In 1986, Peter Prinz noticed artists in Alabama did not have many places to exhibit their work. He decided to do something, and the result was Space One Eleven. “Space One Eleven was founded out of cultural isolation,” said CEO and co-founder Prinz. “Back then, there really wasn’t a space like this for artists to show […]

Live theater is a communal experience – a work of art being performed by artists in a dark place packed with people you likely don’t know, sitting shoulder to shoulder and laughing, crying and experiencing a wide range of emotions shared in the moment. For an hour or two, your heart, your mind and your […]

Alabama poet laureate is more than an honorific title. It’s not a lifetime achievement award, either. The poet laureate is poetry’s chief advocate and ambassador in the state. Any Alabamian can nominate a candidate for poet laureate, as long as the candidate meets criteria set out in the nomination guidelines. The Alabama Writers’ Cooperative (AWC) president nominates […]

Mission of Hope in Walker County for nearly three decades has been reaching out to low-income families and others who need help. But in this pandemic-stricken world, the organization has introduced a new program. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have seen a lot of people furloughed or their jobs have went away,” said Lori Abercrombie, executive […]

Amanda Lightsey believes in families. “Our primary goal with families is to be successful and safe, and to prevent child abuse and neglect. We also promote self-sufficiency. We have programs for everyone in the family,” said Lightsey, executive director of Tuscaloosa’s One Place. “One is our after-school program, where they provide enrichment activities and a […]

The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club has a long history of serving youths in the Birmingham area, and its future is brighter than ever. When philanthropist and businessman Gaston opened the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club in Birmingham in 1967, his mission was to empower the young people in the community and give them a place where […]

If Thanksgiving is a time of love, charity and removing what separates us, then South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham is living out that theme. The Birmingham faith community came together Nov. 26 for a Community Thanksgiving Service at the church. The service included faith leaders from Jewish Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El, as well […]

n 1983, in the basement of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Birmingham, a group of humanitarians began to take in homeless women and children. Now two blocks away, First Light Women’s Shelter offers emergency shelter for homeless women and families 24 hours a day. It also offers individualized case management, group sessions, life skills, movie and art therapy, and […]

In a world where superheroes dominate pop culture, it’s good to be reminded that real, everyday heroes are making a difference in our communities. That’s one reason United Way of Central Alabama has chosen “Be an everyday hero” as the theme for this year’s fall fundraising campaign.

While it can be hard to claim absolutes, it’s a safe bet that Hani Imam is the biggest Alabama Crimson Tide fan on his street. In his neighborhood. In his city. In his country. It’s a claim that would be hard to make in a place like Tuscaloosa, Birmingham or pretty much any Alabama or […]

Backyard Blessings exists so poor school children in Walker County do not go hungry. The problem caused Leneda Jones to act nine years ago, and her actions have multiplied. Now approximately 850 children are fed every week. “Backyard Blessings is a local community nonprofit in Walker County that serves children in food-insecure homes,” she said. “We work primarily […]

When the inside of Providence Baptist Church’s fellowship hall filled to the max, donations of clothes and food started piling up outside. It seemed like the entire state of Alabama showed up to help those affected by tornadoes earlier this week. Kathie Ledbetter is a member of Providence Baptist Church in the rural area of Lee […]

The memorabilia collection is one clue that Cleon Jones is a pretty famous fellow. He played in Major League Baseball as a left fielder with the New York Mets for 13 years. In 1969, he caught the final out of the Miracle Mets’ World Series championship over the Baltimore Orioles. In other words, Jones has every reason to stay in New York and […]

Some of us are made to serve others. Don Lupo is such a man. Lupo works with the Birmingham Mayor’s Office of Citizens Assistance, where he helps people daily. For many years, he has been an advocate for the homeless in Birmingham. Lupo coordinates the effort of feeding and housing hundreds of people in need […]

Doug Marshall sums up his mission as president and CEO of the Presbyterian Home for Children (PHC) in Talladega County with two words: love and hope. “We serve at-risk children and meet their needs across Alabama,” Marshall said. “When the children and their mothers come, they usually have so much pain, and there’s not a […]

Riding in an old Army Humvee was the only way to get around in the town of Gordon along the Alabama-Georgia border. The small town was nearly demolished by Hurricane Michael, its widespread damage astounding. Navigation was possible through a few streets. Others were covered with downed trees and debris. Some houses were destroyed; others […]

In 2001, Brenda Ladun felt a lump. She went to the doctor, who told her it was stage two breast cancer. Ladun’s first thought was, “I can’t have cancer. I have kids.” The next few years would prove strength is something she could summon when needed. “The cancer enhanced my faith and my inner strength,” […]

Every parent’s nightmare happened to Tara Martin on March 17, 2017. Her 14-year-old son, Tyler, committed suicide. “There were no signs of depression with Tyler,” Martin said. “He was always happy, he had the best heart, and he would do anything for anyone. Tyler was an all-around great kid.” What happened next points to the […]

The volunteers with Share the Beach were utterly surprised. They had begun cleaning out a turtle nest on the West Beach at Gulf Shores that had hatched three nights before. What they found about 2 feet under the sand was a treasure. Actually, it was 20 little treasures. “There’s a live one,” shouted volunteer Kelly […]

When the door opened again, Kate panicked, but then relaxed when she saw it was Dr. Laue. I smiled and looked expectantly at him as he sat down on the rolling stool again and faced me. “All right,” he began without a moment’s hesitation. “We’ve run her blood twice and it looks like what we’re dealing with here […]

Humility is the overarching impression you get when you meet Joel Rotenstreich. Every year, the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center honors a person whose actions have helped not only the center, but life for the Jewish people of Birmingham as well as people from other faiths. This year, Rotenstreich is the honoree. It would take columns […]

Millard “Bo” Carwyle is a World War II veteran but, at age 91, he’s known by another designation: Senior Olympian. In 1944, one of the final decisive battles of WWII had ended and Carwyle, an Army information specialist, was in the unit responsible for wrapping things up in and around Dachau, Germany. “I was in […]

Most 4-year-olds live with only a few things on their minds: Mom, Dad, siblings, play, eat and drink. Not Austin Perine. He feeds the homeless. Ask him why, and be prepared for a simple but wise answer. “If you were homeless, would you want to be fed? Well, that’s why I’m feeding the homeless, because […]