Promising News
Stories
Read about how we’re building a better
future–for all of us.
Meet our partners: Birmingham Public Library
December 2022
“Some of our interns have been able to maintain their positions beyond their internship and stay to assist with summer programming and earn additional funds to save for college. Our team can share library knowledge about valuable databases and resources that will help interns academically in college.”
Meet our partners: Vulcan Materials Company
October 2022
“Our goal from this partnership is to provide students with an in-depth work experience that provides a unique balance of what they have learned in the classroom and what can be expected when joining the workforce. With Vulcan, students are placed in an entry-level, part-time position paired with a full-time employee to provide a hands-on learning experience. This approach allows the student to gain practical experiences that can be used in the workforce.”
Meet the Promise team: Arnee Odoms
September 2022
Job Title/Description: Internship Program Manager
Personal background: I attended A.H Parker High School, class of 2011. My hobbies include shopping and traveling in my spare time. I have a 10 year old daughter named Hannah Marie. I have a passion for serving my community and have been a community organizer for many years now.
Professional background: My major in college was political science and history. I am also a graduate of the Birmingham School of Law class of 2022. In my last role, I was the Alabama State Coordinator for Black Voters Matter Capacity Institute.
Meet the Promise team: Marc Palmer
September 2022
Job Title/Description: Chief Operating Officer
Personal background: I am from Detroit, Michigan, where I attended Renaissance High School. I attended the University of Pennsylvania where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. I am the youngest of three children and have one son. I enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, biking and taking foreign vacations. So far, I have traveled to and done business in 22 different countries.
Professional background: I have changed my career five times: chemical engineer, business manager, entrepreneur, seminary school student, and nonprofit management. I believe all leaders should be servant leaders. I am an extrovert who is passionate about interactions with people. I get my strength from serving others.
Global Scholar Samantha Williams and the Birmingham Promise
Birmingham Times | September 2022
Samantha Williams knows a little something about what educational opportunities can mean in the life of a student – hers and others.
Williams grew up … in Montrose, Alabama, an unincorporated community in Baldwin County … Her family didn’t make a lot of money.
But that didn’t stop Williams, 37, from leaving Fairhope High School in Alabama for Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on scholarships from the university and Fairhope’s Rotary Club, and later, a career in which she spent years in Johannesburg, South Africa and served as global director for an international education nonprofit.
AL.com helps Birmingham Promise interns get career experience, learn importance of local news
September 2022
AL.com has participated in the Birmingham Promise internship program since it began, an investment it hopes fosters future journalists as well as future champions for local news.
“One goal is to build interest among students wanting to pursue a career in journalism,” said Ivana Hrynkiw, a managing producer at AL.com, a digital news site that covers the state of Alabama. “Also, the partnership helps promote the importance of a strong news organization in the local community with both the student and the city.”
The internship program … provides seniors at Birmingham City Schools with paid work experience. Businesses like AL.com that host interns … learn more about the talent pipeline that exists in the Magic City.
“One of the things that has surprised me the most on a personal level is just how further advanced in their education they are as seniors than when I was a senior in high school,” said Kent Faulk, managing producer of community and state news at AL.com. “That gives me hope.”
American Pipe finds Birmingham Promise Internship programto be a two-way learning experience
August 2022
When American Pipe & Supply Co. hosted its first Birmingham Promise intern this past spring, its team discovered that the experience was both a chance to teach — and a chance to learn.
Among other things, the internship program gave American Pipe a deeper understanding about the workforce of tomorrow. “We have learned how to better communicate and direct those in Gen Z,” said Kristen Romano, Human Resource Generalist at American Pipe. “The majority of our employees are older, so this was a good learning experience.”
But that’s not the main reason American Pipe decided to partner with Birmingham Promise, which provides seniors in Birmingham City Schools paid opportunities to gain career experience and develop job skills.
Ramsay grad sees benefit of Birmingham Promise, UAB partnership
July 2022
Kamari Marzette believes in seizing opportunities. Even before she got to high school, she participated in summer STEM programs that fed and fueled her interests in engineering and science.
The Ramsay High School graduate parlayed those early experiences into opportunities — and an accomplishment few college freshmen can claim: Her work as a high school intern in a UAB cancer lab will be included in a research paper to be published later this year.
While her own determination and drive are key factors, Birmingham Promise is playing an important role in ensuring Kamari’s bright future.
How a Ramsay High Grad Thrived as Birmingham Promise Scholar at UAB
Birmingham Times | June 2022
Akera White first heard about Birmingham Promise when she was a student at Ramsay High School, a part of Birmingham City Schools. She heard murmurs in the hallways and from peers about scholarships that could be available to students to get financial help with college tuition and was encouraged to learn more about what could be possible as she embarked on her collegiate journey…
Birmingham Business Provides Opportunity for Students to Explore Entrepreneurship
November 2021
Tanesha Sims-Summers, the owner of Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn Co. (NBNKC), has a passion for all things entrepreneurship. NBNKC, in operation since 2014, has been intentional in creating a pathway for students to explore alternative career opportunities, specifically in entrepreneurship.
Community Organization Partners with Apprenticeship Program to Build Strong Career Pathways
November 2021
Community support is paramount for students to be successful in life, especially from the cradle to the point of self sufficiency. The Woodlawn Foundation is a community organization that serves as a catalyst and facilitator for the transformation and revitalization of the Woodlawn Community.
Bloomberg Philanthropies Commits Additional $25 Million to Career and Technical Education Programs to Better Prepare U.S. High School Students for Workforce Amidst Upheavals Caused By COVID-19 Pandemic
Bloomberg Philanthropies | November 2021
Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced an increased commitment to preparing young people for well-paying jobs and helping them recover from the financial and educational disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic with $25 million of additional support for career and technical education programs in nine U.S. cities and across two states.
Inspired to Create Pathways to Success for Birmingham Students
October 2021
Inspired by a passion to leave the world in a better place, Darrell Forte has taken on the challenge to ensure students in Birmingham City Schools have every resource needed to thrive in their educational journey.
Magic City Pest Control Ready to Equip Students with Career Opportunities through Apprenticeship
September 2021
Magic City Pest Control is ready to make a huge impact on Birmingham City School students — and improve the business landscape in Birmingham as well.
P.D. Jackson-Olin Graduate Inspired to Change His Community
September 2021
A recent graduate of P.D. Jackson-Olin High School, KeVonte Bailey has goals and aspirations to make his community a more equitable place.
Hundreds of city students to attend college this fall through Birmingham Promise
Birmingham Times | August 2021
More than 600 graduates of Birmingham City Schools will attend college this fall with financial aid and other assistance from Birmingham Promise. Birmingham Promise scholarships have been awarded to 380 students in the most recent graduating class, with recipients representing each of the city’s seven high schools…
Birmingham Promise Scholarship allows G.W. Carver High School graduate to commit to Birmingham’s future
August 2021
A recent graduate of G.W. Carver High School, Breunna Carter always knew she wanted to attend college, but had it not been for the Birmingham Promise, she would have picked an out-of-state school.
The Birmingham Promise is committed to the success of the whole student
July 2021
The success of the Birmingham Promise is rooted in providing opportunities for Birmingham City School students to excel in life, in part through last-dollar scholarships that provide tuition assistance for students to attend any in-state public institution of higher learning.
But the commitment to students’ success goes beyond providing scholarship opportunities…
Birmingham leaders launch new Prosper collaborative
Birmingham Times | June 2021
Birmingham-area leaders on Monday announced the launch of Prosper, an initiative focused on creating a more prosperous and equitable Birmingham by investing in opportunities that grow the area’s economy in an inclusive way…
Birmingham Promise about to graduate second class of students
WBRC | May 2021
More students this year are going to college for free, thanks to the Birmingham Promise. The program is two years old and so far, has sent hundreds of students to college. Many of whom are in the first generation of their families to do so.
Birmingham Promise gives Birmingham City Schools grad promising future
UAB News | November 2020
Students from all seven Birmingham City high schools make up the first Birmingham Promise class of freshmen at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The scholarship program provided 68 students with the opportunity to pursue their bachelor’s degree with a full-tuition scholarship through a partnership with Birmingham Promise, Inc., at UAB…
