A Birmingham barbershop–Where men spew hate

Chervis Isom (Photo by Hugh Hunter)

Today’s guest columnist is Chervis Isom.

As a young boy I always enjoyed my visits to the Johnson barbershop on 12th Avenue North in the Norwood neighborhood of Birmingham.

I liked the place because it was a man’s world where men talked about men stuff—sports and politics—and there were no women around to hold them accountable. Continue reading A Birmingham barbershop–Where men spew hate

One of neatest cities in America in Jefferson County

John Hardin
John Hardin
Barry Smith
Barry Smith

Today’s guest columnists are John Hardin and Barry Smith.

It’s really quite unique!

Jefferson County is home to one of the neatest cities in America–a Mayberry-like town that enjoys incredible diversity and embraces that diversity.

Diverse, yet has one of the best, if not the best, school system in Alabama. Continue reading One of neatest cities in America in Jefferson County

Sick and tired of Birmingham being stereotyped as racist

16th
16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham

My wife and I got on the shuttle bus leaving Protective Stadium following a UAB football game.

We walked to the back, sat down, and watched as people boarded.

A young couple, likely UAB students, sat down in front of us. The male was African American and his girlfriend was white. He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.

And then do you know what happened? Continue reading Sick and tired of Birmingham being stereotyped as racist

Life in prison can’t hold this Alabama man down

Jennifer L. Greer
Jennifer L. Greer

Today’s guest columnist is Jennifer L. Greer.

Think about the worst thing you have ever done. Does it define you?

No. And it doesn’t define Daoud Boone, a military vet, theatre major in college, aspiring poet/playwright, and an incarcerated Alabama man serving a life sentence — without parole. Continue reading Life in prison can’t hold this Alabama man down

Opportunity for young Alabama minorities to succeed

Charisse Stokes
Charisse Stokes

Today’s guest columnist is Charisse Stokes.

Since childhood, I’ve been surrounded by few females and minorities in my academic and work environments, unfortunately, that’s typical in the technology field.

Being ‘the only’ black female in the room has encouraged me to expose more women and minorities to tech and innovation fields. Continue reading Opportunity for young Alabama minorities to succeed

Imagine our future if Alabama leaders had vision

Memphis Vaughan

Today’s guest columnist is Memphis Vaughan.

Recently ComebackTown published a column on the  possibilities of a bullet train from Birmingham to Atlanta.

The response on social media was wildly positive.

Hundreds of commenters wanted to know why high speed rail and other visionary projects are dead on arrival in Alabama. Continue reading Imagine our future if Alabama leaders had vision

My heart aches for Birmingham’s old music scene

Terry Barr
Terry Barr

Today’s guest columnist is Terry Barr.

Recently a friend sent me a copy of Blake Ells’ history of Birmingham music, Magic City Rock: Spaces and Faces of Birmingham’s Scene.

It’s a cool read, especially if, like me, you haven’t lived in Birmingham for decades and, at best, have only heard rumors of the continuing Rock and Pop and DIY music scene. Continue reading My heart aches for Birmingham’s old music scene

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham