2nd Annual Sneaker Soiree Gives Birmingham's Youth a Casual Opportunity for Important Conversations

District 9 Councilor LaTonya Tate and District 6 Councilor Crystal Smitherman teamed up for the second installment of the Sneaker Soiree over the weekend at Boutwell Auditorium. The free event was aimed at opening a dialogue with young people about public safety issues in their community. 

“It’s no secret that we have an issue with gun violence in Birmingham, especially amongst our young people,” Councilor Tate said. “As elected leaders, we have to do whatever we can to let our younger generation understand that there are opportunities out there for them and violence is never the answer. Everyone in the community has to play a part in helping to stop the violence and this is one way we’re trying to reimagine how we address this issue in Birmingham.”