By Sarah Kuper Stephen Black's passion for Alabama's youth may seem out of place. He didn't grow up here, he didn't go to school here and he doesn't have a Southern accent. But a quick check into Black's family tree shows that a penchant for social justice for Alabamians is in his genes. Stephen Black is the grandson of the late Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black – an Alabama … [Read more...]
Diapers for Hope
Bundles of Hope Hosts Diaper Drives for Needy Families By Sarah Kuper Nearly one in three Birmingham-area families struggle to provide enough diapers for their children.With small children going through up to 10 diapers per day, the cost can be more than $100 per month, and diapers cannot be bought with food stamps or even through the WIC program. But a Birmingham … [Read more...]
The Pursuit of Happiness: Birmingham Woman Uses Personal Journey to Help Others Find Happiness
By Sarah Kuper Finding happiness takes work. Just ask University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate student Ayushe Sharma. Diagnosed with a serious illness in her mid-20s, Sharma was forced to take a break from medical school and seek treatment. After nearly two years weighed down emotionally and physically, Sharma decided to change her life by aggressively pursuing happiness. … [Read more...]
On the Defensive: Homewood Gym Starts Fights to Keep Members Fit
By Sarah Kuper Haley Tenbarge was tired of being scared. When the Birmingham native lived in Dallas, she and a group of friends were attacked while enjoying a night out. Now, Tenbarge is back in Homewood training at a mixed martial arts gym. She said that if she could go back to that moment in Dallas, she would fight back. Tenbarge practices mixed martial arts (MMA) at … [Read more...]
More than “Om”: Meditation Promotes Self-Awareness, Inner Calm
By Sarah Kuper At the beginning of January, it can be impossible to get a treadmill at the gym. Driven by New Year's resolutions, people dig for their gym membership cards and start using phrases like "muscle confusion" and "moisture-wicking.” But local therapy and spiritual professionals said New Year's resolutions should have more to do with mindfulness, inner calm and … [Read more...]