Springville Road Library to Host “Real Men, Real Issues” Panel Discussion Monday, September 30

The Birmingham Public Library is hosting a panel discussion Monday, September 30, focusing on how men can step up and be a part of solutions to issues plaguing the city.

BPL Real MENtors Talk Presents “Real Men, Real Issues” will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Springville Road Regional Branch Library.

BPL hosted a similar panel discussion September 16 at the Five Points West Regional Branch Library. 

 Panelists Monday, September 30 will be:

 • Richard Cade, founder of The Man Project in Birmingham

• Clinton Woods, Birmingham City Councilman for District 1

• Sherman Collins, former District 1 Birmingham School Board member and a candidate for Woods’ Council seat.

 • District 1 resident Chris Cummings, an employment specialist with Independent Advantage of Alabama

• Birmingham Municipal Judge Charles “Chuck” Price II

Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 Lashunda Scales, who previously served as Birmingham city councilor for District 1, will give greetings and encouraging remarks.

The “Real Men, Real Issues” panel discussions will focus on issues in District 1, such as how to reduce black-on-black crime, education, and the impact that the lack of fathers in the home has on black families.

The panel discussions will be moderated by Roy L. Williams, public relations director of the Birmingham Public Library and a former 25-year newspaper journalist. Williams came up with the idea of Real MENtors Talk, a new male mentoring program launching this fall and targeting youth who attend afterschool programs at BPL locations across the city.

 "I am so excited to have black professional men who are willing to invest in the lives of the next generation to help us come up with answers to real problems in our communities,” Williams said.

 For more information about Real MENtors talk and the panel discussion, contact Roy L. Williams, Birmingham Public Library P.R. Department (205) 226-3746, email rlwilliams@bham.lib.al.us.

UPCOMING REAL MENTORS TALK PROGRAMS

• Real MENtors Talk: Fatherhood (First Thursdays of each month @ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.) at West End Branch Library
Dates: October 3, Dec. 5, Jan. 3, Feb. 6

 This monthly program will discuss the importance of a father’s presence in a child’s life. For more information, call 205-226-4089

 • Real MENtors Talk: Pizza & Purpose for Young Men Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 @ 4 p.m., North Birmingham Regional Branch Library.   Real MENtors will discuss Real Life Issues with young men ages 14 to 18