Main Street Alabama Makes History After Hosting the Main Street Now 2024 Conference cont.
Emily Smith, Controller, VP CPA, United Bank, said the following about sponsoring the LAMA reception and Main Street.
"The LAMA reception provided a unique opportunity to network with our regional partners. From the venue and hard-working staff to the food, music, and networking – everything was superb. Thank you to the Main Street Alabama staff for coordinating a successful and fun reception for our region!
As you continue your commendable and dedicated efforts to revitalize and strengthen your hometowns, please keep our teams in mind. We aid with economic development in the form of New Markets Tax Credit funding and financing, work force housing financing, as well as legal, accounting and consulting services. Jointly, we have completed projects across the southeast U.S. and have many years of experience in the industry. Our funding makes projects of all sizes possible and affords the opportunity to provide equitable financing to small businesses as well."
Starting on Monday and throughout the conference, ARCY's live painting session captivated onlookers as he transformed a blank canvas into a captivating homage to Erskine Hawkins' enduring impact. The 6-8 hour project showcased ARCY's distinctive style and the intricate connection between art and community heritage.
Erskine Hawkins was an American trumpeter and big band leader from Birmingham. He and his orchestra performed alongside some of the greatest of their time with such bandleaders as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Lionel Hampton.
Designed to represent the Historic 4th Avenue Business District, ARCY gifted this work to Urban Impact for public display, hoping it can be used to educate, inspire, and honor Erskine’s legacy.
Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to attend a special screening of the Fred Shuttlesworth Documentary at the Sidewalk Cinema, featuring insights from the documentary's producers.
Throughout the conference, attendees had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Birmingham and surrounding communities. Through engaging mobile workshops, they explored iconic landmarks, historic sites, and vibrant neighborhoods. Within the city, scheduled tours were not just sightseeing, but a journey into the city's diverse heritage, including Civil Rights landmarks, industrial history sites, and architectural marvels.
Attendees also had the opportunity to visit several communities outside of Birmingham. Those communities included Anniston, Athens, Calera, Columbiana, Decatur, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Heflin, Jasper, Oxford, Montevallo, Montgomery, and Wetumpka. We appreciate all the hard work the communities put into making the tours memorable. Special thanks to REV Birmingham for hosting three tours in Birmingham including Railroad Park and Rotary Trail, a visit to Woodlawn, and a downtown driving overview.
During the closing plenary, Paul Carruthers, Senior Vice President of Regions Bank and conference sponsor, announced the winner of the Mary Means Award. Mary Wirth then handed the conference baton to the next host coordinating program, Pennsylvania as Main Street Now 2025 will be held in Philadelphia in April.
The conference culminated in a sold-out Big Bash event at Sloss Furnaces, offering attendees a memorable finale to a week of celebration and collaboration.
As the curtains closed on Main Street Now 2024, Birmingham emerged as a beacon of cultural vibrancy and community resilience, embodying the spirit of revitalization and collaboration.
