Join us for a public meeting regarding right-sizing parking requirements in Birmingham. Online webinar to be held on October 16th.
Greater Birmingham Ministries News
Internet for All
Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of action to elevate digital equity throughout the country . GBM is working to ensure low-income people and eligible senior citizens have access to the internet.
You may be eligible to receive a $30 discount off your current internet service or you may connect to a plan that is FREE. We are taking appointments on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 am - 2 pm for "Internet for All", an Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Call 205-304-0024 to schedule your appointment or to see if you are eligible.
Clearing the Thicket: Alabama's Deep Underbrush of Injustice
GBM's Faith in Community Workgroup presents an interactive conference aimed at digging deep into the entangling weeds of Alabama's social and economic injustices and offering tangible solutions to clear them away. Rev. Liz Theoharis, Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary and Co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival will be the keynote speaker.
This conference is open to faith and community leaders, social justice allies and advocates, students, and people directly impacted by Alabama's systemic injustices.
This event is free of charge. Lunch will be provided for a nominal fee and lunch scholarships will be made available for those who need it.
Email carolyn@gbm.org for more information.
Upcoming Southside Community Framework Plan Meetings
Community Arts Grant 2023: upcoming event w/ Barehands Inc.
One of the 2023 City of Birmingham Community Arts Grant recipients, Barehands Inc, is using the grant award to host free memorial alter box classes. Folks just have to register, so they can plan for supplies, before they attend.
More Info and Registration for Next Classes HERE:
Carver High School, Saturday, September 16
MAKEbhm - Saturday, September 23
Ensley Recreation Center, Saturday, September 30
Times for all classes are 1p.m. to 3p.m.
Making a memorial altar (ofrenda) for a lost loved one for the Day of the Dead is a creative and rewarding way to remember them. We recommend using a small box, like a cigar box or shoebox. Often a small altar box becomes the building block of A larger altar that you may want to create in the future.
Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.29.2
Birmingham City Council Highlights 8.29.23
ITEMS 18-19
The Birmingham City Council has voted to delay considering proposed amendments to the City’s parking and towing ordinances following a public hearing at today’s Council meeting.
Several representatives from local towing companies addressed the Council during the hearing and raised concerns over the proposed language surrounding insurance coverage in the updated ordinance. In order to get the corrected language included into the ordinance, there will be a two-week delay.
Written submissions for public comments will still be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5th; the public hearing to consider the amended parking and towing ordinances will be held September 12th during the regularly scheduled Council meeting.
Written comments can be sent to Darrell.OQuinn@Birminghamal.gov
The Council will be in a position to consider approving the amendments at the conclusion on the public hearing on September 12th.
The Office of the City Attorney presented the proposed changes during a Town Hall held in June. Some of the key points of the updated ordinance include, but are not limited to, increasing insurance requirements for operators; clarifying proof of payment to help drivers with dispute options; prohibiting operators from towing/booting a vehicle while a driver is paying; additional payment options — the use of mobile and web payment systems; improved requirements for signage.
In addition to modernizing the way parking in paid for by phone, the updated ordinance also gives the Birmingham Department of Transportation purview to oversee parking signage placement and regulations.
Councilor Darrell O’Quinn, chair of the Transportation Committee, said he has been encouraged by the productive conversation and feedback from members of the public throughout this process.
“There were definitely issues that were brought up that we had not heard before when we heard from residents in June. It’s really great to get these comments into the public record,” O’Quinn said. “There were multiple people that have referred to the ambiguity of the signage that refers to overnight parking. I think that’s really valuable to for us to hear. I’m looking forward to this additional opportunity for people to provide feedback. I’d like to thank the Mayor’s team and our City Attorneys for their continued work and diligence on these important updates to our city code.”
ITEM 30
The Council approved a resolution for a grant application seeking $15 million for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program with the U.S. Department of Transportation to convert 4th Avenue North from a one-way to a two-way street.
This would take place from 24th Street North to 9th Street North through the downtown corridor. This program is part of the bi-partisan infrastructure bill that was passed by Congress in 2021. These conversion plans are supported by the City Center Master Plan and Northside/Southside Framework Plans, which have shown a need to convert several one-way streets as a way to boost economic activity and help prevent incidents of reckless driving.
This corridor is the home of the Fourth Avenue Business District. According to representatives with the City’s Department of Transportation, national studies have shown that converting roads from one-ways is a big boon for local businesses. Two-way traffic allows for people to access these stores from both directions and allows for a slower pace of traffic.
“I know we have had many instances of collisions at the intersection by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and there is some confusion with drivers when they are passing through this area,” Council President Wardine Aleander said. “I think it’s so important for the City to support this historic Black business center. I am hopeful this grant application will be successful and we will be able to make our roadways a little safe and more supportive for local businesses.”
Most of the cost would be incurred from outfitting the intersections with new signals and ADA compliant features.
This corridor is located in an “area of persistent poverty” and therefore does not require the typical 80/20 percent grant match under federal guidelines. However, in order to strengthen the grant application, the City will be contributing $2 million towards the project in the event the application is successful.
Here is the item as it appeared on the agenda:
ITEM 30.
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents
required for the City to apply for a Reconnecting Communities and
Neighborhood (RCN) Program grant from United States Department of
Transportation in the amount of up to $15,000,000.00 to convert 4th Ave
North from a one-way to a two-way from 24th Street to 9th Street. This
grant requires matching funds in the amount of twenty percent (20%) of
the total grant received by the City and authorizing the Mayor to take any
and all actions and execute such documents as are appropriate and
necessary to accept and expend the grant funds on behalf of the City in
accordance with the grant documents. (Submitted by the City Attorney)
(Recommended by the Mayor and the Chief Community Planner)
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!
Fwd: News You Can Use: 8-18-23
Tenants’ rights educational seminar this Saturday
Learn your rights. Saturday, Aug. 19. 9 a.m.-12 noon. Five Points West Library. Free. There is no need to register. For more information, call 205-324-0111.
Come out to the KIDS Kasino
As the YWCA celebrates its 120th year of serving the Greater Birmingham community, we invite you to go “all in” for KIDS Kasino on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 6-10 p.m. at the YWCA Central Alabama for an evening of casino-style gaming, food, and fun! We hope you will bring your whole family for a night out with childcare available for the evening on site. See attached for details.
Learn about Municipal Court and get credit for doing so
Make plans to attend the 2023 Municipal Court Summit to complete your continuing education requirements! The Summit has been approved for:
12 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Judicial College
12 hours of continuing legal education by the Alabama State Bar
6 hours of continuing education by the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts
9.5 hours of continuing education for Social Workers
With sessions engaging sessions on Procedural Justice, Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice Responses, Understanding Human Trafficking, and Workplace Mental Health, coupled with Criminal Justice Ethics, Legislative Updates, and an exciting panel discussion on Exploring the Duties of a Court Clerk, we are confident you will walk away with effective tips, tools, and strategies to get Back to the Basics! The summit is August 24-25 at the Boutwell Auditorium. Click here to check out the agenda and reserve your spot today!
Titusville Library presents several events:
Arts at Crafts: Cotton Swab Flower Painting, Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m.; Silly Putty, Aug. 22 at 3:30 p.m.
Book Signing: The Titusville Library will host author Sonya “Sam” Mitchell for a book signing of her table book “Picture the Picture.” Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. See attached for details.
Celebrating T Shirt Day. Titusville Library. Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. Adult book club with make their own shirts. See attached for details.
It’s time for the 25th Sidewalk Film Festival 2023
The 25th Annual Sidewalk Film Festival will take place August 21-27 in Downtown Birmingham's Historic Theatre District. For details, go to https://sidewalkfest.com/how-to-fest/
Support the COB Back 2 School Supply Drive
Let’s support our Birmingham City Schools students with needed school supplies. Donations accepted include pens, pencils, paper, markers, crayons, notebooks, glue, erasers, calculators, hand sanitizer, tissue, etc. Donation boxes are located on the first floor of city hall. Drop off now through Aug. 25. For more information, contact Employee Engagement via email at cobengagement@birminghamal.gov. Or call 205-254-2084.
Support the District 7 Community Clean Up
Help clean up our community. Saturday, Aug. 26. Wenonah High School, 2800 Wilson Road SW. Volunteer registration and supply pick-up at 8:30 a.m. Starts at 8:45 a.m. See attached for details.
Join the reading rally and help our scholars
Let’s rally to support Birmingham’s young scholars. Monday, Aug. 28 at Bill Harris Arena. Featuring door prizes, free books for families and opportunities to volunteer. Warm up with dancing at 5 p.m. The rally begins at 6 p.m. See attached for details.
Wind Down Wednesday to celebrate women
Honoring the women in the upcoming StrongHER Book. Wednesday, Aug. 30. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cash bar, vendors and food trucks and live DJ. Boutwell Auditorium. See attached for details.
COMING UP next month
Enjoy movies in the park
Memorial Park, 524 6th Ave. South. Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. See attached for details.
Make plans to come out the Summer Music Vibes event
Sunday, Sept. 3. 4 p.m. Free. Music, food trucks, voter registration. 633 Cotton Ave. SW. See attached for details.
Join the Birmingham CERT Team
Learn first aid, lite search and rescue, disaster recovery, CPR, and more. Every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 5-Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs classroom of Fire Station No. 2, located at 600 11th St. South. Get details attached. For questions, email pubed@birminghamal.gov or call 205-254-6560. See attached.
Sign up to be a part of ACE
The Academy of Civic Engagement (ACE) is a City of Birmingham initiative, with the central goal of getting residents directly involved and engaged with their local municipal government. ACE focuses on bringing everyday citizens together for a deeper understanding of how the city works for them and how they can plug into a variety of opportunities. ACE wants to prepare residents to go into their communities to act, serve, and lead. You must be a resident of the City of Birmingham to participate. Click here to apply now! Orientation is on Thursday, Sept. 7!
Upcoming PEP workshops planned
The Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits (PEP) will be hosting three workshops in the month of September that will cover several topics related to permitting and inspections within the City of Birmingham. These three workshops will help better inform the public of the requirements for pulling a permit within Birmingham and the inspection processes related to each permit. These informational workshops will be beneficial to both citizens and developers. Each event is designed to be 2 hours. All the events are free and open to the public.
Session A: The first session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover topics such as zoning requirements, pre-permitting meetings, and a new online permit guide for the city.
Session B: The second session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the permitting process from A to Z as well as a discussion around contractor education and ensuring citizens have the correct information when selecting a contractor.
Session C: The final session, which will take place at the CrossPlex on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., will cover the inspections and enforcement aspects related to permitted and unpermitted work within the city.
The Get Down at Avondale Park
Presented by Seasick Records and Yellowhammer Print Shop. Featuring arts, music, records, and vintage. With William Tyler & The Impossible Truth, Will Stewart, and Jahnah Camille. Sunday, Sept. 17. See attached for details.
FORGING JUSTICE
The city's 60th commemoration poster series continues
August is the month we reflect upon the writers, poets, journalists, photographers, and creatives who help tell the story of justice. August's poster is themed “Raise Your Voice" and features a collage of past and present storytellers across our city. Free copies of this month’s poster are available in city hall. You can also check out the calendar of events for the 60th commemoration events happening all year at birminghamal.gov/forgingjustice.
Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov.
Birmingham City Council: Week in Review, July 31st - August 6th
The Birmingham City Council Helps Families, Students Get Ready for Back to School
Councilor President Wardine Alexander participated in multiple Back to School events in District 7 over the course of the week. She is one of many Councilors who have been involved in various school-related events towards the end of summer.
Over the weekend, the District 9 office joined forces with Be Kind Birmingham at their pop-up free store at the Ensley Recreation Center. President Alexander, meanwhile, hosted a Book Bag Giveaway on Saturday at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
The District 7 Office also participated in Oxmoor Valley Elementary's Back to School Party earlier in the week.
Students were able to grab a bite to eat, meet their teachers, learn about OVE's new community of Houses, and enjoy live music from a DJ.
See more Back-to-School coverage here...
First Year Teachers Receive Funds for School Supplies
Councilor Clinton Woods was on the program for a big announcement this week at Bill Harris Arena. Friday marked the unveiling of the Teacher's Fund -- a first year program intended to help first-year teachers with the purchase of school supplies and other key essentials.
A check for $20,000 was presented, which will impact an estimated 150 first-year teachers in the Birmingham City School System. Organizers hope that the stipend will boost morale, increase teacher retention, and support the success of thousands of students.
National Association of Black Journalists Takes Over the Magic City
The Birmingham City Council was thrilled to welcome the NABJ 2023 Convention and Career Fair to the Magic City for the first time, August 2nd-6th. The purpose of the conference is to provide journalism education, career development, networking and innovation. This is 3rd largest meeting, ever, with over 3,500 participants registered.
Council President Alexander Meets with U.S. Secretary of Education during NABJ Festivities
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made his way to Birmingham to participate in a roundtable discussion with HBCU Presidents, as well as speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists. He also met with Council President Wardine Alexander (D7) during an event at the BCRI on Thursday.
Magic City Spotlight: Birmingham receives $50 million grant for Smithfield revitalization
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.
Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23
Birmingham City Council Highlights 7.18.23
ITEM 13
On Tuesday, the Council approved and agreement to host the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which will be held July 5-10 at various venues around the city.
These games have been held every two years since their inception in 1990 and are aimed at uplifting and highlighting athletes who have survived transplant procedures.
These games bring together survivors, their families and medical professionals for a five-day event with over 20 sports. Last year, the United States saw roughly 40,000 organ transplants, which was a record number. However, there are still 100,000 people who are waiting for transplants. These games help raise awareness to this issue and will bring roughly 10,000 people to the city of Birmingham.
Here is the item as it appeared on Tuesday’s agenda:
A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute and deliver an Agreement between the City of Birmingham and Transplant Life Foundation, under which Transplant Life Foundation will assist the City by providing organization, promotion, management, hosting, planning, record keeping and facilitation services related to the 2024 Transplant Games of America, which are to be held in Birmingham between July 5, 2024 and July 10, 2024, and the City will provide funding to Transplant Life Foundation in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00, in support of the event. [G/L Account: ARPA FIN039RM 99999A_005_006 -$335,000.00 and CDA DCP156CP - $65,000.00] (Submitted by the City Attorney) (Recommended by the Mayor and the Chief Community Planner)**
Statement from the City Council on the passing of Firefighter Jordan Melton:
"We are heartbroken to hear the news that we have lost one of our local heroes, firefighter Jordan Melton. We stand behind all the dedicated servants of the Birmingham Fire Department during this extremely challenging time. This exemplifies, even more, the dangers that they face every single day serving the citizens of Birmingham.
This is a time when we need for our community to rally around the men and women who continue put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
Jordan Melton’s family, friends and colleagues at Birmingham Fire and Rescue deserve answers and justice. Our City is hurting tonight -- and we are sending them our love, support, and deepest condolences."