Vulcan Community Awards announced, Dia de los Muertos returns and other developments
This holiday season looks like it will be an eventful one for Birmingham.
This month, the Vulcan Park Foundation announced this year’s Vulcan Community Awards honorees, Prosper’s HealthTech Accelerator ends for the 2022 fall season, Dia De Los Muertos returns to Sloss Furnace and the Birmingham Museum of Art introduces a new exhibit.
THE VULCAN COMMUNITY AWARDS 2022
The Vulcan Park Foundation selected seven residents from the Birmingham metro area for this year’s Vulcan Community Awards.
The Vulcan Community Awards recognize those who “exemplify civic pride, leadership and progress,” according to a press release by Vulcan Park and Museum. Awards are split into four categories: game changer, lifetime achievement, hero and servant leadership.
“It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the 2022 honorees for their extraordinary, selfless contributions to our communities,” said Jennifer Chandler, director of development for the Vulcan Park Foundation. “The important legacy these seven individuals have created will impact the lives of many for years to come.”
The foundation received over 100 nominations from residents in Jefferson, Bibb, Chilton, Blount, Walker, St. Clair and Shelby counties, per the press release.
This year’s Vulcans honorees are:
The Vulcans
Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Jesse Lewis a Birmingham visionary entrepreneur
Hero: Bradley Johnson of The Bibb County Sheriff’s Department
Game Changer: Dr. Mark Wilson of Jefferson County Health Department
Servant Leadership: Lawrence Sheffield of Manufacture Good
The Spears
Heroes: Susan Montgomery Clark of The Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Prevention Fund
Game Changers: Josephine Lowery of College Choice Foundation
Servant Leadership: Kelly Greene of Food For Our Journey
Journey Honorees will be recognized at the Vulcan Park Foundation annual reception at The Club in Homewood on Nov. 29.
PROSPER HEALTHTECH ACCELERATOR SEMESTER ENDS
The 2022 Fall Prosper HealthTech Accelerator program will conclude its semester on Nov. 17. The program donated $60,000 to five companies that are “innovating in the healthcare industry” and provided coaching, mentorship and connections to grow their businesses, according to a press release by Prosper. The companies that were selected for the program were BluTapp, OK2StandUP, Dawatek, CLAIRE and Xplosion Technology, per the press release.
“They are building solutions and companies that will not only have a great impact in Birmingham, Jefferson County and Alabama, but nationwide,” said Douglas Watson, managing director of the Prosper HealthTech Accelerator.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
The popular annual tradition Dia de los Muertos is returning to Birmingham for its 20th year at Sloss Furnace on Nov. 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. Hosted by Bare Hands, Inc., a nonprofit arts organization, the festival will feature live music, memorial altars (ofrendas), food trucks, beer, wine, margaritas and non-alcoholic beverages, among other attractions.
Visit barehandsinc.org for tickets and event information.
VOICES SO TRUE
The Birmingham Museum of Art introduced a new exhibit to visitors that pays tribute to Native American history and perspectives. Voices So True: New Native American Art from the Clyde Oyster Bequest will feature different works from Native American artists that explore history and identity, recovering from illness and violence, giving voice to the voiceless and environmental justice through paintings, prints, photographs and basketry, according to the website.
The exhibit will feature the work of seven artists including Wendy Red Star, Kay Walking Star, Eugene Tupahe, Shan Goshorn, Larry McNeil and Norman Akers. The artists are affiliated with various tribal nations including Cherokee, Crow, Asage, Navajo, Osage and Tlingit.
The exhibit will end Jan. 20, 2023.