Mayor Randall Woodfin gives update on strategic plan, unveils new initiatives at ‘Big Picture’ event
Building upon a theme of transparency, Mayor Randall Woodfin provided an update on his first year in office – while also unveiled new education and social justice initiatives – during The Big Picture event at the Alabama School of Fine Arts’ Dorothy Jemison Day Theater Thursday night.
“What I want to accomplish tonight is simple, transparency,” he said. “I want people to walk out of here with a clear understanding of where we are with progress of our plans for the city and I want them equipped to share the information with their family and friends, their colleagues and co-workers, their children and their stakeholders.”
The event featured presentations from key members of the Woodfin administration, including Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith; Edwin Revel, director of Planning, Engineering and Permits; Rachel Harmon, deputy director for Talent Development of the Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity; Tene Dolphin, deputy director for Business Diversity and Opportunity with the Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity; Chief of Staff Cedric Sparks; and Denise Gilmore, senior director of the Office of Social Justice and Racial Equality.
During the event, Woodfin announced the launch of the Birmingham Promise Initiative, which will pave the way for Birmingham City School students to participate in high-quality apprenticeships in growing industries like information technology and healthcare and life sciences.
Once they graduate, they will be able to continue their education at a 2-year or 4-year university – tuition free through the Fred Shuttlesworth Scholarship – or they can opt to pursue a full-time apprenticeship with one of the city’s employer partners.
“The bottom-line is this: we collectively lose out every time a young person in our city is unable to realize their fullest potential, and we are not going to allow that to happen any longer,” Woodfin said.
In the realm of social justice, Woodfin also introduced A Citizen’s Experience, or ACE. The citywide leadership initiative aims to demystify government through civil literacy and encourage participation in finding solutions for long-standing issues.
The seven-week class os free and is set to begin in early June. Visit birminghamal.gov/ace to register.
