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 →

1979 Birmingham murder leads to lynching and end of Alabama KKK

Jay Glass
Jay Glass

Today’s guest columnist is Jay Glass.

When you read about lynchings and the KKK in Alabama, you expect to be reading about incidents that happened 100 years ago. But this chain of events happened between 1979 and 1987–just 34 years ago.

Certain acts can have important unintended consequences.

An example of such a profound delayed effect with far-reaching social ramifications would have its origin in downtown Birmingham on the afternoon of November 29th, 1979 in front of Newberry’s in the 200 block of 20th Street North. Continue reading 1979 Birmingham murder leads to lynching and end of Alabama KKK →

100-year-old Birmingham man meets angel two weeks before his death

Ri
Richard Friedman

Today’s guest columnist is Richard Friedman.

Two weeks before he died, Myron Radwin was in his room at Grandview Hospital recovering from surgery when something unexpected happened.

Shortly thereafter, at home and in declining health, Myron and his daughter Holly Mazer, who was in his hospital room that day, recounted the story. Continue reading 100-year-old Birmingham man meets angel two weeks before his death →

Alabama: It’s time for our children to be taught the truth

Billy Field (Photo by Joe Will Field)

Today’s guest columnist is Billy Field.

What’s the first history lesson you ever had?

For me, it was the story of George Washington and the cherry tree. “Yes, mother, I did chop down the cherry tree. I cannot tell a lie.”

Turns out, that story was not true. But parents didn’t tell it for historical fact, they told it for the moral lesson, the importance of telling the truth. Continue reading Alabama: It’s time for our children to be taught the truth →

My life doesn’t revolve around Alabama and Auburn football

Adam Stermer

Today’s guest columnist is Adam Stermer.

I moved to Alabama in High School.

I was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the state, and having spent most of my short lifetime relocating often, I was excited and nervous to begin learning about my new home.

Meeting people and making new friends was a reality I was familiar with, but it’s never easy. While there were expected differences from places I’d lived in the past, one experience stands out. Continue reading My life doesn’t revolve around Alabama and Auburn football →

What can Birmingham claim that no other city in the world has?

Richard Dickerson

Today’s guest columnist is Richard Dickerson.

What can Birmingham claim that no other city in the world has?

Some folks may say it is healthcare…

Others may point out our incredible restaurants.

However, other cities may claim the same.

So what is totally unique to Birmingham? What should be our face to the world? Continue reading What can Birmingham claim that no other city in the world has? →

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham