A few months ago, Birmingham City Councilman Jay Roberson announced a plan to involve the city's youth in combating the violence that claims too many lives in some city neighborhoods.

The 100 Days of No Violence campaign sought to encourage young people to step in and step up, much like those youths involved in the Civil Rights Struggle who helped turn the tide 50 years ago.

Things are different today. There is no Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth to motivate masses, no great and overpowering spirit to guide the next movement.

But every movement has a beginning. There are enough people with enough concern -- and hope -- in the community who believe the tide can and must turn, before another generation consigns itself to accept violent behavior and low expectations as a normal, unchangeable way of life.

Roberson believes it so much that his efforts caught the White House's eye. Its Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnership, the White House Office of Public Engagement and the Corporation for National and Community Service invited him to come up to Washington, D.C., to join a national discussion on mentoring priorities for urban youth.

The meeting's aim is to establish working connections among researchers, organizations, foundations, and corporate partners who can help expand mentoring efforts that improve academic and behavioral outcomes for children and young adults.

Roberson is continuing the 100 Days of No Violence campaign (part of the Pen or Pencil Initiative) with his staff and other caring community leaders at tonight's Hip-Hop to Hip-Hope Summit. It uses entertainment and education (Roberson calls it "edu-tainment") as a way to spark conversation with Birmingham-area high school students about various issues they face in today’s society. The event starts 6:00 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.  I saw the practice show yesterday. I promise you, you won't want to miss it. I heard Ruben Studdard might drop by.

If you want to get inspired and work to be part of the solution, then bring a non-perishable food item or can good to cover the price of admission. 

More Events

Yes, baby, it's cold outside, and I don't like being cold. At all. But there are other events going on tonight that are also worth mentioning. I just wish I could clone myself to make them all.

One involves my friend Cassandra Griffen-McIntyre's photo exhibit at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Her opening reception is tonight at 6 and it goes through til 8:30. She's been working on this for quite a while, and I can't wait to see how her multi-media presentation further reveals the man behind Birmingham's Civil Rights legacy, the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth. The exhibition title, based on a book about the fiery preacher, is "A FIRE YOU CAN'T PUT OUT: VISIONS OF EMBERS."

Another event is the album release party of an musical artist, Jaafar, who performed earlier this year in the BAAM festival. If his sophomore album was anything like the soulful and sultry Travel Light CD, then you are definitely in for a toasty treat that will offset these wintery chills.

The release party for Supernatural Love also happens 7 pm tonight at BOSS Ultra Lounge, where Frank serves up some of the best hot wings I have ever tasted, no joke. I am not a wings person, so coming from me, that's high praise.

Thursday nights are busy around here, and I'm sure there are plenty of other holiday parties and other big events happening tonight as well. So never let anyone tell you there's nothing going on in Birmingham.

Enjoy yourselves tonight, and stay warm!

vickii