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Education has long been a piece of the class and race disparity picture.  As our public school systems in the state of Alabama struggle for funding, the classroom environment is deteriorating for many communities.  This is especially true of poor communities and inner city schools.  Aside from having to come up with money for simple supplies such as textbooks, uniforms and meals for the students, these schools have an especially difficult time attracting new, gifted teachers, many of whom are instead lured into more wealthy school systems in the state or, too often, other states such as Georgia.

Thinking back on my own education (in Georgia), I know that even when I was my most cynical teenaged self, having a good teacher was what made the difference between becoming altogether discouraged and actually hanging in there.  I grew up in a community where schools are valued higher than any other community asset.  Because of that, many of the teachers in the system were exceptional, setting high standards in the classroom and dedicating themselves to getting the very best out of their students.
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Recently, Lynsey Weatherspoon began making the annual trek to Selma, Alabama to participate in and document the events surrounding the anniversary of Bloody Sunday.  Many see Selma as the heartbeat of the Civil Rights Movement.  The March to Montgomery for voting rights first began on Edmund Pettus Bridge, March 7, 1965, but due to violent reactionary response by local and state police on this attempt and the second on March 9, was not finally completed until March 21.  The three marches garnered national attention and spurred President Johnson and Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act.

Lynsey writes: Read more...

The first time I walked into ZaZa, I had no idea I was walking into a memorable experience.  It’s a by-the-slice pizza joint downtown and I’m quite experienced in eating pizza.  New York style, Chicago style, Frozen style, Do-It-Yourself style, Been-In-The-Fridge-Way-Too-Long style, etc.  Little did I know that Roman style had landed in downtown Birmingham and would soon teach me that I still had much to learn in the art of eating pizza. 

While planning my trek through Small Business Birmingham (see Part I) I couldn’t resist an attempt at learning more about how this specialty found a home in our quaint city.  Owners Brian Somershield and Geoff Lockert graciously granted my request to interview them and I was on my way.
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Frank Adams was six years old when he first entered Lincoln Elementary School in 1934.   A decade and a half later-- fresh from a gig with the Duke Ellington Orchestra—he returned to the school as a music instructor.  He imagined the position was a temporary gig, but he would stay at Lincoln for 27 years, ultimately becoming music director for all of Birmingham City Schools.  Today he continues to work as an educator, offering music lessons to new generations of students.  He is also passionate about educating the community about Birmingham’s unique jazz legacy.
In 1978, Dr. Adams was one of the first inductees to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.  He has since served as the Hall of Fame’s Executive Director, and is currently its Director of Education, Professor Emeritus.  He remains an active part of the Hall of Fame’s educational and cultural programs. Read more...