Waves of Woodlawn, Leadership, and Summer Fun!

Get set for an unforgettable day in Woodlawn today! Join us for the remix of the beloved Woodlawn Marketplace: Waves of Woodlawn! With live music at three venues, streets lined with local makers and vendors, and mouthwatering food from your favorite food trucks, it's sure to be a day filled with spirit and flair. See you there!

Congratulations to our 2024 (WE) Lead Fellowship Program graduates! For 10 weeks they had access to invaluable leadership development opportunities, and they were equipped with tools to make an even greater impact in their communities. These individuals dedication has truly shone throughout the program, and we look forward to witnessing the positive change they will continue to bring!

Are you a young person that wants to make a positive impact in your community? Do you want to meet like minded people, explore Birmingham, and learn how to serve in fun ways? If so, Summer Service Days with YouthServe is a free opportunity you don’t want to miss. Registration just opened, but spots fill up quickly. Sign up today using the link below!

Greater Birmingham Ministries News

Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. 

Our health is directly tied to the health of our environment. Pollution, lack of access to water and sanitization, and climate change threatens the lives of all Americans.  

Poor and low-income Alabama households spend six times as much of their income on energy costs as the average household and poor and low-income people are bearing the brunt of deaths and injuries due to climate change. Alabama has had significant changes in precipitation patterns, with increased risks of flooding, drought, and water scarcity.

Read more on the Alabama Fact Sheet on Health and a Healthy Environment and on the 2024 Alabama Fact Sheet by the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. 

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Small Magic is hiring

Small Magic is hiring for four roles. We are looking for people who are empathetic, tenacious, curious, and focused on equity and impact to join us in making an impact on kids and families in Birmingham.

We want to pay you to help us find them. If you refer someone we hire, we'll send you a $300 gift card or donate to the nonprofit of your choice. Job descriptions and applications are posted here. Full time roles come with a strong benefits package (30+ days off, 5% retirement match, bonus structure, etc). 

Director of Growth & Development: Location is flexible, with a preference for Birmingham-based. We're open to scoping anywhere from full time to ~25hr/wk. The role is a mix of external and internal work. The #1 most important quality in this hire is self-starter attitude, with strong communication skills and strategic thinker/planner as runners up. Comp range: $70,070 - $85,084

Manager of Development & Communications: We're looking for someone with strong written communications skills and an ability to craft compelling messages to different audiences (e.g. social media vs. government grants). Location is flexible, with a strong preference for Birmingham-based. Comp range: $49,140 - $59,160

Early Literacy Specialist: This person will facilitate our Phonics Power program and should have a strong understanding of the science of reading. This is a part-time role scoped at 5-7 hours per week. Could be a great role for a former or current educator. All responsibilities could be completed outside of standard school hours. Comp range: $35-50/hr

Executive Coordinator: The most important competencies in the hire are excellent organization, strong communication, and great judgement. Could be a great role for a graduate student, someone with caregiving responsibilities, etc. This is a part-time, contract role scoped at 5-10 hours per week. Super flexible, primarily remote, slight preference for candidates based in or around Birmingham. Comp range: $25-30/hr

The people in these roles will impact thousands of kids and families in Birmingham. Help us find them by directly forwarding this email, sharing our postings on social media, and/or reaching out with referrals. Let's make magic. :)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 🌱

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Join us in sowing seeds! Alongside our Greenhouse Manager, you will learn how to start seeds while also sowing future plants to be distributed via JVTF's Seedling Share program to community gardens across the state. Learn more about the program here!

• 12pm – 2pm on Tuesday 4/16 & Wednesday 4/17

• Located on JVTF's Teaching Farm at Woodlawn High School (253 54th Street North, Birmingham, AL, 35212)

• No experience necessary; be sure to arrive early so that we can get started together.

• Volunteers ages 12-15 are welcome with the accompaniment of an adult and ages 16-17 are welcome with an adult's signature

Magic City Spotlight: Singer Raheem DeVaughn empowers women during Birmingham visit

Grammy-nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn spends time empowering the women of Birmingham

On the day after performing to a rousing crowd at downtown’s Alabama Theater, R&B Singer Raheem DeVaughn was still lingering in Birmingham. Instead of icing his feet or sleeping late, the Grammy-nominated artist was at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) speaking about women’s issues, health disparities, and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“Black women are at the center of the household and the backbone of the family,” he said, dressed in a gunmetal gray suit and donning dark shades. “Women carry a lot and I feel a level of responsibility to protect them.”

While on his short break in Birmingham in between performances across the country, DeVaughn and his Lovelife Foundation partnered with the City of Birmingham to host an intimate women’s empowerment luncheon. Area presidents, educators, journalists, politicians, mothers, daughters, mental health professionals and veterans were invited to gather and discuss local challenges and also identify resources and develop solutions.

Read more about his empowering stop at BCRI and how the time is forging long-lasting connections.

Introducing the Birmingham Vanguard, apply today

Ever wonder what it takes to be at the forefront of innovation and change? Here's your chance to join a dynamic group of young pioneers aged 18-35 who are dedicated to steering our community towards progress.

The Birmingham Vanguard is on a mission to tap into the wealth of fresh ideas and unique perspectives from young minds. This influential advisory council plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the city's youth and Birmingham’s decision-makers, aligning closely with the Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity.

 Ready to make a difference? Fill out the application linked below. Let's shape Birmingham's future together!

April Community Arts Grant Programs

Foundations for Arts and Cultural Connections, Inc. will hold their Imagination Festival, April 26 – 28 at Sloss Furnaces. Imagination Festival is part of Magic City Art Connection and is an arts-centered community event that leverages the power of the arts to provide an opportunity for creative expression, exposure, engagement, education, and empowerment. This program is a collaboration between the Foundation for Arts and Cultural Connections, Inc. and Birmingham Corps. Tickets and more information can be found HERE. 

Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library in partnership with artist Zena Barker has launched Magic City Art Mart, a dedicated space within the Birmingham Public Library’s Central Branch that collects and distributes free art supplies to community members.  Magic City Art Mart strives to create a supportive and inclusive artistic community, through organizing workshops and events, skill development, and the sharing of diverse perspectives.  Magic City Art Mart is located at Create205 Lab and is open Tuesday 5 - 7 PM and Saturday 12 – 3 PM.  You can also follow them on Instagram @magiccityartmart.

Lifestyle Reset Health Fair THIS Saturday at Legion Field

LIFESTYLE RESET HEALTH FAIR
Join us for a Health Fair that aims to empower you with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about your health. Whether you’re interested in preventive measures, adopting a healthier lifestyle, or accessing healthcare resources, this event is designed with your well-being in mind.

April 13th 10am-2pm

at Legion Field, 400 Graymont Ave. W., Birmingham, AL 35204

Hosted by Dr. Celeste Reese-Willis

For Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lifestyle-reset-tickets-865654966307

For More Information: https://d6bham.com/2024/04/lifestyle-reset-health-fair/

Birmingham City Council Highlights 4.9.24

ITEM 17

The Council unanimously approved a grant application that will authorize the city to apply for $200,000 with the U.S. Department of Justice to provide mental health services to law enforcement officials, including dispatchers and interdepartmental personnel.

This would entail services that would provide counseling, nutritional classes, financial management and more. No matching funds from the city will be required. 

“Mental health and wellness, is so important when you’re talking about the things our law enforcement officials are exposed to every day. I want to thank the administration for prioritizing mental health programs for our first responders. They’re often interacting with people who are at their lowest point and this puts a big strain on them, as you can imagine,” Councilor LaTonya Tate said. “And as you know, mental health is more than just talking about how we feel, it’s also dealing with things like financial stress and what we are eating, so I love to see us taking a holistic approach to this issue.”

Here is the item as appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:

ITEM 17. A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary for the City to make application, receive and expend grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Implementation Projects grant in the amount of $200,000.00 to improve mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and other interdepartmental personnel that experience trauma with no matching funds due from the City. (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Budget and Finance Committee)

COUNCILOR PERSPECTIVES

Op-Ed From Council President Pro Tem Wardine Alexander discussing future of BSC campus

"For too long Birmingham has suffered from brain drain -- losing our young people to other large cities across the South. On the flip side, recruitment and retention of young talent from other cities hasn’t been much easier, to be quite frank. That uphill battle we’ve been fighting got a little steeper yesterday, but we have no choice but to keep trudging along. It’s going to take regional cooperation, innovative thinking and perhaps a little luck, so I’m choosing to be hopeful for the future of this beautiful 190-acre campus on the hill."

Read the full article here
 

Op-Ed From Councilor JT Moore on the prices of Magic City Classic tailgate

"Birmingham is in many ways the embodiment of Black excellence; we’re a spotlight to the rest of the world signaling how much progress we can make together in a single lifetime. And as much as we love our sports here, the Magic City Classic is more than a football game, it’s a celebration of our City, the rich cultural heritage of the people who live here, and most importantly it reverberates with the spirit of what Birmingham represents to the world."

Read the full article here

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

We’re proud to share our Public Safety Chair and District 9 Councilor LaTonya Tate was in Arlington, Virginia towards the end of last week representing the City at the 4th Annual National Returning Citizens Conference!

Councilor Tate was asked to be one of the panelists for a plenary session on the perspective of elected leaders.

April is National Second Chance month, and the conference focuses on why it’s important for justice-impacted individuals to have second chances—and the impact that they can have on our communities.
We’ll be sharing more of our experience in Arlington, so stay tuned!

FREE Earth Day EVents Across Alabama in April

Join Us at Alabama Earth Day EVents in April

EV owners will gather in person across Alabama to showcase their personal electric vehicles and answer your questions on the range, driving experience, availability, low maintenance, fueling cost and more.

Sit in the drivers’ seat of one of the many displayed models of EVs- GM Bolt, Rivian, Cadillac, Ford Mustang, Nissan Leaf, Tesla, and more - and see why EVs are fun and practical vehicles to own and drive!

The Drive Electric EVents are FREE to the public.

If you are an EV owner and would like to showcase your vehicle, please register on the EVent page to reserve your space.

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Weevil City Cruisers 27th Annual Car Show

Join us at Johnny Henderson Family Park in Enterprise on April 20th, from 8 am to Noon, and attend the 27th Annual Weevil City Cruisers Car Show. Many models of electric vehicles will be showcased by their owners and they are ready to answer your questions about the fun, cost savings and excitement they experience driving electric!

Admission is FREE to spectators. If you'd like to showcase your EV, register your vehicle here.

Crawdad EV Car Show

Join us in Downtown Ozark on April 6th, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and attend the Crawdad Car Show in conjunction with the Crawdad Music Festival. Many models of electric vehicles will be showcased by their owners and they are ready to answer your questions about the fun, cost savings and excitement they experience driving electric!

Admission is FREE to spectators. If you'd like to showcase your EV, register your vehicle here.

Little River Canyon Area Earth Day EVent

The Little River Canyon Center in Fort Payne is hosting Earth Fest on April 20th from 10 AM to 3 PM. Electric Vehicles will be on hand as part of the 2024 Drive Electric Alabama Earth Day celebrations across AL! Come Enjoy this beautiful area and, if you are an EV owner, register to showcase your electric vehicle and help answer the publics questions about the fun of driving electric. Admission is FREE! 

If you'd like to showcase your EV, register your vehicle here.

Birmingham Area Earth Day EVent

Please join EV owners from across the Birmingham area at the Market at Pepper Place on April 27th from 8 AM to Noon. Come kick the tires on many models of electric vehicles that will be showcased. Are you an EV owner? If so, please register below to Showcase your EV! Your personal experience owning and driving an EV can answer many questions potential owners have like range, maintenance costs, driving experience and more.

Admission is FREE! 

If you'd like to showcase your EV, register your vehicle here.

Friends of Shades Creek - Program Dates for your Calendar

Here some important Friends of Shades Creek Dates for your calendars:

NEXT THURSDAY, April 11 at 7:00 - April Educational Presentation: -  Speaker: Will McCollum, University of Chicago. Will conducts historical and archaeological research in Birmingham, where he examines late nineteenth-century mining camps and company towns that formed the basis for the growth and development of the industrial capital of the New South at the turn of the twentieth century. He has been working and researching the Smythe Mining Camp at Red Mountain Park among other sites. Zoom link will be shared next week.

Hazardous Waste Collection: Saturday April 13, 8:00-11:30 -  in Irondale, Bessemer, Gardendale.

May Educational Presentation: Thursday, May 9, at 7:00 - Sarah Stokes, attorney at SELC. In February, SELC and Cahaba River Society were successful in protecting Water Board lands around Birmingham's drinking water supply. Sarah will be telling us more about this important achievement that is protecting our drinking water in Birmingham.

June 7, at 6:00 p.m. - Party on the Porch at Alabama Outdoors, benefitting Friends of Shades Creek. Hope you will come out and enjoy music and entertainment.

June 8, meet at 8:00 a.m. - Friends of Shades Creek Guided Cahaba Lily Trip with Cahaba River Society. Reservations required! 

-Donation for members: $20*
-Donation for non-members: $40 (includes membership)*
-Children under 12: No charge, but everyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Send your request to mkblackwood3@gmail.com* Donation required at time of reservation.

June and July: 8 Fridays - Have you wanted to teach kids at camp something you really enjoy and want to pass on? FOSC programs at Camp Fletcher for kids 6 to 13. See attached schedule of dates. Theme of the week is included, but programs do not need to follow themes. Possible ideas: Art projects, music with kids, demonstrations, present a topic or subject to kids. (email mkblackwood3@gmail.com)

RECAP: Friends of Shades Creek -  Projects and Presentations

-Alabama River Alliance - Water Rally (Four FOSC members attended)

-James Lowery presented program about "Constructed Wetlands" at Water Rally

-Henry Hughes received "River Hero of the Year Award for 2023"

-FOSC worked with Samford University on "Samford Gives Back Day:"
     Removed invasive plants along Shades Creek with Paul Freeman
     Trail building at Homewood Forest Preserve with Dr. Jim Brown
     Rebuilding bridge at Homewood Forest Preserve with Ken Blackwood 
     (2nd bridge workday is Saturday, April 6)

-FOSC had a Creek Cleanup starting at western end of Greenway extension Trail 
  19 participants  

-Crestwood Blvd with Marybeth Nicodimus, 10 participants

-Cleanup in Bessemer/McCalla, Janice Barksdale, approx. 25-30 participants (end of Feb)

-Salamander Talk 1st graders at Montessori school in Homewood (end of Feb.)

Our total Volunteers was 72, Total hours worked was 163.5 for a total dollar value to our group of: $5,199.30 (This is just an estimate and does not include time at meetings)

Michelle -mkblackwood3@gmail.com