Birmingham, largest implementer of talk technology for babies as young as 4 months old

Ruth Ann Moss
Ruth Ann Moss

Today’s guest columnist is Ruth Ann Moss.

We all want our children—all Birmingham’s children—to have bright futures.

Yet, according to the Brookings Institute, “a child born poor in Birmingham has a 1 in 20 chance of making it to the top income distribution, lagging almost everywhere else in the country.” Continue reading Birmingham, largest implementer of talk technology for babies as young as 4 months old

Nashville punished, a cautionary tale for Birmingham

Nashville BIG Trip luggage tag
Luggage tag from Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce BIG trip to Nashville in 2005

By David Sher

I’m sometimes criticized for comparing Birmingham to Nashville.

But in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s, when I was growing up, Nashville was a smaller city than Birmingham.

My dad used to take me to Rickwood Field to watch the Birmingham Barons play baseball with the Nashville Vols. Continue reading Nashville punished, a cautionary tale for Birmingham

Alabama may be the most pro-Israel state in the country

Richard Friedman
Richard Friedman

Today’s guest columnist is Richard Friedman.

During my long tenure as Executive Director of the Birmingham Jewish Federation, an Israeli Consul General told me something I’ve never forgotten. “You know,” he said. “We consider Alabama the most pro-Israel state in the country.” Continue reading Alabama may be the most pro-Israel state in the country

What do you do when your children are attacked by an Alabama politician?

Karen Musgrove
Karen Musgrove

Today’s guest columnist is Karen Musgrove.

On April 1, 2022, the children at our school, the Magic City Acceptance Academy (MCAA), were attacked.

MCAA, a free public charter school founded in 2021 by BAO (Birmingham AIDS Outreach), opened with 250 students grades 6th through 12th. Continue reading What do you do when your children are attacked by an Alabama politician?

Birmingham, My dream for my hometown

Maury Shevin
Maury Shevin

Today’s guest columnist is Maury Shevin.

If there is any dream that I have for my hometown it is this:

Birmingham, Alabama is a metropolitan area where its young people do not leave home for other cities; rather young people move to Birmingham for its world class job opportunities and vibrancy. Continue reading Birmingham, My dream for my hometown

How Birmingham came within one vote of becoming a major U.S. city

Richard Pizitz
Dick Pizitz

Today’s guest columnist is Dick Pizitz.

In 1969, a future mayor of Birmingham, David Vann, recruited a few people to initiate a quiet campaign to consolidate all of the municipalities and unincorporated areas of Jefferson County into a single combined metropolitan government. Continue reading How Birmingham came within one vote of becoming a major U.S. city

A downtown Birmingham residential project so big it may require its own zip code

Barry Copeland
Barry Copeland

Today’s guest columnist is Barry Copeland.

Back in 2005, the former Birmingham Chamber of Commerce hosted one of its annual BIG Trips (Birmingham Innovation Group) to a competitor city to help our leaders learn lessons from their leaders.

That year in Nashville, guess what we saw under construction?  A 50-story residential building in the heart of downtown.  It was going up a block or two from the Ryman Theater, and within an easy stroll of their “Broadway” entertainment district. Continue reading A downtown Birmingham residential project so big it may require its own zip code

The missing secret sauce for Birmingham’s future

Jacob Rogers
Jacob Rogers

Today’s guest columnist is Jacob Rogers.

Born and raised in the Birmingham metro area, I attended elementary school in Midfield, middle school in Warrior, and high school in Blount County.

After graduating from Samford University in 2009, it took me several months to find an entry-level position. Continue reading The missing secret sauce for Birmingham’s future

I can’t believe I’m hunting $1 billion companies in Birmingham, Alabama

Malcolm McDonald
Malcolm McDonald

Today’s guest columnist is Malcolm McDonald.

“If you want a career in tech, you really need to move to the coast.”

The words rang in my head. “He would know.” I thought. Nestled in the sunny hills of San Francisco, my childhood friend was a product leader at Netflix. Continue reading I can’t believe I’m hunting $1 billion companies in Birmingham, Alabama

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham