Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham Re-entry Alliance supports formerly incarcerated residents

Birmingham Re-entry Alliance aids residents re-entering the community after incarceration

The City of Birmingham is launching a one-year pilot program with local organizations to support the needs of those re-entering the community after incarceration.

The Birmingham Re-entry Alliance will be a coordinated, holistic approach to transform how the city serves people released from state prisons with a focus on ensuring that justice-impacted families in Birmingham thrive.

“We believe that those who have paid their debt to society deserve the same basic living essentials of housing and gainful employment as any of us,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Together, with our partners, we plan to support them in returning into a welcoming community. We are committed to decreasing their recidivism and increasing their restoration.”

Click the buttons below to learn more, watch the press conference and see more pictures.

Magic City Spotlight: Every Day Counts Initiative to address absenteeism among BCS students

Every Day Counts Initiative to address absenteeism with incentives for public housing residents

The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) announced a new initiative in partnership the City of Birmingham (COB) and Birmingham City Schools (BCS) to combat truancy. The partnership comes after BCS reported in October 2023 that nearly 25% of students are chronically absent.

Every Day Counts will aim to incentivize public housing residents to ensure school-aged children attend school regularly. Regular school attendance of school-aged children is a requirement of HABD lease agreements and state law.

Through the Every Day Counts initiative, HABD public housing residents will have access to additional resources that support regular attendance and improved literacy, like transportation assistance to and from school and homework help. Additionally, and probably most compelling, as part of Every Day Counts, HABD households whose school-aged children achieve perfect attendance for the month will be entered into a raffle where an HABD household(s) will be chosen to receive financial support toward a housing expense.

Attendance of HABD school-aged residents will be tracked and monitored as part of a new data sharing agreement between HABD and BCS. There is no set timeframe for how long the initiative will be in place, and Birmingham leaders are hopeful that it will have a positive impact on school attendance rates.

Click the button or image above to watch the announcement and below to read more about this initiative.

City of Birmingham awards $808,000 to facilitate economic development through BOLD program

City of Birmingham awards $808,000 to facilitate economic development through BOLD program

The City of Birmingham has awarded more than $800,000 to seven area organizations whose missions are rooted in creating a more inclusive and resilient community. The BOLD funding program, which stands for Building Opportunities for Lasting Development, provides financial support to organizations and agencies that take creative, evidence-based approaches to advancing economic and community development in Birmingham.

“I am thrilled to continue funding local organizations through the BOLD program who work diligently to support our residents with innovative programming and resources,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “An investment in these organizations is an investment in the future of Birmingham.”

Funding was allocated across six categories: small businesses; minority-, women-, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs); workforce development; overcoming barriers; Birmingham’s neighborhoods; and data-driven Innovation.

“We invest in partners through the BOLD funding program because they serving our residents to improve quality of life and place, which is the groundwork for advancing economic opportunity in Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods.,” said Coreata Houser, deputy director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “BOLD has supported more than 5,000 Birmingham residents and 2,000 small businesses since it began five years ago.”

Click the buttons below to learn more.

Magic City Spotlight: Drop warmth supply drive donations at Boutwell today

Meet us at Boutwell Auditorium today and donate to the warmth supply drive

The City of Birmingham's warmth supply drive continues today to 4 p.m. in front of Boutwell Auditorium.

There is a critical need for bottled water donations.

Donors can drive in front of Boutwell, and someone will unload their vehicle.

Boutwell’s address is 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.

Volunteers will be accepting:

• Bottled water

• Toilet paper

• Paper towels

• New or gently-used coats

• New gloves and winter caps

• Hand warmers

Magic City Spotlight: Relive the magic of the 2023 Morehouse Tuskegee Classic

Congrats to the Golden Tigers! The Morehouse Tuskegee Classic was a hit

Tuskegee defeated Morehouse 40-28 in a thrilling showcase of HBCU culture and pride.

Click the image above or the buttons below to watch a recap of the tailgates, concerts and more that lit up the Magic City this past weekend!

Magic City Spotlight: Sign up for ACE and learn how to make change in your community

The next Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) cohort is beginning soon!

ACE is a city-wide leadership initiative aimed at bringing residents together for a deeper understanding of how the City works for them and how they can plug into various opportunities. Orientation begins September 7.

Click the image above or the button below to watch Mayor Woodfin's message offering more details about this comprehensive six-week program designed to prepare residents to go out into their communities to act, serve, and lead.

Learn more and sign up at birminghamal.gov/ace.

The City of Birmingham Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry in Birmingham.

This is an honorary position, and roles and responsibilities include making local appearances, facilitating public and educational programs, and building advocacy and community through poetry.

The poet laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 over the course of their term. Additional funds will be available for materials and other approved costs associated with community engagement programs that the poet laureate facilitates.

Click the button below to learn more and access the application portal.

Applications close on October 2.

You're invited to join Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan and Mayor Randall Woodfin for the Rally For Reading on August 28.

Join us to instill the joy of reading in our students and prepare them for academic success.

Click the image above or the button below to watch the video to learn more.

See you there!

Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham schools resume with support from city, community

Birmingham schools begin their academic year with lots of love from city staff

Birmingham City Schools are officially filled with scholars, teachers and staff buzzing with excitement and expectation for the 2023/2024 academic year.

We were proud to greet everyone on day one and are committed to supporting you throughout the school year.

Click the buttons below to see more pictures on the official City of Birmingham and Mayor Woodfin's Facebook channels.

"MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues" is headed to the Magic City

City and MLB officials came together at historic Rickwood last week to unveil the official name of the June 2024 event that will pit the St. Louis Cardinals against the San Francisco Giants.

Get ready, Birmingham! MLB at Rickwood Field: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues is headed our way!

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visits Birmingham, meets with HBCU leaders

Last week, Mayor Randall Woodfin welcomed U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to Birmingham to explore the city's rich history and meet with HBCU leaders.

With the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as the backdrop, Secretary Cardona took questions during a press conference addressing educational challenges and solutions.

Click the image above or the button below to watch the press conference. Click the button below to see more pictures from the visit on Mayor Woodfin's official Facebook page.

The City of Birmingham releases trailer for documentary "The South Got Something to Say"

Introducing The South Got Something to Say, a documentary film by the City of Birmingham and Southern Futures Project that will explore Birmingham's modern movement for progress.

This documentary explores the authentic and sometimes complicated relationships between residents and emerging leaders as they navigate a Southern city propelling forward at the speed of light.

Learn more about the film and how to support it at SouthGotSomething.com.

Tenants' Rights Educational Seminar to be held August 19

The Community Arts Grant Program will once again support four community arts collaborations that benefit the City of Birmingham with grants of $10,000 each. Eligibility checks must be submitted by Aug. 18. 

Activities must be broadly accessible to City of Birmingham residents, regardless of the age group being served by the project. Projects may be first-time collaborations or continuations of existing work.

For more, visit createbirmingham.org/community-arts/arts-grant-program.

Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham receives $50 million grant for Smithfield revitalization

HUD awards Birmingham $50 million grant to uplift Smithfield community

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced Wednesday the awarding of Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grants totaling $370 million to eight communities throughout the country. These awards support communities that have undergone a comprehensive local planning process and are ready to implement their “Transformation Plan” to redevelop the neighborhood.

Secretary Fudge made the announcement in Birmingham, Alabama, where she presented a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant of $50 million to the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District and the City of Birmingham.  For decades, Birmingham’s Smithfield area was a thriving African American community, replete with creative character. But several factors led to the community’s decline, beginning with mortgage redlining and racial zoning in the 1930s; the construction of Interstates 65 and 20 in the 1950s, which cut off the area from Birmingham’s Central Business District; and a lack of investment in schools and infrastructure.

The Choice Neighborhood plan for neighborhood investment reflects the City of Birmingham and Housing Authority of the Birmingham District’s philosophy of ‘Putting People First’ with input from residents and community stakeholders.

“This investment represents HUD’s commitment to creating new housing for Birmingham residents and communities across the country,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “When we envision the future of public housing investment, we think of programs like Choice Neighborhoods. These awards promote the innovative collaboration needed to tackle the affordable housing crisis. A community-driven, whole-of-government approach to neighborhood revitalization is what leads to impactful changes in the neighborhoods that need it the most.”

The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants will help revitalize and transform the distressed public and/or assisted housing and neighborhoods across the country, while also providing residents with services focused on income, health, and education.

Click the button below to watch the press conference with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, Mayor Randall Woodfin, and other leaders, officials, and members of the Smithfield community.

The Smithfield community is about to embark on a journey that will transform lives.

For some, that journey can be hard to imagine. So, allow us to introduce you to Ava.

Ava and her family are along for the ride. Click the button below to watch Ava's story and see the vision of where the impact of this investment and the support of her community will take her.

Want to know more about plans for Smithfield?

Click the buttons below to visit smithfieldchoice.org to learn more.

Magic City Spotlight

Ted's Restaurant, a Birmingham institution, celebrates 50 years

Ted’s Restaurant, one of Birmingham’s landmark eateries, is celebrating 50 years of business.

It’s not unusual to see a line of patrons ready to get their fill of homestyle Southern cooking seasoned with old-style Greek hospitality at Ted’s. People say they come for the food and stay for the tradition at this eatery, which has seen dedicated owners work to make the restaurant what it is today.

So what exactly is the secret behind 50 years of success for Ted’s, which offers breakfast, brunch and lunch?

“It’s our dedication to our customers and the Birmingham community. They are like family to us, and we are constantly looking for ways to better serve them, whether it’s cooking up someone’s Saturday morning regular or supporting local charities,” said Beba Touloupis, who runs the business with her husband, Tasos.

Click the button below to read more about the Touloupis family and how they are keeping a Birmingham staple alive motivated by the legacy of Ted's and the community it serves.

Freedom Fest returns to the Civil Rights District

Birmingham Freedom Fest presented by City of Birmingham returns this summer on July 29 in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. Join us for a day filled with music and empowerment as we celebrate the triumphs of Birmingham’s civil rights history and its commitment to forging a united future. Tickets are on sale now at www.freedomfestbhm.com.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department welcomed new recruits and celebrated rising stars in today's graduation and promotion ceremony at Boutwell Auditorium. Congrats, and thank you so much for being our protectors.

While we celebrate their accomplishment, now is a great time to shout out our heroes!

Take a look at how Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department kept you safe in the month of May.

We thank them for their incredible work and appreciate those who have joined them in this important work.

Magic City Spotlight: Bush Hills residents unite to establish new community center

99 Voices: Vacant school becomes site of new life for Bush Hills neighborhood

In the latest 99 Voices highlight, Bush Hills residents are showing us what being a good neighbor truly means.

Click the button below to hear the journey residents have taken to transform the former Woodrow Wilson Elementary School into a vibrant community hub.

City of Birmingham files public nuisance lawsuit against vacant East Thomas apartments

The Office of the City Attorney for the City of Birmingham has filed a lawsuit against the owners of East Thomas Apartments to have the property declared a public nuisance. The long-vacant multi-unit apartment complex has been the scene of many calls related to arson, violent crimes, illegal drug sales, overdoses and theft.

“When violence and drugs threaten public safety, it’s important that the city steps in to disrupt the flow of drugs into our streets, holds criminals accountable and makes our neighborhoods safer for residents, businesses and visitors,” said City Attorney Nicole E. King.

Click the button below to learn more about the lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Pro tip: If you put Food Truck Friday on your calendar, it's technically a meeting.

We look forward to seeing you throughout the summer and into fall for Food Truck Friday at City Hall.

Click the button below to see the lineup of food trucks coming this Friday, June 2.

The City's 60th commemoration poster series continues 

As we continue to commemorate the 1963 Birmingham Civil and Human Rights Movement all year long, the City of Birmingham will unveil a different themed poster each month to honor the various people and acts of heroism that took place in our city.  June is the month we reflect upon restorative justice and the efforts to repair the breach of racism. June's poster is themed “Break Every Chain" and features a collage of past and present champions of justice.

This month, our partners will host several events across the city. In addition, The City of Birmingham will re-open the historic A.G. Gaston Motel in the days to come.  Check out the calendar of events for details about these and other activities happening all year at birminghamal.gov/forgingjustice. Free copies of this month’s poster are available in city hall.