Category Archives: Guest columnist

Birmingham’s colonial economy

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman

Today’s guest columnist is Daniel Coleman.

Since returning to Birmingham full time in late 2017, I have made a conscious effort to integrate myself into the day-to-day life of my hometown.

I joined the boards of three companies and four non-profits, worked closely with the finance department at City Hall, joined Birmingham-Southern College as an adjunct professor, and then, a year later became its 16th president. Continue reading Birmingham’s colonial economy

Man wakes from 35-year cryogenic freeze to find a new Birmingham

Daniel Coleman
Daniel Coleman

Today’s guest columnist is Daniel Coleman.

On our first date – January 1995 in Chicago – Brooke and I talked about Birmingham.

Although we had both believed we had to leave our shared hometown to start our lives – Smith and graduate school at the University of Chicago for her, Yale and the MBA program at the University of Chicago for me – we also both knew we would move home someday. Continue reading Man wakes from 35-year cryogenic freeze to find a new Birmingham

Birmingham’s best bet for major league sports

John Harbert
John Harbert

Today’s guest columnist is John Harbert.

Birmingham is one of only a few large metros in the U.S. with no major league sports team. (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or MLS)

We have the baseball Barons, the basketball Squadron, and now the football USFL Stallions.

But none will likely lead us to major league sports. Continue reading Birmingham’s best bet for major league sports

Look out Shelby County–Here comes Norwood

Mechelle Sippial Wilder
Mechelle Sippial Wilder

Today’s guest columnist is Mechelle Wilder.

Some 40 years ago, I was a student at Samford University, dating a young pastor of a small Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Norwood.

The church itself was picturesque with its dark hardwood flooring and banisters, beautiful stained-glass windows, and towering ceiling. It set as a sparkling gem amid the deteriorating and crime ridden neighborhood. Continue reading Look out Shelby County–Here comes Norwood

How we’re overcoming distrust that has plagued Birmingham

Jennifer Andress
Jennifer Andress

Today’s guest columnist is Jennifer Andress.

The history of the Birmingham area is a complicated one, to put it mildly.

Regional strife led to thirty-five separate competing municipalities in Jefferson County, each operating for its own benefit. Continue reading How we’re overcoming distrust that has plagued Birmingham

It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Carla Crowder

Today’s guest columnist is Carla Crowder.

The State of Alabama suddenly has a lot of money.

Federal funds are pouring into the state and lawmakers are figuring out right now how to spend this windfall. This is taxpayer money; we should pay attention. Continue reading It’s not too late for Alabama to save $100’s of millions and cut crime

Massive 750 mile trail system planned for Birmingham

Carolyn Buck
Carolyn Buck

Today’s guest columnist is Carolyn Buck.

We are laser-focused on building a massive trail system for Birmingham.

Seven hundred and fifty miles of multi-use trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks to connect Jefferson County residents. Continue reading Massive 750 mile trail system planned for Birmingham

UAB Health System’s new CEO’s vision for Birmingham and Alabama

Dr. Selwyn Vickers
Dr. Selwyn Vickers

Today’s guest columnist is Dr. Selwyn Vickers.

Growing up in Alabama has always been a significant point of pride for me.

Throughout my training years at Johns Hopkins Medicine and my seven years as chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, I knew I would find my way back here. Continue reading UAB Health System’s new CEO’s vision for Birmingham and Alabama

Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet
Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet

Today’s guest columnist is Norman Jetmundsen.

In the country as a whole — and certainly in Alabama — college football is tantamount to a religion.

It’s what people read, write, watch, talk and argue about, not just during the season, but all year round.

It is natural, therefore, that much time and energy is spent in debating who were the greatest teams in the history of the game. Continue reading Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

Atlanta man has crazy bold Elon Musk idea for Birmingham

Wood Hughes
Wood Hughes

Today’s guest columnist is Wood Hughes.

In the early 1890s, a newly married young South Carolina man was looking for a better life than the worn fields and swamps then owned by his family.

He decided to move his Charleston bride to the booming town of Atlanta where he got on with the Atlanta Police Department. Continue reading Atlanta man has crazy bold Elon Musk idea for Birmingham