Beacon of hope shines brighter than ever on Birmingham

Sanjay Singh

Today’s guest columnist is Sanjay Singh.

Dora and I moved to Birmingham in 1993. I was a newly minted Ph.D. from University of Georgia, where I met Dr. Khris McAllister, former Chair of the Management Department of Collat School of Business. He invited me for an interview in the fall of 1992. Continue reading Beacon of hope shines brighter than ever on Birmingham

South Carolinian aches for trip back to Birmingham

Terry Barr
Terry Barr

Today’s guest columnist is Terry Barr.

Last week my wife and I ordered some Thai food from one of our neighborhood go-to cafes. We aren’t eating in restaurants until we all get a better handle and some perspective on this pandemic. Continue reading South Carolinian aches for trip back to Birmingham

Is Mountain Brook ready to listen?

Kevin Cornes
Kevin Cornes

Today’s guest columnist is Kevin Cornes.

MB Listens is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization founded by Mountain Brook residents.

We love our community and recognize we are privileged to live here.

We also understand that no place and nobody is perfect.

Mountain Brook has always faced challenges with its reputation regarding diversity, inclusion, and equality. Continue reading Is Mountain Brook ready to listen?

Did it take a pandemic to ignite Birmingham’s economy?

Another gorgeous autumn day in Vestavia Hillls
Another gorgeous autumn day in Vestavia Hills

The pandemic hit and unexpectedly a few of my friends’ children moved back  home to Birmingham—some temporarily and some permanently.

Cities like New York were in lockdown leaving many unfortunate souls imprisoned in their apartments or condominiums. Continue reading Did it take a pandemic to ignite Birmingham’s economy?

85 year old attorney muses about his youth, slavery, white flight, and Alabama constitution

J. Mason Davis
J. Mason Davis
Today’s guest columnist is J. Mason Davis.

I entered high school in January of 1948, at A.H. Parker High School.  I would have entered in September 1948, but the Principal, Bertrand H. Hudson, felt that I had accomplished all I would during the first semester of the Eighth Grade.  Hence, a social promotion, then known as “skipping”. Continue reading 85 year old attorney muses about his youth, slavery, white flight, and Alabama constitution

Alabama’s Klansman Supreme Court Justice

Roger Newman
Roger Newman

Today’s guest columnist is Roger Newman.

Few justices of the U.S. Supreme Court have ever become household names.

To most people they are a gray, anonymous lot, toiling in obscurity despite their obvious importance.

Only one justice has come from Alabama, Hugo Black.  He was more than a great judge and public servant, he was one of the relatively few people whose ideas have truly shaped our country and are still with us. Continue reading Alabama’s Klansman Supreme Court Justice

Mountain Brook could quell critics–benefit its children, parents, and community

Mountain Brook Board of Education
Mountain Brook Board of Education

These are trying times.

A stubborn pandemic and social unrest.

Words matter, but action is required.

The Mountain Brook Board of Education has an opportunity to take an action that could ultimately begin to change the dynamics of our region. Continue reading Mountain Brook could quell critics–benefit its children, parents, and community

Mountain Brook dad ponders white privilege and special needs son

Trotter Cobb
Trotter Cobb

Today’s guest columnist is Trotter Cobb.

I grew up in Tuscaloosa in the 1950s and 1960s. I see now I lived a life of white privilege. My father had a successful business; we lived comfortably and we had a Black maid and a Black yard man.

I grew up thinking of them as if they were members of our family and content to be in such roles. Continue reading Mountain Brook dad ponders white privilege and special needs son

To begin a conversation about a better Birmingham