Who is Valencia King? I’m a Woodlawn Native and I’ve lived here for over 30 years and I’ve seen Woodlawn through all of it’s iterations. I currently serve as the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association President. Also, I’m an alum of Woodlawn High School. What does the Woodlawn Effect mean to you? It’s us, as partners, being daring and problem solving through the efforts we are facilitating to re-energize Woodlawn. It also serves as a model for other residents to take best practices implemented in Woodlawn back to their communities foster their own renaissances. What do you love about Woodlawn? It’s my life, it’s home, it’s family. You don’t really get that feel in the suburbs. When I can go into a local establishment and they know me by name, when I can go on my neighbor’s porch and discuss how our neighborhood is growing, that is something that you can’t simply replicate.

Who is Bekah Fox? I’m just a small town girl… I am a doer, I get anxious if I’m still unless it’s a season of stillness. I have always been compelled to work with people or for people in whatever capacity that means in the moment… What does the Woodlawn Effect mean to you? A healthy community that exists from mixed income, synergy, community partnership, creating equity for new businesses, and ultimately people doing things. What do you love about Woodlawn? I live in East Avondale which is a Woodlawn community. One of the things that I love about Woodlawn is community –in every sense of the word. I would say that residents, business owners, community partners, service providers, and also friends of Woodlawn that’s part of our community. So even if I didn’t live in Woodlawn, I would still identify with it.

Who is Jason Avery? I’m a simple guy that loves his neighborhood. I’ve lived in Woodlawn for 19 years and I’m committed to seeing it thrive. Professionally I work as the Director of International Trial on Carotid Stenting at UAB. I also partner with REV Birmingham which is an organization dedicated to restoring the vibrancy in the commercial corridor of Woodlawn. Lastly, I’m the Vice President for the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association. What does the Woodlawn Effect mean to you? It’s a perfect storm of every organization, resident and business joining together to make Woodlawn one of the most vibrant communities in Birmingham. We’re all on one accord to continue to make that goal a reality. What do you love about Woodlawn? I love the possibilities of Woodlawn. It’s one of the most vibrant and convenient neighborhoods in Birmingham. I’m literally one block from the business district where I can get everything I need without living my neighborhood.

Yesterday, Woodlawn welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to the new Xpress bus rapid transit Eastern Terminal in Woodlawn. Joined by Mayor Woodfin and Congresswoman Sewell, Secretary Buttigieg recognized the progress being made in Woodlawn and the work still needed to better connect communities in our neighborhood, including Harris Homes.   While here, Secretary Buttigieg announced the Reconnecting Communities program, which will grant $1 billion to reconnect communities that were racially segregated by transportation projects. As a community that has been historically disrupted by transportation projects, we are excited for the launch of the Xpress bus rapid transit system that better connects our community to the city.   Thank you to community members who have attended discussions about public transportation in our neighborhood. We look forward to further partnership with the City of Birmingham, REV Birmingham and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority CEO Charlotte Shaw and her team as we endeavor to build transit-oriented development adjacent to the new bus rapid transit site.  Learn more about Secretary Buttigieg’s announcement here.