BATTLING A DISTURBING BIRMINGHAM RANKING

Today’s guest columnist is J. W. Carpenter.

Birmingham has had its ups and downs—but in the 1950’s and ‘60’s racial strife set us reeling.

Now after 60 years we’re beginning to see a new Birmingham—a region with great potential.

Quality of life has come so far in the past ten years.

So much has changed for the better, for so many of us. And yet, the growth we’ve enjoyed has not benefited large segments of our community.

A disturbing Birmingham ranking

According to a 2018?Brooking Institute?report, which was the catalyst for the organization I now serve,?Birmingham ranks 52nd?out of 53 major cities in the percentage of Black-owned businesses.

This is not acceptable for any city—much less a city with Birmingham’s worrisome history.

Why I believe in Birmingham

I was born into a happy Maryland home in 1979. I was the second child of two genuinely loving parents. And I was thirteen years old the day my father shared the news no son ever wants to hear: “We’re moving to Birmingham.” Birmingham, Alabama.

I’ll admit it took a while to realize this, but next to my family, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. That said, this city has a problem. One which, I believe, has its roots in a past we’ve largely (and thankfully) outgrown.

It’s easy to find that ranking discouraging, and it’s important to acknowledge the role our history played in holding us back. At the same time, our past cannot — and should not — prevent us from investing in the people, ideas and businesses who’ve been overlooked historically. That’s why I left my position as director of the?Birmingham Education Foundation?in June to help launch?Prosper.

Prosper Birmingham

Prosper is a coalition of community, civic and business leaders committed to creating a more vibrant, racially- and gender-inclusive economy. Our board includes a virtual Who’s Who of Birmingham business — including the CEOs of Protective Life, Shipt and Alabama Power. Since opening our doors, Prosper has already launched the following initiatives:

• We’re partnering with Made in Alabama, Gener8tor and Redhawk Consulting to launch a new Health Tech Accelerator; one which will support, over the next five years, 50-70 local and national early-state Health Tech startups.
• In partnership with the Birmingham Business Alliance and Interise, we’re supporting a new program called Small Business Advisory Services to help a diverse group of young, growing Jefferson County businesses unlock first class consulting and support services to grow their revenue, create new jobs, and access opportunities within the Supplier Diversity framework led by the Alliance, the City of Birmingham and several corporate leaders.

What’s in it for the rest of us?

My work at Prosper is driven by the experiences I’ve had with so many students — most of whom were people of color, and came from low-income backgrounds — who confirmed my faith in their limitless potential.

I know it’s a cliché, but our people are the best natural resource we have in Birmingham and Jefferson County. Data from similar initiatives in other cities clearly demonstrates that investing in their potential can yield remarkable returns — for all of us.

I fully understand the skepticism that comes with new initiatives like Prosper. I also understand that our ambitions aren’t validated by what we say, but rather by what we do, and how we do it. Like any entity involving people, Prosper can’t promise every initiative will achieve perfect success. Which is why I’d encourage you to get involved. Reach out. And hold us accountable.

We recognize that, for our city and county’s challenges, there is no corporate solution. There is no government solution. There is no higher education solution. And there is no immediate solution.

The solution will come from a collective, sustained effort within our communities, years in the making.

We can grow our economy and grow it inclusively, proving to the rest of the country — once and for all — that Birmingham is a place where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.

It’s the only path worthy of us.

J.W. Carpenter began his tenure as the inaugural president of?Prosper Birmingham?in February 2021. Previously, he led the Birmingham Education Foundation for eight years and prior to that was the inaugural executive director of Teach For America-Alabama, the same organization where he began his career as a classroom teacher in Helena, Arkansas. J.W. also practiced law for nearly four years in Birmingham. He is married to Becky and has two children (Jack and Kate) and Ellie the dog. Carpenter earned a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center.

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David Sher is the founder and publisher of?ComebackTown.?He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).

Invite David to speak to your group for free about a better Birmingham region.. [email protected].

#Birmingham #Prosper