Since 1871, Birmingham has been an epicenter for change in Alabama, America and around the world.
First a “Magic City’s” iron and coal transformed a cotton-picking region into a mining and steel producing Mecca.
In the ’60s, a movement for civil and human rights transformed a “Tragic City” from Jim Crow and Discrimination towards integration and positive associations with opportunities to achieve the “American Dream” regardless of race.
Today, however, many Americans, Black or white live in low-opportunity, segregated, violent, poverty ridden communities.
May we, “Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Minds,” seeking collective efforts to rebuild a stronger community that is Economically Strong, Educationally Sound, and Environmentally Safe – ensuring opportunities for prosperity in every zip code in this “Great City.”
Dr. King said, “I like to believe that Birmingham will one day become a model in southern race relations. I like to believe that the negative extremes of Birmingham’s past will resolve into the positive and Utopian extreme of her future; that the sins of a dark yesterday will be redeemed in the achievements of a bright tomorrow.”
Today, as we seek to eliminate hunger, may we strive to solve the problem by first choosing to be “One Birmingham”, “One Jefferson County”, “One Alabama” and “One United States of America.”
I’m looking forward to working with each of you…Thank you.
Gregory C. Townsend, MPPM
Birmingham Metro Diversity Coalition
Transformation Birmingham
