By David Sher

Before people ever set foot in Birmingham, they are making decisions about us.

Should I move my family to Birmingham?

Should I relocate or start a business there?

Should I visit? Continue reading I Got a Job Offer in Birmingham. Should I Take It? →

By David Sher

I’m currently watching The Pitt, the hit Max series that follows life and death, hour by hour, in a crazy-busy emergency room in a large fictional Pittsburgh hospital. Continue reading Alabama Sabotaging Birmingham Healthcare →

By David Sher

There’s a moment in life when you meet someone and you understand why you get out of bed every morning.

I had one of those moments recently when I ran into a man who told me he’d been reading ComebackTown for years. He was genuinely excited to meet me. But I was more excited to meet him — because he personified everything this column has  been about since it was first published in 2012. Continue reading Leaving Birmingham Wasn’t Rejection—It Was Survival →

By David Sher

I wrote about Sam Tenenbaum, aka The Great Kaiser,  when he passed away last year.

I wrote about my regret, my guilt, my failure to support him.

But I never expected what would happen next–or the lesson he would teach me, and all of us, from beyond the grave. Continue reading The Lesson My Birmingham Friend Taught Me from Beyond the Grave →

By David Sher

One minute we are at the top of the world.

The next, we hit rock bottom.

Where is our confidence?

Where is our self-esteem?

Why do we think it’s okay to be judged by people who don’t know us and don’t care about us? Continue reading Birmingham on a Permanent Emotional Roller Coaster →

By David Sher 

Birmingham’s future depends on doing something unique—a real competitive advantage.

We have that competitive advantage, but when it’s promoted, it becomes surprisingly polarizing.

Continue reading Birmingham Cringes, Montgomery Counts the Money →

By David Sher

I’m dumbfounded.

I’ve written and hosted ComebackTown columns for 14 years on how Birmingham might do better.

Fourteen years of hoping, pushing, and prodding. And then the world turns upside down. Continue reading Time to Pay Close Attention to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin →

By David Sher

I recently met with the CEO of a large private company to discuss how greater Birmingham might progress. He’s a well-known name from a well-known firm.

He was totally engaged in our conversation. He took copious notes and asked thoughtful questions about what I presented. Continue reading Big Problem: Moneyed People in the Suburbs Love Birmingham Too Much →

By David Sher

Let me get this out of the way: Some people are going to accuse me of being a bit too optimistic.

That is all okay.

A dose of optimism is likely what we need. Continue reading Birmingham Doing What No One Thought Possible →