Virginia Beale, The Literacy Council:‘Find Something That Really Speaks to You’By Keysha DrexelJournal editorWhen Virginia Beale moved to the Over the Mountain area a few years ago, the 31-year-old said she was shocked to learn that so many adults in the Birmingham metro area cannot read.And for the past three years, the ninth-grade English teacher at … [Read more...]
Agents of Change: John Obert
John Obert, Camp SAM:‘There Are Hundreds of Ways to Give Back’By Keysha DrexelJournal editorJohn Obert grew up in Hoover watching cartoons on Saturday mornings like most kids his age. But it was not an animated show that most captured his attention--and heart--and led him to devote his free time to helping others.The 30-year-old Hoover resident said it … [Read more...]
Agents of Change: Hayden Patton
Hayden Patton, Mitchell's Place:‘I Wanted to be a Part of Something That Is Helping Children’By Keysha DrexelJournal editorGrowing up in Mountain Brook, Hayden Patton said serving the community was just a part of her everyday life.The 31-year-old said some of her fondest childhood memories are of going to work with her late grandmother, Laura Emma "L.E." … [Read more...]
Agents of Change: Emily Branum
Emily Branum, Symphony 30:“You Have to Ask Yourself, ‘If I Don’t Who Will?’”By Keysha DrexelJournal editorEmily Branum said growing up in Baton Rouge, La., gave her an appreciation for music, but it’s the Mountain Brook resident's love for her new hometown that motivates her to try to make the Birmingham metro area a better place to live.Branum, 36, a … [Read more...]
Robert MacArthur: ‘We Need to Really Commit to Our Community’
By Keysha DrexelJournal editorBefore he moved from Boston to Birmingham almost three years ago, Robert MacArthur saw firsthand the difference one person can make in the life of a struggling child.And now that he is on the junior board at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the 26-year-old said he’s using that firsthand experience to try to give back to students in … [Read more...]