The Squadron’s new partner, a grocery store plan, the mayor’s team, Promise applications
In City Beat this month, we bring word of a unique educational partnership between the Birmingham Squadron basketball team and Miles College.
We also have news regarding a push by the city of Birmingham to attract more grocery stores, the appointees on Mayor Randall Woodfin’s transition team and help for local agencies and nonprofits from the United Way of Central Alabama.
Squadron Teaches Sports
Birmingham’s first professional basketball team, Birmingham Squadron, will start teaching college students about the sports industry.
The NBA G-League team announced in a press release that Miles College, the historically Black university in Fairfield, will be Birmingham Squadron’s new official HBCU partner.
Students will learn about business in the sports industry through advice and insight from professionals working in Birmingham Squadron’s front office.
“We are excited to bring Miles College on board with us for our inaugural season,” David Lane, general manager of business operations for Birmingham Squadron, said in a press release.
“Miles College students will have a very unique opportunity to see the ins and outs of what it’s like to work in professional basketball, and more specifically what all it takes to launch a new team in Birmingham. Our goal is to give these students a boost to the start of their careers in the wonderful world of sports, and we look forward to seeing where their careers take them in the years to come.”
Students planned to attend Birmingham Squadron’s Sports Industry Night on Jan. 31, as well as HBCU Night on Feb. 12, according to the release.
“Miles College is proud to partner with Birmingham Squadron as their official HBCU,” Miles College President Bobbie Knight said in the release. “This type of hands-on workforce training is exactly what our students need. It gives them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience from professionals in the business. We are confident that it will lead to a sustainable career for those interested in working in the sports industry.”
The Birmingham Squadron started its inaugural season in November, winning its first game against the Greensboro Swarm.
For more information, go to birmingham.gleague.nba.com.
Seeking grocery stores
Birmingham could potentially see more grocery store openings. In a press release, the city of Birmingham announced a $2 million dollar budget for grocery store recruitment.
The $2 million budget is part of the $12.9 million recovered by the city after refinancing its bond debt with the Commercial Development Authority.
The budget will be used to recruit at least two grocery stores in underserved areas such as West Birmingham.
“When we talk about neighborhood revitalization, part of that conversation has to always include our citizens being in proximity to healthy food,” Woodfin said in a press conference. “We have too many food deserts throughout our city, and that’s unfortunate and unfair for our citizens.”
The city will establish a citywide supermarket program that will identify potential sites, determine developmental assistance needs and simplify the review process for grocery retailers, according to the press release.
“I am excited about the potential of residents having access to stores brimming with fresh vegetables, fruits and meats,” Cornell Wesley, director of Innovation and Economic Opportunity for the city of Birmingham, said in a press release. “We see the value in investing in our communities and believe grocers will, too.”
The city will also work to leverage analytics to create recruitment presentations for potential retailers and identify community spending trends.
The mayor’s new team
The mayor announced new subcommittee co-chairs for the city’s transition team, which will help form Woodfin’s second term.
The team will be in charge of finding ways to improve the quality of life in Birmingham.
“Our goal with this transition team is to look at what we’re doing as a community and where we need to go,” Woodfin said in a statement. “The people of Birmingham did not give me a second term to maintain the status quo. They gave me a second term so we can shift to an even higher gear to move this city forward.”
The team’s first 100 days will be spent creating a “road map” for enacting
Woodfin’s Vision 2025 plan. The plan is meant to address Woodfin’s goals for Birmingham during his second-term including reimagining public safety, realizing the city’s economic potential, investing in people and renewing a commitment to neighborhoods.
Subcommittee co-chairs include:
► Education and Talent: Ashley Samuels, CEO, Birmingham Education Foundation and Waymond Jackson, CEO, ED Farm.
► Neighborhood Housing and Homelessness: Kelleigh Gamble, executive director, Neighborhood Housing Services and Anne Rygiel, executive director, Firehouse Shelter.
► Accountable and Efficient Government: Brian Giattina, chief development officer, BLOX and Merrill Stewart, president and CEO, Stewart Perry Construction.
► Entrepreneurship and Economic Development: Khadijah Abdullah, vice president for economic development, Shipt and Greg Barker, CEO, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
► Arts, Culture and Entertainment: Kathryn Harbert, philanthropist and Eric Essix, artist.
United Way Helps Out
United Way of Alabama donated $26.6 million in aid to more than 71 UWA organizations for 2022, according to a press release.
Four hundred thirty-eight volunteers reviewed applications for qualification.
“This year, the impact of COVID-19 on staff, clients and fundraising remained a top concern for many of the agencies that applied,” Sarah Newell, senior vice-president of community impact for United Way, said in the press release. “They also expressed concern about being able to retain qualified staff to keep up with the demand for services caused by the pandemic.”
Recipients of the money included AIDS Alabama, Pathways, Safehouse of Shelby County and YWCA, among others.
For more information go to uwca.org.
Applying for The Promise
Birmingham Promise began accepting applications in January for scholarships for seniors in Birmingham City Schools who will start college next fall.
Birmingham Promise provides up to four years of tuition assistance for graduates of city schools. The scholarships can be used at any public two-year or four-year college or university in Alabama.
The program also provides students with coaches to help them succeed in college.
“Even if seniors aren’t sure of their post-graduation plans, we urge them to complete this application,” Rachel Harmon, executive director of Birmingham Promise, said in a news release. “You can complete the application and ultimately choose not to accept tuition assistance from Birmingham Promise. Completing the application just makes sure you keep this option on the table.”
Students have until June 1 to complete the Birmingham Promise application, but Harmon encouraged seniors to get an early start.
Part of the application process is completing the Free Application for Student Aid form, which is commonly referred to as FAFSA. The priority deadline for FAFSA is March 1, and meeting that deadline ensures students receive maximum assistance.
In addition, starting this year, the state of Alabama is requiring FAFSA completion for high school seniors. Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Mark Sullivan said that is an added reason for students to move quickly.
“It’s critical for all students to fill out the FAFSA paperwork, and for Birmingham students, completing FAFSA also is a critical step in getting a Birmingham Promise scholarship,” Sullivan said.
Since 2020, Birmingham Promise has provided tuition assistance or coaching services to 800 Birmingham graduates.
Woodfin, whose administration launched Birmingham Promise, encouraged parents, grandparents and others to make sure all students take advantage of the program.
“Our goal is to make a college education accessible and affordable for all our Birmingham students,” Woodfin said. “Birmingham Promise is our commitment to our students that money will not be the obstacle that keeps them from going to college.”
To find an application, go to birminghampromise.org/scholarships. Students and parents can also call 205-843-5967 for assistance.
– Jesse Chambers contributed to this report.