The BALLARD HOUSE PROJECT, Inc. invites you to Gather for Community Conversations

The Ballard House Project, Inc. Community-Wide Collective Memory Program, in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library Archives, honors the heritage and voices of Birmingham’s vibrant past. The Ballard House Project, Inc. will host a Day of “Community Conversations,” Thursday, July 27, 2017. The all day mini-sessions of Community Conversations will take place from 10 am – 6:00 pm, covering a diversity of topics, at the Central Branch of the Birmingham Public Library (Linn Henley Building), in the Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr. Auditorium, 4th Floor. We invite Birmingham metro area residents to join us to listen and engage in critical areas of community history to be covered each hour.

We are gathering across the metro area to record conversations about Birmingham’s historic past. Our community  was built with the hard work, sacrifice, and legacy of people from all walks of life. Who are we? Where did our ancestors come from? How did they live and work, build businesses, interact among races, socialize, and serve their communities? It’s time we learn more!

Participants are asked to share their recollections and reflections about Birmingham’s past, its neighborhoods and communities, memorable people, and milestone events.  We are developing a rich historical profile on what it was like to live in Birmingham during the 1st half to mid-20th century that will be shared with our community and visitors.

The “Collective Memories” gathered during these Community Conversations will be digitally recorded.  

“The Ballard House Project, Inc. launched Community Conversations in order to bring people together in metro Birmingham to document and celebrate the shared history of our community,” according to BHP Executive Director Majella Chube Hamilton.  “Birmingham is well-known for its civil rights struggle.  This is an important chapter in its history, but its rich legacy did not begin, nor end, there.  Like revolutions, movements do not exist in a vacuum.  The collective agency of a people rarely operates in silos.  If we are going to solve the issues Birmingham faces today, we have to ‘gather together’ and discuss the obstacles faced, milestones reached, and the impact from different perspectives.”  She adds, “At the Ballard House Project, we are fostering an environment to build a renewed community spirit that values the contributions of all segments, working together to move Birmingham toward a better future.”   A detailed listing of invited program participants will be announced.

Ballard House Project’s Community Conversations Schedule for the Day:
JOIN US for 1 DAY of Mini-Session Topics, sharing “Collective Memories” on:  
9:30 am – Continental Breakfast and Sign In
10:00 am – The Lives of Civil Rights Foot Soldiers
11:00 am – IMPACT: Women’s Clubs & Organizations
Noon – Lunch / Southern Cuisine & Heritage
1:00 pm – History of Early Black Businesses
2:00 pm – Economic & Legal Empowerment
3:00 pm – Tips on Researching Family Roots
3:30 pm – In Touch with Cultural Connections to Our Heritages
4:00 pm – Neighborhoods & Communities I
4:45 pm – Neighborhoods & Communities II

For many years, The Ballard House Project (BHP) has been recording oral histories and ‘collective memories” of people from all walks of life and backgrounds. These personal stories are nothing short of inspiring because they demonstrate the unique strength, innovation, faith, and humanity of Birmingham.

Earlier this year, the BHP launched a “Community-wide Collective Memory Program” to gather stories and images that reflect metro Birmingham’s past.  Community Conversations is an important facet of this initiative.  “These personal stories are truly interesting and colorful.  They enlighten everyone, spark additional memories, and build a foundation of understanding in all of us, demonstrating the unique strength, innovation and humanity of this special community we call Birmingham.  The Ballard House Project (BHP) is committed to preserving this legacy and sharing it with our community and others, “ says Hamilton. “In learning how people lived, worked, strategized, socialized and served their communities across the Magic City, we gain insight on the influences, obstacles, principles, and accomplishments of people that shaped and impacted this community. Along with insight, we gain inspiration from this rich and vibrant past.  Our goal is to create opportunities for intergenerational interaction among diverse groups, assist our community in learning more about its history, and provide a catalyst to connect present issues to the past.”

The Ballard House project, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to gathering, documenting, and sharing this history with our community and beyond. Located in the historic Birmingham Civil Rights District, the BHP hosts educational and cultural workshops, special events, and exhibits that honor, preserve, and showcase the community’s history. The event is free and open to the public.   A light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be served. Contact:  Mchubehamilton@aol.com or 205/937-4154 cell.