Viola Ratcliffe of Create Birmingham: Connecting BHAM Locals to the Arts

Viola Ratcliffe is on a mission to empower Birmingham's creative economy to become a means of sustainable growth for the city and beyond. Meet this month’s inspiring FACE of Birmingham! Image: Create Birmingham by Katie Leigh Matthews, Style Blueprint Viola Ratcliffe has loved the arts for as long as she can remember — from elementary school art classes to earning her master’s in Art History. Now, as Director of Community Engagement at Create Birmingham, she…

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Creative Sector Is Vital to a Thriving City, Create Birmingham’s New CEO Says

Friends were encouraging Quang Do to apply for the president and CEO role with Create Birmingham when he coincidentally found the first check he had ever received for performing spoken-word poetry, as a 19-year-old. It was from Create Birmingham. “I remember seeing that check and being like, ‘Oh, this is weird, all the pieces coming into play,’” Do said. “I really have been preparing myself for an opportunity I didn’t know was Create (Birmingham).” He knew he…

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Happy International Women’s Day: 2025 Women Making Waves Award Winners

It’s AMD Creative's  favorite time of the year – we’re celebrating our Women Making Waves Award winners! This is our 6th year highlighting inspiring women throughout Birmingham who are positively impacting, changing and uplifting their communities through their dedication, passion and selflessness. Whether their contributions are in business, wellness, media and more, each of these ladies showcase their own unique qualities, and we’re honored to recognize them! In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re happy…

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StrongHer 2025 Profiles: Olivia Anthony

Olivia Anthony’s Next Act Involves Growth, Glam and Giving Back Olivia Anthony knew she was born to run her own fashion label. Deep in her gut, she could feel it. But, as she worked as a stylist and at a department store, she needed more time to help her fashion company, LIVStreetwear, take flight. So, in 2016, she made this promise to her father, Emory Anthony, in Birmingham: allow her one year to get her…

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