Brothers & Bow Ties Panelists to Give Inspiring Words for Boys on January 16

 

As part of a citywide celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, the Birmingham Public Library will host a panel discussion online on Saturday featuring African-American men sharing inspiring words of encouragement for youth.

"Brothers and Bow Ties: A Vision Cast Virtual Event” will take place at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, January 16, 2021, on the BPL Facebook page. 

Cedric D. Sparks, Chief of Staff for the City of Birmingham, will serve as host and moderator of the event. 

Brothers & Bow Ties is part of a citywide celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, and will include a panel of black men offering words of encouragement to young boys and teenagers between the ages of 11 and 18. 

The program will provide donations for those in need at the Central Library on MLK Day Monday, January 18, 2021, commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a “Day of Service.”

Brothers and Bow Ties is designed to motivate adolescent males between the ages of 11 and 18. The event is to promote positive character, establish long-lasting relationships with positive adult male figures, and to cast visions that promote a brighter future.

The 2021 Brothers and Bow Ties host and 10 panelists are as follows:

Host Cedric D. Sparks, City of Birmingham Chief of Staff 

Panelists:

Clinton P. Woods, District 1 Councilor, Birmingham City Council 

Judge Cuck Price II, Birmingham Municipal Court 

 Derrick Gray, Senior Pastor of the Freedom Church 

 Emory Edwards, Senior Pastor of C2 Nation

 

 Earl Patton, Associate Pastor of C2 Nation 

 Toby Carter, Chief Photographer of CBS 42 

 Jonathan T. Moore, Founder of “Word on Wheels” 

 Eric D. Jones, Founder of D.I.G. Mentoring 

 Timothy Alexander, Author/Public Speaker/Founder of “Inspired by T.A.” 

 Roy L. Williams, Director of Public Relations for the Birmingham Public Library 

For more details on 2021 Brothers & Bow Ties, click here 

Genni Threet, blogger for R. Hanauer, Fine Accessories for Men, in this article shares why bow ties are a significant part of a man’s wardrobe.

Created by BPL Outreach Librarian Candice Hardy, “Brothers and Bow Ties” made its inaugural debut MLK Weekend in January 2020, partnering with the historic Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, The Birmingham Mayor’s Office: Divisions of Youth Service, and several organizations across the City of Birmingham. 

Timothy Alexander, an author and motivational speaker served as the 2020 keynote speaker. 

Alexander is the author of Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal, a memoir about how he overcame a car accident that left him confined to a wheelchair at age 17.