When I was a young business person four major banks were headquartered in Birmingham: First National Bank, Birmingham Trust National Bank, Exchange Security Bank, and Central Bank. These banks eventually morphed into AmSouth, SouthTrust, Regions, and Compass.
Category Archives: David Sher posts
Gun violence epidemic in parts of B’ham: View from UAB Trauma Center

Today’s guest blogger is Dr. Jeffrey Kerby.
If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
Something needs to be done for the communities in or around Birmingham experiencing a dramatic increase in gun violence. Continue reading Gun violence epidemic in parts of B’ham: View from UAB Trauma Center
Has my Mountain Brook friend lost his mind?

I was startled when I received the following e-mail from a young Mountain Brook friend…
“How do you think it would go over if I suggested an alternative proposal to direct the proposed Mountain Brook property tax increase to Birmingham City Schools?” Continue reading Has my Mountain Brook friend lost his mind?
Birmingham mayors prove to the world we’re not bonkers
Paying attention to feedback from others with a broader point of view often offers insight.
That’s particularly true when it’s The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Brookings Institution, and the Milken Institute. Continue reading Birmingham mayors prove to the world we’re not bonkers
Birmingham not worst place to live in America

I’m sick and tired of some people saying how bad Birmingham is.
I love our Birmingham region!
I constantly meet folks, who move here ‘kicking and screaming,’ but later refuse out of state job opportunities and retire here. Continue reading Birmingham not worst place to live in America
YMCA stabbed Vestavia Hills in the heart

This is a tough time.
I’m hurt, disappointed and am feeling pain like many of my Vestavia Hills YMCA friends. Continue reading YMCA stabbed Vestavia Hills in the heart
Alabama: Stagnant and poorly educated (3 creative ideas)

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Alabama grew by about 12,751 people last year.
That’s less than a sellout crowd at Coleman Coliseum where Alabama plays basketball.
Continue reading Alabama: Stagnant and poorly educated (3 creative ideas)
Gardendale, Irondale, & Fultondale: The devil made us do it!

The national media continue to beat us up–First The New York Times and now The Wall Street Journal.
In December of last year, The New York Times wrote a piece subtitled, “Nashville and others are thriving…while cities like Birmingham, Ala., fall behind.”
Continue reading Gardendale, Irondale, & Fultondale: The devil made us do it!
Could be the biggest day in modern Birmingham history

April 3, 2019 could be the biggest day in Birmingham history.
This is not an exaggeration.
Our region has historically been plagued with distrust and dysfunction. Continue reading Could be the biggest day in modern Birmingham history
Time for Birmingham to take advantage of Nick Saban

A good friend of mine was lamenting that his daughter was getting ready to graduate from the University of Alabama, but was moving to Dallas to begin her career and would probably never come home. Continue reading Time for Birmingham to take advantage of Nick Saban