The Birmingham Times
Birmingham Times founder and visionary entrepreneur Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. has been awarded Lifetime Achievement from the Vulcan Park Foundation.
The 2022 honorees for the annual The Vulcans Community Awards were announced Thursday and honor seven citizens who exemplify civic pride, leadership and progress in four award categories: lifetime achievement, hero, game changer and servant leadership.
Lewis, 97, who founded the Birmingham Times newspaper in 1963 and sold it in 2015, has owned or been part of at least 17 different businesses, including ventures in real estate, a recording studio, music publishing, a golf course, radio and television stations, grocery stores, and night clubs. In 2019, he was inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame.
He currently oversees a vast real estate portfolio from his office at the Jesse J. Lewis Jr. Tech Center on the west side of Birmingham.
This year, Vulcan Park and Museum received over 100 nominations from individuals in the Birmingham metropolitan area: Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker Counties, who worked to affect change, serve, lead or make a difference in the lives of the people, places and organizations in the city.
Director of Development of Vulcan Park Foundation Jennifer Chandler said she is awed by this year’s slate of honorees.
“It is a privilege to recognize and celebrate the 2022 Honorees for their extraordinary, selfless contributions to our communities. The important legacy these seven individuals have created will impact the lives of many for years to come.”
Recipients were chosen by an independent panel and honorees will be recognized at the annual reception on Nov. 29 at The Club in Homewood.
The 2022 Honorees are:
The Vulcans
Lifetime Achievement: Lewis
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
Tickets are now available for purchase at 2022vulcansawards.swell.gives. Sponsorships are also available. All proceeds from ticket purchases are used to support Vulcan Park and Museum’s mission.
To learn more about the recipients or to get involved, contact the Vulcan Park and Museum Development Department at 205.203.4817 or email Jennifer Chandler at jchandler@visitvulcan.com .
The 2022 Vulcans Community Awards are sponsored by the title sponsor, Medical Properties Trust and associate sponsor, Stone Building Company with additional support from Vulcan Park & Museum along with corporate partners, Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Protective, Regions Bank and Vulcan Materials Company.
