Central Library to Host Men of Change: Brothers & Bow Ties on October 7

Birmingham, Ala. - In celebration of the Men of Change Smithsonian Exhibit being held at the Birmingham Public Library and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Central Library downtown is hosting "Brothers & Bow Ties: Becoming Men of Change" on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The session will kick off at 12:30 p.m.

BPL is inviting parents and youth groups to bring boys aged 18 and under, as well as men willing to come dressed in bow ties and invest time with boys at this event. Boys in attendance will receive encouraging words from speakers as well as a free lunch provided by BPL. 

This Saturday's "Brothers  & Bow Ties: Becoming Men of Change" speakers are:

* Darryl Grant, a partner at KPMG. Grant served as facilitator at BPL's Brothers & Bow Ties last year. 

* Rahman Owens, owner of O. Jay Fence Company

* Eric Guster, owner of Guster Law Firm, LLC

* Tamario Ward, U.S. Navy (Retired)

* Officer Truman Fitzgerald, Assistant Public Information Officer for the Birmingham Police Department. Officer Fitzgerald and BPD Captain Janice Blackwell were honored in August for their efforts to reduce gun violence in Birmingham by the Alabama Chapter of Voices for Black Mothers United.   

"Brothers and Bow Ties" is designed to motivate males 18 and younger by connecting them with positive male role models. Men who desire to give back to the next generation are encouraged to participate.

Bow ties are becoming a popular staple in men's wardrobes, more than just a symbol of nerds and science geeks. These days, bow ties represent creativity - a confident willingness to be different and an uncompromising embrace of style, according to "A Gentleman's Guide to Bow Ties" by R. Hanauer, Fine Accessories for Men.  

Genni Threet, blogger for R. Hanauer says, “While it can be a daunting task to select shirts, pants, and jackets that best represent your personality, accessories are far easier and more attainable tools to express yourself. That’s where your favorite bow tie comes in.” 

"Brothers and Bowties” 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 youth and male mentoring organizations across city.