Category: Uncategorized

The Power of We: Bekah Fox

Posted on July 20, 2022

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.

The Power of WE: Jason Avery

Posted on July 13, 2022

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.

Woodlawn Welcomes U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

Posted on July 1, 2022

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.

HUD Regional Administrator Visits Woodlawn

Posted on June 3, 2022

Woodlawn United welcomed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator for the Southeast (Region 4) Jose A. Alvarez on Thursday, June 2, 2022. During his visit, Alvarez toured Woodlawn with Woodlawn United Executive Director Mashonda Taylor and Woodlawn United Real Estate Director Joe Ayers to see first-hand the revitalization work in the neighborhood. He also launched the Our Way Home campaign in the Southeast with a press conference and roundtable discussion at SocialVenture in Woodlawn. Dr. Meghan Venable-Thomas, Director of Community Development representing Mayor Woodfin, and Melinda Williams, District Director representing Congresswoman Sewell, as well as local elected officials and leaders from the nonprofit community, including Mashonda Taylor and Joe Ayers, joined the roundtable. Regional Administrator Alvarez held his Our Way Home launch event in Woodlawn to spotlight Woodlawn United’s affordable and mixed-income housing developments. He highlighted The Park at Wood Station, a townhouse-style development comprised of 64 homes designed to fill the need for high-quality, affordable housing in the Woodlawn community, and The Cottages at Wood Station, twelve single-family market-rate homes designed after bungalows that are original to the area and developed in partnership with ARC Realty, Design Initiative, and Drake Homes. Our Way Home is a new initiative created by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. The campaign uplifts the unique housing supply successes in local communities and connects cities, counties, Tribal communities, states, and U.S. Territories to the tools and resources needed to help preserve and produce affordable housing in their area. Read more about Our Way Home: https://www.hud.gov/ourwayhome.

9 Fellows Graduate from (WE) Lead Fellowship Program

Posted on May 13, 2022

In October 2021, a cohort of 9 fellows began their leadership development journey in Woodlawn United’s Woodlawn Effect Fellowship Program with the desire to improve the community and give voice to traditionally underrepresented community members. After participating in 14 weeks of sessions centered around developing skills such as effective communication and team-building and learning subject matter including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Economic Development, the fellows celebrated their commencement with friends and family at SocialVenture on May 11th, 2022. The evening was a powerful testament to the Fellows’ growth as leaders and their tremendous passion for the community. (WE) Lead, funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, was developed to address the Woodlawn Community’s gap in access to leadership development opportunities. The fellows’ time in (WE) Lead refined and developed the leadership skills they already possessed and challenged them to step outside their comfort zones. Fellows are not only prepared to assess, identify, and solve problems in the community now; they have already begun developing their plans. As a part of the closing ceremony, each Fellow presented a project that will solve a problem and positively impact the community. Projects included ideas from an outdoor classroom for i3 Academy to new nonprofits that reduce youth violence and help former inmates re-enter society. Special guests J.T. Moore, Councilor, Birmingham City Council, District 4, and Derrick Billups, Board Member, Birmingham City Schools, District 4, joined a leadership panel moderated by (WE) Lead Program Coordinator Myeisha Hutchinson. The panel shared about leaders they admire and their leadership journeys and reminded (WE) Lead Fellows that leadership comes with the responsibility of influence. To close out the evening, Woodlawn United Director of Community Engagement Jason Meadows charged the graduating class to continually challenge themselves to be better, to listen to people and problems, to find a team, and be a voice to the voiceless. Congratulations to the inaugural class of (WE) Lead Fellows: Aimee Castro, Leah Davis, Brenda Holifield, Lamartra January, Valencia King, Timothy Lanier, Sylvia Mooney, Samantha Nelms, and Eric Perry!

Inspiring Wellness Through Place-Making

Posted on February 24, 2022

To close out our focus on Black Health and Wellness this Black History Month, we’re introducing an enthusiastic, passionate place-maker. Meet Jason Avery, a dedicated member of the Woodlawn community and Senior Program Director at UAB School of Public Health. For almost 19 years, Jason has been active in Woodlawn volunteering as a member of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association where he currently serves as the Vice President. He is a longtime member of Grace Episcopal Church and proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Woodlawn United, where his passion for public health combines with WU’s mission to create a pathway to prosperity in Woodlawn through community wellness, equitable housing, and cradle-to-career educational opportunities. Jason studied Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University and later fell in love with the field of Public Health while continuing his education. Through his career, Jason’s goal is to contribute to the public’s health in a meaningful way. He currently works at the UAB School of Public Health as the Senior Program Director of The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy vs Stenting-2 Trial (CREST-2). This trial is an international clinical trial that seeks to determine the best treatment for people who are at risk of stroke but are asymptomatic. His team manages all the data for the trial and serves as a coordination hub for hundreds of sites across the globe. While working to impact international public health, Jason is also passionate about improving overall health and quality of life in Woodlawn. One outlet for this passion is serving as an Urban Main facilitator with Rev Birmingham, a non-profit committed to creating and restoring vibrancy to commercial centers of all sizes. With Urban Main, Jason concentrates on place-making. He works to create quality places where people want to live, work, play, and learn. He works on projects ranging from public art, through Magic City Mural Festival, to landscaping and picking up trash. Jason says, “I believe people thrive in a clean, vibrant, and safe area. When residents feel better about their environment, they get out more and feel safe to exercise. All of this can lead to healthier outcomes.” Jason’s next goal is to fully realize and develop his small business, Cottage Noir. Cottage Noir is guided by its motto: Everyday life elevated. It is a lifestyle concept which finds the intersection of design, drink, food, and fashion. Jason has already launched an earring line with a local Woodlawn jewelry maker, hosted countless happy hours, and hosted an Indian food pop-up event. Now he has his sights set on launching a line of unisex union suits. As his efforts come to fruition, Jason sees residents and visitors utilizing Woodlawn’s murals like outdoor art galleries, residents engaging in cleanup efforts, people walking and running and all sorts of engagement and activity in the community. These shared public spaces will continue to provide an environment for community development to prosper and Woodlawn to thrive.

Woodlawn United Is Hiring Community Connectors

Posted on February 22, 2022

Woodlawn United is looking for individuals who have Woodlawn connections and love their community. $15-$20/hr. Part-time opportunity with potential for growth. Training will be provided. Duties:

Will engage the community door-to-door and by phone.
Inform residents about available programs.
Assist residents with application processes and follow-up.

Requirements:

Enjoy engaging with people
Be vaccinated
Technologically savvy
Have transportation

For more information or to apply, visit https://woodlawnunited.formstack.com/forms/community_connectors or call (205) 599-6963 and ask for Jason.

Servant Leadership Through Medicine

Posted on February 18, 2022

As we continue sharing stories of individuals impacting Black Health and Wellness in our community, we are excited to introduce two driven, caring sisters. Meet Jada and Jordan Ashford, Urban Fellows at Christ Health Center. Jada and Jordan are twins who both graduated with distinction of high academic achievement from Auburn University in May of 2021 with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. While applying for medical school, they are participating in the Urban Fellows Program at Christ Health Center in Woodlawn. Christ Health Center created the Urban Fellows Program to provide hands-on learning opportunities to students who are in a gap year before medical school. Urban Fellows gain experience in direct patient care as medical assistants, while contributing to research projects focused on improving health outcomes for their patients. Jada’s and Jordan’s father and grandfather served as in inspiration in their decision to pursue medicine. Their father, Rowell S. Ashford II, is an OB/GYN in Birmingham, and their grandfather, Rowell S. Ashford, is a retired OB/GYN. When their grandfather began practicing medicine, he faced hardships and obstacles due to many hospitals not granting privileges for African American physicians. He was eventually connected with Cooper Green Mercy Health Services where he was given privileges to begin his practice. Throughout his career, Dr. Ashford worked to integrate Birmingham’s medical community. He trained over two generations of OB/GYN residents at The University of Alabama at Birmingham who are now practicing physicians. He was also recognized as one of the best Gynecologic surgeons in Birmingham. In 2014 he was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame and was distinguished as an Alabama Legend by the Alabama Section of the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Jada and Jordan are incredible reflections of their grandfather’s legacy and are humbled and grateful to follow in his example. Jordan is interested in a career in Pediatrics and is completing her fellowship with the Pediatrics Department. Working at Christ Health Center has been a blessing for her, and she plans to work in an underserved area when she completes medical school. Jordan has been able to serve as an inspiration to her patients and has had to joy of seeing an African American child’s face light up when they proudly told their mother they wanted to be a doctor one day too. Jada is interested in a career in Family Medicine. Her fellowship began working with Family Medicine Residents and has now transitioned to working with a Physician Assistant who mainly provides care for adults. Her fellowship has been a great learning experience in providing servant leadership through medicine. Even if it’s only a 20-minute visit, patients know they are going to see a provider and medical assistant who care about them and want to listen to their needs. Her experiences have taught her to be more aware of how environmental and social factors affect patient health outcomes. Jada and Jordan have both been accepted to medical school and will begin this Fall. Their careers will be framed by the prospective and knowledge from their fellowship in Woodlawn. They both strive to be patient and empathetic providers with a heart for service, seeing the whole person, and meeting all their needs. They are passionate about working in areas that are underserved to ensure everyone has access to the highest quality medical care. Photo credit: @saravanheckephotography

Purpose and Passion: Impacting Youth Health

Posted on February 11, 2022

Continuing our focus on Black Health and Wellness this Black History Month, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to a passionate advocate for student health and wellness. Meet Adrianne Marbury, Program Manager at UAB Adolescent Medicine and Community Engagement Fellow at Birmingham Coalition for Student Mental Health (BCSMH). When you have a foundation built on faith and purpose, you learn respect for family and community. Adrianne gained this framework for thinking about and building community as she grew up attending church in Woodlawn. Her strong passions for health, racial equity, and the next generation drive her work and are grounded in her experiences in Woodlawn. In her work at UAB Adolescent Medicine as the Program Manager for Leadership Education in Adolescent Health, Adrianne helps train physicians, nurses, psychologists, and social work trainees to engage with the community by finding opportunities to develop their understanding of their patients’ backgrounds and lived experiences. Adrianne also serves as the Program Manager for the Division of Adolescent Medicine Youth Advisory Board where she provides opportunities for young people from the Greater Birmingham community to have a voice in issues surrounding their health and wellness. Along with the Youth Advisory Board, Adrianne worked to establish Birmingham Teen Health Week in 2019 to increase recognition of the unique health issues facing teens. They dedicate Birmingham Teen Health Week, hosted each Spring, to addressing those issues by providing access to services, preventative care, counseling, physical activity, nutritional guidance and educational attainment. Motivated by her passion for youth health, Adrianne is deeply invested in many areas of the community. She played an integral role in the establishment of MCH HOPES (Maternal and Child Health, Health Opportunities and Partnership for Educational Success), a mentorship program she started with Dr. Samantha Hill, M.D., MPH, and Dr. Vinetra King, PhD. The program was established 6 years ago and currently operates at Carver High School for 9th-12th grade students. As co-founders and co-operators of the program, their goal is get to know students, put the voice and needs of youth forward, and become part of what motivates the students to do better. In 2020, Adrianne was invited to serve on the Birmingham Coalition for Student Mental Health (BCSMH). The BCSMH emerged as a response to existing concerns regarding mental health as a barrier to student achievement that were intensified through the pandemic, especially in low-income communities of color. Members of the coalition are like-minded individuals who have a heart for families, youth, and communities. They are all supporting young people and families in the community, creating a collective impact and passion, which has been a strength of the coalition. The BCSMH has worked with the Birmingham City Schools Department of Student Support Services who has been a great partner in listening to coalition members and their student voice survey. Adrianne now serves as part of the interim leadership team for BCSMH as the Community Engagement Fellow. The BCSMH leadership team is not just comprised of mental health professionals; it also includes parents and community members who look at young people and see nothing but potential. They want to see every child succeed beyond their wildest dreams. And, in order to succeed, students need to have support from parents, the school system, and the entire community. Another strength of BCSMH is representation from diverse backgrounds, whether LGBTQ, African American, or the Hispanic community. They want to make sure all voices are heard in the community and in the coalition. It’s easy for an advocate or ally to say they understand where you are coming from, but when they have not lived your experience, they don’t know. It’s important to step back and be intentional about framing things and speaking for others if they are not in the room. Working towards her purpose and passions, Adrianne has made a tremendous impact on the Greater Birmingham community. Her work has also led to many life-affirming experiences. She has become a mentor to younger people in the community. They often seek her out for help, guidance, direction, and answered questions. Adrianne says, “There is nothing better than the younger generation looking at my work and saying they want to continue it.” Learn more about and connect with the Birmingham Coalition for Student Mental Health at: https://www.bhamstudentmentalhealth.com/.

Founder of slutty vegan atl expands operations

Posted on December 23, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, AL (December 23, 2020) – Pinky Cole, CEO and Founder of Slutty Vegan ATL, has purchased a building in Birmingham’s Woodlawn community for her first location outside the state of Georgia. Birmingham will be the fourth location for the Atlanta-based restaurant whose comfort-food, plant-based burgers have changed the way people think about vegan food. “I am excited to expand Slutty Vegan outside of Atlanta and into the Woodlawn Community of Birmingham. The Woodlawn area is a culturally rich neighborhood that reminded me of my very first location in the West End of ATL. We specifically wanted to go into food deserts and locations right in the middle of economic and community revitalization,” said, Pinky Cole CEO and Founder of Slutty Vegan ATL. “It feels good to be a black woman in business right now. We are representing black excellence and will continue to do so as we bring Slutty Vegan to Birmingham.” REV Birmingham and Woodlawn Foundation help lead revitalization efforts in the Woodlawn business district, and their teams are working with Cole to build meaningful relationships with the community she will soon serve at her new location on 55th Place, in the heart of Woodlawn’s historic downtown. Cole, now 33, dreamed up the Slutty Vegan concept in summer 2018 and had already launched her first brick-and-mortar location by January 2019. Having established roots in Atlanta, they have made it their mission to provide quality vegan meals to communities that would have otherwise never had these options. Through passion, quality and taste, Slutty Vegan has emerged as the nation’s most recognized and loved 100% plant-based burger. The ear-catching business name is born from the menu’s playful approach to vegan food, and the menu is full of more memorable phrases one must speak to order. For example, Cole’s most popular burger is the “One Night Stand,” a patty loaded with vegan bacon, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato and slutty sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun. “It has truly been an honor to work as the real estate broker on the team that brought the visionary Pinky Cole and Slutty Vegan ATL to the Magic City and the great state of Alabama,” said Abra Barnes, Qualifying Broker at Barnes & Associates. “Pinky understands the power of real estate ownership; it’s a requirement for her when she approaches any new market. By layering ownership with philanthropic work and small business mentorship, she goes into inner city neighborhoods and uses the Slutty Vegan Concepts as a catalyst for revitalization.” Cole purchased the building from REV Birmingham, an economic development and place-based revitalization nonprofit that also owns more commercial property in Woodlawn. REV’s property ownership strategy supports its mission to create vibrant commercial districts in two ways: (1) getting rid of blighting influences and (2) being a catalyst for a business mix that improves residents’ quality of life and provides growth opportunity for small business owners, particularly minority/women-owned or disadvantaged business owners. “I am pleased that REV has been able to sell this property to a business owner who will bring even more personality to this vibrant neighborhood, not to mention a new healthy food option in her approachable vegan menu,” said David Fleming, REV Birmingham President and CEO. “Property ownership by a business owner builds community investment and family wealth, which is good for Woodlawn and Ms. Cole. I wish Ms. Cole and Slutty Vegan much success in Woodlawn and look forward to working with her as a community stakeholder.” Hours after closing on the property, Cole was participating in a virtual meet-and-greet with the residents and business owners of Woodlawn. Slutty Vegan’s philanthropic arm is an additional way Cole’s business model is a good fit for Woodlawn. The Pinky Cole Foundation focuses on empowering generations of color to win in life, financially, and in the pursuit of their entrepreneurial dreams. “At Woodlawn Foundation, our residents lead and guide the work. So, after hearing about Slutty Vegan’s business model from Woodlawn residents J.T. and Alycia Moore, I knew I wanted them in Woodlawn,” said Mashonda Taylor, Executive Director of Woodlawn Foundation. “Their commitment to the people in the communities they serve made them a perfect fit for the Woodlawn community. Slutty Vegan may have chosen Birmingham, but the Woodlawn community also chose Slutty Vegan.” Cole can count celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Usher, Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Will Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence and Missy Elliott among The Slutty Vegan’s customers at her Georgia locations. Slutty Vegan will open in Birmingham in 2021. In the next 18 months, Slutty Vegan is looking to acquire additional properties for a total of 13 locations. About Slutty Vegan Slutty Vegan was founded in the summer of 2018 by Pinky Cole. Having established roots in Atlanta, they have made it their mission to provide quality vegan meals to communities that would have otherwise never had these options. Igniting a national vegan revolution that’s loved by everyone including the world’s most famous celebrities and sport stars such as Snoop Dogg, Usher, Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Will Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Tyler Perry, Martin Lawrence and Missy Elliott, Slutty Vegan is truly changing the way people think about vegan food. Through their passion, quality, and taste, Slutty Vegan has emerged as the nation’s most recognized and loved 100% plant-based burger destination. About REV Birmingham REV Birmingham (REV) is a place-based revitalization and economic development nonprofit with a mission of creating vibrant commercial districts. For more information, visit revbirmingham.org. About Woodlawn Foundation Woodlawn Foundation was founded in 2010 to serve as the lead organization of Woodlawn United, a comprehensive collaboration of partners committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in the Woodlawn community. The Foundation follows the holistic approach to community revitalization based on the three-point model of Purpose Built Communities, which includes a cradle to career/college education pathway, high-quality mixed-income housing, and community wellness. Media Contacts Slutty Vegan Press@sluttyvegan.com Julie McKinney REV Birmingham Julie@revbirmingham.org 251.401.0437 (mobile) Precious Freeman Woodlawn Foundation Precious@woodlawnunited.org 334.714.4180 (mobile)