By Javacia Harris Bowser, See Jane Write Magazine Founding Editor
Laura Kate Whitney is a connector. She connects people to one another and she connects Birmingham residents to the city they call home. Her enthusiasm for the Magic City is contagious. Her determination to improve our city drives you to try to make a difference too.
Laura Kate is a community organizer who works with various local causes to increase awareness and promote positive impact. For example, Laura Kate was instrumental in the debut of REVIVE Birmingham, an urban revitalization initiative spearheaded by the economic development agency REV Birmingham.
Laura Kate says her mission is to build Birmingham into a city that her two young sons will one day be proud to call home, but in doing so she’s making many other Birmingham residents proud of their home too.
It was no surprise that Laura Kate was one of the speakers at this year’s TEDxBirmingham conference. The theme of the event was “Rediscover the Magic.” And if you need someone to help others rediscover the magic of the Magic City, Laura Kate Whitney is definitely your woman.
For people who weren’t at TEDxBirmingham can you briefly summarize your talk and what you hoped people would take from it?
When I was young, someone labeled me as a “late bloomer.” For many years, I believed this to be my doomed destiny. What I realized when I moved to Birmingham, though, was that being a late bloomer can be a huge advantage. Birmingham, much like myself, has taken her time stepping into her full potential. I believe the real magic in this Magic City is just beginning to reveal itself. And after all, isn’t it great to know that the best is yet to come?
Your story of how you see yourself in Birmingham was beautiful. How did seeing yourself in Birmingham fuel your love for the city?
My love for this city happened almost immediately upon moving here. These hills. This history. Those scars… All of it. It draws you in. It holds you close. It finds a place in your heart.
What I love about Birmingham is her people and her landscape. The rhythm of this place truly moves me. Here is a place where history matters, where every new discovery and each new development is another celebration our community can collectively celebrate. Here is where the stories we tell impart so much hope for what we can become. Birmingham is everything I’ve ever wanted in a city. Her magic unfolds at every turn.
You have such great passion for the city that it’s contagious. But what can we do with this fire? How can we move from passion to practice? What are some practical actions we who love Birmingham can take to improve this city?
Victoria Hollis nailed it with her TEDx Birmingham presentation: If you care about the future of our city then your priority is clear: support our schools.
Our public school system is the number one driver of change in Birmingham. Until we turn that key, we will be a city that’s nice to visit but one that is incredibly challenging in which to live and work. The investment we make in our future begins in our urban classrooms. Period.
So, what are some practical actions? I would first watch Victoria’s TEDxBirmingham talk. Get fired up. Next, step inside a Birmingham City School. Spend time there. Get to know the teachers and the students and the families. Find out what community partners are doing and get behind them. No doubt you’ll be inspired to find ways to help and support the people and the organizations that are working to improve our city school system. Stay involved. Stay informed. Be consistent. When you hear someone say that moving to Birmingham City is impossible because of the schools, speak up. When you see a Birmingham City school teacher or student do something incredible, applaud them and share their story.
Bottom line: If you invest in our schools then you’ll be investing in our city’s future.
Also, shop local. Support our local businesses and entrepreneurs. Remember that when you shop locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development.
I think that’s enough to get started, yes?
Loved this! Such a great idea and perfect 1st choice. Way to go, Javacia and LK!! 🙂
Splendid article. Your first Jane was the perfect choice. Laura Kate Whitney gives 120% to everything she attempts and to everyone she draws into her world of insight and enthusiasm for Birmingham. She epitomizes strength and joy in striving to encourage growth and exuberance for her family, for her peers, and for Birmingham leaders. Let her take charge; she gets results.
Loved the article about Laura Kate. I think one of her keys to success in Birmingham is she resolved in her own mind that she was going to love her town. Positive mental attitude sets the stage for everything. Laura Kate “ran with” her predetermined passion for Birmingham. When you truly love something, it is much easier to infuse passion in others. Laura Kate is going to make as much of an impression on Birmingham as Birmingham has made on her.