Plywood surrounding businesses and buildings is the opposite of what most people picture when they think of a thriving downtown, but, somehow, Birmingham managed to take an uncertain moment and make it magical.
Several businesses were damaged during civil unrest last month, reflecting the worldwide reaction to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died from police brutality and others like Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and others who were killed either at the hands of police or by racists.
In the aftermath in Birmingham, residents are lending a hand to clean up and artists are lending their spray paint cans and paintbrushes to make a district dormant from damage and COVID-19 vibrant again.
“Birmingham has proven over and over again that this is a resilient city where people come together to create meaningful change,” said David Fleming, REV Birmingham President and CEO. “The many murals spreading across the plywood covering broken windows downtown is further colorful and beautiful proof.”
Revelator Coffee Company, 3rd Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Shu Shop, 3rd Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Third Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Third Avenue North, downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
The Wheelhouse, 3rd Ave. North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Near the Lyric Theater, 3rd Ave. North. (Ameera Stewart, For The Birmingham Times)
Alabama Theater, 3rd Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
First Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
United Trophy & Specialties, 1st Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
United Trophy & Specialties, 1st Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
United Trophy & Specialties, 1st Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Paper Doll, 1st Avenue North, downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Wooster Lofts, 1st Avenue North, downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Maxwell Tillman Law Firm, 2nd Avenue North, downtown Birmingham (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Urban Standard, 2nd Avenue North, downtown. (Ameera Steward, The Birmingham Times)
Yo Mama’s, 2nd Avenue North (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
Charm On 2nd, 2nd Avenue North, downtown Birmingham. (Ameera Steward, The Birmingham Times)
Adam’s Eye Care, 5th Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Avenue North. (Ameera Steward, For The Birmingham Times)
The Wheelhouse, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
The Wheelhouse, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
The Alabama Theater, 3rd Avenue North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
Heidi Elnora Atelier, 2024 Morris Ave. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
Alabama Theater, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
The Pizitz Building, 2nd Ave. North. Marvin Gentry (For The Birmingham Times)
The Pizitz Building, 2nd Ave. North. Marvin Gentry (For The Birmingham Times)
Near the Lyric Theater, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
Near the Lyric Theater, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
Near the Lyric Theater, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
The Lyric Theater, 3rd Ave North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
Zaraur & Schwartz, 2nd Avenue North. Marvin Gentry (For The Birmingham Times)
Dog Days of Birmingham, 112 18th St North. (Marvin Gentry For The Birmingham Times)
Mask covers mural on 1st Avenue towards East Lake. (Marvin Gentry For The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry for The Birmingham Times)
California Fashion Mall, 3rd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
The Pizitz Building, 2nd Ave. North. (Marvin Gentry, For The Birmingham Times)
