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We Create Birmingham: Fairfield Black Art Collective
“Artists deserve to feel valued. We want to support living artists. We want them to be able to pay their bills with their gifts. We don’t want to be appreciated once we die.” Erika Mixon
We Create Birmingham: Annie Bryant of Bib and Tucker
“Come on in. We’ve got a place for you. Nothing is wrong. If you don’t know how to do it, just ask. We’ll show you. We don’t know everything, but there is usually somebody who knows a little bit more than you do, and we’ll help you in any way we can.”
We Create Birmingham: Carey Fountain
“This work can be very emotionally charged. It never loses its impact. Art has a way of inspiring people and inviting them into a deeper and uncomfortable conversation.”
We Create Birmingham: Daniel Drinkard, Owner of Seasick Records
“I wanted this place to be a more inviting space than many record stores tend to be…. Our goal is to be a space that makes people feel comfortable and welcome, purchasing whatever music they love. That’s why we make an effort to host community events that connect us to the city at large, more so than just being a retail store.”
We Create Birmingham: Willie Williams of Studio 2500
“Black artists are already underrepresented, so for me to own a fine art gallery as a black male and artist, I’m trailblazing and setting a precedent for generations now and to come.”
We Create Birmingham: Klein Arts and Culture
“I think that is the thing. Issues of trust. What is going on, and what is it really about? The longer that we go along, the more likely it is that people will say ok. We just have to do what we’re saying without hidden agendas. We just have to do that with time. Time and consistency are going to help.” Theo Perkins
We Create Birmingham: Andrea Early
“There is no perfect way to taste and experience wine. I want people to feel transported by wine. And that’s what I want to bring to Birmingham. I think of wine as togetherness.” Andrea Early
We Create Birmingham: Ashley Woods
“I think that human beings inherently create connection, and that’s what theatre offers. Even when things get difficult, there is still going to be that desire. It’s unique to live theatre, and that’s the hope we hang onto.” Ashley Woods
We Create Birmingham: Will Mason
“Music is just innately human. Our heart is literally beating inside of us, rising and falling with our movement, every day. Like our heartbeat, music is just essential to our survival. We should stay more focused on things (like music) that inform our mental health and well-being.” Will Mason
We Create Birmingham: Aaliyah Taylor and Gelenda Norman
“Whenever I feel like I need to refine myself to be like others, I have to remember that I have purpose in who I am. I am unique, and it’s important to remain true to you. And by doing that, you remind others to stay bold and authentic.” Aaliyah Taylor, Exalting in Beauty
We Create Birmingham: Jordan Higgins and Jacob Patrick of Electra Film Lab
We Create Birmingham: Cameron Sankey
We Create Birmingham: Dr. Leah Tucker
We Create Birmingham: Tyler Jones
We Create Birmingham: Edina Shrestha
We Create Birmingham: Cristal Laraé Brister
We Create Birmingham: Jessica Moody
We Create Birmingham: Ursula Smith
We Create Birmingham: Anthony Waller
We Create Birmingham: Viola Ratcliffe
We Create Birmingham: Jorge Castro
We Create Birmingham: Anna Foshee
We Create Birmingham: William J. Rushton
We Create Birmingham: Meghann Bridgeman
We Create Birmingham: Keith Cromwell
We Create Birmingham: Kiwi Lanier
We Create Birmingham: Buddy Palmer
We Create Birmingham: Darlene Negrotto
We Create Birmingham: Fairfield Black Art Collective
“Artists deserve to feel valued. We want to support living artists. We want them to be able to pay their bills with their gifts. We don’t want to be appreciated once we die.” Erika Mixon
We Create Birmingham: Annie Bryant of Bib and Tucker
“Come on in. We’ve got a place for you. Nothing is wrong. If you don’t know how to do it, just ask. We’ll show you. We don’t know everything, but there is usually somebody who knows a little bit more than you do, and we’ll help you in any way we can.”
We Create Birmingham: Carey Fountain
“This work can be very emotionally charged. It never loses its impact. Art has a way of inspiring people and inviting them into a deeper and uncomfortable conversation.”
We Create Birmingham: Daniel Drinkard, Owner of Seasick Records
“I wanted this place to be a more inviting space than many record stores tend to be…. Our goal is to be a space that makes people feel comfortable and welcome, purchasing whatever music they love. That’s why we make an effort to host community events that connect us to the city at large, more so than just being a retail store.”
We Create Birmingham: Willie Williams of Studio 2500
“Black artists are already underrepresented, so for me to own a fine art gallery as a black male and artist, I’m trailblazing and setting a precedent for generations now and to come.”
We Create Birmingham: Klein Arts and Culture
“I think that is the thing. Issues of trust. What is going on, and what is it really about? The longer that we go along, the more likely it is that people will say ok. We just have to do what we’re saying without hidden agendas. We just have to do that with time. Time and consistency are going to help.” Theo Perkins