Birmingham Promise Gets $8 Million Boost From Private Companies
The Birmingham Promise educational initiative has received $8 million in donations from local corporations, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Tuesday.
That number includes $5 million from Birmingham-based investment firm Vulcan Value Partners — the program’s largest private donation to date. It also includes $1 million each from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Protective Life, as well as from Alabama Power, which donated for the second consecutive year.
The Birmingham Promise offers juniors and seniors in city schools paid internships, dual enrollment opportunities and scholarships to two- or four-year public colleges. It was first approved as part of the city’s FY 2020 budget when it was given $2 million in funding previously allocated to the Birmingham City School system. At its outset, the program also received $3 million in private contributions.
In a press conference announcing the new donations, Woodfin thanked donors “for their commitment, for their passion and for their resources.”
The Birmingham Promise Executive Director Rachel Harmon said the donations were “not just about money” but about “futures.”
The Birmingham Promise helped nearly 400 students this year via scholarships, Harmon said, and its apprenticeship program reached nearly 150 students.
“Each of those students represents a changed trajectory,” she said. “Each of those students represents a promise and a brighter future for our city, and we are so excited to be able to invest in those students with the partnership of our corporate community and the partnership of Birmingham City Schools.”
Also on hand to praise the program was Justin Williams, a 2020 graduate of Parker High School and now a computer science student at the University of Alabama. The scholarship program saved him and his family from “financial drain,” Williams said, while the apprenticeship program “was one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had in my life.”
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
