This Women’s History Month, Alabama Values honors two women whose stories remind us that the work of liberation takes many forms: science and organizing, healing and resistance, policy and prayer. It’s found in the communities they serve, the coalitions they build, and the legacy they’re creating for the next generation of leaders.

Kathleen Kirkpatrick never imagined that a commemorative walk would change the trajectory of her life. As an environmental engineer deeply entrenched in policy work, she was used to solving problems with data and design. But after joining a “walking classroom” in 2015 to honor the Voting Rights March’s 50th anniversary, she realized that change wasn’t only about plans — it was about people. “That collective experience helped set me on a path to becoming a community organizer,” she said.

On the other side of the movement spectrum is Rodreshia Russaw, whose fire was lit in a very different moment — testifying about a brutal death inside Alabama’s prison system. “Standing up for justice isn’t just about power,” she said, “it’s about unity and peace.” As the Executive Director of The Ordinary People Society (TOPS), Rodreshia has transformed personal pain into statewide power, growing a grassroots effort into a statewide network that feeds, houses, and uplifts women and families across Alabama.

Both women are grounded in the reality that progress in Alabama — especially for marginalized communities — demands more than just good intentions. It requires confronting systems designed to exclude. “Being a woman leader anywhere means being bold and persistent,” Kathleen said. And in Alabama, that boldness often looks like navigating patriarchal norms, advocating for environmental justice, or finding ways to engage local elected officials in the fight for clean water and resilient infrastructure.

It also looks like direct service — like Rodreshia and her team organizing bailouts for women sitting in jail simply because they can’t afford to leave. Or Kathleen bringing pro bono scientists into under-resourced communities to help them secure environmental funding through her work with The Capacity Collaborative. Their work touches every part of life: housing, childcare, food access, civic participation, and dignity.

Yet for all their impact, they point to the women who came before — mothers, freedom fighters, and everyday community builders — as the foundation they stand on. Women like Fannie Lou Hamer, Vivian Malone Jones, Coretta Scott King, and the countless names history hasn’t recorded. “A lot of our mothers were never honored just for being mothers,” Rodreshia reflected. “So when women are highlighted, it reminds me to think of the women who birth us — and who birth the nation.”

Their vision for the future is grounded in possibility. Kathleen wants to see an EPA-funded project fully realized — one that would provide jobs and build healthier, more resilient communities. Rodreshia hopes to become a real estate agent, opening more doors to affordable housing. Different paths, same goal: liberation and dignity for all.

In a state often known for its resistance to progress, these women represent a different kind of Alabama — one led by organizers, caregivers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and truth-tellers. They remind us that change doesn’t just come from institutions — it comes from women who walk, speak, organize, and rise.

Learn more and support their work:

• The Ordinary People Society (TOPS): www.wearetops.org | Instagram: @wearetops

• The Capacity Collaborative: www.thecapacitycollaborative.org

The King’s Canvas hosted the concluding community event for the two-week musical, “We Shall Someday” where reflections on the Freedom Riders’ sacrifices and stories took center stage. Vincent Hall emphasizes the ongoing fight for liberation and the importance of community empowerment through love. He expressed gratitude towards the Freedom Riders, and how the event showcased a collaborative effort from various organizations and community members, highlighting the power and unity within the community.

The 64th Freedom Rides anniversary at King’s Canvas highlights creativity and community. It focuses on providing resources for artists and businesses, emphasizing education and access. The event showcases diverse performances, including poetry and music, and underscores the importance of storytelling in shaping identity. Join us as we sit down with Zeph Jones of Think All Be ALL as he shares his experience at the block party!

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The Encampment went to Selma to visit the Voting Rights Museum, talk with Foot Soldier Joanne Bland and cross the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge. The Encampers found the museum compelling, particularly the experience of moving back in time.

Alexa: “It was so vivid— they had the water fountain [from the original bus station] and the jail cell. The jail cell! The jail cell freaked us out. We’re scared now but imagine the people back then being packed into the jail cell. I felt like I was going back in time.”

Ester added, “There’s a lot of historical artifacts and it is ‘show, don’t tell’ so it’s really an immersive experience.”

Joanne Bland shared her powerful story of participating as a young Foot Soldier in the Civil Rights Movement. At just 11 years old, she was excited to join the march, but the day quickly turned chaotic. Amidst the mayhem, she was knocked unconscious and woke up in her sister’s lap, both of them bleeding. Joanne initially thought her sister was crying, but she soon realized they were both injured — her sister required 35 stitches. Despite the trauma, Joanne’s sister encouraged her to continue participating in the movement, providing the support and courage she needed to face her fears and return to the struggle for justice.

The Encampers ended their day crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of Bloody Sunday and the subsequent marches that brought people from across the nation to march for voting rights. The Encampers learned about the sacrifices that were made by these courageous people and the power of collective action to make change. They were inspired to continue this vital work today.

The next day, they traveled to the Lowndes County Interpretive Center where they delved deeper into the struggle for voting rights, particularly the struggles faced by African Americans in Alabama. Through immersive exhibits and firsthand accounts, they discovered the pivotal role of activism and resilience in securing voting rights, inspiring them to carry forward the legacy of justice and advocacy in their own communities. Click for a short video of Encampers in the Interpretive Center.

Inspired by the museum and what she’s been learning at the Encampment, Ashley talked about how the movement laid the groundwork for her right to vote. Click to hear her words.

Antonio said, “After seeing this, I feel fortunate to have the right to vote, being a naturalized citizen…many people fought for this right, blood was shed. It was a rigorous and courageous battle for this right. I’m going to exercise my right in this upcoming election which is a scary one. Voting means power in a democracy. The exhibit that stood out the most for me is “Marching Toward Freedom.” Men and women, Black and White, from different places and with different beliefs united. They got past their differences and united to fight for this cause – I get goosebumps! It’s really beautiful!”

They also had the opportunity to eat at a local community gathering venue, Martha’s Place. The Encampers met Martha Hawkins and heard her inspiring story. Her journey is one of perseverance and passion, and she shared her mission of bringing people together through good food and hospitality. The Encampers left Martha’s Place with full stomachs and inspired by Martha’s dedication to making a positive impact in her community.

The curriculum continued with a visit from Reverend Dr. Bernard Lafayette who embodies the living history of so much of the Civil Rights Movement. He told stories from his experience in many of the key campaigns and organizations, both in the United States and internationally — and their participants both famous and not as well-known. He started his talk by saying that his life is devoted to “helping young people understand what Martin Luther King was trying to do and his goal and his purpose. What he lived for and what he died for.” He quoted Rev. King’s last words to him as Mr. Lafayette went to Washington DC from Memphis to head a press conference for the Poor People’s Campaign. He said, “the next thing we want to do is globalize and institutionalize non-violence.” He described teaching this to young people as his life’s work. He acknowledged his wife, Kate, as a being instrumental in that work.

Rev. Dr. Lafayette said that he was always concerned with “mobilizing people to bring about change. My focus was on organizing people. And, how do you do that? You have to first find out where people are coming from because if you don’t know where they are coming from, you don’t know where they are going. That’s why it’s important to study non-violence.”

The next day they visited the Legacy Museum, an immersive experience that delves into the history of racial injustice and the enduring legacy of slavery. This museum provided the Encampers with a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that have shaped our society that are still in force today in different forms, particularly the prison system. Here are some of the things Encampers and staff reported learning:

• “I didn’t think I could be shocked again but the cruelty and the inhumanity! In the midst of that, the joy and the strength and the courage that it must have taken. I remember the fear. When I was coming up, there was still the fear of lynching and that certain things could get you lynched. I had flashbacks to that fear but also to the joy and release that people got in church.”

• “Under current law children at the age of 12 can be subject to life sentences without parole.”

• “I learned how much weight the slave auctions put on families and how they got separated. In one story, a woman lost all her kids at an auction. In addition, slaves were forced to describe their value to a prospective buyer — to say why they should be bought into a life of abuse.”

• “We learned about lynching in school but it didn’t cover how random it could be — the smallest mistake could get you lynched. Lots of people would come to watch as entertainment and people would take parts of their bodies as souvenirs. I never knew that. It was heartbreaking; I sobbed.”

• “I had to look at my own internal biases regarding being tough on crime but I saw that the punishment did not match the crime and they are not rehabilitating people. Also, the separating of families reminds me of our current immigration system. This is still the reality for so many children being held behind bars. Mothers are still crying for their children and children are still crying for their mothers. It’s the same system disguised in a different form.”

• “Capitalism is the bottom line of all these systems that created a sense of White Supremacy. Some people get richer and they get to decide the maintenance of that system. This experience lends context to the concept of White Supremacy and the atrocities behind that. The tentacles are called different names but it’s the same system as slavery.”

• “I understand now how long many prisoners are waiting for a lawyer or any help at all. For instance, the story of a woman who was told to plead guilty by her lawyer and they would appeal later and then the lawyer disappeared so she is in limbo.”

• “I learned about the relatives of people who had been lynched. It’s hard to face the truth but it’s important. There’s power in facing the truth of what happened and is happening. To honor people who have been tortured and killed to keep a certain way of life going. It’s hard to fathom how one human could do that to another but I could feel the power in the honoring and laying bare of the truth.”

Community Life Director, Evelin Aquino, commented that “it’s not just theoretical or historical. The Black community in this country lives this every day. The darker the skin the more you are reminded of that experience. That is the reality, primarily for Black men, for Black women in the medical system, in the educational system. As the mother of a Black male, I have lived this every day since he was born.… For Black people, in the grocery store, in the library that target is still there. When you see Black people here or in your community, bring this into your perspective. When you go home, notice who is being tracked in school. Notice, when you are sitting in your honors classes, and there’s no kids of color. Who graduates and who gets in trouble? Who doesn’t? These systems are rooted in this history but remember to incorporate this new wisdom in your life, in your relationships and in your organizing.”

The focus turned specifically to voting again with staff from Alabama Values bringing their knowledge and resources to the Encampers. Executive Director Anneshia Hardy immediately drew the Encampers into her story about why she does the work she does. She reported that her mother would call out to her when she dropped her off at school: “Knowledge is Power!” She said that people who are underrepresented, under privileged and marginalized have more barriers to information. She learned the truth of that, starting when her fourth grade class talked about slavery: “The White kids were pointing and laughing [at the pictures in the book] and the Black kids were looking down, embarrassed. My mother had taught me that my history didn’t start with slavery. She said that they stole teachers, doctors, artists and enslaved them. So, I asked the teacher, ‘Who were the slaves before they got here?’ The teacher didn’t know what I mean so I explained.”

Ms. Hardy also said that who controls the narrative controls the power. They control how we perceive ourselves. Alabama Values intends to build ideological power — to help communities reimagine what unjust systems could and should look like. To hear more, click here. She shared concepts that are integral to good digital organizing and encouraged the Encampers to be media creatives with the power to shift narratives in their communities. She engaged the young people in an experiment about supplying context where they were able to see the difference that having someone define the image they are seeing makes a difference to what they experience and how that relates to racial stereotyping.

She shared the statistic that, prior to the 1998 Telecommunication Act, there were lots of diverse owners of media but now six organizations own 90% of the media. She also said that people are natural storytellers—a trait shared across time and cultures. She asked what they had learned so far. Encampers reported:

• we are limited by the small number of companies that own the media

• people will believe a good story over reasoning and logic

• and, it’s important to fact check and use your brain.

Ms. Hardy turned the presentation over to Zephyr Scalzetti, who began his organizing journey as a 2020 census worker. He explained that the census determines how much money comes into your community. He said that nobody was paying attention to the power there so “I started making tiktok videos about redistricting. Re-districting is a process used by governments to re-draw political boundaries. How it relates to voting is if your district is drawn in such a way that nobody on the ballot represents you then it doesn’t matter how many people you get to vote. 

What does this really mean? We’re talking about power: healthcare, schools, money for roads.  Who is put into power over your daily life has a greater impact than the state or country—not that they don’t have huge impacts.” Clip— He shared one of their programs, Democracy Under Attack which is a livestream that connects people in different states with strategies for change.

He urged the Encampers to look up what their city council map is — to see who is representing them. This led into a detailed timeline and explanation of the case Allen v Milligan, a pivotal decision by the Supreme Court concerning redistricting, that upheld the Voting Rights Act.

In the afternoon, a historian, Dr. Howard Robinson, and an organizer Khynesha Brown, joined Ms. Hardy and Mr. Scalzetti for a “fireside chat”—an informal discussion about voting rights and organizing. Ms. Brown, whose work is to equip folks with information tools resources to vote, said that, “People tune you out unless it directly impacts them. We have to find ways to help people connect to the issue. You have to make it relatable to people where they are….You have to listen more than talk.”

 [Mr. Scalzetti, Dr. Robinson and Ms. Brown are shown next to Ms. Hardy in the picture on the right above.]

In answer to an Encamper question about how to counter apathy, Dr. Robinson referred back to tactics used in organizing in Montgomery in the ‘60s over time and focused on the need for persistence. He also emphasized that talking to the people who are closest to you about what you care about and sharing the information and concern at a local level – to your neighbors, police, council members is a way to start to create tangible impact that can move up to the state and national level.

Mr. Scalzetti said the most important thing in organizing is to care about the people. He also mentioned that voting is just one piece of the puzzle and echoed Dr. Robinson’s comments to get involved at the local level and keep advocating for the change you want to make.

Look for a documentary about voting rights created by Alabama Values coming out in the fall titled “The People’s Voice.”

The final visit was to The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. This poignant memorial honors the memory of those who lost their lives to racial lynching. The Encampers spent time reflecting on the gravity of this history and the importance of remembering and acknowledging these atrocities to ensure a more just and equitable future.

The article is a repost. Original article can be found on The Encampment for Citizenship’s website.

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As an African American pastor in Montgomery, Alabama, I witness daily the complex dance between the city’s burgeoning tourism industry and its unaddressed historical injustices.

Montgomery, the state’s capital, is steeped in rich, yet painful and true history; it has become a magnet for crowds eager to explore its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. From the hallowed grounds of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church to the poignant displays at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, our city presents an interwoven net of stories that catch the breath and stir the soul.

But beneath this vibrant veneer, a troubling paradox warrants a closer, more critical examination.

Tourism has undoubtedly transformed Montgomery into a thriving economic hub. Projects like the Bryan Stevenson-led Equal Justice Initiative, including the National Memorial, have spurred job growth in the city and attracted millions of visitors. Our streets echo with the footsteps of pilgrims seeking a connection with the past. This influx of revenue has been a boon for the city and the state, funding infrastructure projects and invigorating the local economy.

However, the benefits reaped from this tourism-driven prosperity are shadowed by an unsettling reality: the city and state have not fully embraced the lessons of the very history that attracts these visitors. We seem to celebrate the tax revenue but are not willing to embrace calls to heal and to do justice.

Montgomery’s story is one of struggle and resilience — a narrative that demands acknowledgment as well as active engagement and reflection. The landmarks and museums serve as powerful reminders of our collective journey while also highlighting the persistent gaps in how we address the ongoing impacts of systemic racial inequity.

The revenue generated by tourism creates an opportunity, a hopeful space where justice and economic growth could intersect. But this opportunity remains largely unseized as the city and state continue to shy away from a true reckoning with their historical legacies.

As a community organizer, I see firsthand the dissonance between the city’s image and the lived experiences of its residents. Our community is often celebrated for its historical significance while it simultaneously grapples with the residual effects of systemic racism and economic disparity. The juxtaposition of opulent new developments against neighborhoods still mired in poverty is a stark testament to the uneven distribution of the fruits of our tourism boom.

The influx of visitors can bring a superficial engagement with Montgomery’s past. Tourists come, they see, they leave inspired or moved by the stories of courage and conviction. But the deeper, more uncomfortable truths about the city’s ongoing struggle to fully confront its past may remain unexamined. This selective memory perpetuates a sanitized version of history, one that glosses over the continuing struggles of Black residents.

Montgomery has a moral and ethical obligation to bridge this gap between economic gain and historical truth. The city and state must move beyond commodifying its past and toward a genuine commitment to justice and equity. This involves not only preserving and presenting our historical sites with integrity but also investing in the local ecosystem.

Education is a crucial component of this reckoning, embracing both proud moments and painful truths. This education should foster a culture of awareness and responsibility that transcends mere tourism. Economic policies should also reflect a commitment to justice. The revenue generated from tourism for local and state coffers should be reinvested in underserved communities, addressing disparities in housing, healthcare, education and employment. By directing funds to where they are most needed, Montgomery can begin to rectify the historical imbalances that persist to this day.

Moreover, city and state leaders must take a proactive stance in acknowledging and addressing the ongoing impacts of systemic racism. This means implementing policies that promote racial equity and inclusion, supporting minority-owned businesses and ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared across all communities.

Unfortunately, recent state actions have moved us further from this goal. In the spring, the state passed anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) legislation, which has led to the closure of DEI offices across University of Alabama campuses.

I testified against this harmful legislation, knowing it would negatively impact our state, community and the church I pastor. This move undermines efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable society, demonstrating a reluctance to engage with and address historical and ongoing injustices.

What could solutions to some of these injustices look like?

The church has a vital role to play as a model in this journey. As a nonprofit executive at The Beacon Center, I believe in the power of faith to inspire action and foster reconciliation. Our congregations must be at the forefront of advocating for justice, using our collective voice to hold leaders accountable and to support initiatives that promote equity and inclusion. The church can also serve as a space for dialogue and healing, bringing together diverse voices to forge a path forward that honors our history and embraces a vision of justice for all.

As an example, Metropolitan United Methodist Church, where I pastor, recognized significant food security issues. This effort began as a food pantry and evolved into the Beacon Center, a comprehensive community hub offering over 30 services. Housed in an 8,500-square-foot building, the center offers holistic assistance, serving as a communal gathering place with office spaces for entrepreneurs and nonprofits, public wireless internet, and comfortable seating areas.

The food distribution program has seen tremendous growth, expanding from serving five families monthly in 2018 to over 100 families daily since December 2023, offering frozen meats, refrigerated groceries and dry goods.

The center also launched the Next Steps program for pretrial diversion and alternative sentencing and opened a healthcare clinic. Individuals and families can access multiple services, improving the lives of community members by removing barriers to assistance.

Montgomery stands at a crossroads. The tourism boom presents a unique opportunity to transform its economic landscape, but this transformation must be rooted in a sincere reckoning with its past. By embracing both the triumphs and the traumas of our history, and by committing to policies and practices that promote justice and equity, Montgomery can become not just a destination for tourists, but a beacon of hope and progress for all its residents.

As we welcome visitors from around the world, let us also welcome the chance to build a more just and inclusive future.

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This was seen at the first weekend of Think Big Alabama, a collaborative 4-week advocacy training program that is co-hosted by Alabama Values and Alabama Arise. More than 20 caring Alabama residents from all over the state gathered at the Montgomery Interpretive Center (part of the National Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail) to kickoff a summer series dedicated to turning wishes of a better Alabama into a reality. The attendees were chosen from more than a hundred applicants and included a diverse range of passions. Some worked for nonprofits, others came as individuals. Hometowns ranged from Huntsville to Josephine. Key focus areas included disability rights, LGBTQ issues, immigration advocacy in the state, and more. While there were many distinguishers between each member of the Think Big cohort, there was a strong connection that held everyone together: the desire to create a better Alabama. 

The collaboration between Alabama Arise and Alabama Values was an intentional one. Arise has over 20 years of experience in pushing public policy with the intention of improving the lives of those impacted by poverty in the state. The organization has used citizen advocacy, policy analysis, and statewide organizing to make a direct impact in the Alabama legislature to improve the lives of everyday residents. This includes addressing the state’s grocery tax, lack of free food programs for students during the summer, and lack of affordable healthcare options. 

Once we have the legislative policies we want to address, we need to find a way to shift public perception to help more people realize that this is a problem that can be changed. That’s where Alabama Values comes in. The Executive Director of Alabama Values, Anneshia Hardy, is known for sharing her belief that “the one who controls the narrative controls the power.” For far too long, the narrative has been controlled in a way that limits the power that the average Alabama citizen feels in themselves. But that is the case no more. 

The two organizations and the 20+ Think Big cohorts got straight to work at the first training session. Alabama Arise started things off with a closer look at the roles of government on a federal, state, and local level along with the current state of media. This led into a power mapping session that guided trainees to find the best government office to send their concerns to. The second half of the day was centered around narrative storytelling. To amplify our cause, we must bring in similarly-minded individuals. This was done by discussing how to approach storytelling and taking a deeper look into demographics and more importantly, psychographics. 

The day wrapped up with Think Big cohort attendees breaking into groups based on an issue in Alabama they’d like to address. Each group will spend the remaining weeks working on the policy advocacy and narrative messaging that will be needed to accomplish their goal. Fortunately, they are being guided by two impactful Alabama organizations and are working with some of the most dedicated changemakers in the state. 

We can’t wait to share the final projects. 

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The roots of mass incarceration trace back to policies enacted in the 1990s, driven largely by fears of rising crime rates. This led to a dramatic increase in incarceration rates, particularly affecting Black Americans, without delivering the promised benefits in terms of community safety. Recent legislative shifts, such as New York's bail reform reversal and Louisiana's harsher sentencing laws, reflect a resurgence in punitive measures that threaten to undo the modest gains made in reducing the prison population.

One key flaw in mass incarceration has been the failure to address the root causes of crime. The War on Drugs disproportionately targeted minority communities while neglecting treatment for substance abuse, mental health, and poverty. Instead of reducing crime, “tough-on-crime” policies have perpetuated cycles of impoverishment and incarceration. Lengthy sentences often keep individuals behind bars much longer than their peak crime-committing years, with little evidence to suggest this approach deters future criminal behavior. Studies indicate that criminal careers typically peak and decline within a relatively short period, generally within a decade. 

This is seen in Alabama, where the prison system is being sued by the Department of Justice for dangerous conditions including overcrowding. Organizations such as the Alabama Justice Initiative have been formed to push for better solutions. “One of the things we really pushed for last year was elderly and infirmed people having the eligibility to be released based on their age and/or the severity of the illness,” shares Deputy Director Veronica Johnson, “The average life expectancy for a person that is currently housed in the Alabama Department of Corrections is 64 years old. I want us to use more quantitative, scientific research to determine how sentences should be given—coupled with individuality. We can’t use a cookie cutter approach in sentencing. I get the grid and how it’s supposed to work but it’s failing a whole system of people.” 

The resurgence of punitive policies in recent years threatens to reverse the progress made in reducing incarceration rates and addressing systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. Rather than doubling down on failed strategies from the past, policymakers must prioritize evidence-based approaches that address the underlying causes of crime. By investing in rehabilitation, mental health services, and social support systems, communities can foster genuine safety and well-being without resorting to the costly and ineffective measures of mass incarceration.

One look at how this more community-centric approach to reducing crime could take shape is found at The Beacon Center in Montgomery, Alabama. Pastor Richard Williams of the Metropolitan United Methodist Church has formed a resource hub to assist underserved communities with basic needs and life-improvement programs. The Center’s Next Steps program combats generations-worth of inequities with direct resources and investments in the surrounding neighborhoods. Support provided includes job programs, mentorship/support networks, GED preparation, educational programs, food pantries, mental health resources, substance abuse programs, and more. 

While the statistics show us that mass incarceration isn’t the solution to reducing crime, it is our job to find the answers that do. Fortunately, Alabama organizations are already doing the hard work. All we have to do is follow the lead of organizations such as the Alabama Justice Initiative and Beacon Center as they imagine more fulfilling solutions. 

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When people think of Alabama, most don’t imagine a diverse group of individuals sitting in a room imagining what a better approach to public safety might look like. But that scenario happens just as often Governor Kay Ivey tries to spend the state’s COVID relief dollars to build new prisons (often). Wednesday, July 31st, at The Summit AMC Theatre was one such occasion. People from all across Alabama made the drive to watch the film ‘Sing Sing’ and participate in a community conversation on the need for changes in the criminal justice mindset currently found in the United States. 

Movie attendees were greeted in the lobby with a ‘Justice in Focus’ banner and a discussion with Alabama Values’ Justice in Focus partners followed after. The movie screening formally kicked-off the campaign, which looks beyond the state’s current incarceration system towards ideologies and methods that heal our communities and focus on rehabilitation. ‘Sing Sing’ is an A24 production that takes a look at the flaws of the current system while showing how little upliftments can go a very long way.

The film follows John “Divine G” Whitfield, played by Colman Domingo, and other men inside the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York. The prison has a theater program, of which Divine G was a founding member. The program offers men in the prison an opportunity to not just participate in plays for their peers, but to mentally escape from the walls entrapping them for brief moments while forming a brotherly bond with their fellow stagemates. Most of the actors in the film were also members of the actual Sing Sing theater program in real life, which added an even more inspiring layer to an already impactful movie watching experience. 

‘Sing Sing’ followed the theater program but also showed the struggles many face while trying to obtain parole and how the current approach to public safety can keep reformed people in a cycle of incarceration without ever truly getting the opportunities needed to start over on a better path. Our Justice in Focus partners, Alabama Justice Initiative and The Beacon Center, along with The Flourish were the perfect segway from the movie to a discussion on how these systems are applied in Alabama—and what can be done to better them. 

Veronica Johnson of Alabama Justice Initiative shared how the parole rate and strict interpretations of the three strikes rule in Alabama are harming our communities. She also shared how Alabama is one of only two states (along with Georgia) that doesn’t allow inmates to appear at their own parole hearing. Pastor Richard Williams shared how The Beacon Center and their Next Steps program apply preventive measures by helping the community obtain easy access to mental healthcare, employment opportunities, GED courses, and monthly meals where attendees share something good that has recently happened.

Eric Marable Jr. of The Flourish spoke about the nonprofit’s program that works with kids in Alabama youth detention centers. He shared how he deeply resonated with a monologue that centered around seeing everybody as valuable. The kids The Flourish works with are in need of these same lessons and support, and it was meaningful to see that level of hope played out on a large screen. 

By the end of the night, Alabama felt one step closer towards a truly fair justice system. A room full of believers in a better world—including members of Birmingham SURJ, Alabama Books To Prisons Project, and so many more—came together to discuss what it could look like. Thank you to our screening partners in A24 and The Just Trust. 

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It’s not everyday you get to host Hip Hop Caucus in your home state, and the AV Team wanted to make the most of our time with this great organization (who is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year!) as a few members of their team visited Montgomery, Alabama. We joined forces with the culture curators at VibRaNtaKe to ensure we were providing the perfect Southern hospitality experience for our newfound Caucus friends, which resulted in an impactful Wednesday for all involved.

The three organizations first met at The Co-Lab Collective for breakfast and introductions. These initial discussions organically spanned from politics to music and beyond, and we soon found it was time to begin the day with a walk over to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice. For those who haven’t been, you simply must go when in Alabama’s capital city as this collection of history provides crucial context on the formation of the country we call home and the impact slavery mindsets have on our lives today.

The Legacy Museum starts by remembering the many lives that were forever transformed after being placed on slave ships headed towards the incomprehensibly evil chattel system to build the USA. Those who survived the journey overseas were put through even greater inhumane conditions, and as you walk through the Legacy Museum you walk through the decades of torture, de-humanization, and the determination of an oppressed people to fight for something better. Slavery turns into Jim Crow, which turns to the fight for Civil Rights before the museum ends with the current form of slavery for profit: mass incarceration.

Needless to say, there was much to process during and after our shared trip to EJI’s large-scale documentation on the continued oppression of Black Americans. The Hip Hop Caucus, VibRaNtaKe, and Alabama Values all gathered to share their thoughts and reflections. Sentiments ranged from grief for the past to affirmations that we are doing the right work in our present lives. 

While a trip to EJI’s Legacy Sites was more than enough to make for a fulfilling experience, Alabama Values and VibRaNtaKe wanted to ensure that Hip Hop Caucus was able to witness first-hand the creative and activist communities that make Montgomery so special. This came in the form of a Midweek Kickback at The Co-Lab which focused on networking and a “Fireside Chat” where attendees could discuss complex issues in a casual setting where every voice is heard. The discussion was led by a panel that featured Alabama Values Executive Director Anneshia Hardy, Hip Hop Caucus Deputy Development Director Reggie Weaver, Professor of History at Florida A&M and Founder of The History Consultants Dr. Kimberly Brown, and Art Director/VibRaNtaKe Co-Founder Chris Hardy. 

Other participants in this open conversation included Montgomery musicians, visual artists, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and more. Discussions included personal experiences that shaped people’s views on the intersections of race, culture, and democracy, the balance between individualism and community, how capitalism shapes our priorities, and so much more. The earlier trip to the Legacy Museum contributed to the conversation as well, with a focus on a segment that particularly impacted Alabama Value’s Social Impact Program Manager Destiny Williams. This segment discussed how during the time of enslavement, rebellions were so rampant that martial law had to be called to suppress them. Destiny went on to share how personal that felt as every day she feels the joy, sorrow, anger, grief, passion, hope, love, and everything else that comes with being a Black woman in America today.

All of those emotions are a part of what made Wednesday, June 12th, in Montgomery, Alabama so special. A group of people with different hometowns, backgrounds, passions, priorities, and perspectives - but a common struggle and the willingness to share their thoughts - came together to not only talk, but listen, and grow together in community. All while Isaiah Rashad was playing in the background. 

What a special evening. Watch the awesome recap!

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Vibe Tribe is a free monthly community event that centers around highlighting the many rising music producers that call Birmingham home. The event is co-hosted by Luke Crowder, bhamstands, and The Flourish. Crowder and bhamstands first started these events at the now-gone Little London restaurant in Homewood before moving to The Upstairs at Avondale and eventually finding their current home at The Flourish’s Greenhouse space in Ensley. The events have always had a buzz about them, but have gained even more momentum since Crowder’s Grammy win in February 2024 as a producer on Killer Mike’s track - SOMETHING FOR JUNKIES

Alabama Values went to take part in the May edition of Vibe Tribe, and what a time was had. The featured musicians included Rhemedy, Zay Gee (with DJ Rick Nasty), and Lush Vibez (who brought out Ashlee Blhue). That was far from the only creatives featured. Pole dance instructors Sakka and Sunnie performed impressive displays as DJ Qousto kept the vibe going between producer sets. SheepBlack Designs was also on hand with colorful shirts that featured Vibe Tribe designs, fun takes on Bham (a bee next to a canned ham), and motivational phrases. KB, a Birmingham artist and yoga instructor, spent the event helping attendees paint their own picture frame or birdhouse. CJ’s Jewelry offered beautiful bracelets and waistbands. 

The night was made even more special as Luke Crowder was surprised with a proclamation from the city of Birmingham honoring him for his Grammy and the work that he pours back into the community. The proclamation gave a formal stamp of approval on something that everyone in the room has been experiencing for months now - something special is happening in Birmingham and it’s not by accident. It’s because people who are skilled at their craft are taking time to uplift those around them instead of only seeking out personal fulfillment. 

It was a night full of joy, art, networking, and celebrating the wins of Birmingham’s musicians. Not too shabby for a Wednesday night in the Magic City. 

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The case centered around whether abortion opponents had the legal standing to challenge the FDA's approval of mifepristone and subsequent measures facilitating its accessibility. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, despite his previous stance on Roe v. Wade, penned the opinion that federal courts weren't the appropriate avenue for addressing the concerns raised by abortion opponents.

This decision underscores the importance of maintaining access to essential healthcare services, particularly in states where restrictive abortion laws threaten women's reproductive rights. With abortion banned in various stages of pregnancy across several states, preserving access to medications like mifepristone is crucial for safeguarding women's health and autonomy.

The broader implications of this decision extend beyond the realm of abortion rights. By safeguarding the FDA's drug approval process and protecting access to mifepristone, the court's ruling reinforces the importance of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare policy. It sends a clear message that judicial interference in matters of public health should be approached with caution, prioritizing scientific expertise and patient well-being.

Moreover, the decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle to protect reproductive rights in the face of persistent challenges. While this ruling represents a significant victory, the fight for reproductive justice is far from over. It underscores the need for continued advocacy efforts to ensure that all individuals have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, free from unnecessary restrictions and barriers.

While the decision is a huge victory for reproductive rights and offers a brief pause from having to process and combat another attack on these basic freedoms, organizers on the ground are still dealing with ensuring that all who want to have an abortion have the access to these medications and treatments. 

“I'm frustrated with all the coverage of the case that centers the win only in terms of legality. ‘Mife remains legal, safe and available’. From a community organizer perspective, I'm like ‘While that's true, available for whom?’”, shares a representative of Yellowhammer Fund, “People are still struggling for access IF they can get it and IF they can it's because of community and practical support organizations and funds. Reminder to support grassroots organizations and organizers that are making sure that the community can feel and actualize these wins.”

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Cara has long had a heart for social justice. She was a core member of Black Lives Matter Birmingham in 2017 when she saw a flier on Facebook that showed a woman holding a baby with a banner that read “Free Black Mamas.” McClure was immediately intrigued and reached out to Mary Hook, her friend who shared the post and was working with Southerners On New Ground at the time. “I called Mary and I said ‘I don’t know what this is but I want in,’” Cara recalled, “And she said ‘Sister, we’ve got to free our people.’” 

Hook told McClure about a call that would have more information. Cara discovered a lot during the call, including that it was too late for her to receive national funding by Mother’s Day. However, that didn’t deter her. Cara and BLM Birmingham decided to host a 12-hour telethon that featured local comedians, singers, rappers, and other entertainers that each went live on their social media pages at a different hour to encourage followers to donate. By the end of the telethon they raised $20,000, which was enough to free 5 people from the Bessemer County Jail. Bailouts have continued each year since, with support from National Bail Out.

There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into freeing Black moms. First, the team goes into county portals that are open to the public to begin identifying women to assist. They then meet with the women to see what their needs are and if they want assistance. If so, Cara’s team finds each individual's outside support options and reaches out to see what life outside of jail would look like. “Would you support them in ways like making sure that they have transportation to court? Will they be able to live with you if they don't have any other place to go?” are questions Cara asks. “After we talk to the support system we come back together as a team and we discuss each person that we interviewed and we look at how much money we have.”

“This year was pretty good. It took a lot of work. Fundraising for individual donations were slow but we were able to so far free two mothers out of jail,” Cara shares (like everything else, bail costs have risen - one bail cost $30,000 and the other $15,000). Funds from National Bail Out provided major contributions this year and are still coming in, meaning more Black moms will soon be freed. McClure hopes to use some of the incoming funds for a Juneteenth release. Individual donations came close to $12,000 this year and are still being accepted. Most of this money will be used to support mothers and their families once they are released. This can include everything from rent to transportation and clothing needs. “You're just sitting there (in jail) because you're poor. While a mother is sitting there waiting on trial–even if she's there for 24 or 48 hours–during that time things happen like you can lose your vehicle or lose your benefits, you can lose your home, and some even lose their children,” Cara shares. Some women don’t get their medication and others experience violent crime while trapped inside. “We don't want our people stuck behind or trapped in a cage at all. That's why we have to do the work of breaking the cages open and freeing our people, pulling our resources together and getting our people out. Just like they did back during slavery where our folks pulled their resources together to buy each other's freedom.”

“Free Black Mamas” is a call for immediate relief for people jailed - not because they are found guilty of a crime but because they don’t have the money to buy their freedom until trial. The campaign is also a long term mission to be the pain that comes from mass incarceration and money bail. The invitation is open for all to join their cause.  

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Whether or not something is definitely better is largely objective, but what seems to be less objective is the palpable dissatisfaction of young folks with the political and moral direction of this country.  They are less likely to vote than they have been in previous elections; they are more likely to be dissatisfied with President Biden’s overall performance as the leader of the free world; and they are completely rejecting the notion that they have to feel that way in silence. 

Within the last decade alone–we have collectively watched young folks be loud and unapologetic voices of reason in conversations surrounding common sense gun reform, access to reproductive healthcare, voting rights…etc. And that boisterousness has often been met with a certain kind of strategic and violent state sanctioned consequence. The challenges to legislative bodies’ misguided efforts to dismantle and outlaw DEI programs as seen above and the orchestrated pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country are examples of just that—a plethora of young folk deciding to no longer be silently complicit in the destruction of their better tomorrows.

Even as they are met with armed police forces, or incorrigible elected officials, intent on prioritizing themselves and ignoring the fact that the future cannot, and should not, belong to them. 

These young people are rejecting the notion that their voices only matter within the vacuum of voting and then trusting others to take care of them. Instead, they are valiantly demanding that politicians and leaders earn the right to be trusted. That the people asking for support prove that they’ll prioritize the needs of their constituents as opposed to their own needs or the needs of oppressive regimes.

This moment, and the ones that will follow, feel like a reckoning.

Regardless of where one stands on an issue as complex as climate change or an issue as simple as raising the minimum wage–young folks’ pure refusal of the acceptance of the status quo speaks to something monumental. Especially when so much of our current politics is structured to encourage, value, and uphold political loyalty. 

We need voices like theirs—voices that are less worried about respectability, and that are more worried about their better tomorrow.

Because their better tomorrow is what we should have been worried about in the first place.

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The Alabama Department of Corrections is currently facing a federal lawsuit declaring that the state’s prisons are unconstitutionally packed and dangerous. UAB and the ADOC are facing a lawsuit from families whose loved ones were returned to them posthumously with organs missing from their bodies. Alabama faced international condemnation by becoming the first state to use nitrogen gas to carry out a death penalty sentence.

These are three recent stories that have come out of the Alabama prison system. One of these statements should be enough for public outcry, yet it seems that many people are unaware of how to best speak up. Fortunately, those inside Alabama prisons have the answers - and the experience in organizing that could make all the difference. 

The Free Alabama Movement (F.A.M.) was founded in 2014 with a nonviolent strike in two prisons that eventually spread throughout the state and included over 4,000 people incarcerated in the Alabama prison system. In the decade since this initial protest F.A.M. has organized multiple successful protests, and more footage has come of the inhumane conditions inside the prisons and abuse done at the hands of corrections officers. 

The recent news headlines - along with the Yellowhammer State’s alarmingly sharp declining parole rate - have put a lot of focus on Alabama prisons, and there is one issue that F.A.M. has fought for since Day 1: the prison labor system. With this in mind, organizers at St. Clair Correctional Facility orchestrated a 90-day prison strike centered around 5 demands and called on incarcerated workers across the state to join in. The five demands are: 

1. Repeal the Habitual Offender Act

2. Make sentencing guidelines retroactive  

3. Create mandatory parole criteria  

4. Abolish the sentence of life without parole

5. End all gas chamber executions

However, there are followers of F.A.M. and those who have loved ones inside the prisons that continue to show up outside of St. Clair prison (with one trip to Staten Correctional Facility in Elmore where the new billion dollar mega-prison is currently being built). 

Parole rates in Alabama dropped to under 10% for the first time in 2023. Image from al.com

Communicating injustices to the outside world is a tough task from Alabama prisons - especially during an ongoing strike. However, there are multiple groups dedicated to amplifying the voices of those inside. One is the F.A.M. Queen Team and multiple Facebook groups where family members of those inside share details and go to gather information. But there’s another group around this specific 90-day strike campaign that may surprise you at first: the Tennessee Student Solidarity Network (TSSN). That’s right, a group of college students from Nashville are leading the charge in amplifying the voices of those fighting for basic freedoms in Alabama prisons. 

As I was first meeting the students coming down to Alabama from Tennessee every weekend, I was also reading a biography on John Lewis. Lewis was a student at Fisk University when he and other students traveled to Alabama to participate in the Freedom Rides. Lewis was famously from Troy, but what did the other students have to prove by traveling to an unfriendly state to risk their lives to ride a bus? The answer had to be somewhat similar to why students where traveling to Alabama in 2024. I wanted to learn more about the thought-process of those currently leading the outside movement supporting F.A.M. I was able to speak with Cecilia Prado, a Nashville-based movement leader and mentor to TSSN, and Indu Kumar, a student at Vanderbilt and member of TSSN. 

“The significance of the Free Alabama Movement is that this is an organization that has a long-term history of deep organizing and successful shutdowns at the state and national level inside of the prisons. That’s one part that makes this significant,” Prado explains, “The other is the significant role in the U.S. economy that prison labor actually has. It turns out the impact is a lot bigger than previously thought. We’re talking about the fact that over $400 million a year ADOC takes in revenue for itself from prison labor, and that’s not counting the private corporations and how much they are making. A lot of manufacturing goods get made through prison labor. One out of three defense contractors in the U.S. uses prison labor. This is at the national scale. A large variety of companies - around 575 companies - use prison labor in the United State. So why (are we) in Alabama? On top of the fact that prison labor is wrong, it is generating massive profits for corporations who are the same corporations that are profiting from genocide. The same corporations that are lobbying for anti-trans, anti-queer, anti-worker laws in our state legislations - especially here in the South.”

TSSN and supporters of F.A.M. outside of the prison in Elmore. A new billion dollar prison is being built across the street. Image taken by Tim Majors

While F.A.M. fights the prison on the inside, the Tennessee Student Solidarity Network and their list of caring collaborators in Alabama and across the Southeast continue to show up on the outside - and extend the invite to all who are unhappy with the morbid headlines coming from Alabama prisons. “I have learned to believe in the power of Southern organizers and communities to be able to turn people out,” TSSN member Indu Kumar shares of her experience collaborating with F.A.M. and leading protests at St. Clair, “We’ve had students that are part of our solidarity network, from Vanderbilt to Fisk to Nashville State, come out weekend on weekend in support of F.A.M. We’ve seen organizations from Birmingham to Atlanta to Louisiana to Florida come out and mobilize. WE can build solidarity across state lines in the face of repression, we just need to be willing to sacrifice our time and follow the lead of people with a strategic vision for the future.” 

When asked what Free Alabama Movement organizers would communicate to those on the outside, the response is clear:

“FAM wants people to know that they are not striking or organizing to increase their wages or benefits while they are in prison. They are trying to abolish prison labor altogether, because they see prison labor as a key incentive for their being such a high level of incarceration in the United States and particularly in Alabama.” 

A final key focus is Alabama's abysmal parole rates, which are among the lowest in the nation, especially for Black men. “Most of the applicants for parole are in work release programs. They are deemed to be safe to work with people on the outside, but somehow they aren’t eligible to be released. (F.A.M.) wants people to know that prison labor is a type of modern day slavery, and no amount of reform to wages is going to change that fact. They also want people to know that in order to show support and call yourself an abolitionist, you need to look at the prison. Most abolitionists out there don’t have relationships with people on the inside. We need to be building some legitimacy. In order to show your support, the first step is to be at the prison. To see what is happening. To be in relationship with folks on the inside.” 

A movement is happening, and the invite is sent to all who are concerned with the state of incarceration in Alabama, USA. The 90-day strike continues, and so does the collective call for justice.

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The new law provides criminal and civil immunity for any “death or damage to an embryo” related to IVF, a decision that has been met with relief by medical professionals and reproductive rights advocates. The ruling had caused several fertility clinics in Alabama to halt their IVF treatments, fearing legal repercussions. With the signing of this bill, clinics like the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama Fertility have announced plans to resume treatments.

Governor Ivey’s support for IVF is a clear message that Alabama values family growth through assisted reproductive technologies. She stated, “Alabama supports growing families through IVF. From protecting the unborn to supporting IVF, Alabama is proud we are a pro-life, pro-family state.”

However, the law stops short of addressing the controversial question of whether frozen embryos are considered people, as stated in the Alabama Supreme Court ruling. This ambiguity leaves room for future legal challenges and debates over the personhood of embryos and the implications for reproductive rights.

The Yellowhammer Fund, an organization deeply concerned about the ruling’s impact on IVF access, highlighted the broader implications of this decision on reproductive rights. Dana Sussman, deputy executive director of Pregnancy Justice, noted, “This is a natural extension of the march toward fetal personhood. You only need one state to be the first out of the gate, and then the next one will feel less radical.”

The ruling and subsequent legislation have sparked a conversation about the intersection of reproductive rights, legal definitions, and state control over individual choices. While the new law provides a temporary solution for IVF providers and patients, the debate over fetal personhood and its impact on reproductive healthcare continues.

As we navigate these complex issues, it is crucial to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing fight for reproductive rights and access to healthcare. Be sure to tap in with our repro partners at the Yellowhammer Fund in the their efforts to supporting the right to parent in safe and supportive environments.

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Despite claims from Secretary of State Wes Allen that his office did not mail the cards and that the voter list maintained by his office was accurate, the SPLC insists that an immediate audit and public accounting are necessary to ascertain the scope of the problem.

Bradley Heard, deputy legal director for democracy and voting rights at the SPLC, stated, "This is more than a misstep. Providing erroneous information to thousands of voters on the eve of a hotly contested primary election could very well impact the turnout and the results of the election, for both Republicans and Democrats."

The SPLC has provided evidence of a voter card sent to the home of the center's co-founder, Joe Levin, which incorrectly lists him as registered to vote in the 7th congressional district. Montgomery Probate Judge J.C. Love confirmed that the card was sent by the county registrar's office, which operates independently of the probate office.

The SPLC's investigation revealed that approximately 5,604 voters were mislabeled in the voter file as being in the 7th Congressional District, instead of the newly formed 2nd District. Of those voters, 4,513 are Black.

The SPLC is calling for transparency and accountability from Secretary Wes Allen's office to ensure the integrity of the voter list and the fairness of the upcoming election. The organization remains committed to protecting the rights of voters and upholding the principles of democracy in Alabama.

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