Kelvin Datcher, Frank Woodson competing in Dem runoff for House District 52
Democratic voters in House District 52 will choose between two nominees Tuesday, each offering distinct approaches to voter concerns. Kelvin Datcher, Birmingham’s deputy director of community development, will face Frank Woodson, a nonprofit executive and former manager at United Parcel Service (UPS), for the district’s Democratic nomination, which includes a section of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and parts of Fairfield and Homewood. They advanced to the runoff after a primary earlier this month. Datcher, who finished first in the six-candidate primary with 38% of the vote, said that while addressing issues in education, crime, housing and career development are important, voters in the district want to be heard and engaged by their representatives. “At a minimum, we need to be in a position where we’re working great jobs, and that we’re preparing people to excel in those roles so they can support their families and build great communities. I don’t think it’s much more complicated than that,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday. Woodson presents himself as the candidate for change, critiquing Datcher’s ties to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Woodson said in an interview Monday that Birmingham residents aren’t happy with the city’s homicide rates, neglected properties, and lack of attention to Birmingham’s west side. He said that he’s got the leadership experience in the private and public sector to lead that change. “If you like what you’ve been getting, go for that direction and you will get more,” Woodson said. “But if we want something better, then we have to embrace change.” Woodson also accused the Woodfin administration of not partnering as much with local churches and nonprofits, which he believes are crucial for strengthening families and reducing crime and proposed involving these organizations to help families and provide intervention for at-risk youth. Woodson said there is a need for comprehensive community collaboration to address issues in the district. “They won’t work with the people that are at the grassroots level, who deal with these kids and can send them a different direction. We have to get the whole team on the field, to bring leaders together to work in a concerted effort. That’s all that’s missing,” Woodson said. Datcher said his connections can be an advantage to serving the district, and that for change to happen, “our city councilors, our county commissioners, our mayors and our state legislators all have to be on the same page and all speak with the same voice,” and said that he is proud to have endorsements from current officials. “It takes a team approach in order to get this done and to ensure that our community gets the kinds of resources from the state of Alabama that we deserve. This is not a one-man band kind of a thing. This is a team effort,” Datcher said. The seat was previously held by Rep. John Rogers, who resigned from the House after agreeing to plead guilty to charges of wire and mail fraud and obstruction of justice in March. He was accused of directing hundreds of thousands of dollars for public projects in Jefferson County to a youth baseball league, with a portion of the money being kicked back to an assistant and former romantic partner. Rogers, first elected in 1982, was the longest serving representative in the chamber. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 26 in Birmingham. The seat is likely to favor a Democratic candidate. The last time a Republican ran in the district was in 2014, when Rogers got almost 77% of the vote against Republican nominee Phillip Bahakel, an attorney. The runoff winner will face Republican candidate Carlos Crum in the Oct. 1 general election. This story was republished with permission of Alabama Reflector. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
BCA throws support behind Kelvin Datcher in Birmingham special election
As reported by Yellow Hammer News, in the crowded primary to replace former State Representative John Rogers, the Business Council of Alabama’s ProgressPAC has chosen to endorse Kelvin Datcher. A BCA-supported candidate would be a drastic shift from the legacy Rogers leaves. In an article describing Rogers and his career AL.Com writers noted that, “Rogers is known for his bombastic, quotable comments and colorful clothing just as he is for his longevity in public office.” In 2019, during a debate over abortion when Rogers said Republicans were against abortion but refused to support children. His comment, “So you kill them now or you kill them later. You bring them in the world unwanted, unloved, you send them to the electric chair. So, you kill them now or you kill them later,” was widely condemned on both sides of the aisle with then Democrat Senator Doug Jones and even Donald Trump Jr. weighing in. In their statement, ProgressPAC Chairman Will Wilson said, “ProgressPAC proudly endorses leaders focused on growth and solutions, dedicated to moving Alabama forward. Our commitment lies in fostering a business-friendly environment that strengthens communities and generates employment opportunities across the state. We stand behind candidates devoted to safeguarding and empowering employers who drive quality job creation for all Alabamians.” The release goes on to say, “BCA’s endorsement of Kelvin Datcher is a decision rooted in his proven commitment to his community and his vision for a more prosperous future for all residents. With a track record of advocacy and service, Datcher embodies the qualities necessary to represent the interests of the district effectively. His dedication to addressing key issues facing constituents, like economic opportunity and education, reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing Alabama families. Kelvin Datcher’s experience and vision uniquely position him to enact positive change and advance the interests of House District 52. His collaborative approach to governance, coupled with a commitment to bipartisanship, offers a promising path forward in addressing the complex issues that affect the district and the state.” Datcher has already received the support of Mayor Randall Woodfin, who posted a video message endorsing him on Datcher’s Facebook page. The House District 52 special primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024; the special primary runoff, if necessary, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024; and the special general election on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Birmingham, Alabama-based Hardware Park receives $250,000 Innovate Alabama grant, announces documentary
Hardware Park, Birmingham’s hub for physical product development, has been awarded a $250,000 grant by Innovate Alabama, fueling Hardware Park’s ongoing commitment to promote medical device innovation in Birmingham. The grant arrives as the nonprofit unveils a documentary chronicling its inaugural MedTech Design Experience, which brought together eight Birmingham metro high school students for a two-week exploration of medical device design and prototyping. “The Innovate Alabama grant and our documentary release underscore our strategy to intertwine education, innovation, and community engagement,” said Hardware Park Executive Director Mark Conner. Innovate Alabama, led by CEO Cynthia Crutchfield and 11 board members appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey, is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. The partnership recently launched Innovate Alabama Network, a comprehensive resource to connect communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions across Alabama fostering innovation in their local footprint. Fifty-one designees in 17 Alabama counties make up the group, which received $9.3 million in supporting funds from Innovate Alabama. Alabama Power is among the supporters of Innovate Alabama. “The Innovate Alabama Network is a major step forward to growing the entrepreneurial and innovation environment in Alabama,” Crutchfield said. “By providing funding and resources to our local communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, we are developing a statewide network for innovation programming and catalyzing entrepreneurship in all of our communities, both rural and urban.” Located in downtown Birmingham, Hardware Park covers two city blocks and houses a variety of businesses in manufacturing, engineering, and product design. The grant will significantly amplify Hardware Park’s ability to provide educational programming for budding medical device engineers in high school and college, according to Conner. The documentary, crafted by Birmingham locals Gabriel Talley and Robert Hill of Uphill Growth, vividly (and comically) captures the MedTech Design Experience journey, according to a Hardware Park news release. Slated for release on Nov. 14 at TechBirmingham’s Tech Tuesday event, the documentary portrays the journey of eight young aspiring engineers: Jeremy Harper (Ramsay High School), Enoch Booher (Vestavia Hills High School), Brooks Denson (Homewood High School), Caren Smith (Woodlawn High School), Joseph Drake (Carver High School), Matthew Eligwe (Hoover High School), Molly Elmore (Vestavia High) and Isaiah Williams-Scott (Restoration Academy). Hardware Park, Conner said, invites the community, potential entrepreneurs, and the media to delve deeper into the nonprofit’s initiatives, join the narrative, and support the journey towards a thriving medical device ecosystem in Birmingham. “Hardware Park’s dedication to hands-on engineering and design education is not only empowering our youth but also positioning our city at the forefront of medical technology advancements,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said. “I am excited about the positive impact Hardware Park is bringing to our community.” Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Reps. Terri Sewell and Robert Aderholt support keeping Birmingham-Southern College open
Birmingham Southern College (BSC) is probably going to close after Alabama Treasurer Young Boozer made the determination that the college is a bad credit risk and, therefore, refused to give the small liberal arts private college a bridge loan to keep its doors open last month. Congressmembers Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) and Terri Sewell (D-AL07) penned a joint editorial with the Alabama Medical Group arguing that keeping the failing liberal arts college open is good for Birmingham. “Although we represent different districts and different political parties in the U.S. House of Representatives, there are times that we agree when it comes to what’s best for Alabama,” Aderholt and Sewell wrote. “This is one of those times.” BSC is in Sewell’s district where the loss of 284 jobs would be keenly felt; while Aderholt is an alum of the school – as is his wife, Caroline. “When it comes to what is best for Alabama, we agree that keeping this 167-year-old college open and helping it achieve financial stability makes the list,” Aderholt and Sewell wrote. “We were glad when the Alabama Legislature passed SB278, which established the Distressed Institutions of Higher Learning Revolving Loan Program. Because Alabama had a once-in-a-generation, $2.8B surplus in the Education Trust Fund, setting aside $30 million for the loan program was accomplished without reduction to state-supported institutions. This was and is a great use of a small fraction of that surplus, giving BSC the operating capital it needs while it raises private funds to restore its endowment to a level that will sustain the College going forward.” “Without BSC, young people who want what BSC offers – a small, residential, nationally ranked college in a big Alabama city – will have to go elsewhere. And once they leave, they may not return,” Aderholt and Sewell wrote. “Alabama residents make up 60 percent of BSC’s student body. Half of BSC’s 17,000 graduates remain in Alabama, where their impact is seen and felt in every walk of life in every one of our 67 counties. We strongly urge Treasurer Boozer to rethink his decision to deny the bridge loan that was designed for this very situation: To help out a college or university in Alabama that brings significant value to its community, has been in business for more than 50 years, has assets sufficient to back the state’s loan, and has a solid plan for paying it back.” On Friday, BSC President Daniel Coleman insisted that the College would have enough money to finish out the academic year meaning that current students do not need to transfer as there will be a spring semester. “On August 15, the Birmingham City Council passed a resolution that charged Mayor Randall Woodfin with creating an economic development plan of up to $5 million to support Birmingham-Southern College,” Coleman wrote. “Since then, we have continued to work with Mayor Woodfin, who will formally present his plan to the Council on November 21. We are grateful to him and to the Council for their consideration of this critically important support.” “These developments give us confidence that, at a minimum, we will complete the academic year, during which we will continue to procure funds that will stabilize the College for the long term,” Coleman insisted. “That includes working with the Alabama Legislature, private donors, and other entities. Students, you should register for spring 2024 classes and continue with your plans for the January E-Term.” Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson dismissed BSC’s lawsuit attempting to compel Boozer to give them the loan. BSC has been in a long decline and today has fewer than 750 students. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Travis Hendrix wins House District 55 race
Travis Hendrix was elected on Tuesday in the House District 55 special Democratic primary runoff election. Hendrix, who grew up in a Birmingham housing project, is a community leader and former school resource officer who now coordinates the Birmingham Police Department’s community projects. “Grateful, District 55! Thrilled to be your representative!” Hendrix said in a statement on Facebook. “This journey has been incredible. Massive thanks to my exceptional team, my family, and all of District 55! I’m here to represent each and every one of you with passion and dedication! Let’s make great things happen together! #District55Celebration #ReadyToServe” Hendrix received the most votes in the primary but not nearly enough to win without a runoff. Hendrix received 2,367 votes (65.12%), while Sylvia Swayne received 1,268 votes (34.88%). 3,635 people voted in the special democratic primary election. Hendrix has a bachelor’s degree from Miles College and a master’s degree from Oakland City University. He studied at Ensley High School and finished with a GED. This election drew a lot of attention largely because of Swayne. If elected, Swayne – a transgender woman – would have been the first transgender elected in the history of Alabama politics. Hendrix had the support of House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville), Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), the Alabama Forestry Association, and groups across the state. Swayne’s support leaned heavily on the LGBTQ+ community, with tens of thousands of dollars coming from out of state. This vacancy in the Alabama House of Representatives was due to the resignation of Rep. Fred Plump (D-Fairfield) after he entered a plea deal in a federal corruption probe that has rocked the Alabama Legislature. The special general election is scheduled for January. That likely won’t even be necessary, as Hendrix has no Republican opponent. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
National Real Estate Brokers bring 60-city Building Black Wealth Tour to Birmingham, Alabama
By: Barnett Wright Alabama NewsCenter A tour to empower African American communities with steps toward homeownership, property investment, and other wealth-building opportunities will be coming to Birmingham in November. The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) Building Black Wealth Tour will stop in the city Nov. 11. The 60-city tour will focus on homeownership and other real estate opportunities. NAREB was formed in 1947 to secure equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed or color. Justin Williams, president of the Birmingham Realtist Association, which is under NAREB, said it is important for Blacks to become homeowners because “the main generator of wealth creation in the United States is homeownership. So, when Black people don’t participate [in homeownership] and become a homeowner, they lose the opportunity to use the main source of wealth creation. … Studies show that a homeowner has a 40 times greater net worth than renting.” The Birmingham Realtist Association is hosting the national Building Black Wealth Summit at the New Rising Star Missionary Baptist (The Star), 7400 London Ave. NAREB’s president, Courtney Johnson-Rose, was intentional about hosting the summit in Alabama because of the national organization’s relationship with African American mayors, Williams said. “All of the cities in the United States that have African American mayors, our organization has a direct relationship with them,” he said. “So, our Mayor Randall Woodfin’s initiative around homeownership and affordable housing” was a factor to host the tour. Working with the African American Mayors Association and the National Bar Association, NAREB will sponsor the events in cities nationwide over the next two years. The tour will include classes, workshops and one-on-one counseling on homebuying, investing, credit, and careers in real estate. “The time for action on Black wealth is now,” Johnson-Rose said. “NAREB is urging our Black communities to take the journey toward wealth. Come to our events in your city and learn what you need to purchase a home. We are helping Black families overcome the biased public policies and private practices that created the vast wealth gap in America today.” Johnson-Rose noted that the Federal Reserve says, on average, Black families own about 24 cents for every $1 of white family wealth. Homeownership, a critical component of Black wealth, declined for Blacks every quarter since the pandemic, leaving Blacks with the lowest percentage of homeowners in America. Despite the contributions of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, 55 years later, the racial homeownership gap has widened. In 1960, 38% of Blacks owned homes, while white homeownership was 65%, a 27-point gap. Today, the gap is nearly 30%, the most extensive spread since 1890. “The Black community has lacked the resources of other communities, and our goal is to end disparities and help Black communities thrive,” Johnson-Rose said. “The Building Black Wealth Tour will provide critical data, information, and advice to community members. We will ensure that community members know about homeownership opportunities, heirs and estate property, and real estate investing. And cutting-edge tools that can help them take the next step.” NAREB has advocated for legislation and supported or instigated legal challenges that ensure fair housing, sustainable homeownership, and access to credit for Black Americans. For more about NAREB, click here. This story originally appeared in The Birmingham Times. Republished with the permission of The Alabama NewsCenter.
Regions Foundation, YMCA of Greater Birmingham break ground on transformative project
By: Jeremy King It’s not about meeting one need. This isn’t just delivering one service. It’s about serving the whole person … the whole family … the whole community. The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank, recently joined the YMCA of Greater Birmingham to break ground on a development designed to have a major, positive impact on northeast Birmingham. The YMCA is using a major grant from the Regions Foundation, plus funding from additional community partners that joined the initiative, to deliver affordable housing, provide more educational support, and address health care needs – all at the Northeast Y’s campus in Birmingham’s Roebuck community. How it’s happening Not only is the Northeast Y getting renovated to include a new community resource center and increased early-learning opportunities, the Y is also taking an innovative approach toward additional needs. For example: What they’re saying “This is about more than meeting a single need; it’s about creating real solutions, bringing together affordable housing, health care, educational opportunities and more,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “This type of impact does not happen in a vacuum. This type of transformation can only happen through collaboration and partnership,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. “On behalf of this grateful city, I want to thank you all for making this a reality. You’re changing lives … You’re literally improving the quality of life of our citizens … of our residents,” Woodfin said. “It’s exciting to see this come to life. Our community, our partners, and major donors believed in the vision and came together to transform Roebuck for future generations,” said Terri Harvill, chief social impact officer of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham “We have to be the change that we want to see. The days of where we can talk – that’s no longer going to get it. We are going to have to invest. So, I want to thank everyone who has invested in this vision,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales. “We’re not just rebuilding or renovating a building. We’re here to build a brighter future. Today is not just about brick and mortar and this land. Today is about the soul of a community; it’s about the countless lives that will be touched, the dreams that will be nurtured,” said Alicia Lumpkin-Whitfield, board chair for the Northeast YMCA. In summary Development and renovation work will begin immediately. The impact will last for generations. A version of this story originally appeared on the Regions Bank news site, Doing More Today.
Sylvia Swayne and Travis Hendrix advance to Democratic runoff in House District 55
Democratic voters went to the polls on Tuesday in the House District 55 special Democratic primary, and Travis Hendrix received the most votes. Sylvia Swayne narrowly beat out Phyllis E. Holden-Jones for second place and a spot in the special Democratic primary runoff on October 24. This vacancy in the Alabama House of Representatives was due to the resignation of Rep. Fred Plump (D-Fairfield) after he entered a plea deal in a federal corruption probe that has rocked the Alabama Legislature. Travis Hendrix received 670 votes (27.91%) in this crowded Democratic primary field. Sylvia Swayne had 515 votes (21.45%), earning her a spot in the runoff by just 30 votes. Oden-Jones received 485 votes (20.20%) in her third-place finish. Cara McClure received 364 votes (15.16%). Ves Marable received 180 votes (7.50%). Former Tarrant Mayor Kenneth Coachman received 106 votes (4.41%). Antwon Bernard Womack received 81 votes (3.37%). These are the preliminary vote counts available from the Secretary of State’s office when Alabama Today went to print and are subject to change. The provisional ballots still have to be considered, so the vote totals could change. Hendrix is a former school resource officer. He has the endorsements of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville), the Alabama Forestry Association, and more groups. “I was born and raised in Ensley’s Tuxedo Court Public Housing Community,” Hendrix said on his website. “Today, Tuxedo Terrace housing community stands in place of the old Tuxedo Court, affectionately known as “the Brickyard.” Growing up in this area exposed me to the harsh realities faced by many residents, but it also instilled in me the values of service, sacrifice, and the power of prayer, thanks to the strong influence of my grandmother.” “I pursued my education at Ensley High School and later completed a GED program,” Hendrix continued. “I then attended Miles College and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree. I then furthered my education, and I obtained a master’s degree from Oakland City University. Alongside my educational journey, I take immense pride in being a devoted father, an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a law enforcement officer. I have served as a school resource officer and on a task force dedicated to the public housing community. I take public safety seriously. Throughout my life, I have consistently pushed beyond established standards and exceeded expectations. I firmly believe that District 55 deserves a leader who possesses both the capabilities and the unwavering determination to advocate for change. I am committed to tirelessly fighting until our shared vision for the community is realized.” Swayne was the only white candidate in the crowded primary field and, if elected, would be the only openly trans person to ever be elected in the state of Alabama. Swayne has the support of the LGBTQ+ community, including former State Rep. Patricia Todd. Swayne is extremely popular on TikTok. Swayne is a 2019 graduate of the University of Alabama. “Part of the reason I’m running is this idea that trans people and drag queens and other members of the LGBT community are this threat to society, and that is purely artificially injected into the conversation,” Swayne told Teen Vogue. “Whether or not people support us as trans people is not my concern. My concern is while they’re using the trans community, and the LGBT community at large, to distract all of us, they’re leaving the rest of Alabama behind. We all lose when we engage in divisive politics and pointing fingers at one group while disenfranchising another.” The October 24 Democratic primary runoff will likely decide this race. There was no special Republican primary in HD55, and there was no Republican candidate in the general election. Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Brown said on Tuesday night at the Jefferson County GOP meeting in Homewood, “We tried to recruit a candidate” and couldn’t. Brown and Republican Minority GOP Chairman Phillip Brown said Tuesday night that they met with a prospective candidate they tried to recruit but failed to convince him to run in the heavily Democratic majority-minority district. They told executive committee members that they are actively looking for a candidate in neighboring House District 52, where the incumbent is John Rogers (D-Birmingham) is 83 years old and “tied up in the same corruption scandal as Plump.” Plump has admitted receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in community improvement grants for a rec league that he ran from Rogers. Plump admitted then paying roughly half of that money to Rogers’ longtime legislative assistant, Varrie Johnson Kindall, with whom he claims was romantically involved. Ms. Kindall is facing 21 federal indictments for her role in this alleged corruption conspiracy. “We don’t know that there is going to be an opening (in HD52), but we want to be ready if there is,” Chris Brown said. At this point, Rep. Rogers has not been indicted and has denied any wrongdoing. The eventual winner in HD55 will serve for the remainder of Plump’s term and will have to face the voters in 2026 like the rest of the Alabama Legislature. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Democratic Primary in House District 55 is Tuesday
Democratic voters in House District 55 go to the polls on Tuesday to elect their candidate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of State Representative Fred Plump (D-Fairfield). Kenneth Coachman, Travis Hendrix, Ves Marable, Cara McClure, Phyllis E. Oden-Jones, Sylvia Swayne, and Antwon Bernard Womack are all running in the special Democratic primary. This is likely a winner-take-all primary as no Republican qualified in this Birmingham area majority-minority district. Kenneth Coachman is the former Mayor of Fairfield. He was elected as Mayor in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. Fairfield was hit hard by the Great Recession, and even Wal-Mart moved out of the city. Coachman works at Miles College as the chief of staff to the President. Travis Hendrix has a degree from Miles College and a master’s degree from Oakland City University. He is a former school resource officer and served on a task force dedicated to the public housing community. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels have all endorsed Hendrix. Ves Marable is a musician. He has a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a doctorate from UAB. He has held a number of major positions with state government, including serving on the Pardons and Parole Board. He has served on the Fairfield City Council. Marable has been endorsed by the powerful Alabama Democratic Conference as well as the Progressive Democratic Council and the United Mine Workers of America. Sylvia Swayne is the first openly trans candidate in the state of Alabama. He identifies as a woman. Sylvia is endorsed by LPAC, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to electing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) women and nonbinary people to public office, and by former State Rep. Patricia Todd. Swayne has 30,000 followers on TikTok. Swayne has a degree from the University of Alabama. Cara McClure founded the nonprofit Faith & Works, whose goal is to bridge the gap between the faith community and social activists. She co-founded the Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter. She worked for Bernie Sanders during his 2016 presidential campaign. She studied at Jacksonville State and Alabama State. Phyllis E. Oden-Jones is a retired Birmingham Police senior detective. She is a veteran politician who has served on the Fairfield City Council. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UAB. Antwon Bernard Womack is a perennial candidate. Womack has a Master’s in business administration from Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business Administration and a bachelor’s in economics from Yale University. He has some experience as a union organizer. Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. is also the deadline for any independent or minor party candidates to turn in all of their filled-in paperwork, including the necessary ballot access petitions, to the Secretary of State office. Rep. Plump resigned after he pleaded guilty to corruption charges involving kickbacks to a longtime legislative aide for State Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham). The polls open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday and close at 7:00 p.m. HD55 voters who wish to participate in this special election must bring a valid photo ID to the polls. There is no same-day registration in Alabama, and voters must vote only at the polling place they are assigned. The special general election will be on January 9. If necessary, there will be a special Democratic primary on October 24. This is one of three open seats in the Alabama House of Representatives. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
HUD Secretary Fudge announces $50 million grant to revitalize neighborhoods in Birmingham
On Wednesday, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge came to Birmingham to announce a $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) Grant to revitalize the Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont neighborhoods. Fudge made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday morning, where she was joined by Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07), Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) President and CEO Dontrelle Young-Foster, as well as community members. The historic funding will be used to construct nearly one thousand mixed-income affordable housing units. “This is a truly exciting and historic day for the City of Birmingham!” said Rep. Sewell. “With this monumental $50 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, we will be able to revitalize the historic Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont neighborhoods with new, affordable housing units. Not only will this project allow residents to live more comfortably and affordably, but it will attract millions in new investments. I want to thank Mayor Woodfin, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, and the Birmingham City Council for their collaboration on this important project. We are so grateful to Secretary Fudge for traveling to Birmingham and the entire Biden-Harris Administration for continuing to pour into our communities.” “This investment represents HUD’s commitment to creating new housing for Birmingham residents and communities across the country,” said HUD Sec. 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.” “This $50 million grant will be transformative for the Smithfield community and its residents,” said Mayor Woodfin on Facebook. “The City of Birmingham will match these grant funds with $35 million over 8 years.” “The City plans to purchase Parker High’s 11 surplus acres of land and make way for the construction of 350 new affordable multi-family units on that land,” Woodfin added. “An estimated 1,100 new affordable housing units will be built across the entire Smithfield community.” Woodfin said the “entire plan is estimated to generate $242 million in new economic activity in our community.” “The awarding of this grant has changed the destiny of our community,” Woodfin said. “With the support of the federal government and our local partners, we will wrap our arms around this area to create a new Smithfield, one that honors its rich legacy as well as being a pioneer for innovative neighborhoods for the future.” The $50 million in funding is part of a $370 million nationwide investment by the Biden Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development. HABD received the maximum possible award under the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program, which helps revitalize and transform distressed public and/or assisted housing and neighborhoods across the country. The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) and the City of Birmingham were awarded a $50,000,000 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant for the Smithfield Court public housing property and surrounding Smithfield, College Hill, and Graymont neighborhoods. The City of Birmingham and the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District have led a community-driven effort to change the narrative for the Smithfield, College Hill, and Graymont neighborhoods. The resulting plan for neighborhood investment was written with input from residents and community stakeholders. Their plan aligns with other once-in-a-generation investments, including a $10.8 million Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, a planned workforce/high-tech library hub, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Blazer Core’ City as Classroom,’ Live Health Smart Alabama expansion area programs, and 60 new for sale homes. Choice Neighborhoods hopes to build on this local momentum as part of a larger effort to transform these historic neighborhoods into areas of opportunity for generations to come. The Choice Neighborhoods Transformation Plan calls for redeveloping the 456 severely distressed public housing units that comprise the 88-year-old Smithfield Court. The new Smithfield Court will include 920 new mixed-income apartments for families and seniors, including a one-for-one replacement of the original public housing units. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge to visit Birmingham today
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge will visit Birmingham today to make a major announcement. She will be joined by Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Sec. Fudge is expected to announce a major federal investment in affordable housing and community development. “I look forward to welcoming Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge to the City of Birmingham this Wednesday and to participate in the major announcement and tour,” said Rep. Sewell. “I have been working with the City of Birmingham to address the housing needs in the Smithfield, College Hills, and Graymont neighborhoods. If awarded, this funding would be the catalyst for transformational change in the City of Birmingham.” Secretary Fudge is the 18th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Secretary Fudge served as U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio from 2008 to March 9, 2021. She was a member of several Congressional Caucuses and past Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. In 1999, Secretary Fudge was elected the first female and first African American mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, a position she held for two terms. As a former mayor, Secretary Fudge has seen firsthand the need for economic development and affordable housing. She prioritized improving the City’s tax base and expanded opportunities for affordable housing. Secretary Fudge’s career in public service began in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, rising to the rank of Director of Budget and Finance. While the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area remains the largest metro area in the state, Birmingham itself has been in a long slow decline since its zenith at over 340,900 people in 1960. Today Birmingham has a population of just over 192,557. Fast-growing Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama. Montgomery, though also in decline, has a slightly larger population than Birmingham. Recent annexation elections in Mobile mean that that city has vaulted into second place ahead of both Birmingham and Montgomery. Birmingham officials are eager to address the decaying housing problem as well as crime in order to stem the tide of migration out of the city limits. Fudge will join Woodfin, Sewell, and community leaders at a press conference to announce the expected federal investment in affordable housing for the city. They will also be joined by Dontrelle Young-Foster, President, and CEO of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD), and Karen Lawrence, Smithfield Court Resident. The announcement is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. CT in the Smithfield Court Community. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Officials: 1 of 2 firefighters shot at Alabama firehouse dies
One of two firefighters shot at an Alabama firehouse over what police suspect was a personal conflict has died, officials said. Jordan Melton died Monday, fire officials said. Melton and Jamal Jones were shot last week while on duty at a Birmingham firehouse. Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said Tuesday that police were still trying to determine a motive for the shooting but continue to believe it was a targeted attack. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said in a statement announcing Melton’s death that officials were “exhausting every resource to find answers and justice for Jordan’s loved ones.” “Jordan paid the ultimate price for his service to our city. We will not let that sacrifice be in vain,” he said. Police have said the shooter entered the station on July 12 through an open bay door just after Melton and Jones started their shifts. At least one other firefighter was in the station during the attack and was not hurt. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
