Magic City Spotlight podcast

The Magic City Spotlight is the Official Podcast of the City of Birmingham, Alabama. Sponsored by the Office of the Mayor.

Neighborhoods Rising: Revitalization, Stability, Community 10/28/2025

Neighborhoods Rising: Revitalization, Stability, Community This week we talk neighborhood revitalization, protecting legacy homeowners, tackling blight, and building stronger communities. See how partnerships and smart strategies are shaping a more vibrant Birmingham. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38810690

City of Birmingham: What's Next? 10/28/2025

City of Birmingham: What's Next? A conversation with Mayor Randall Woodfin. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38810570

Birmingham’s Youth: Sustaining the Future 10/28/2025

Birmingham’s Youth: Sustaining the Future We spotlight the Birmingham Youth Sports League, where new opportunities are taking shape for the city’s young athletes. The league is about more than football; it’s about mentorship, character, and preparing the next generation for life beyond the field. Hear how respect, resilience, and teamwork are being instilled in Birmingham’s youth, one game at a time. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38810505

Birmingham’s Mental Health Wake-Up Call 10/28/2025

Birmingham’s Mental Health Wake-Up Call Gun violence, generational trauma, and daily stress are all taking a toll. This conversation focuses on how the city is addressing emotional wellness, especially for men and youth. It will also highlight access to services, safe spaces, and community-led healing initiatives. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38810420

Everyday Heroes: City Workers Who Make It Happen 10/28/2025

Everyday Heroes: City Workers Who Make It Happen A behind-the-scenes look at the people who keep the city running. From sanitation workers to traffic engineers, this episode is about celebrating the often-unseen workers whose impact touches every Birmingham resident. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38810385

Birmingham Women Changing the Game 10/28/2025

Birmingham Women Changing the Game This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the women leading Birmingham’s progress across business, education, civic engagement, and the arts. We'll examine how they navigate leadership in male-dominated spaces, build influence behind the scenes, and shape policy, culture, and economic outcomes in ways that often go unnoticed. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38808690

Telling Birmingham’s Story 10/28/2025

Telling Birmingham’s Story This episode explores how Birmingham is reclaiming and reshaping its narrative through storytelling, technology, and cultural leadership. At the heart of the conversation is As Goes the South, a documentary that reveals the character of a modern Southern city fighting for progress within one of the most hostile state governments since Reconstruction. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38808655

Back to School: More Than a Backpack 10/28/2025

Back to School: More Than a Backpack This episode will spotlight school-city partnerships, mental health supports in classrooms, and what’s ahead for the new academic year. It will also explore how the city is investing in youth beyond the classroom to shape Birmingham’s next generation. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38808590

The Vibe Shift: Culture in the New Birmingham 10/28/2025

The Vibe Shift: Culture in the New Birmingham On this episode of Magic City Spotlight, we’re exploring the culture shift happening across Birmingham, including the upcoming Art Walk in Smithfield, a bold and powerful tribute to history, healing, and creativity. City voices are shaping the vibe through food, storytelling, and shared experiences. It’s a new era rooted in legacy and brought to life by the people living it. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/38808515

Community Redefined: Birmingham's Unhoused 03/19/2025

Community Redefined: Birmingham's Unhoused In this episode, we take a closer look at the realities facing Birmingham’s unhoused population. Through personal stories, expert voices, and community perspectives, we explore the challenges, misconceptions, and efforts reshaping how we define community, care, and belonging. Tune in for a powerful conversation on humanity, housing, and hope. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/35775745

Next Generation Leadership: Youth Empowerment 03/19/2025

Next Generation Leadership: Youth Empowerment In 2025, Birmingham’s commitment to empowering its young people will take on new urgency. This episode highlights how the city is enhancing programs for youth leadership, including new mentorship and career development initiatives. With the mayor’s insight, we’ll explore plans for ensuring that Birmingham’s youth are prepared to shape the city’s future, from educational opportunities to community involvement programs. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/35775605

Birmingham’s Tech Boom: Preparing for the Future 02/17/2025

Birmingham’s Tech Boom: Preparing for the Future This episode will focus on Birmingham’s emerging role as a tech hub. With 2025 marking new strides in tech innovation, we’ll dive into how the city is fostering startups, attracting tech talent, and developing initiatives to boost the digital economy. The mayor will discuss Birmingham’s plans for growing its tech industry, creating jobs, and preparing residents for the tech-driven future. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/35316540

Small Business, Big Impact: Supporting Local Entrepreneurs 02/17/2025

Small Business, Big Impact: Supporting Local Entrepreneurs This episode focuses on the vibrant small business community in Birmingham. We’ll showcase success stories, discuss the city’s efforts to support local entrepreneurs and provide resources for residents looking to start their own businesses. The mayor will share insights on economic development and how Birmingham’s growth is fueled by the creativity and resilience of its small business owners. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/35316165

Building Tomorrow: Revitalizing Birmingham’s Neighborhoods 02/17/2025

Building Tomorrow: Revitalizing Birmingham’s Neighborhoods Neighborhood revitalization is a top priority for Mayor Woodfin's administration. Hear how his team is bringing new life to neighborhoods from the residents who live there. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/35316130

State of the Community 01/21/2025

State of the Community Join Mayor Woodfin and Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan as they discuss the State of the Community. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/34943240

A New Era for Public Safety 01/21/2025

A New Era for Public Safety Public safety remains a top priority for Birmingham. This episode will feature discussions on the latest public safety reforms, new initiatives to foster trust between law enforcement and the community, and the steps being taken to reduce crime while addressing the root causes of violence. The mayor will also discuss how the city is using data and technology to improve public safety outcomes, hiring and retaining public safety individuals. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/34943145

Small Business 02/26/2024

Small Business The City of Birmingham's RISE Program, which stands for Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion, establishes two funds with the purpose of providing resources for area businesses. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/30110588

Page Pals: A Community Response to Literacy 02/19/2024

Page Pals: A Community Response to Literacy We highlight the powerful collaboration between the City of Birmingham, Birmingham City Schools, and our vibrant community, united by a common mission: enhancing student reading proficiency. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/30018998

Financial Literacy 02/19/2024

Financial Literacy A candid conversation and discover valuable insights as we discuss financial strategies within our city while providing practical advice on wealth building. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/30018938

What Will $50 Million Do for Smithfield 01/29/2024

What Will $50 Million Do for Smithfield Join our conversation with the visionaries behind Birmingham's $50 million effort in Historic Smithfield. Learn about their strategies, upcoming projects, and how they're collaboratively shaping the landscape of our neighborhoods. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/29694958

State of the City 01/23/2024

State of the City Kick off the new year with a special edition of Mayor Woodfin’s State of the City! Get a pulse on everything Birmingham. Mayor Woodfin will provide show listeners with insight into the city's plans, aspirations, and key initiatives for 2024. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/29611458

StrongHer (Part 2) 04/13/2023

StrongHer (Part 2) Each March, the City of Birmingham publishes daily StrongHer profiles featuring under-recognized women who are leading our community. Join Mayor Woodfin and his friends as they celebrate five years of StrongHer and share stories of the women who inspire us. Guests: Chanda Temple, Senior Project Manager, City of Birmingham Mayor's Office Andrea Parker, StrongHer Honoree Parker is the president and CEO of Parker and Associations Investment Co. This new project is allowing Parker to stretch her wings as she focuses on developing underserved communities, by starting with Ensley. she purchased five acres near 22nd Street and Avenue E in Ensley, which is where she plans to break ground on a multi-use facility by 2024. The space will be home to condos, eateries and an incubator space for small businesses. Terri Harvill, StrongHer Honoree Terri has worked for the YMCA of Greater Birmingham for more than 30 years, first working while she was in high school. Serving the community has always been her focus, which is why a new project in Roebuck means so much to her. She and a team of volunteers and staff worked to raise nearly $3.6 million during the pandemic to help revamp the eight acres where the current Northeast YMCA sits in Roebuck. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26532270

Financial Literacy 04/13/2023

Financial Literacy Did anyone ever talk to you about money? Mayor Woodfin and leaders of the Birmingham Financial Freedom project will be discussing wealth building and what Birmingham youth and their families can do enjoy financial prosperity. Guests: Isaac Cooper, CEO, IMC Financial Samantha Williams, CEO, The Birmingham Promise Judy Wood, Wellness Coach, OperationHope /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26532159

StrongHer 04/13/2023

StrongHer Each March, the City of Birmingham publishes daily StrongHer profiles featuring under-recognized women who are leading our community. Join Mayor Woodfin and his friends as they celebrate five years of StrongHer and share stories of the women who inspire us. Guests: Chanda Temple, Senior Project Manager, City of Birmingham Mayor's Office Jacqueline McKinney - StrongHer Candidate Retired dressmaker, housekeeper and caterer Jacqueline McKinney has taken it upon herself to pick up trash in her neighborhood after failing to get a larger dumpster for her Woodlawn apartment complex. Once she is done in her neighborhood, the 69-year-old hits First Avenue North to pick up litter. She does all this, despite health issues. She also volunteers to cook to help loved ones when they've lost someone. Allison Sanders - StrongHer Candidate Made her stage debut at the Alabama Theatre at the age of six in the Sound of Music. Singing opera and performing with various groups, including the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the New York City Opera, Opera Memphis, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Allison was a soloist during the closing ceremony of the World Games in Birmingham. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26532096

Entrepreneurs 04/13/2023

Entrepreneurs Many of Birmingham's biggest innovations have come from entrepreneurs. They are our family members, they are our employers and they are investing in our neighborhoods in every corner of Birmingham. Meet today's leading entrepreneurs as they share their challenges, triumphs and advice. Guests: Kellie Clark, CEO of Appthink Shegun Otulana, founder and CEO of Harmony Venture Labs and CEO of Copysmith AI /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26532051

History In The Making 04/13/2023

History In The Making Entrepreneur, mogul, teacher, marketer, broadcaster, owner, investor, survivor, philanthropist, husband, father, civil rights pioneer, son of Mattie C. At nearly 90-years-old, Dr. Stewart continues to share his voice, wisdom, and love with Birmingham. In an exclusive, one-on-one discussion, Dr. Stewart and Mayor Woodfin will discuss the history, present and future of the City of Birmingham as the city celebrates the 60th commemoration of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. Guests: Dr. Shelley Stewart, Radio pioneer, civil-rights activist, business owner and author Uche Bean, Deputy Director, Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26531976

The Next Movement 04/13/2023

The Next Movement Birmingham was forever changed by the courageous efforts of it's youth. Today, there are young people creating new movements in neighborhood revitalization, homelessness, and many other issues important to their generation. Guests: November Boler, student at Woodlawn High School participating in the Woodlawn Early College program, and the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association (WNA). Ethan Hill serves as the 11 year old Founder of Ethan's Heart, a social change agency serving unsheltered residents. Rylen Dempsey serves as President of the Alabama Key Club. Shuntasia Williams, student at Wenonah High School active in Student Ambassador for Black Women Roundatble, and the Youth Peace Action Builders. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26531880

CEO Roundtable 04/13/2023

CEO Roundtable Birmingham is being led by a core of young CEOs and Chairpersons of public agencies, including Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Learn more about what is happening in their agencies and what it takes to lead during turbulent times. Guests: Deon Gordon, President and CEO, TechBirmingham Anthony C Hood, PHD, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of First Horizon Bank & Chairman of Board for the Housing Authority of Birmingham. Mashonda S. Taylor, Executive Director Woodlawn United /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/26531802

Birmingham Big HBCU Strategy 08/30/2022

Birmingham Big HBCU Strategy Birmingham is a national leaders HBCU talent strategies and football classics. Join Mayor Randall Woodfin and his special guests as they discuss Black colleges, Black excellence, and Fall Football Classics. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/24220050

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION: CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP 08/23/2022

NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION: CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP The Woodfin Administration and Birmingham City Council are driving an unprecedented number of dynamic neighborhood revitalization projects in neighborhoods across Birmingham during one of the most dynamic periods of growth in the city’s recent history. Join Mayor Randall Woodfin and his special guests as they share, celebrate, and engage this pivotal moment. /episode/index/show/magiccitymondays/id/24144456

Magic City Spotlight podcast

TOPICS