Safe Passage joins Birmingham Police Department (BPD) and the Birmingham Housing Authority (HABD) to walk students to and from schools. (File)
By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times
For the City of Birmingham and the law enforcement community, creating safe, vibrant, and connected communities isn’t just a job — it’s a calling. Two upcoming programs are examples: Safe Passage, which joins Birmingham Police Department (BPD) and the Birmingham Housing Authority (HABD) to walk students to and from schools and the Restore Games July 11 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Lieutenant Reva L. Palmer
Reva L. Palmer, a lieutenant with BPD, said the department is the primary organizer of the Safe Passage Program and “with police presence during Safe Passage hours, we see less criminal activity and fewer traffic violations. The students are more enthusiastic about school thanks to the encouragement and motivation they receive.”
Residents are welcomed to participate by attending a community meeting on Thursday, June 26, at Harris Homes Recreation Center, 514 Chester Ave. Birmingham, Alabama, 35212 or calling 205-297-8248 for more information.
Safe Passage is part of BPD’s High-Intensity Community Oriented Policing Program (HICOPP) unit that “creates the routes, trains the volunteers, and monitors the areas to ensure safety,” Palmer said.
Uche Bean, Director of Community Safety Initiatives
Uche Bean, Director of Community Safety Initiatives for the City of Birmingham, said the programs help create a culture of prevention, healing, and visibility in neighborhoods that have been historically impacted by violence and neglect.
“Safe Passage ensures that our young people can move safely to and from school and something as basic as safety should never be a privilege,” she said.
A Healing Space for Youth
While Safe Passage addresses daily safety, the Restore Games aims to create long-term transformation, say organizers. The event is part of the Jefferson County Family Resource Center’s Restore Program, which supports justice-impacted youth and families.
This year’s Games scheduled for July 11 from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex will include a youth-focused resource fair, gaming zones led by business leaders, and a conflict resolution panel featuring Jefferson County Judge Keisha Davis, District Attorney Danny Carr, and members of BPD.
“BPD will provide security, participate in games, mentor youth, and join the panel discussion,” said Palmer. “These events allow kids to see the human side of officers and help break stereotypical barriers.”
Bean agreed.
“Too often, young people only encounter law enforcement in the context of trauma or crisis,” she said. “Programs … like The Restore Games allow for positive, humanizing interactions. When students see officers walking them to school, showing up to cheer them on in a game, or simply engaging with them as neighbors it starts to shift relationships. This familiarity builds trust, and trust is essential for community safety to be real and sustainable.”
Both Palmer and Bean emphasize the shared responsibility of keeping Birmingham’s youth safe, inspired, and connected. “We hope young people see that police officers are not only around when bad things happen,” said Palmer. “We enjoy interacting with the community during the good times, too.”
Bean added, “These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy. We’re not just reacting to violence, we’re investing in people, neighborhoods, and prevention. Whether it’s hospital-based violence intervention, street outreach, or programs for youth, everything we do is designed to interrupt cycles of harm and create new pathways. Safe Passage and The Restore Games are important tools in that toolbox they build community ownership and send a message that Birmingham is serious about safety.”
Miles College is activating its campus with immersive programs rooted in hands-on learning. (Miles College)
www.miles.edu
This summer, Miles College is proud to serve as the hub for innovation, enrichment, and professional growth through a series of high-impact initiatives tailored for students and educators across Birmingham City Schools.
From middle school students to seasoned teachers, Miles is activating its campus with immersive programs rooted in academic excellence, community collaboration, and hands-on learning.
STEM and Literacy Summer Camps (Through June 27)
In partnership with Birmingham City Schools, Miles College is hosting a dual-track summer camp for middle school students in grades 6–8. Participants explore either STEM or Literacy pathways, engaging in inquiry-based activities designed to spark curiosity and deepen core competencies.
Facilitated by seasoned educators such as Dr. Charles C. Woods, the STEM camp provides interactive lab experiences, while the Literacy track promotes critical thinking through storytelling and writing exercises. The Literacy Camp pathway is led by Dr. Tonya Perry, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, with writing and digital literacies.
Writing for Success: A Professional Development Institute (Through June 27)
As part of the Teacher Summer Institute, this 10-day summer institute is designed for K-12 educators and focuses on strengthening writing instruction through a “teachers teaching teachers” model. Led by Dr. Tonya Perry, this year-long initiative continues through May 2026 with monthly meetings designed to build a supportive community of practice among Birmingham’s literacy leaders.
Dual Enrollment Summer Courses (June 9–July 11)
Miles College continues to build pathways for high school scholars through its face-to-face International Dual Enrollment Academy (IDEA), offering courses in Artificial Intelligence, World Civilization, World Religions, and English Composition. The summer session enables students to earn college credit early, preparing them for a successful academic transition for post-graduation. This is a partnership with Birmingham City Schools and Birmingham Sister Cities.
These initiatives are part of President Bobbie Knight’s broader commitment to ensuring Miles College remains not only a place of higher learning but a regional catalyst for talent development, mentorship, and community partnership.
“We are proud to open our campus this summer to programs that align so clearly with our mission — to educate, empower, and uplift,” said Knight of Miles College. “Each initiative reflects our belief that Miles is more than a college; it’s a launchpad for leadership, a home for transformation, and a bridge from potential to purpose.”
“These summer initiatives reflect the heartbeat of our academic vision — meeting learners where they are and equipping them with the tools to grow,” said Dr. Tonya Perry. “Whether it’s a middle schooler building a rocket or a teacher exploring new strategies for writing instruction, our goal is to foster meaningful, measurable growth for all. Miles College looks forward to welcoming other school districts this fall.”
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at pr@miles.edu or reach out directly to program leads:
● STEM Camp: Dr. Charles C. Woods | cwoods@miles.edu
● Writing Institute: Dr. Jameka Thomas | jthomas@miles.edu
● Dual Enrollment: Dr. Gloria Hayes | ghayes@miles.edu
“Rubin Grant was the best,” longtime friend Solomon Crenshaw Jr. said. “As a person, he was the highest standard individual in terms of not just being known but knowing how to carry himself. There was no one he didn’t get along with. No one with whom he couldn’t identify. Professionally, top notch doesn’t seem like a high enough bar. He absolutely loved his coverage of high schools and took it so seriously whether he was working for the Post-Herald, the Over the Mountain Journal or anyone else.”
Grant was a graduate of Carver-Montgomery and the University of Alabama. In 1978-1979, he worked as the first Black sports editor of the Crimson White student newspaper. He then spent 25 years at the Post-Herald, working with writers like Bill Lumpkin, Ray Melick and Paul Finebaum. In addition to covering high school sports, Grant also covered the Birmingham Barons for a quarter of a century and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2008.
“I remember him covering Charles Barkley in basketball,” Melick said. “And, of course, he covered Michael Jordan that summer in baseball with the Barons. Rubin really had a broad depth of things that he covered, but at his core he was just a great person. He loved his family, loved his friends, encouraged people, stayed in touch with people. He meant a lot to an awful lot of people even outside of sports.”
Longtime Birmingham Barons general manager Jonathan Nelson said he was “heartbroken” over Grant’s death.
“I certainly knew Rubin and his family through all of those years and thought the world of him,” he said. “Not only was he a great personality, but he brightened up the whole room. Whether covering the Barons when we won the championship in 1993 or the (Michael) Jordan year or the years after, Rubin was always a great person who had a contagious laugh, and it was always fun to show up at the ballpark and work with him.”
Nelson said Grant would always be remembered by the Barons because of his contributions to the minor league baseball organization.
“It was an honor to call him a friend,” he said.
Grant — along with Finebaum and Lumpkin — combined to win the ASWA’s Herby Kirby Award in 1981 for their coverage of the recruitment of Huntsville basketball standout Bobby Lee Hurt. The Herby Kirby Award is given annually to the year’s best overall sports story.
“It was truly one of the highlights of my life to share that award with Rubin and Bill Lumpkin,” Finebaum said. “It was the biggest story of my career, and we are forever linked to it. We spent a lot of time together on that story and other stories, and Rubin became an incredibly close friend and someone I cherished as a friend.”
Since 2004, Grant has worked as a freelance journalist and also as sports editor for The Over the Mountain Journal. He also co-authored the book “Tales from Alabama Prep Football” with former Birmingham News high school writer Ron Ingram.
“Rubin and I worked at rival newspapers in Birmingham for many years but from day one we struck up a professional friendship that led to a treasured bond in our professional and personal lives,” Ingram said. “He was a rock for me when I needed it, and he was a true professional at his craft. He was a journalist of high standards who happened to write about sports. He saw the human side of sports and the lessons those games could teach to our young people, and he told those lessons well. That was his profession. However, it was his life of caring for others that stands out to me on this sad day for his friends and family.”
In 2021, Grant was honored by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame with the Mel Allen Media Award, which honors media members in the state who have made a lifetime contribution to sports through their work.
“Rubin was kind to everyone,” said Scott Myers, executive director of the ASHOF. “He loved Jesus and was just a wonderful person to be around. He was a mainstay in the sports writing world in Birmingham for so many years. He will surely be missed. It’s a huge loss for the sports world in Alabama, and everyone who knew him.”
Grant also was a licensed Baptist minister and frequently sent carefully written devotionals to friends and others entitled, “Do you know what time it is?” Finebaum said one of the most moving experiences of his life came when he attended the funeral of Rubin’s mom.
“Rubin gave the eulogy,” he said. “I didn’t know that part of him, the preacher side. He gave a eulogy that was electrifying. From that moment, I started thinking, ‘Rubin has a higher calling than being a sports writer.’ That was an eye-opening experience. I knew he was a man of great faith but to see it displayed in a pulpit in a church of Montgomery, Ala., was quite revealing. That is who he was. Sports writing was a hobby for him. Preaching and helping people and ministering to people was his calling. Having said all that, he was a great sports writer, too.”
The City of Birmingham and Nurture of Alabama will host the Fourth Annual City of Birmingham Mental Health Day on Friday, June 27, in Linn Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health resources across the Birmingham area.
Attendees will have access to mental health resources; free depression screenings; mental health consultations; wellness screenings; and free chair massages. They will also be able to experience line dancing, low impact exercises, music and register for door prizes. Food trucks will start serving at 11 a.m.
Crystal Mullen-Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Nurture Alabama, said that since June is also Men’s Health Awareness Month, it’s important to encourage men to prioritize health visits with the doctor. Experts will be on hand to provide free glucose and high blood pressure screenings, as well as answer male urology questions.
Crystal Mullen-Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Nurture Alabama. (Provided)
“This event underscores the collective effort to prioritize mental health, promote resilience and ensure that all Birmingham residents have access to the tools they need to thrive mentally and physically,” Mullen-Johnson said. “With more than 70 organizations slated to participate, this will be our biggest event yet in the last four years. We are all commitment to expanding access and creating a stronger, healthier community so the city of Birmingham can thrive.’’
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin is slated to attend the event, adding that it’s a much-needed service for the Magic City.
“Far too often, our community overlooks the importance of mental health. It’s vital that we take our collective wellness seriously – and that’s what Birmingham Mental Health Day strives to do,’’ Woodfin said. “It’s our opportunity encourage the community to invest in self-care and prove that they matter.’’
Activities on the main stage:
Introduction of Nurture Board of Directors, 10 a.m.
Yoga therapy with Jamella Strode, a somatic therapist and owner and founder of Sacred Soma Yoga Therapy: “Breath and Movement: Tools for Everyday Mental Wellness,’’ 10:15 to 10:25 a.m.
A sound bath with Adi Kaur, owner of Inglenook Yoga Studio, 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Monaleto C. Irby, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, keynote speaker, 11 to 11:15 a.m.
Wayne Rogers with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, 11:15 to 11:30 a.m.
Low impact movement for seniors with Jerri Haslem, health educator, 11:45 to 11:55 a.m.
Line dancing with Tracy Williams of Tracy’s Sensational Seniors, 12 to 1 p.m.
Activities on the lawn:
Depression screenings with Cherie May, a licensed therapist, owner of Work and Progress, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mental health consultations with Dr. Demechiko French, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and owner of Mechi Mental Wellness, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free chair massages with massage therapist Stacy Scott, owner of Custom Fit Therapeutic Massage
Boot camp exercise with certified personal trainers from RJ Fitness Personal Training, 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Glucose and high blood pressure screenings provided by MedsPlus Consulting Pharmacy and Wellness Center and Brownstone Total Family Healthcare, 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Meet and greet with Dr. Vincent Bivins, president of Urology Centers of Alabama, 1 to 2 p.m.
Travel advisor Brittany Shuford, owner and founder of Darling Destinations LLC. (Provided)
By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times
When travel advisor Brittany Shuford, owner of Darling Destinations LLC, books getaways for her clients, she does more than create memorable experiences for vacationers — she also represents an industry with few Black women.
“Being a Black woman in this industry comes with challenges, but it also gives me purpose,” said Shuford. “I’m proud to bring cultural insight, creativity, and a sense of belonging to the spaces I enter. It feels empowering to carve out space and create opportunities for other Black travel professionals to thrive.”
Many don’t know what goes into planning trips that people can find unforgettable, she said.
“One of the hardest parts is balancing the behind-the-scenes logistics. People see the fun side of travel, but there’s a lot of planning, problem solving, and late-night calls to vendors. When flights are delayed or resorts don’t meet expectations, clients turn to the agent. It’s a job that requires resilience, patience, and a deep understanding of the industry.”
Personal Journey
Shuford’s personal journey to a successful small business owner has come with resilience and patience. The 36-year-old native of Birmingham’s Pratt City area remembers an encounter she had while working full time as an office manager at an optometrist office in Bessemer, Alabama.
“A patient came in and explained to me how she worked from home, and she never left home to do anything. She had her own tax business, and she had her own travel agency,” said Shuford, adding that speaking to this woman inspired her to operate her own business.
Shuford began by doing taxes in 2015 and found success monetarily — but, she said, “I hated it. I love the money I made from doing taxes, but I hated doing it.”
Her efforts weren’t a complete loss, though. She used the funds from doing taxes to pivot. “I used that money to invest in the travel business through an agency that allowed you to pay to start your own [company],” she said.
Since 2022, Shuford’s company — Darling Destinations LLC, formerly Journeys with Brittany — has helped clients create customized travel itineraries that are tailored to their specific interests and needs.
“When I first started off, I wasn’t a well-versed [traveler], as far as internationally. I had been on a few cruises with my family, going to Florida, the normal stuff. I had done all of that, but I hadn’t done a fraction of the things I do now, [like traveling internationally]. Yes, you need to travel in order to sell travel, but also don’t be discouraged that you can’t start,” Shuford said.
Favorite Places
Since starting her business, Shuford’s favorite places have been Tanzania and Ghana.
“I grew up watching movies like ‘The Lion King,’” said Shuford, who has three siblings. “I can remember [traveling to Tanzania], sleeping in a tent in the Serengeti [region], and hearing people say, ‘Hakuna Matata,’ [a Swahili phrase that means ‘no troubles,’ or ‘no worries.’] That’s what everybody says there, and I was just putting two and two together. This movie that I loved, [which featured the song ‘Hakuna Matata’], I was literally in the land it was based off of.”
Shuford also recalled an experience while dining in Africa.
“I went into a village where food was being prepared, and the lady used no utensils. She simply used her hands, cooking the whole meal. I remember sitting there looking like, ‘I’m not about to eat this food this lady is cooking with her hands. I don’t know where her hands have been.’ It was the best food I ever tasted in my life. … It was a full feast,” she recalled, adding that Morocco and Australia remain on her list of places to travel.
Although she works from her home in Birmingham, the Minor High School graduate has a team of independent contractors who help in her business. Doing the job alone can often lead to overworking.
“Do not over-push yourself because at the end of the day it is only going to end up hurting you,” said Shuford.
She added that she is optimistic that she’ll see more travel agents who look like her. “We are underrepresented, but we are growing in numbers and strength,” she said. “Kudos to organizations such as the Association of Black Travel Professionals.”
Asked if she has advice for anyone wanting to craft their own business, Shuford said, “Start scared if you have to, but start. You don’t have to know it all just be willing to learn, pivot, and show up consistently.”
To learn more about Brittany Shuford’s travel services, visit here
On Friday, hundreds attended the grand opening of
the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham. (Kathryn Dorné, The Birmingham Times)
By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times
From Janet Maycock, Druid Hills Neighborhood Association President to Mike Suco, President & CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, the grand opening of the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham on Friday included homage to the city’s Northside community, which is comprised of several neighborhoods, including Norwood, Druid Hills, Evergreen, Fountain Heights, and Central City.
“I’m looking forward to new people coming into our neighborhoods and learning what a wonderful community that we have here,” said Maycock. “So many people who live in this state have never been inside of Druid Hills neighborhood. … I’m excited about the economic development that this brings because there’s going to be so many more projects coming behind this.”
The opening of the amphitheater, which drew thousands on Sunday for its debut event featuring comedian Matt Rife, is a proud moment for Coca-Cola “and a reflection of our commitment to Birmingham and neighborhoods like Druid Hills,” Suco said. “This state-of-the-art venue represents more than entertainment — it stands as a symbol of community, collaboration, and shared investment in the future of our city.”
From left, Janet Maycock, Druid Hills Neighborhood Association President; Barbara Thomas, President of Norwood and VP of the Northside community and Darlene Battle, Fountain Heights Vice President. (Sym Posey, The Birmingham Times)
The $46 million facility, in the Druid Hills community, will have an outdoor capacity of 9,380 for festivals, concerts and community events and is slated to have its first show on Sunday June 22.
The project is a joint effort between the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), the city of Birmingham, Jefferson County and Live Nation.
Barbara Thomas, President of Norwood and VP of the Northside community said she has worked alongside partners of the Amphitheater since the beginning.
“This has really been more than just a community project with everyone from the local level to the state level being involved,” she said.
Juliette Dowdell, Evergreen Neighborhood Association Secretary, said she’s lived in Birmingham for 83 years, and said she likes what the new facility means for the area.
“I’m happy to see the Northside come alive again because this side is important,” she said. “It’s been a community for many years, and it’s been a community that people of color didn’t always occupy.”
Friday’s grand opening included remarks from local officials and a performance by music students from Red Mountain Theatre.
With more than 30 shows slated for its inaugural season, the amphitheater is set to become a major stop for national tours and a gathering place that will host community and private events.
The facility includes elevated food and beverage offerings while boxholders will enjoy seasonal, chef-driven menus in the Vinyl Room lounge presented by Regions Bank and suite areas. Behind the scenes, artist areas feature lounges and collaborative spaces that offer a welcoming environment for performers and crews.
“It’s an exciting day for Birmingham,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “The Coca-Cola Amphitheater is bringing new entertainment to our city that will serve our residents, attract more visitors and bring new life to the Northside community. This new venue solidifies Birmingham’s growing reputation as an entertainment destination.”
The first official performance takes place June 22, headlined by comedian Matt Rife.
For a full list of upcoming shows visit CocaColaAmphitheater.com and follow along at @CocaColaAmp on social media.
Times Staff Writer Sym Posey contributed to this post.
Red Mountain Theatre Performing Ensembles entertained the crowd Friday morning at the grand opening of the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham. (Alive Coverage)
Alabama State University is mourning the passing of the assistant director of the Mighty Marching Hornets Band, Charles Goodwin, III. The 38-year-old ASU alumnus was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. While attending ASU, he played in the percussion section of the band and was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Services for Goodwin were held Friday and today.
On Friday services were held in Union Springs from 2-5 p.m. (on his birthday) at Carter Funeral Home at 302 Carter St.
A farewell life celebration will be held today June 21 at 11 a.m. at the True Divine Baptist Church, 4601 Troy Highway, Montgomery. A burial will follow at Mason Cemetery, 541 Mason Drive, Union Springs.
ASU’s band is globally known for its dazzling performances, over-the-top energy and the cadence and rhythm of its percussion team, which many feel is one of the benchmarks of its positive reputation. As such, Goodwin was one of the key leaders who put the rhythm in the band and helped garner and shape its reputation. He also was revered for mentoring students and helped the Mighty Marching Hornets shine.
The University shared the following statement:
“His passion, leadership and dedication to Alabama State University’s musical excellence left an indelible mark on generations of students and the Hornet Nation. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the Mighty Marching Hornets, who were his pride and joy.”
ASU’s director of band, Dr. James Oliver shared that Goodwin was the band’s assistant director of percussion for the last five years. Oliver, who is also a drummer, said that Goodwin was among one of the most talented members he has had in the band as either a student or leader.
“I taught Charles as a student in our Alabama State band, and he was so outstanding that I later hired him to lead our percussion section since I knew how talented he was in music. He came from a family of ASU students and his father, Charles Goodwin, Jr., was also an earlier member of the band where he served as a drum major,” Oliver said.
In addition to ASU, Goodwin received positive accolades from Montgomery’s Dannelly Elementary School, where he was a music teacher, and Montgomery Mayor Steven L. Reed.
A statement on Dannelly Elementary School’s website read:
“Mr. Goodwin was a vibrant part of our school family whose love for music and commitment to our students left a lasting legacy. His calm spirit and kind heart touched the lives of everyone he encountered and will be deeply missed.”
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed shared the following condolence:
“Mr. Goodwin was more than a talented musician and leader — he was a mentor, a role model, and a source of pride for generations of students and alumni.”
Oliver expressed his sadness and regret at losing such a talented leader and great individual. He asked that everyone keep Goodwin’s family in their thoughts and prayers.
“Charles is absolutely irreplaceable as a staff member, as a person and as my friend,” stated a subdued Oliver. “He was such a great guy with a big smile all of the time and was among one of the best drum experts we have had who worked with our students here on campus. He is already missed by all of us.”
Goodwin is survived by his parents, his wife Jazmyne and two sons.
Mike Suco, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, and Chair of this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, reveals the campaign total while giving remarks at the kickoff event. (United Way)
uwca.org
United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) this week kicked off its 2025 fundraising effort with a charge to dozens of local companies to raise $11 million through this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, which was launched at a breakfast event at the Florentine in downtown Birmingham.
The Pacesetter Campaign serves as a jump-start to United Way’s annual fundraising efforts, bringing together businesses and community leaders to support vital health and human services. Funds raised by United Way are allocated to 79 Central Alabama nonprofits and United Way programs ranging from early education to senior services, such as Meals on Wheels.
Mike Suco, President and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, and Chair of this year’s Pacesetter Campaign, said the 50-plus companies participating in this campaign are charged with galvanizing support for United Way early in the year.
“We’re here to inspire, encourage and motivate the rest of the companies, the rest of the folks in our community, to give and to surpass this goal,” Suco said. “Hitting $11 million is just the first step. We would very much like to surpass that, raise more money and make this a record year.”
The theme for this year’s workplace campaign is “Why We Unite,” representing the many different reasons that people of all backgrounds come together as one to support United Way’s diverse programs and services that change lives for the better and build a stronger community for us all.
Trey Clegg, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Brasfield & Gorrie and Chair of this year’s Fall Campaign, emphasized the importance of togetherness to United Way’s mission.
“We are stronger together, because we are more alike than we are different,” said Clegg in a video shown at the event. “Whether it’s to provide hunger relief, support our community’s youth, volunteer or address mental health issues— everywhere around us are reasons why we unite.”
Robert Smith, Executive Director of The Amelia Center, a Children’s of Alabama grief counseling center and a UWCA partner agency, also pointed to this in his invocation. Differences between people, he said, do not hinder service to the community.
“We gather this morning as a community united by a shared purpose — to uplift, to serve and to give back,” Smith said. “We come from different backgrounds, traditions and walks of life, but we are bound together by our common goal to build a better community for all.”
Lead sponsors for the Tuesday event were Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED and AmFirst. Lauren Sisler, Emmy award-winning ESPN sports reporter and author, served as the keynote speaker for the event, sharing her story of learning to live through the grief and shame of losing her parents to prescription drug addiction at the age of 18. Sisler encouraged the audience to face challenges head-on, persevere through adversity and “fall in love” with their own story.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute drew families to its special activities throughout the day including access to its historic galleries and stories of those who fought for Civil Rights. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
By Don Rhodes II | The Birmingham Times
As the nation commemorated Juneteenth, the historic day marking the end of slavery in the United States, Birmingham stands as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for freedom, said Barry McNealy, historical content expert at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, on Thursday, said during a day of festivities at the institute.
McNealy, who also teaches history at A.H. Parker High School, shared his reflections on the significance of Juneteenth and how it resonates deeply with the city’s legacy.
“Birmingham is a testament to freedom, and to the idea that people once believed it would never come,” he said. “From 1937 to 1963, Bull Connor (the public safety commissioner for the city of Birmingham) ruled this city with an iron hand. People used to say, ‘If Connor couldn’t get you with the police by day, he’d get you with the Klan by night.’”
But hope pushed back against oppression, McNealy said. “When Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came here in 1963, they brought an energy that overcame Bull Connor and the most segregated city in America,” McNealy said. “Just as enslaved people in Texas never thought they’d be free, many in Birmingham never believed they could be equal. And yet, look at what happened.”
Barry McNealy, historical content expert at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. (WVTM screengrab)
The historian detailed how the holiday got started.
“Juneteenth, June 19th, 1865 when General Gordon Granger moved west and issued General Order No. 3 was monumental,” McNealy explained. “During the Civil War, many Confederates took their enslaved people westward to avoid the reach of the Emancipation Proclamation. When Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with mostly Black Union troops, the announcement of freedom was so powerful that the people began celebrating right then and there.”
McNealy sees Juneteenth not only as a commemoration, but also as a teaching moment.
“Working here (at the BCRI), I’ve been able to learn more than I knew before,” he said. “The thing about this history is that it’s multifaceted and multilayered. No one knows all of it. But we introduce people to it.”
Each visitor brings an opportunity for shared growth, McNealy said. “As I learn [about Juneteenth and Birmingham] I and share it with people that come here, the more I share, the more I learn.”
“And as we’re learning to be inspired,” he said, “we also have to learn to protect it. There are those who would scrub, change, and hide this history. But this history can’t help us if we hide it.”
Reflecting on the broader meaning of Juneteenth and Black history, he closed with: “We have to understand that Black history is American history. This country’s story is inspirational to people around the world. We need to learn that we can be inspired by it, too.”
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute drew families to its special activities throughout the day including access to its historic galleries and stories of those who fought for Civil Rights. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)
This photo provided by the New York Public Library shows the exterior of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York on May 7, 2025. (Jonathan Blanc/New York Public Library via AP)
By Jaylen Green | Associated Press
NEW YORK — It is one of the largest repositories of Black history in the country — and its most devoted supporters say not enough people know about it. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture hoped to change that Saturday, as it celebrated its centennial with a festival combining two of its marquee annual events.
The Black Comic Book Festival and the Schomburg Literary Festival ran across a full day and featured readings, panel discussions, workshops, children’s story times and cosplay, as well as a vendor marketplace. Saturday’s celebration took over 135th Street in Manhattan between Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell boulevards.
Founded in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, the Schomburg Center will spend the next year exhibiting signature objects curated from its massive catalog of Black literature, art, recordings and films.
Artists, writers and community leaders have gone to the center to be inspired, root their work in a deep understanding of the vastness of the African diaspora, and spread word of the global accomplishments of Black people.
It is also the kind of place that, in an era of backlash against race-conscious education and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, exists as a free and accessible branch of the New York Public Library system. It’s open to the public during regular business hours, but its acclaimed research division requires an appointment.
“The longevity the Schomburg has invested in preserving the traditions of the Black literary arts is worth celebrating, especially in how it sits in the canon of all the great writers that came beforehand,” said Mahogany Brown, an author and poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center, who participated in the literary festival.
This photo provided by the New York Public Library shows an exhibit in the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York on May 6, 2025. (Jonathan Blanc/New York Public Library via AP)
On Saturday, Dr. Jenny Uguru, director of nursing quality at NYC Health and Hospitals, said the Schomburg Center “stands as an archive to celebrate, recognize and uplift what Black people bring to the table, will bring to future tables.”
For the centennial, the Schomburg’s leaders have curated more than 100 items for an exhibition that tells the center’s story through the objects, people, and the place — the historically Black neighborhood of Harlem — that shaped it. Those objects include a visitor register log from 1925-1940 featuring the signatures of Black literary icons and thought leaders, such as Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes; materials from the Fab 5 Freddy collection, documenting the earliest days of hip-hop; and actor and director Ossie Davis’ copy of the “Purlie Victorious” stage play script.
An audio guide to the exhibition has been narrated by actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton, the former host of the long-running TV show “Reading Rainbow.”
Whether they are new to the center or devoted supporters, visitors to the centennial exhibition will get a broader understanding of the Schomburg’s history, the communities it has served, and the people who made it possible, said Joy Bivins, the Director of the Schomburg Center, who curated the centennial collection.
“Visitors will understand how the purposeful preservation of the cultural heritage of people of African descent has generated and fueled creativity across time and disciplines,” Bivins said.
Novella Ford, associate director of public programs and exhibitions, said the Schomburg Center approaches its work through a Black lens, focusing on Black being and Black aliveness as it addresses current events, theories, or issues.
“We’re constantly connecting the present to the past, always looking back to move forward, and vice versa,” Ford said.
Still, many people outside the Schomburg community remain unaware of the center’s existence — a concerning reality at a time when the Harlem neighborhood continues to gentrify around it and when the Trump administration is actively working to restrict the kind of race-conscious education and initiatives embedded in the center’s mission.
“We amplify scholars of color,” Ford said. “It’s about reawakening. It gives us the tools and the voice to push back by affirming the beauty, complexity, and presence of Black identity.”
Novella Ford associate director of public programs and exhibitions (left) and Subha Ahmed, poet and one of the lead instructors of the junior scholars (right) inside the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Jaylen Green)
Founder’s donation seeds center’s legacy
The Schomburg Center has 11 million items in one of the oldest and largest collections of materials documenting the history and culture of people of African descent. That is a credit to founder Arturo Schomburg, an Afro-Latino historian born to a German father and African mother in Santurce, Puerto Rico. He was inspired to collect materials on Afro-Latin Americans and African American culture after a teacher told him that Black people lacked major figures and a noteworthy history.
Schomburg moved to New York in 1891 and, during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in 1926, sold his collection of approximately 4,000 books and pamphlets to the New York Public Library. Selections from Schomburg’s personal holdings, known as the seed library, are part of the centennial exhibition.
Ernestine Rose, who was the head librarian at the 135th Street branch, and Catherine Latimer, the New York Public Library’s first Black librarian, built on Schomburg’s donation by documenting Black culture to reflect the neighborhoods around the library.
Today, the library serves as a research archive of art, artifacts, manuscripts, rare books, photos, moving images and recorded sound. Over the years, it has grown in size, from a reading room on the third floor to three buildings that include a small theater and an auditorium for public programs, performances and movie screenings.
Aysha Schomburg, the great-granddaughter of the center’s founder, said she understands why many people still don’t know about the library. When her parents first met, her mother had no idea what was behind the walls of the Schomburg Center, even being from Harlem herself.
“This is with every generation,” Schomburg told The Associated Press while out at the festival on Saturday. “We have to make sure we’re intentional about inviting people in. So even the centennial festival, we’re bringing the Schomburg out literally into the street, into the community and saying, ‘here we are.’ ”
Youth scholars seen as key to center’s future
For years, the Schomburg aimed to uplift New York’s Black community through its Junior Scholars Program, a tuition-free program that awards dozens of youth from 6th through 12th grade. The scholars gain access to the center’s repository and use it to create a multimedia showcase reflecting the richness, achievements, and struggles of today’s Black experience.
It’s a lesser-known aspect of the Schomburg Center’s legacy. That’s in part because some in the Harlem community felt a divide between the institution and the neighborhood it purports to serve, said Damond Haynes, a former coordinator of interpretive programs at the center, who also worked with the Junior Scholars Program. But Harlem has changed since Haynes started working for the program about two decades ago.
“The Schomburg was like a castle,” Haynes said. “It was like a church, you know what I mean? Only the members go in. You admire the building.”
For those who are exposed to the center’s collections, the impact on their sense of self is undeniable, Haynes said. Kids are learning about themselves like Black history scholars, and it’s like many families are passing the torch in a right of passage, he said.
“A lot of the teens, the avenues that they pick during the program, media, dance, poetry, visual art, they end up going into those programs,” Haynes said. “A lot the teens actually find their identity within the program.”
