Category Archives: Guest columnist

Now is Birmingham’s time for major league sports

Jay Taylor
Jay Taylor

By Jay Taylor

I promised David that I’d write a column demonstrating why Birmingham’s ready for a major league professional sports team.

But do I really believe that?

The numbers seem to back it up. We have nearly 1.4 million people in our combined statistical area. That’s more than major league cities New Orleans and Buffalo, New York – and tied with Memphis. Continue reading Now is Birmingham’s time for major league sports

He built a billion dollar company in Birmingham: So can you!

Shegun Otulana sold his Birmingham company for $1.25 billion

By Keight Staub

Shegun Otulana’s name should sound familiar.

I encourage you to check out the Comeback Town article which profiled Shegun’s entrepreneurial success—specifically, how Shegun sold his former business, Therapy Brands, for $1.25 billion and made a name for himself in Birmingham and beyond. Continue reading He built a billion dollar company in Birmingham: So can you!

Four men of different races, 2 black/2 white, find inspiration at Fish Market Restaurant

Left to right:: George Stewart, Al Lewis, Charlie Beavers (author),Not pictured: Mike Ousley
Left to right:: George Stewart, Al Lewis, Charlie Beavers (author), Not pictured: Mike Ousley

Today’s guest columnist is Charlie Beavers.

We are a nation which is divided in just about every respect and institution.

This has been evidenced by the recent elections and the many months of rhetoric and discord leading up to the elections. Continue reading Four men of different races, 2 black/2 white, find inspiration at Fish Market Restaurant

A new skyline for Birmingham

Mobile skyline with RSA Battle House Tower, the tallest building in the State of Alabama
Mobile skyline with RSA Battle House Tower, the tallest building in the State of Alabama

Today’s guest columnist is Jay Taylor.

In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about which Alabama city is the largest in our state.

Population wise, that debate’s laughable. The truth is, more than 21 percent of Alabama’s 5.1 million residents live in metro Birmingham. Continue reading A new skyline for Birmingham

Nick Saban’s dilemma creates million dollar idea for Birmingham entrepreneur

Blake Patterson
Blake Patterson

Today’s guest columnist is Blake Patterson.

As an Ole Miss alum and avid football fan living in Birmingham, I kept hearing then-Alabama football Head Coach Nick Saban lament a recurring problem: fans, especially students, weren’t staying in the stadium for the full game. As Saban pled to students, “We play for four, so stay for four,” I just couldn’t shake the idea that there had to be a way to get fans more engaged at the games. Continue reading Nick Saban’s dilemma creates million dollar idea for Birmingham entrepreneur

Birmingham in line to be South’s next major success story: What’s our brand?

Tom Luckie
Tom Luckie

Today’s guest columnist is Tom Luckie.

When people ask me what Birmingham’s brand should be, I often remind them that a brand isn’t just a logo or a tagline – it’s all the memories and associations people have with our city. Continue reading Birmingham in line to be South’s next major success story: What’s our brand?