Category Archives: Take a moment

A day of empowering women – locally and internationally

Posted on October 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

Day of the Girl logoToday is the first ever International Day of the Girl, the result of a United Nations resolution passed last December. Here in Birmingham, there are a couple of events directly and indirectly relating to the purpose of the initiative, one that’s about  “highlighting, celebrating, discussing, and advancing girls lives and opportunities across the globe.”

The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham is hosting its Smart Party at WorkPlay. There is an impressive list of 10 honorees posted online, with in-depth biographies available. They’ve also been conducting a poll to determine the other two honorees; they’ll be announced during the event. There will also be opportunities to watch the festivities online and interact (via Twitter and Facebook) as they raise funds for girls and women in Birmingham. It’s a departure from last year’s smART Party held among the city center’s rooftops.

Just north of there in Birmingham’s central business district, another opportunity awaits. The co-founder and publisher of Magic City Post Emily Lowrey and Exerceo CEO Tanveer Patel will be among the folks this evening at an event at Innovation Depot as IdeaMench continues its #IM48 tour. They’ll have 10 minutes to talk about what they’ve accomplished – then you’ll have 10 minutes to ask questions of them and potentially spark continuing conversations.

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Thoughts on the future of journalism (& Birmingham)

Posted on October 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Issues and Ales participantsJust wanted to take a moment to say thanks to WBHM for including me and The Terminal as part of last night’s Issues and Ales panel on “The Future of Journalism in North Central Alabama.”

It was a chance to catch up with Bob Sims and Kyle Whitmire of The Birmingham News; Vickii Howell of Birmingham View; and the public radio station’s new general manager, Scott Hanley (who served as moderator).

WBHM has used Storify to curate some of the evening’s tweets. They’ve also promised to post the audio file from the event in the near future, something that should help add some context to those who were following along at home online.

It’s interesting to point out some of the underlying issues that came up as a result of the event. One post shared today on al.com by The News‘ new community engagement specialist, Edward Bowser, takes a look at one audience member’s comments suggesting younger residents aren’t as concerned about Birmingham’s civic affairs as our elders. His wife, See Jane Write founder Javacia Harris Bowser, was inspired to write a love letter to journalism based on some of the comments.

I actually shared some of my thoughts about the future of journalism the day before via Dear Birmingham. As to what Ed talked about in his piece, this Sunday’s Dear BHM post is focused whether or not we’re preparing our young professionals to lead.

Photo: From left to right: Scott Hanley, Vickii Howell, André Natta, Kyle Whitmire, Bob Sims. Courtesy of WBHM/90.3 FM.

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Posted in Take a moment, The Terminal

Godspeed, Mike

Posted on June 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Tomberlin and Rickey at Bon Voyage event, May 2012Today’s collection of posts begin with wishing Godspeed to Birmingham News business reporter Michael Tomberlin as he returns to active military duty this week. He serves as a major of the Alabama National Guard’s 167th Theater Sustainment Command 167th Infantry Battalion and is being redeployed to Afghanistan later this summer. During his deployment in 2008, He maintained a blog on al.com called Yellowhammering Afghanistan chronicling his experiences.

His unit most recently participated in the re-dedication of the Rainbow Viaduct in downtown Birmingham on Memorial Day weekend. The image above of Tomberlin and Birmingham Business Alliance senior vice president for communications Dave Rickey was taken during a send-off event for Tomberlin held at Avondale Brewing Company on May 29, 2012.

Tomberlin returns to his news desk next spring.

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Posted in Media, Take a moment

Rice visits Boys and Girls Club before the Regions Tradition

Posted on June 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

Dr. Condoleezza Rice meets children attending the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club summer program during her tour. Todd Hornsby/Filament ArtistsFormer U.S. Secretary of State – and Birmingham native – Condoleezza Rice joined representatives from Regions Financial Corp. on June 4 at the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club for their “What a Difference a Day Makes” service program .

It’s not exactly a coincidence she’s in town – Dr. Rice serves as the honorary chairperson for the Regions Tradition golf tournament taking place at the Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club this week. The event’s Birdies for Charity program helps raise money for several area non-profits, including the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. She’s scheduled to help start the festivities this morning (June 6) at  9 a.m.

Rice is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Board of Governors and she’s served as a senior adviser to the Board of Directors at Regions.

Photo: Dr. Condoleezza Rice meets children attending the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club summer program during her tour. Todd Hornsby/Filament Artists

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Alabama Gives begins at midnight on Thursday

Posted on February 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Alabama Gives Day logoFor those who spend a great deal of time online, you’ve no doubt already received a notice from your favorite local or statewide charity about it. Your friends may have changed their profile images on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+ (where, incidentally, we have a page) in recent days to what could become a familiar logo.

The Alabama Association for Nonprofits is joining forces with the Alabama Association of Broadcasters and Razoo to present the first ever Alabama Gives Day. As of this posting, there were 1,427 organizations taking part in this 24 hour fundraising event that helps to highlight what nonprofits across the state of Alabama are doing. Some of the local organizations have taken to some rather creative online campaigns, like  the video being used by Vulcan Park featuring their lovable mascot “V”.

Be aware that you’ve got to make your donations on February 2 (read: not this evening or this weekend) in order for it to count towards what could be the largest single day of fundraising in the history of the state. If the numbers included in the event’s press release from December are any indication, it could be a big day for many organizations.

Just in case you’re still wondering what the event’s all about, check out the commercial created to help publicize the event on television and online. The fun starts at midnight.

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Posted in Statewide, Take a moment

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Give them your pop tabs (or your time)

Posted on December 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

rmhcal-pop-tab-drop-offUPDATE: We still came in 5th – our 5th top five finish in nearly five years of existence. We appreciate it – now, see what we’d like you to do now.

We have a need for you to do something a little different for us this holiday season.

We don’t want you to vote for us in the annual Birmingham News’ Birmingham’s Best reader’s poll. There are much more deserving sites.

We do want you to take any pop tabs from cans you may drink from during your holiday trips or parties and take them to your local Ronald McDonald House. The photo included in this post is of the pop tab drop off location just outside the Ronald McDonald House located in the midst of Birmingham’s UAB medical campus. We’d also appreciate your considering any donations that could be made to them (or to consider other ways you can support them in the coming year).

This post on my personal blog should help explain some of the reasons behind our request.

Thanks, Birmingham (and happy 140th birthday)!

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Local television stations live stream Shuttlesworth funeral

Posted on October 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

This Monday morning sees large crowds gathering at Faith Chapel Christian Center on Birmingham’s west side for the public funeral service for and celebration of the life of Rev. Fred. L. Shuttlesworth. The civil rights leader died on October 5.

Those unable to get to the service can watch it online via webcasts available from each of the major television network stations in town.

The service is also being broadcast on most of those station’s primary digital stations. The order of service is also available for reference (though some changes have been made due in part to the shoulder injury sustained by Sephira Shuttlesworth on October 23).

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