- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: programintake@usda.gov




The legacy of Juneteenth is more. It is more than just a holiday, and it is more than just a celebration of freedom. The legacy of Juneteenth is a statement about freedom. As this holiday recognizes the delayed freedom of enslaved Americans, the legacy left behind is a timeless message: Freedom will not be celebrated, nor declared, until the last of us are free.
This message, which I see as an admirable refusal, emerged in 1865 and is more relevant than ever in 2026. In Woodlawn, we are accepting it as a charge—a charge to refuse to declare freedom until the Last Place has crossed the finish line. We recognize and acknowledge that freedom—whether financial, physical, spiritual, or mental—is incomplete when only a portion of our community has it. This is a part of the legacy we are building.
For the past year, I have had the opportunity to work on the Programs Team, and I believe it is safe to say that, in everything we do, we celebrate the Last Place. With our hands and our hearts invested in more than 30 programs throughout the Kingston-Woodlawn community, we are doing everything in our power to ensure that no child, no adult, and no soul is left behind.
The week of Juneteenth also marks the beginning of two new programs that reflect what celebrating the Last Place looks like in practice. Through Read 2 Rise, we are walking alongside children who have fallen behind in reading and math, providing individualized support so they are not left to navigate those gaps alone. Through the Navigators Program, we are pairing young people with mentors who can help them build confidence, find direction, and feel supported beyond the classroom. These programs are not just about tutoring or mentorship. They are about refusing to let a child’s future be determined by the gaps around them.
After all, that is what it is about—the one child left out, the one adult left behind, the one heart that needs healing. Our programs are designed to help residents find freedom through education, well-being, and a stable community. If freedom is more about inclusivity and equity than the declaration itself, we must be willing to ask the harder questions:
What does freedom look like if a child cannot read?
What does freedom look like for someone who does not have access to healthy food?
What does freedom look like for someone who cannot afford housing?
It looks incomplete. It feels unfinished.
As we walk into Juneteenth, we accept its message with pride. We celebrate the Last Place not because it is last, but because no community reaches its full potential until the Last Place has crossed the finish line.

We believe every week is Small Business Week. But Birmingham is making it official this week, and Woodlawn has real reason to celebrate.
Small businesses are not a nice-to-have in a neighborhood. They are the neighborhood. The barbershop or salon where people catch up on what’s really happening. The restaurant where families mark their milestones. The boutique that carries the aesthetic of a block that’s been here longer than any chain store could imagine. These aren’t just places to spend money. They’re places where community gets made, one transaction and one conversation at a time.
Think about what happens when a locally owned business opens on a corridor that’s been vacant for years. The street feels different. People slow down. They notice. And when those dollars stay local, when a Woodlawn resident spends money at a Woodlawn business, those dollars circulate through the neighborhood before they leave. That’s not a theory. That’s how economic ecosystems work. Research consistently shows that locally owned businesses recirculate a significantly larger share of revenue back into the local economy than national chains do. Every dollar spent locally can generate two to three times the economic impact of that same dollar spent at a chain store. That’s real money, staying in real hands, in this community.
But the conversation about small business has to go deeper than foot traffic and tax revenue. The real work, the work we’re focused on at Woodlawn United, is about economic mobility. Who owns these businesses? Are residents moving from consumer to creator? From worker to owner? When a neighborhood resident opens a business, they’re not just generating income for their family. They’re building an asset. They’re creating jobs for their neighbors. They’re showing the next generation that there is a pathway here, right here, on this street, in this zip code, to build something that lasts.
That’s what’s at stake when we talk about small business development in a place like Woodlawn. It’s not just about filling storefronts. It’s about changing the trajectory of families.
So, this week, we’re celebrating the businesses already here and doing the work: the food spots, the service providers, the nonprofits that operate with the discipline and drive of any small business, the creatives turning their craft into commerce. And we’re continuing to build the infrastructure, the resources, the relationships, the recruitment, that brings more aligned businesses into this community.
The foundation is here. The momentum is real. And every small business that opens, survives, and thrives in Woodlawn is proof of what’s possible when a community decides to invest in itself.
Come shop local. Come eat local. Come see what we’re building.

This week reminded me exactly why I love what I do. Our Programs Team at Woodlawn United hosted Rise and Thrive Camp: Thrive Week—a week of engaging, structured activities designed for children who were out of school for intersession, or as many call it, “fall break.”
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, the Kingston Community Recreation Center became a place where children could learn, create, and connect in a safe and joyful environment.
Tuesday was Takeoff Tuesday, and it truly lived up to its name. We “took off” from the gym and headed to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute with 50 children and nearly 25 parents plus our amazing program coordinators, HABD staff, interns, and UAB student volunteers!
For many, it was their very first visit to the Institute. Watching their faces light up as they connected history to their present lives was nothing short of powerful. These moments—of discovery, reflection, and inspiration—are what make community programming so worthwhile.
Creating Safe Spaces That Heal
This week, I witnessed more than fun and field trips, I saw transformation. The Rec Center became a safe haven.
Children found protection there from the ills of the street, the instability of home, and the pressures that often come with growing up in challenging environments. Inside those walls, they found mentorship, compassion, structure, and a sense of belonging.
That’s the beauty of programs like these: they don’t just fill time—they fill hearts. They nurture confidence, build resilience, and connect community across generations.
The Work Ahead
This experience also solidified something I’ve long known: our communities need more.
We need:
• After-school programs that extend safety, structure, and learning beyond the school day. • Volunteer literacy coaches to help children strengthen their reading and comprehension. • Funding to support field trips, enrichment experiences, and exposure opportunities—museums, fine dining, CEO conversations, and career exploration visits.These experiences protect and empower our youth. They inspire them to dream bigger and aim higher.
I love my job because it allows me to witness growth, unity, and joy every single day. I see parents and children laughing together, elders guiding youth, and neighbors turning into a community family.
Programs like these build bridges—between people, between generations, and between hope and opportunity.
That’s why programs matter. That’s why I’ll always advocate for them.
LaShunta “Shun” Boler
Chief Programs Officer, Woodlawn United
Shun is a visionary leader and community advocate with over 20 years of experience in social wellness, urban education, and community development. As the Chief Programs Officer at Woodlawn United, she leads initiatives that strengthen families, empower youth, and foster intergenerational connections across the Woodlawn–Kingston footprint.
Shun is deeply passionate about creating programs that offer safe spaces, build resilience, and expose children and families to opportunities beyond their everyday experiences. Known for her trauma-informed approach and compassionate leadership, she believes that when communities are given access, they find the power to transform themselves.


This groundbreaking was years in the making, and worth the wait.
The vision for these homes began back in 2019. Then came the global pandemic. Plans slowed, costs climbed, and progress came to a halt. But the need for safe, affordable housing in Woodlawn never went away.
When the world opened back up, our team went back to work. Staff members Joe Ayers and Leigh Hancock re-engaged every partner and renegotiated every detail. Their persistence ensured the project stayed alive. And in many ways, the delay brought an unexpected silver lining. With time came new opportunities for support. The City of Birmingham and the Alabama Housing Finance Authority stepped in with additional resources, strengthening the project for the future.
Last week, that persistence paid off. More than 100 neighbors, stakeholders, elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofit partners gathered, some traveling from as far as Huntsville, to witness the groundbreaking at The Cottages on Georgia Road. What could have been just another ceremony became a true community celebration.
“This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It’s the beginning of new possibilities for families in Woodlawn. We are deeply grateful to our partners who share our vision of creating thriving, connected communities.”
— Mashonda S. Taylor, President & CEO, Woodlawn United
This milestone was made possible through the power of partnership. Together with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the City of Birmingham, SouthState Bank, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Syms Contractors, Dynamic Civil Solutions, and Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds, we are building toward a vision where every resident has access to safe, affordable housing and a true sense of belonging.
The Cottages are more than buildings. They represent stability for families, opportunity for growth, and a future where Woodlawn continues to thrive. What began as plans on paper is now a living promise, a promise that together, we can create homes that nurture both people and community.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when people stay committed, remain present, and continue showing up for their community.
At Woodlawn United, we’ve spent the last 15 years walking alongside neighbors, partners, and advocates with a shared vision: to help this community thrive in place. That vision has taken shape not just through plans and programs, but through people. People who serve. People who lead. People who believe.
One of those people is Mashonda Taylor.
Thirteen years ago, Mashonda joined Woodlawn United as an office administrator. Today, she serves as President and CEO. Her steady commitment over the years has helped shape the organization’s growth and deepen its connection to the neighborhood we serve.
“Every step of this journey has been guided by trust, community, and an unwavering belief in the power of place.” — Mashonda TaylorHer exceptional leadership has garnered widespread recognition. In 2023, she was named Non-Profit CEO of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal. She is also a 2023 Leadership Birmingham Class member, a Class I member of the Alabama Leadership Initiative, a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham, a 2025 Mosaic Fellow with Mosaic Changemakers, and a charter member of the National Council of Negro Women – Birmingham Chapter.
Her path is just one part of the story, but it reflects the values that have made our progress possible: consistency, humility, and a commitment to the people who make up Woodlawn.
Over a Decade of Steady GrowthOver the last 15 years, we’ve worked together to make long-term, community-rooted progress. Here’s what that progress looks like:
On Saturday, October 4, we’ll gather to celebrate 15 years of Woodlawn United at our signature event, Woodlawn Saturday Supper. This isn’t just a meal. It’s a moment to reflect, reconnect, and honor the people and progress that got us here.
We’ll be back on the block at Woodlawn Street Market with food, music, storytelling, and space for neighbors and partners to come together.
Want to see what makes this event special?
Catch the energy from last year on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBJl6ymRzdP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate how far we’ve come and look ahead to what’s possible next.