1st time JeffCo white men executed for murder of Black

Jay Glass
Jay Glass

Today’s guest columnist is Jay Glass.

Within central Jefferson County near Forestdale there is a wooded elevated area, which at only 699 feet above sea level, belies its name of “Cat Mountain.”

It was there on June 16, 1911 that a Black man named John Holland came to his death at the hands of several white men. Continue reading 1st time JeffCo white men executed for murder of Black →

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 →

Birmingham haters—Eat your hearts out

2013 World Games Cali, Colombia. (Photo compliments of World Games)

By David Sher

When I first began publishing ComebackTown ten years ago, comments were often dominated by the Birmingham haters and the so called CAVE people—Citizens Against Virtually Everything.

Birmingham was going nowhere and the Birmingham haters were relentless. Continue reading Birmingham haters—Eat your hearts out →

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 →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham