place.”
It took Alease a minute to process what Stacey was actually saying, first thinking Stacey was just talking about physically letting her go because she had been holding her.
“After I put her back in the bed, I later realized what she was saying, that it was time to let her go,” Alease said.
Stacey passed on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.
“She was such a special person and the way people responded, they saw the light in her also,” Alease said.
That light still shines in the wreath on the door, where Alease is reminded of what she used to tell Stacey as a little girl: “Shoulders up. Head up.”
Alease carries that message with her in every step she makes today. She knows Stacey would want it that way.
“I hold my head up, and when I open that door, I know I’m going to face the world,” she said. “I’m a survivor.”
Maranda LaRussa knew that lumps in one’s breast could be a sign of cancer. But never had she heard about itchy breasts possibly being a sign.
Maranda LaRussa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. (Taneisha Tucker Photography)
So, when her breasts started to itch in the summer of 2018, she thought it was odd. Then in October 2018, she experienced pain when she touched a lump in her breast. Immediately, she contacted her doctor.
She went in for an ultrasound. Test results showed it was cancer. A few weeks later, she learned she had Stage 3A breast cancer. She felt like if she had known about itchy breasts, she could have gotten her breasts checked earlier.
“But I ‘m glad that I noticed my symptoms, I was vigilant, and I moved as soon as I could,” she said.
When Maranda first told doctors and friends about her itchy breasts and the painful lump, they said, “That’s not a normal sign.”
“They said, ‘Lumps don’t have pain.’ I was like, ‘This one does,’ ” she recalled. “A lot of the doctors and ultrasound techs said, ‘It is probably not cancer. It’s going to be a cyst.’ ”
Hearing all of that frustrated Maranda because not everyone is the same when it comes to symptoms. She wanted people to really hear her.
At the time, Maranda was 40, and she felt like maybe she was being dismissed because of her age.
“It was just like, ‘Listen to me! I know something is not right. It’s my body. You don’t know what’s going on,’ ” she said. “That was my frustration. And it happens to a lot of people.”
As she fought to be heard, he also fought for her life.
Maranda had a double mastectomy around Thanksgiving 2018. In January 2019, she started 16 treatments of chemo, which was followed by 30 rounds of radiation. And to prepare for reconstructive surgery and the installation of implants, expanders were placed in her chest in 2019.
Following the reconstructive surgery, Maranda had a hard time adjusting to the implants. Several years later, she had them removed. She then opted for a DIEP flap reconstruction, which uses one’s own tissues and blood supply. She said it’s as close to natural as one can get.
Throughout her treatments and surgeries, she could only taste certain things such as Startburst jelly beans. Purple was her favorite. When it came to savory foods, she liked the spicy curry sauce that comes with the potstickers at Surin 280 and Surin West.
“It was kind of like a special thing,” she said of the sauce. “You get kind of down when you are doing (treatments). It gave me something to look forward to.”
And to keep her those special vibes flowing during her recovery, her husband brought Maranda a medium well ribeye steak, a salad and mashed potatoes from Longhorn Steakhouse for Valentine’s Day 2019.
“You don’t really feel normal during all of this, and that did make me feel normal,” she said.
Today, Maranda is the events and development coordinator for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. As the organization prepares to celebrate 30 years of existence in 2026, she wants to remind people to trust their gut when they feel something is amiss with their body.
“If something does not feel right to you, no matter what you are told is typical or normal, you need to get it checked out,” she said. “You know your body.”
“Do your due diligence and you homework on who your doctor is,” she said. “Make sure they want to treat you as a person and not just as statistic or a number.”
Breast cancer pushed Denetra Johnson to do two things: enroll in community college and go to church more.
Denetra Johnson was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2011. (Provided)
It all started on Oct. 29, 2011 after her doctor called and said she had triple negative breast cancer. What followed next was all Denetra had to hear: “I think we got it in time.”
Denetra cried at first. Then, she told her family and started working on a plan.
“I said, ‘Well, I’m fixing to do some thangs now,’ ” Denetra recalled. “It’s time for me to grow up, … get stronger, be a thriver and a survivor.’ ”
Denetra enrolled at Brown Mackie College in Birmingham to pursue her medical assistance degree. She also increased going to church from three times a year to every Sunday.
“I didn’t let (breast cancer) defeat me,” she said. “I didn’t wallow in self-pity. I started being more active.”
“I was doing my chemo, radiation and going through school.”
Today, Denetra, 52, is very involved in her Birmingham church, where she hosts a breast cancer program every October. She’s also a member of the breast cancer support group, Sisters CanCervive and serves as a moderator in the group’s online chats. So far as community college, which is now closed, she secured her degree after going through an 18-month program.
During her studies and treatments in 2012, she discovered the Athenian snapper at Fish Market in Birmingham.
“It’s delicious. It’s fresh,” said Denetra, who now works for an insurance company. “I love it.”
Layered with feta cheese crumbles, onions, sautéed tomatoes, capers, lemon juice and black olives, that plate of fish brought a calmness that showed how change can quietly appear in a night or a lifetime.
“Breast cancer pushed me more on what I was procrastinating on,” she said. “It pushed me to be a better me.”
In fighting breast cancer, Nataly Swann lost her eyelashes, her eyebrows and a few fingernails.
She also lost her happiness.
Nataly Swann was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma in 2019. (Provided)
For someone who was once carefree, cancer left Nataly heavy with worry about herself and if she’d ever see her family in her homeland of Russia again. Tears flowed, hitting the hard, rough reality she couldn’t change. But as every tear fell, Nataly’s footing eventually softened, making way for a whole new harvest.
How did she reap her happiness again?
“Oh, it’s a journey,” she admits. “I’m still adjusting to it.’’
Through Forge’s cooking classes and yoga sessions, for example, Nataly met survivors she’s still friends with today.
“It showed me that I’m not defined by my diagnosis,” she said. “I am who I am.’’
Nataly was 45 when she was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma in 2019. For treatment, she had a double mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy.
This year, she returned to her doctors for additional testing after some initial tests raised concerns in 2024. A deeper dive revealed that Nataly had a tumor behind her lungs and heart. It was also on the same side where the original cancer was found.
She underwent robotic surgery in May 2025 in Birmingham and the tumor was removed. She remains under a physician’s care.
“My doctor said I surprised him with the outcome,” she said. “He has a very positive outlook …”
To make it through the process, she credits her friends for sending her encouraging cards, her husband for holding her hand, and for loved ones stepping in the help. Her journey has been a challenging one, but one where she lets the smallest thing brighten her day.
“I love to buy myself flowers,” she said. “I have fresh flowers at home. At work. They give me just joy.”
“When I look at the flowers, I forget about things that are hurting me.”
Something else that’s been a happy spot for Nataly during her breast cancer journey is the Pappadeaux’s Greek salad, which features a lettuce mix topped with banana peppers, fresh tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, Greek dressing and a squeeze of lemon. There are options to top it with crab meat or shrimp.
“I think it’s my dream dinner,” she said. “It’s the food that comforts. It’s so clean.”
“I don’t know how they make such a simple thing like a Greek salad taste so good. Maybe it’s the extra love or something.’’
Jordan Collins was a sophomore at the University of Alabama in October 2024, when her world seemed to stop.
Jordan Collins was only 19 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. Chanda Temple, Provided)
There, standing in the shower, she felt a lump. She was only 19.
The next morning, she went to a women’s health clinic and underwent additional testing. On Nov. 19, 2024, she was told she had Stage 0 breast cancer.
Immediately, her mind began to race. Could it had been something she ate? Something she drank? Her environment? Could it have even been her family genes since several of her aunts had had breast cancer?
Then, she leaned on her faith to ease her fears. And right there, ‘”Jordan, the Warrior ” was born.
“I said, ‘This is my fight, and I will fight it.’ ”
Doctors discussed these treatment options with her:
A lumpectomy with radiation
A single mastectomy
A bilateral mastectomy
Fearful the cancer could return or spread before she even turned 35 or 40, Jordan pushed for a bilateral mastectomy. On Jan. 7, 2025, she had both breasts removed and had reconstructive surgery in Birmingham. She started classes at Alabama on Jan. 8.
“I wanted to take a medical withdrawal, but I thought it would be best to keep pushing,” said Jordan. “So, I worked through the university and got all of my classes online.”
Today, Jordan is 20-year-old junior majoring in management information systems. Her goal is to become a data analyst for a Fortune 500 company.
“There is life after breast cancer. I’m thriving, y’all,” she said, wearing a fuchsia, floor-length gown and her hair pulled back in a chignon as she stood, speaking before a packed room today during the City of Birmingham Human Resources’ “Pink Power” hour to honor its employees affected by breast cancer.
She later said she wore the dress to make a statement and show that “life after breast cancer looks amazing.”
“I look good, and I feel good.”
She also wants to continue to spread the message that early detection is so important, and continue to work with breast cancer support groups such as PinkTopps and Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center.
“By sharing my story, I hope it will encourage young people to get checked and for every woman to get checked,” she said. “Please don’t put anything off. If you see something, feel something. Say something.”
Because her appointments took place at St. Vincent’s in Birmingham, she visited several restaurants in the area. Her favorite was Hattie B’s, where she ordered the chicken tenders. Said their peach cobbler was “my guilty pleasure.”
“After a long day of appointments, that’s what I wanted to eat,” she said.
And since she graduated from Ramsay High School, which is also near the hospital, she liked the big baked potato from Al’s Deli; and chicken sausage and pancakes from Pancake House in Five Points South.
“After cancer, I made a lot of dietary changes. I cut pork out, and I watch may sugar intake,” she said. I just drink water or freshly squeeze orange juice and apple juice. I try to eat food that is very organic.”
“I still eat Hattie B’s once a month. I’ll give myself some grace,” she said. “I sometimes get a cupcake from K&J’s (Elegant Pastries in Birmingham’s Uptown.) I deserve a little sweet treat sometimes.”
When Monique Martin’s father died in May 2024, she was engulfed in grief. And as a result, the lymph nodes under her arms and in her neck, began to swell.
Monique Martin learned she had Stage 2 breat cancer in 2024. (Provided)
She thought stress had brought on the brief swelling. So, she ignored it.
Then, in August 2024, the swelling returned and it gradually got worse. In October 2024, she felt a lump in her left breast. Officials scheduled her for a mammogram in November 2024.
“I got the mammogram, went on the patient portal and read the results before they even called me,” she said. It said, “Indicative of breast cancer.” She wasn’t totally surprised because her mother is a breast cancer survivor. But she was scared.
“I was kind of kicking myself because I was like, ‘Maybe if I had gotten on this when I first noticed my lymph nodes were swollen, the prognosis would have been a little bit better,’ ” she said.
She later learned she had Stage 2 breast cancer. She had to have another mammogram and schedule MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, an ultrasound and biopsies at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB.
“I had to have the whole works,” she said. “Once they got rolling, it was rolling. I was very fortunate. I had the same oncologist and the same breast surgeon my mother had when she went through breast cancer seven years ago. I felt very confident with them.”
Because her mother was a breast cancer survivor, Monique wished she had been more attentive to her own health in 2024. Monique had gone in for a regular gynecology appointment in February 2024, and her doctor encouraged her to schedule her mammogram then. But Monique got busy with life, and she never scheduled the mammogram.
After her diagnosis, she had 12 weeks of chemo, finishing on July 2, 2025. She had a single mastectomy and had some lymph nodes removed on Aug. 15, 2025. Thirty days of radiation is next. And once she gives her body three months to heal, she can have reconstructive surgery.
“I was very scared in the beginning. I feel lot better now,” said Monique, 52. “I still worry about the future. I have a 10-year-old old daughter with autism, and that’s my biggest concern. I have to be here for her.”
To improve her eating habits, Monique started eating meatless meals during treatment. She turned to Birmingham plant-based creator Kimberly Brock of Bitty’s Living Kitchenfor help because she was just too tired from chemo to get in the kitchen and cook.
“It was very helpful to get those meals from her because they were either completely raw or mostly raw. I got a lot salads,” said Monique, of Pratt City. “It was very easy, and her meals are delicious.”
“I loved any of her salads where she had the walnut meat. I don’t know if you’ve had walnut meat before, but it makes you think you are eating meat on your salad. She grinds it up and seasons it really well.”
Monique said she was grateful for healthful options from Bitty’s Living Kitchen, which helped to make her recovery at home easier.
Monique also turned to Indian food from Sitar Indian Restaurant in Birmingham during her treatment.
“I did read in some of my cancer books that Indian spices (such as turmeric, ginger and curry) are really good for zapping cancer cells,” Monique said. “At Sitar, I always got their lentil soup and the vegetable biryani,” which is made with basmati rice and comes with a variety of vegetables.
Monique said people should remain aware of their bodies and handle any negative changes right away. To keep better track of her appointments, Monique has now bought a planner to record everything.
“If you ever have to cancel an appointment, reschedule it right then,” she said. “Don’t say, ‘I’ll call back,’ because you probably won’t.
During her chemo treatments for breast cancer, many things tasted like air to Marshelle Harris.
Marshelle Harris was diagnosed in 2019 with triple negative breast cancer. (Provided)
Everything, that is, except for Newk’s Margherita Pizza when she swapped out its red pizza sauce for the Newk’s white barbecue sauce. She also asked that a little cilantro be added to the pizza’s existing offerings of grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil.
The combo was a game changer, as the white BBQ sauce burst through with the most robust flavors on the warm, soft pizza slices.
“I always tell people about it, and when they get it, they say, ‘Girl, you were not lying!'” she said.
In an effort to overload with nutrition and to “eat the rainbow” while going through chemo, Marshelle made smoothies at home in the morning and at night. She added three fruits and three vegetables, along with superfoods. (People should always consult with their physician or nutritionist on which food route is better for their specific health conditions and health goals. Marshelle offers a free e-book with 30 cancer-fighting superfoods here. Also, the National Breast Cancer Foundation offers a five-step smoothie guide here. The Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center also has a list of seven foods breast cancer survivors should consider for healthy aging.)
In July 2019, Marshelle was diagnosed with triple negative Stage 2 breast cancer, the most aggressive form of breast cancer. She underwent 16 weeks of chemo. Then, she had a double mastectomy, followed by six weeks of recovery. She later had five weeks of radiation. About 1.5 years later, she had reconstructive surgery in August 2022.
Now at the age of 48, she’s cancer-free; has published two books about her breast cancer journey; is a breast cancer coach, advocate and founder of Wellness 4 Life at http://www.marshelleharris.com; is a board member for the Cancer Awareness Network; and is a member of Sisters CANcervive non-profit organization. Last week, she traveled to Washington, D.C. and Chicago to take part in national breast cancer conferences. In November, she will leave for Portugal to participate in the Advanced Breast Cancer International Consensus Conference.
“I’m a boots-on-the-ground advocate, someone who believes that real impact happens when you move beyond conversations and step into the work,” she said.
Before now, there were times Marshelle struggled to get out of bed, due to the neuropathy that ravaged her hands and feet; walking again; and regaining her range of motion. But there was also victory on the other side of the hard days, including the time she was able to complete a 55-mile bike ride with her bike small group.
“That was hard, and I wanted to quit so many times,” she said in a YouTube video about her journey. “I did not quit, though… It reminded me of my cancer journey.”
Pain raced through her body. But she kept going.
“Life can be just like this, but do not quit. Don’t give up,” she said. “It gets better.”
Alabama State Uniiversity has received a $38 million gift from renowned philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. (Alabama State University)
Alabama State University
Alabama State University has announced a historic milestone: the largest single donation in the institution’s 158-year history.
MacKenzie Scott
The $38 million gift, from renowned philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, represents a monumental investment in the University’s future and a powerful endorsement of its mission, leadership, and vision for innovation. The unrestricted gift allows ASU the freedom to invest strategically in mission-critical areas — bolstering the University’s endowment, enhancing student success initiatives, expanding its research and technology infrastructure, and deepening ASU’s engagement within the Montgomery community and beyond.
“We are deeply grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her unprecedented generosity in supporting the vision of Alabama State University. The message here is clear: the work being done at this University is being held in high regard,” said Alabama State University President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “This investment allows us to continue to make a significant impact as an institution of higher learning now and for generations to come. This is a history-making moment at the place where history is made.”
Ross said Scott’s donation signals her confidence in Alabama State University’s role as a catalyst for change — a beacon of access, excellence, and equity in higher education. Alabama State University’s recognition by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s foundation came as an unexpected honor — the result of a quiet and selective process that identifies institutions making a meaningful difference.
Though details of the selection remain private, it’s evident that ASU’s steady progress in academic excellence, student success, and community advancement, key objectives of its Focus 2030 Strategic Plan, reflected the values the foundation seeks to support.
Ross shared that the University had no prior indication it was being considered.
“We’ve just been doing the work — staying true to our mission, our students, and our community,” said Ross. “You never know who’s watching, and to be recognized in this way reminds us that our efforts matter. Alabama State University’s impact is reaching farther than we sometimes realize.”
Ross said Scott’s investment also is a recognition of legacy and progress.
“Her gift not only honors ASU’s legacy as a leading historically Black university, but it also underscores our growing recognition as a forward-thinking institution, setting the pace for innovation and transformation in the South and across the nation.
“This is a game changer,” Ross continued. “Ms. Scott’s generous gift enhances Alabama State University’s ability to continue to compete, continue to lead, and to be the example of what’s possible when vision, purpose, and progress align. This investment will allow us to build upon our strategic priorities, strengthen our academic and research capacity, and most importantly, empower our students to soar.”
The $38 million gift comes at a time when Alabama State University continues to expand its national profile through initiatives in technology, global education, and community advancement — all core anchors of ASU’s Focus 2030 Strategic Plan.
Ross explained that with this historic donation, the University is poised to build upon its longstanding tradition of academic excellence, while reaffirming its place as one of the most influential HBCUs in the nation.
“This gift is transformative. It further reinforces Alabama State University’s commitment to innovation and excellence, setting the pace for the future,” he concluded.
**TRUNK OR TREAT, 4 – 6 p.m. at 3813 Avenue I with free candy, music, education and fun presented by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of American Central Alabama.
**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.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**TRAUMA RAY at Saturn.
**Q DOT & JAXXXON + FRIENDS ALL HALLOW’s EVE at The Nick.
**KACIE BELL, VIA VICARY & SAM HOLT – A HALLOWEEN SHOW TO DIE FOR at Avondale Brewing Upstairs.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**JAZZ IN THE MAGIC CITY HAPPY HOUR featuring Alabama State’s own Jose Carr and his band, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. FREE. EVERY THURSDAY!
**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 5 – 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.
**JOSE CARR EVERY THURSDAY, 5-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, at 1631 4th Avenue North.
**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2nd Avenue North
**EVERY THURSDAY- THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.
**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.
**FILM at Sidewalk Film.
**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31…
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**SPOOKCULAR at the Vulcan Park and Museum, 5:30 p.m.
**CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF WICKED, 5:30 p.m. at the Carver Theatre/Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame with a special Sing-Along Screening. Costumes are encouraged. Dress as your favorite character and enter the Wicked Costume Contest.
**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick with BLOOD MOON RIOT + COSTUME CONTEST.
**COMEDIAN MIKE EPPS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MILK & HONEY – FREAK (HALLOWEEN) at Saturn.
**THE REVIVALISTS – ALL IN THE FAMILY: 10 YEARS OF MEN AMONGST MOUNTAINS at Avondale Brewing Co.
**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1…
**BROADWAY RAVE at Saturn.
**COMEDIAN MIKE EPPS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**BUDDY RED at The Nick. FREE.
**MULTI ULTRA, JACK THE ELBOW, SPEAKEASY at the Nick.
**SAM BUSH at Iron City.
**TOUR DE BREWERS XXIII at Avondale Brewing Co.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2…
**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.
**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7th, 2808 7th Avenue Suite105.
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**2ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.
**SUNDAY FREE SHOW with KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.
**KAZARUS LAKE & MAKE SURE at The Nick.
**4th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.
**COMEDIAN MIKE EPPS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MADDOX BATSON – I NEED A TRUCK TOUR with Special Guest: KATE GREENE at Avondale Brewing Co.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3…
**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.
**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.
**RUSHADICUS (THE CELLO GOBLIN) at Saturn.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 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.
**FREE – UNDER THE MOUNTAIN: NOSFERATU at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5…
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**OPEN DECK with SUNDROP EVERY WEDNESDAY at The Nick.
**ARTIST TIN TIN X is performing LIVE at the ALL VYBES ATL 2 U TOUR BIRMINGHAM, 7:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Majestic Lounge. This Birmingham native’s music reflects sound, emotion and color to explore the balance between light shadow, healing and expression. Check him out for some positive energy presented by Spring Urban Fest.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**CHAPARELLE with RAMSEY THORNTON at Saturn.
**REVIS with TENNESSEE VETS EMERGE & ETCHSTONE at The Nick.
**OPEN AUDITIONS – An Open Mic Competition at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7….
**COMEDIAN T.I. at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**THE STEPPERS at The Nick.
**JOSH MELOY at Iron City.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…
**VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM’S SPOOKTACULAR is FRIDAY, starting 5:30-8:30 p.m. when VPM Junior Board will host its Third Annual Vulcan’s Spooktacular and family friendly Halloween. There will be trick-or-treating stations throughout the museum, photo opportunities around the Park with food vendors, music, face painting, activities and so much more. MASCOT “V” will make a special appearance to greet guests and pose for photos. AND, with the HALLOWEEN PARTY, 6:3 -10:30 p.m. the fun takes place indoors and there will be beer, wine, and cocktails for adults with two drink tickets included. There will be a costume contest, catered food, a Halloween-themed Mixology Experience that is packed with treats and maybe a few tricks. THIS IS A MUST ATTEND for your Family’s Halloween tradition.
THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER…Fall Festivals, History, Music and more… AROUND TOWN and IN Alabama! Enjoy cool temperatures, great sunsets, food, music, beach weather and more.
**NOVEMBER 2 – DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALABAMA in Birmingham held at the Sloss Furnaces National historic Landmark with art, vendors and more.
**NOVEMBER 5 – BLACK HISTORY BUS TOUR OF MONTGOMERY with Lunch and private dining at Martha’s Restaurant. Depart at 8 a.m. – Return at 5 p.m. Get on this bus tour for a Day of History, Culture and Fellowship at City Hall Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Award Winning Dr. Richard Bailey and more. It is senior-friendly and handicap accessible on a comfortable 54-seat charter bus. Call (205) 595-8156 for more.
**NOVEMBER 6-16 – FRANK BROWN INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS’ FESTIVAL features songwriters in venues along the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast where songwriters and musicians from all over the world come to have their songs heard and the public to learn the stories behind the lyrics.
**NOVEMBER 7-8 – EXPERIENCE THE OYSTER AT THE HANGOUT 2025 is the festival that highlights oysters and other seafood dishes from around the Southeast at the Hangout in Gulf Shores. Check out the Hangout Music Fest.
**NOVEMBER 8-9 – 2025 ALABAMA FOOD TRUCK & CRAFT FESTIVAL has the ultimate food truck and craft beverage experience for its fourth year. It features food trucks with lobster rolls, mini donuts, fresh lemonade, BBQ, chicken and waffles, smoothies and more. There are regional and national brews everywhere at the Gulf Shores Town Green. Head to the beach for that good ole gulf breeze in the air.
**NOVEMBER 20-22 – SOUL FOOD: ANOTHER SERVING at the Carver Theatre. There will be 3-SHOWS ONLY presented by Encore Theatre and Gallery. For more, visit: encorebham.org.
**NOVEMBER 22 – GLOW WILD at the Birmingham Zoo November 22- January 4 at the Zoo.
**THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY, 8 – 9 a.m. at Irondale City Hall, 101 20th Street South – One turkey per household while supplies last.
**NOVEMBER 23 – JAZZ ON 4th with SAXOPHONIST DEE LUCAS, a national recording artist, 5- 6 p.m. at Carver Theatre Sunday Series.
**NOVEMBER 29 – 2025 COASTAL HALF MARATHON, 5K & 1-MILE FUN RUN after Thanksgiving is the thing to do for a fun-filled weekend the whole family will like. Check out the Gulf State Park’s Backcountry Trail where there is nothing but natural beauty of the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
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
With November SNAP benefits suspended in Alabama due to a federal government shutdown, Kimberly Speights, Executive Director of Community Kitchens Birmingham, has a message for any families looking for food assistance.
“Our services will not stop,” Speights told The Birmingham Times on Tuesday. “We want to let the public know our services have not stopped and will not stop. There is no requirement for our meals … You don’t have to show proof. You just have to come in, sign in, and get hot meals. That goes for family singles, unemployed, underemployed, unhoused, whoever is hungry. We got you.”
The Birmingham-based nonprofit organization provides free, hot meals six days a week, through physical locations and a mobile unit.
Nearly 23,000 households in Birmingham rely on rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and 750,000 in Alabama.
Kimberly Speights, Executive Director of Community Kitchens Birmingham
Speights said her nonprofit is “asking supporters, volunteers, and donors to donate can goods to help keep our pantry stocked so that we can continue to meet the needs by preparing these hot meals. “
In addition, “we’ve connected with great partners here in Birmingham that we’ve been partnering with for years, such as Community Care Development Network, who offers food boxes,” Speights said. “They supply snack bags, which were able to take on our mobile unit. We also offer toiletries. We try to give out blankets, hand warmers, skull caps, and gloves. We just want to make sure that we’re trying to meet their needs holistically, a little bit more than just our hot meal.”
With this week’s suspension looming, food banks and community organizations are bracing for increased demand, as recipients seek alternative sources of support during the benefit hiatus.
“We’re already seeing that increase in our Kingston and Woodlawn communities,” said Speights.
The suspension in benefits is expected to have a significant impact, particularly on children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who rely on monthly assistance for their basic needs.
“We have a great senior population that we serve and just knowing that they don’t have access to those benefits for other resources is disheartening,” Speights said.
She added, “We serve hot meals at our Southside location at no cost and that will still continue. We also provide mobile services to Woodlawn and Kingston three days a week. Those services will continue in spite of all of the cuts going on around us.”
Council President Wardine Alexander, left, and President Pro Tem LaTonya Tate. (Provided)
The Birmingham Times
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday kicked off its 2025-2029 term by electing Councilor Wardine Alexander as President and Councilor LaTonya Tate as President Pro Tem.
Alexander, of District 7, said she will focus on forming cohesive messaging around projects that impact all nine districts.
“We want to work with the mayor and with our neighborhood leaders to continue moving in the right direction on issues that impact the quality of life for our residents,” Alexander said. “This includes workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, sidewalk and infrastructure projects and cracking down on the issue of illegal dumping in residential areas.”
The newly elected president is a Birmingham native and product of the Birmingham City Schools, where she graduated from Wenonah High School.
Alexander represented District 7 on the Board of Education for Birmingham City Schools from 2013-2017, serving two terms as Board President. She was appointed to the Birmingham City Council on October 30, 2018 to represent District 7 and has been re-elected twice.
Tate, of District 9, has served the last four years as Chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee. After Tuesday’s vote, she said “It is an honor to be able to represent my constituents and to step into this leadership role on the Council. I’ll be working with my colleagues on continuing to improve public safety, and develop holistic violence intervention strategies, especially among our young people.”
Tate, who grew up in North Birmingham, where she currently resides, was educated in the Birmingham Public School System. She attended MacArthur Elementary and graduated from John Herbert Phillips High School. Tate is founder of the Alabama Justice Initiative, a nonprofit social justice organization that works on criminal justice reform and policy initiatives.
Also on Tuesday, three new Council members were sworn in: Josh Vasa, district 3; Brian Gunn, district 4; and Sonja Smith, district 8. They joined Clinton Woods in district 1; Hunter Williams in district 2; Darrell O’Quinn in district 5; Crystal Smitherman in district 6; Alexander; and Tate.
“Lifting Voices, Breaking Silence” will be held from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium on Thursday. (File)
The Birmingham Times
A Birmingham Housing Authority event promoting awareness for domestic violence will be held Thursday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium.
“Lifting Voices, Breaking Silence,” is being presented by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center and the YWCA Central Alabama.
The program aims to foster a supportive community atmosphere where survivors can share their experiences and educate residents and attendees about the impact of domestic violence. Participants will hear firsthand accounts, emphasizing the importance of support systems, resources, and the need for continued awareness and prevention efforts.
The event will feature guest speakers, resource booths from local organizations, and an opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful conversations. It aims to educate the community on the resources available for those affected by domestic violence and to promote a culture of understanding and support.
BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times
RODNEY & KATINA TURNER
Live: Clay
Married: June 28, 2014
Met: September 2008, at Miles College in Pearson Hall, the campus music building. Katina, then a sophomore, was a work study student in the piano lab, and one day Rodney, who was a freshman, was jamming on a piano.
“I was trying to close down, and he was holding me up. I started [hollering] at him trying to get his attention and he just kept on playing on the piano, jamming with his headphones in,” Katina said.
“And finally, I looked up, and I saw her pointing her finger at me like I was in trouble, and I moved my headphones, and she said ‘Hey lil boy, it’s time to go’, Rodney said. “And I played for the choir too [which Katina sang in the soprano section], and I saw her again…”
“I didn’t say anything to him then, but we kept running into each other because he was always in there [the piano lab] playing the piano,” Katina said. “And [we have a mutual friend named] Dre, and he would always tell me ‘Rodney like you, he don’t even like your friend’. But I wasn’t looking at him like that, because I had a boyfriend and my best friend, Miracle, did like him… But one day after choir rehearsal, [Dre] said, ‘let’s go to CiCi’s Pizza [on Green Springs Highway], and that’s when we had our first real conversation… I still had a boyfriend at the time, so we were just friends.”
“I basically held on strong for a while,” Rodney said.
Eventually, Katina broke up with her boyfriend and hadn’t seen or talked to Rodney for a while. But during Christmas break 2009, Katina called their friend, Dre and asked for Rodney’s phone number.
“She was all the way in Memphis, Tennessee thinking about me and gave me a call out of the blue,” Rodney said. The pair talked over the break and when they got back to campus went on their first date.
First date: February 2010, at King Buffet in Midfield. “That was the go-to Chinese spot for everybody,” Rodney said. “I picked her up after she got done with her classes and we just hung out and talked … and then we went to the dollar movie [theater] in Hoover. We pretty much spent the whole day together.”
Katina remembered having a good evening. “We just laughed the whole night and talked about school and class…”
The pair began hanging out “every day, all day”, and Katina began accompanying Rodney to his rehearsals and playing gigs at churches around town.
The turn: Two weeks later, in February 2010. Rodney called Katina and told her they needed to make it official.
“We had just started spending so much time together, and I grew up in a holiness church, and we took dating seriously … you can’t just be courting for no reason,” Rodney said. “And I was thinking that I had been trying to lock her down for a while, and now was the perfect opportunity to go on and call it a relationship. So I called her and said, “Tina, we been hanging out a lot, and I like you and I know you like me, so why don’t we go on and make it official?’ And like we always do, we both busted out laughing.”
“I’ll never forget the day after he asked me to be his girlfriend… We avoided each other for a whole day and then ran right into each other at the end of the night at choir rehearsal,” Katina said. “I was trying to play it off (we both were) and we were like ‘I ain’t seen you all day, how ya been?’.”
The pair got the jitters out of the way and have been inseparable ever since. “We only broke up one time in our relationship and that only lasted an hour,” Katina laughed. “We called each other back and apologized and got right back together.”
Rodney and Katina Turner met in September 2008 at Miles College. The couple married in 2014. (Provided)
The proposal: On Katina’s birthday, June 16, 2011, at her apartment on Green Springs Highway, Rodney took her to J. Alexander’s in Hoover, for a birthday date, and to the dollar movie theater afterwards. Rodney had planned to propose when they got back to her place.
“We got in [from the date] and Katina went to the bathroom, and I got straight down on one knee. And when she walked out, she started laughing when she saw me and said I knew you was about to do this… and I told her ‘I don’t have a ring yet, but I want to make this happen, and I’m gonna get you one. Will you marry me?’, and she said ‘yes’.”
Katina said she knew it was coming because she was newly saved, and they had been talking about marriage. “He basically introduced me to holiness. He witnessed to me, and brought me into the church… He played the piano at different churches and I was always with him and God started working on my heart … so at that time, I was really coming into my walk with God and started attending Woodland Park AOH [Apostolic Overcoming Holiness] Church [in the Green Springs area], and my pastor always saw us together and started asking him what were his intentions with me … we were both feeling conviction and started talking about getting married so I knew it was coming, and I was happy to say ‘yes,’” Katina said.
The wedding: The Worship Center Christian Church, at the Derby location, officiated by Pastor Dwight Kimbrough, of Woodland Park AOH [Apostolic Overcoming Holiness] Church. Their colors were teal, cream, and brown.
Most memorable for the bride was her father’s emotions while giving her away. “My daddy actually cried the whole time. And when he got me to the altar and he handed me over to my husband, he didn’t want to walk away, he just stood there,” Katina said. “And Pastor Kimbrough was like, ‘Sir, you have to go sit down now’, and he cried walking away.”
Most memorable for the groom was realizing at the end of the night that the whole day was a blur. But one memory that did stick was saluting his bride. “We’re both shy, and I was nervous, but when it came time to salute the bride, I came at her like I was going to tongue kiss her and she was like ‘don’t be trying to kiss me like that, my daddy sitting right here’,” Rodney said. “And also seeing how happy her daddy was to give her away to me. He was crying like a baby coming down the aisle with her, and it brought joy to my heart that he was so happy [with our union].”
They honeymooned in Orlando Florida, a gift from one of their friends. “We had a lot of fun. We had never been that far away together, and it was fun and relaxing getting to spend time and get to know each other as husband and wife,” said Katina.
Words of wisdom: “Being able to talk to your partner about how you feel. Being open and honest is the best advice I could give anybody. Rodney has gone through kidney failure, he was going through it for five years before receiving his kidney transplant. And the sickness part [vow] hit our marriage sooner than we thought and being there for him being his helpmate and getting each other through that taught us a lot about being patient. On the outside, he looked fine, but I didn’t understand how he felt so I had to have empathy for him and listen to how he said he felt, and keep myself in check … It was a lot, he almost died three times, but God brought us through,” Katina said.
“One of the things I think is important that we had to understand in our marriage is that we’re both constantly changing. You’re going to forever be learning each other. The things Tina liked when we first got together are not things she likes now. Things we did when we first got together, we can’t do now. We got kids, and life and everything else is happening, so you have to find ways to reignite, and acknowledge each other as time goes on. If you don’t, you’ll end up being roommates and you don’t ever want that to be the case,” Rodney said. “You always want to have excitement in the marriage, and you have to be flexible too, because things change and so does your mindset.”
Happily ever after: The Turners attend Greater Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church in East Lake, where Katina serves as the Children’s Department president, and Rodney, who is a musician, plays the piano. They have two children: Paxton, 9, and Aniya, 7.
Katina, 37, is a Memphis Tenn. native, and moved to Birmingham in 2006 to attend Miles College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham [UAB], where she obtained a master’s degree in elementary education. Katina works as a second-grade teacher at Legacy Prep Elementary in Forestdale.
Rodney, 36, is a Tarrant native, and Tarrant High School grad. He attended Miles College where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Rodney works as a music director for The Star Church in East Lake and also plays at Rock City Church on Valleydale, and produced the hit gospel records: ‘Big’, ‘Guided’, ‘Impossible’ and many other Pastor Mike McClure Jr. songs.
“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.
One of Alabama's 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Miles College is located in Fairfield AL, just outside of Birmingham. (FILE)
By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times
Miles College will collaborate with NVIDIA, the world’s most valuable publicly traded company, to integrate AI across academic programs, faculty research and community engagement on the Fairfield AL campus, the Birmingham Times has learned.
NVIDIA, which is investing more than $100 billion globally in artificial intelligence, will also provide access to resources, frameworks and development tools to expand the HBCU’s AI curriculum — and help train and certify faculty and students in AI and accelerated computing. The global giant will also work with Miles College to identify and position resources and partnerships to catalyze innovation and economic development for surrounding communities.
Miles College President Bobbie Knight (File)
“We’re implementing AI fluency to be a core competency for every Miles College graduate — no matter what field they’re in — so that they’re prepared not only for success in their careers, but for leadership in their communities,” said Bobbie Knight, president of Miles College. “This initiative is about inspiring innovation and expanding opportunity, not just within the walls of Miles College but throughout the state — because when our students thrive, our entire region grows stronger.”
Miles College is already implementing AI campus-wide, with nearly half of faculty regularly integrating AI into course design and student learning modules, and about 60 percent of the college’s research supported by AI.
Knight last year established the 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Growth, an initiative to champion HBCU tech and boost innovation in the region with resources to support founders and entrepreneurs and fuel successful businesses.
Knight along with the president of the University of Utah will join leaders from Coppin State University and Houston City College in a GTC Washington, D.C., panel Wednesday. The session will showcase how colleges and universities across the country integrate AI into their curricula, supporting state and regional economic goals while preparing students for high-demand job sectors.
MentorPRO provides students, mentors, and program leaders with a secure, user-friendly environment for managing mentoring relationships, tracking progress, and accessing best-in-class resources. With the addition of MentorAI, the new research-informed AI co-pilot, students and mentors benefit from timely, personalized guidance and actionable insights designed to enhance the impact of mentoring.
“Lifting Voices, Breaking Silence,” is being presented by the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Police Department, One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center and the YWCA Central Alabama.
