Building a Healthier Birmingham

In this episode, we break down the key decisions and discussions from the July 28th Birmingham City Council meeting. Then, Councilor Darrell O’Quinn sits down with Art Franklin of the Omega Psi Phi Alpha Phi Chapter for a powerful conversation on health, wellness, and what’s coming at their August Health Fair. Plus, we’ll share updates on upcoming events and other important information you won’t want to miss.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:04

Welcome to Motion to Adjourn, the podcast about the work that continues with the Birmingham City Council beyond what happens on Tuesdays during council meetings.

SPEAKER_04 0:13

All in favor, let it be number staying aye.

SPEAKER_02 0:15

Or in the committee meeting. After the official motion to adjourn, the councils continue work on behalf of the city and its residents. Welcome to the motion to adjourn podcast. I am your host, Anaya Kenyan. I serve as project manager for the Birmingham City Council. Today we are diving into some of the most significant items that were mentioned during Tuesday's council meeting. On Tuesday, the council approved a District 4 American Rescue Plan Act initiative aimed at reducing food insecurity. The program includes a $345,100 agreement with the Community Care Development Network to expand direct food access across 14 distribution sites. This includes 10 existing locations and four new neighborhood sites. Now, let's hear from Counselor Brian Gunn, who represents District 4, about the impact this program will have.

SPEAKER_03 1:51

So we want to make sure that one of those elements that they may not have access to is taken away so they can have access to food to have thriving lives in the city of Birmingham.

SPEAKER_02 2:01

This agreement also invests in long-term infrastructure that will support food insecure households across Birmingham, including a storage building addition, a walk-in freezer, and two delivery trucks. With roughly 70% of Birmingham's population living in a food desert, this initiative represents a critical step toward improving access to healthy food for our residents. The council approved a land lease agreement and opioid abatement provider agreement that will allow Urban Alchemy to establish the Birmingham OASIS, a new daytime center serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Operating daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the OASIS will be located at 600 Third Avenue North and will offer pavilions, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, weather protection, a dog park, and access to drinking water. Let's hear from Councillor Darrell O'Quinn, who represents the district, where the Birmingham Oasis will be located.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

I think establishing an OASIS and you know allowing members of the community to see what it is. That this is something that's not going to be harmful to the community. And you know, as was stated, um we're encouraging the administration to uh track metric metrics, you know, to actually produce some data. Um and if it proves that it's not working, we're gonna try something else.

SPEAKER_02 4:04

A safety plan was presented to the council that outlines 24-7 surveillance, a blue light emergency phone, and on-site trauma-informed staff working alongside the Birmingham Police Department and Urban Alchemy. Emergency protocols prioritize rapid overdose response and coordination with the Birmingham Fire and Rescue and Medical Providers. Safety will also be upheld through temporary removals or bans for prohibited behavior. The total $850,000 investment includes $50,000 for the ground lease, $600,000 for operations, and $200,000 for capital improvements, funded largely through the National Opioid Settlement awarded to the city. Don't leave just yet. We'll be right back after this quick message.

SPEAKER_01 4:54

Welcome to Motion to Adjourn, the official podcast of the Birmingham City Council. We're breaking down council meetings, city services, community projects, and the voices shaping our future. If you want to know what's really happening in Birmingham, this is your spot.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

An event designed to bring essential health resources directly to our families, seniors, veterans, and youth. Joining me today is someone who has long been dedicated to uplifting our community, Art Franklin, a proud member of Omega Sci-Fi. We're excited to talk about what attendees can expect and why events like this make such an impact. Hi, Art. How are you today?

SPEAKER_04 6:11

I'm doing very good and very excited to be here on the podcast with you. And just let me say, not only a member, but actually what we call the Boslis, which is the president of the chapter. And I know president is something you know well being a former president of the Birmingham City Council. Good to be with you, old friend.

SPEAKER_00 6:28

Yeah, thank you. Um I'm really excited about the partnership um with the omegas that we're gonna do for this whole health fair. Um but the fraternity has long been active in the community, um, lots of community service. So share with me a little bit about uh the fraternity and the types of community events that you guys do and your commitment to service.

SPEAKER_04 6:59

Absolutely, always excited to talk about what we do in this community. Omega Sci5 Fraternity Incorporated Alpha Phi Chapter has been in Birmingham for 102 years, come July 5th. So we'll be celebrating our 102nd anniversary here and longtime service member in this community, a a leader in not only what we do for mentoring, but also services like the health fair. And when I talk about mentoring, I talk about our lamp lighter program. These are young people, young men that we have in middle school and elementary school that we're able to help train them to tutor them, but also to teach them life skills so that they can grow up and be better citizens in the community. Um not only do we do the health fair, we have a scholarship fund. In fact, we just had a record-breaking scholarship program not too long ago at A.H. Parker High School, where we gave away $31,000 scholarship. So that's a $30,000 investment in this community. So investing in the community is what we're all about. And people who also know the Alpha Phi chapter of Omega Sci-Fi know that we also purchased the Inslee precinct from the city. And we're in the process, we've done demolition down there. So the walls that come down that need to come down so we can find out exactly our contractor can find those low-bearing walls. We've demoed the ceiling, we've gotten the asbestos out. So we're in the process of of really transforming that into a multi-use facility that will not only be for the fraternity but and not only for mentoring, but for that whole community. So that we can pour into that community, give them the space to go where they can do community events, receptions programs, and and and really be the type of place that they could be really proud of in the in the community. So I can go on for days talking about what we do in this community, um, Easter Egg Hunt, our talent program that we that we do, um sickle cell program. We are the largest contributor of the United Negro College Fund, better known now as the UNCF in the city. So we partner with them, the Urban League. There's so many things that we are so excited to do because service is what we're about. And even with this, this is more than a partnership. This is something that we're doing together. You know, Myesha Hutchison and and Kim, um Amara, they have been working very diligently with with my team, George Smith, who is my health care chair. So everyone, really arm in arm, working for August 8th. Looking forward to being at A.H. Parker High School from eight o'clock in the morning, nine o'clock in the morning. We got to be there much earlier, and I'm sure you'll be there too. Eight o'clock and nine o'clock in the morning until two o'clock in the afternoon.

SPEAKER_00 9:30

Yeah, well, I'm I'm super excited about this. Um so our office, District 5, has been doing this. I think this is the fourth year running that we've had a health fair, and we started off pretty modest um over at the Smithfield Court uh Community Center and have been growing this over time. Um but this year in partnership with uh you guys, we're really stepping it up. You know, you mentioned that the fraternity has done health fairs for before, and and you guys cover a lot of different social needs uh and for the community. But talk about um health fairs in particular, you know what what are you guys what need are you guys trying to fill with that?

SPEAKER_04 10:18

Well, we certainly want people to not come and just grab a brochure and go home. This is more than that. Health fairs can really be life-saving situations where people come and they go through the various screenings. Like if you there have been situations before people come and they have a blood pressure screening and they find out that they need to get to a doctor quickly. So we have over 70 vendors at this point already signed up for it. And this is in partnership with UAB, with the Jefferson County Department of Health, with the with the Sheriff's Office, with a number of different entities throughout the area. So we want them to come, bring their family, bring a friend, stay all day throughout the whole program because it what we're doing in terms of not only screenings, there are gonna be there's a cooking demonstration, there's a agility test going on, there's gonna be food throughout. We're doing our youth temperature checks so young people get a chance to have a forum where they can express themselves and learn uh about the different resources that are available in the city, so we're gonna have that. So we're gonna be taking over, Parker. Parker High School District 5 and the and Alpha 5 chapter of Omega Sci-Fi Fraternity Incorporated really is gonna be taking over that area so we can offer all types of uh services to the to this community. So we want them to come and stay so they can walk away there because we're trying to build a healthier community. When we have a health fair like this, and because we're able to do it with District 5, that means we expand. We know a lot of people, you know even more people in terms of the the numbers, the reach that you have throughout the district, our forces together means that we're making sure that we have a healthier Birmingham by offering this health fair on August 8th.

SPEAKER_00 11:56

Yeah, so for us it's um an issue that we have some background in. So Kim, who you mention mentioned, um has a master's in public health. I have a professional background in in health. Um, but we also serve uh a lot of neighborhoods that don't have great healthcare access. Um, and we know from research that depending on where you live, you know, even something like life ins expectancy can be significantly diminished. So for us, that's part of the reason why it's important to do these types of things because I feel like a lot of folks maybe are like me and they're not actively, they have a need, but they may not be actively seeking it out. It's sort of you know one of those things that um like blood pressure, you know, you may not know that you have high blood pressure until you you get it checked. These health fairs are an opportunity for folks to do sort of a like a one-stop shop, you know, survey the different service providers. Um and perhaps as they're going through the different booths, they discover um, you know, a dental clinic that um does income-based service. And and those are the things that we're you know trying to help people access uh through this type of event.

SPEAKER_04 13:34

And one caveat to that. One caveat to that. When you mentioned about the the dental, I know um we're partnering with Colgate uh on on a corporate level. So they'll be able to offer services, dental services for free that people in the community may not have access to. And that's why it's so important to have the type of partnership that we have with District 5. Because when you partner with someone at the level that at what you bring as a councilman who comes into the community, we're able to leverage that with larger organizations and larger corporations and say, hey, yes, we need to be there too, because we know that you're going to reach the people that we need to reach and people who can't get to us unless we come right into the community. So let me applaud you for coming alongside us and working with us as well, because you know, it's that the the the the force of these two um organizations, the city council, district five, your office, and our our organization working together is what will bring those services to people in the community where they just don't have it.

SPEAKER_00 14:34

Yeah, I'm I'm glad that the stars aligned on this one. As I understand, you know, you guys were looking to have a health fair at Parker and just were trying to identify a date, and we found out, oh, okay, well, hey, you know, why don't we just collaborate and you know ramp it up for everybody?

SPEAKER_04 14:56

So So to people who think that people we don't work together, that's this shows how you do work together because I mean actually it you know you reached out and said, hey, you know, we're trying to do it as well. And it did not make sense to have two separate ones when we can come together and be more effective and uh be more efficient in with our services.

SPEAKER_00 15:14

So uh August 9th is August eighth. August eighth, I'm sorry, yes. August eighth um is right before school starts. And uh you guys are making that part of your event too. I understand that there's going to be some uh free backpacks and school supplies and things, so tell folks about that.

SPEAKER_04 15:36

We do that every year. Um this year we are uh at this point we're looking at probably doing over 400 backpacks with supplies available to young people. So that'll be they'll be able to get that at the uh at the health fair as well. So this is beyond just a health fair. This is a uh a community wellness event to when you really think about it, because we're talking about mental health, we're talking about physical health, we're talking about arming our young people with the type of uh supplies that they need so that they can be better students when they go back to school, having the backpacks, having the supplies, but also um giving the opportunity for us to pour into them in terms of knowledge and inspiring them and motivating them to be better students when they go back to school. So I am so I'm pumped about this health fair more than I've ever been in the past because I think we're gonna be more impactful than we've ever been.

SPEAKER_00 16:29

Yeah, absolutely. I have told my staff that um, you know, I'm actually concerned about the number of people who might show up. And that's a good concern. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Uh you know, as part of uh trying to get the word out about this, we're we're doing a mailer um and we're hitting a a lot of mailboxes. So uh I know Parker has lots of uh it's a big place and has lots of parking and everything, but um just based on the number of mailboxes we're hitting, um we we might be a little crowded, but nevertheless, we'll have a ton of vendors there who are ready to to serve people. And speaking of that, um you know I know you mentioned that there's like 70 plus organizations going to be there. Um talk about some of the the other folks. Uh uh one of the ones that we have partnered with really frequently is uh Bundles of Hope that does uh diapers and um feminine hygiene products and things um for free. Um what are some of the other organizations?

SPEAKER_04 17:44

I wish I had the list in front of me because there's so many. It's it's there is an abundance of organizations that will be um participating with us. Bundles of Hope is one where we've identified just a large area of the um CAP gymnasium over at Age Parker High School where they're gonna be located. The other one is Colgate that I I mentioned as well. Brotherless Talk is another agency that will be there that really deals with mental health and and young people and and men in in particular. We also have, of course, the Jefferson County Department of Health that will be providing a number of services along with providing um gun locks. And that's a a service that they do in partnership with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office is a is one of the partners for us as as well. So when it comes to the type of services, blood pressure screening, uh glue clothes, we're gonna have um the ri this is something people shy away from, but it's but it's so important. The opportunity to also donate blood. Donating blood saves so many lives. So we want to tell people don't shy away from that, don't be afraid of that. Um it is an opportunity for you to help save somebody else's life by donating blood. So that that's an opportunity of a service as well. So as you said, 70 organizations, I don't have the list in front of me, but so many different services that people will have. So that's why I say when you come, this is not a brochure situation. This is a situation where you're you're coming and you will walk away and you might save your life or save somebody else's life because you showed up at this health fair.

SPEAKER_00 19:12

Yeah, uh and it's really uh with that number of organizations, as you imagine, it's a really comprehensive type approach. You mentioned there's gonna be cooking demonstrations. I think there's also gonna be some exercise classes happening at the same time. Um so not just, you know, screening for you know disease situations, but actually trying to connect people to information about how to prepare healthy food, how to get exercise, and actually prevent some of the conditions that you know they might otherwise uh experience without that type of information.

SPEAKER_04 19:56

I believe as one of the trainers for the city is gonna be doing a um fitness um demonstration and working out. So there'll be some fun workout. We've got a DJ. So that it's not just uh a solemn situation that we're gonna have fun. Yeah. The grill is gonna be out, people are gonna get good food, we're gonna provide food to uh the various people inside. The young people will get their hot dogs and and burgers hot off the grill. There'll be plenty of food because we I mean plenty of beverages as well because we know it's going to be hot. We got to keep people hydrated. We're going to have a good time. We're going to get better. We're going to get fit. We're going to have our minds at ease. So we're there's so many things that will come out of this event. Uh I tell you, I I'm I don't get excited about a lot of things, but I'm excited about this beyond measure because of the impact that it will have on so many people who just don't have access. And that's what I love about the fact that what we're doing and our place in the Inslee community as we prepare to open that facility, the types of services that we can provide that just don't exist at this point. And that's why this partnership is so important. And I believe that you'll see because of this, we need to keep this going and we need to do other things in this community because when we work together, we we are able to really affect this community at a at a at a greater pace.

SPEAKER_00 21:15

Awesome, awesome. So, folks, uh the community health fair that's a partnership between the District 5 Council Office and Omega Sci-Fi Alpha Phi chapter is happening Saturday, August 8th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parker High School. Uh so please put it on your calendar. We will be there. Art, thank you so much for being here today and for your collaboration. Look forward to a very successful event.

SPEAKER_04 21:49

And thank you for the uh the partnership and collaboration with this event. Thank you for what you do on a daily basis here in the city of Birmingham. And we just want to say to all of you listening, not only will Will you be there? Call your friends, talk to your neighbors, grab a family member, bring someone with you. We're concerned about, you know, having the room, but we will find space for you because we want to make sure that you are healthy and that you are fit and that you have a good time as well. So make sure you join us again August 8th, 9 to 2 a.m. at A.H. Parker High School. We hope to see you there along with Council Adurla Quinn.

SPEAKER_00 22:25

Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 22:27

Did you know that the Birmingham City Council has a Roku channel, miss the council meeting, or a committee meeting, and you want to stay up to date? Check us out on Roku at Birmingham City Council for all updates in your city. Here are some updates and upcoming events that you should know about. Listen up, everyone. We have a lot in store this Saturday, August 1st. Join President Warding Alexander of District 7 in partnership with Roosevelt City, East and West Brownsville neighborhoods for their annual book bag giveaway on August 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roosevelt City Recreation Center. Come out and enjoy school supplies, haircuts, food, all free while supplies last. If you live in District 3, join Counselor Josh Vasa at his school supply pop-up giveaway, also happening on August 1st from 10 a.m. to noon at Bessie Estale Park. Enjoy school supplies and backpack giveaways. If your child attends Epic, Glen Iris, or Avondale Elementary, this one's for you. District 4, Counselor Brian Gunn is hosting a free back to school splash alongside Birmingham Parks and Rec at Macklin Park Pool starting at noon to 6 p.m. with a senior hour at 11 a.m. Enjoy food, music, and back to school giveaways. Come out and help your student make a big splash this school year. Peace on the Block is returning this Saturday, August 1st, and we want to see you there. Peace on the Block is bringing neighbors together for a day of wellness resources, local vendors, music, youth activities, community speakers, and so much more. Join us at 1200 Tuscaloosa Avenue for this free community event. Come connect, learn, and celebrate what makes Birmingham stronger. Hey, hey, this is your last chance. Come to the Grove on August 8th to shop local with the District 6 Summer Farmers Market. Happening on Saturday, August 8th from 1.30 p.m. to 3 30 p.m. Get there early and enjoy free ice cream, free matcha, free flowers, and $5 vouchers while supplies last. Come out, support local farmers, and shop for some delicious produce. We hope to see you there. Don't forget our motion to adjourn mailbag is open, but we need it filled with your questions. Mailbag is your chance to connect directly with your city. Got a question, suggestion, or concern? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at Bham ALCityCouncil at gmail.com and let your voice be part of the conversation here on the Motion to Adjourn Podcast. Remember, together we're building a stronger community, one idea at a time. Thanks for listening to Motion to Adjourn. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast to learn more about your city and local government. Also, follow us on our socials on Instagram and Facebook at City Council Beham. Until next time, stay informed and stay engaged.