The Greene County Democrat

Category: Community

  • Tigers rally past Choctaw, 22–14, in season opener (1-0)

    Tigers rally past Choctaw, 22–14, in season opener (1-0)

    By Joe L. Powell and Ke’Undra Cox

    BUTLER, Ala. — Greene County High School opened its season with a statement Friday night, overcoming an early two-touchdown deficit to defeat Choctaw High School, 22–14, on the road.

    Choctaw controlled the opening quarter and appeared poised to run away with the game early. With 6:12 remaining in the first, quarterback Roderick Crawford connected with Miles Ray on a 40-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers’ two-point conversion attempt failed, giving Choctaw a 6–0 advantage.

    The home team struck again with 1:39 left in the quarter when Tracey Poke broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run. Crawford followed with a successful two-point conversion, extending Choctaw’s lead to 14–0.

    But Greene County refused to fold.

    The Tigers’ comeback began on special teams with 9:30 remaining in the second quarter. Eric Williams blocked a Choctaw punt, resulting in a safety and putting Greene County on the board. Greene County’s offense then found its rhythm.

    With 7:10 remaining before halftime, quarterback Prentice Taylor Jr. kept the ball and raced eight yards for the Tigers’ first touchdown. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but Greene County had cut the deficit to 14–8.

    Less than a minute later, Taylor struck again—this time through the air. With 6:51 remaining, he connected with Cornelius Hunter for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Another unsuccessful two-point attempt left the game tied at 14.


    The Tigers continued to apply pressure as the quarter progressed. With 4:20 remaining on the clock, Taylor broke loose on a 28-yard quarterback keeper, helping set up a one-yard scoring opportunity as Greene County completed its turnaround.

    After surrendering 14 unanswered points in the opening quarter, Greene County’s defense shut Choctaw out the rest of the way as the Tigers secured the 22–14 victory.

    Taylor Leads Greene County Offense
    Taylor turned in a strong performance under center, completing 14 of 23 passes for 174 yards while also making an impact with his legs.

    Chance Richardson accounted for 92 receiving yards, Javeon Carpenter added 50 yards and Quentin Walton finished with 28. On the ground, Rodney Banks carried the ball six times for 49 yards, while Walton added 30 yards on two carries.

    Greene County also made several game-changing plays defensively and on special teams. Cornelius Hunter returned an interception 35 yards, while Roderick Bulock recorded one solo tackle and seven assists. Lathuren Peebles contributed one solo tackle, six assists and a sack, and Javeon Carpenter added five assists along with a blocked punt.

    The victory gives Greene County an impressive start to the season, not simply because of the final score, but because of how the Tigers responded after falling behind 14–0.

    Greene County will return to the road for its next matchup against Dallas County High School, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

    Featured Image: Greene County High School Tigers at their opening season game vs Choctaw High School’s Yellowjackets (Joe Powell and Ke’Undra Cox)

  • Children’s Policy Council details local needs assessment and upcoming September conference 

    Children’s Policy Council details local needs assessment and upcoming September conference 

    By Maya Quinn, editor

    The Greene County Children’s Policy Council (CPC) met on Monday, August 26th at 10:00 am in the W.M. Branch Courthouse. Members discussed upcoming initiatives for Greene County’s youth and families as well as progress within each committee. 

    Attorney Tonjula Carey, district judge-elect, opened with a meditation for policy council members. The theme cautioned against burnout and reminded attendees to take time to replenish themselves. This can be done by setting boundaries, gently slowing down, and permitting ourselves to clear away what no longer serves us.

    Program Director of Community Outreach and Engagement from the Alabama Department of Family and Childhood Education, Nichole McCants, informed attendees with updates from the Alabama Children’s Policy Council. She announced that a conference would be held September 21-22, 2026. The event will feature a guest speaker and opportunities for attendees to earn Continuing Education Units approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Judge Lillie Jones Osborne will be awarded the Champion for Children Award at the event for her CPC work: Little Library, Little Outdoor Pantry, and Read Greene Read. Greene County will be featured in the CPC newsletter for these initiatives. 

    McCants also detailed the results of the Greene County needs assessment for the upcoming year. The top three categories are mental health, parental involvement and family engagement, and substance use. She encouraged the council to visit Alabama Family Central online for resources that are curated by county and can upload their own agency. 

    Following Nichole McCants updates, the floor was opened for updates from the council’s committees: early care, education, health, strengthening family, safety, parental involvement, and economic security. 

    Judge Osborne gave updates for early care and education, informing attendees that the council paid for children to attend other camps instead of hosting and coordinating their own. She stated that the One Book, One Community reading of Imagine That and The Square Nosed Pig was a huge success. The next reading event will be held in December, and the council is searching for community members to come read their favorite stories. 

    The council also partnered with Eutaw Housing Authority to give all children a school supply-filled backpack to begin the year. They are currently in search of mentors for students at Robert Brown Middle School starting in September. The council hopes to send every student to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery this year as well. 

    Following Judge Osborne’s updates, Mildred Morgan with Strengthening Families reported eight families graduating from their spring session. She stated that to hold a session this fall, the program needs four more volunteers to lead the parent and teen class.

    Safety Committee leader Jeremey Rancher plans to speak with student athletes about drinking and substance abuse during homecoming weekend, on October 9th. He wants to organize regular sessions throughout the school year during periods when teens will be out of school or out late to deter dangerous behavior.

    The floor was then yielded to the council’s agencies and supporters. Alabama Department of Public Health representative Janise Norman came to remind the council of her Safe Sleep Initiative. The program includes safe sleeping arrangements for infant families and safe sleep training sessions. She can be reached at (205) 759-6166 or Janise.Norman@adph.state.al.us

    The council is eager for project ideas that meet the needs of children and families in Greene County. The next meeting will be held on October 19th. To learn more about the policy council and its resources, visit: https://www.alcpc.org/

    Featured Image: Nichole McCants and Judge Osborne

  • The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival Continues

    The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival Continues

    Submitted by Dr. Carol Prejean Zippert  

    The 51st annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, held August 22-23, 2026 in Eutaw, AL, embraced the challenge of community celebrating community. The 2025 Festival marked the 50th anniversary but instead of signaling a conclusion to this mainstay event, the call was loud and clear: The Festival Must Continue. The Society of Folk Arts & Culture answered the call. 

    Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Director of the Society and the longtime volunteer coordinator of the annual Festival, enlisted the creative help of two young women who know the culture of the Black Belt Region and could infuse new energy and inspiration for a transitioning leadership. Barbara Amerson Hunter, who assisted Zippert with the festival for many years, and Teresa Atkins, an experienced event planner, entrepreneur and educator assumed the front-line production of the 51st annual Black Belt Folk Roots Festival. Three hearts and heads working together.

    Hunter and Atkins reviewed records of the components leading to the production of the annual Festival. This included considering participating artists (blues and gospel singers, dancers, storytellers, food ways and craft vendors, and artists mentoring children); contacting all participants, technicians, and on-site workers; securing tents, tables, chairs and shop fans, ordering souvenir t-shirts and securing additional funding as costs rose.

    To the delight of all attendees, the Festival featured several artists who are longtime participants, including bluesmen Clarence Davis, Jock Webb, Nigel Speights, Terry ‘Harmonica’ Bean, The Fingerprint Band, Russell Gulley, Mississippi Blues Boys; gospel artists included Eddie Mae Brown, New Generation Men of Promise, The Melody Kings, the Mississippi Traveling Stars, the Golden Gates, Greene County Mass Choir, and St. John Baptist Church Choir.

    Local artist, Maya Steele again guided the children (under the Kids Tent) in expressing their creative gifts using simplistic materials. Maya is committed to helping our youth know that they have a place at the Festival.

    The special treat for all at the Festival were the young artists sharing music, spoken word and variety of crafts and food. Their presence extended the hope that even as traditions evolve and cultural expressions change, our history must continue to be lifted as our powerful story. The gifts we share at the Festival reflect how we live together, how we care for each other and how we build community. 

    Featured Image: Jock Webb and Clarence Davis performing an ol’ timey blues set

  • Federation to hold 59th Annual Meeting and 25th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony,  August 13-15, 2026

    Federation to hold 59th Annual Meeting and 25th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony,  August 13-15, 2026

    Submitted by The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

    The Federation is excited to announce the 59th Annual Meeting & 25th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund taking place August 13–15, 2026. Centered around this year’s theme, Sustaining the Future: Innovation, Resilience, and Member Engagement, the event will begin in Birmingham on Thursday, August 13, and conclude in Epes, Alabama on August 14 and 15.

    This special gathering celebrates decades of leadership, advocacy, resilience, and progress in strengthening Black farmers, landowners, cooperatives, and rural communities across the South. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect, reflect on the Federation’s enduring impact, and honor individuals whose contributions continue to shape the future of cooperative and community-based development, including legendary civil rights attorney Fred David Gray, whose lifelong fight for justice has helped shape the course of American civil rights history.

    The meeting will include workshops on land retention, cooperative development and advocacy for Black farmers and rural development. There will also be farm and forestry tours of demonstration projects and information on the Master Plan for the Federation’s Memorial Legacy Park at the organization’s Rural Training and Research Center.

    For more information, contact the Federation’s Rural Training and Research Center near Epes, Alabama at 205-652-9676.

  • Taylor’s Law begins Aug. 1. Here’s how it affects Alabama teen drivers

    Taylor’s Law begins Aug. 1. Here’s how it affects Alabama teen drivers

    By Jennifer Lindahl, Montgomery Advertiser

    As Alabama students head back to school, there’s a new reason to stay out of the principal’s office.

    Beginning Aug. 1, school discipline won’t just affect report cards or extracurricular activities. Under Taylor’s Law, certain disciplinary actions can also delay when some teens are eligible to get a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

    Here’s what families should know before the new school year begins.

    What is Taylor’s Law?

    Taylor’s Law establishes a discipline point system for students enrolled in Alabama public and private secondary schools. The law applies to disciplinary infractions committed on school property.

    Beginning with the school year, including summer school, in which a student turns 13, discipline points are tracked and accumulated until the student becomes eligible to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

    Each point earned pushes back eligibility by one week.

    When does Taylor’s Law take effect?

    Taylor’s Law takes effect Aug. 1, meaning the discipline point systems will be in place as Alabama students return to school for the new academic year.

    For teenagers approaching driving age, school discipline may now have consequences that extend beyond the classroom, affecting when they can legally get behind the wheel.

    Which students are affected by Taylor’s Law?

    The law applies to students who are 13 years and older and enrolled in a public or private secondary school in Alabama.

    Although Alabama allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15 and a driver’s license at age 16 if they meet licensing requirements, discipline points begin accumulating years earlier, starting with the school year in which the student turns 13.

    How many points does each disciplinary action carry?

    Taylor’s Law assigns points based on the type of school discipline:

    • In-school suspension (ISS): 1 point for each day.

    • Out-of-school suspension (OSS): 2 points for each day.

    • Alternative school placement: 6 points.

    • Expulsion: 20 points.

    Every point adds one week to the age at which a student may receive a learner’s permit, driver’s license or other covered license.

    For example, a student who accumulates six points would have to wait an additional six weeks before becoming eligible.

    Students don’t automatically receive points for every suspension

    The law includes exceptions designed to allow students to improve their behavior.

    For in-school suspension:

    • The first three days of ISS in a school year do not generate points.

    • If a student reaches a fourth day of ISS, then all ISS days from that school year, including the first three, count toward the total.

    For out-of-school suspension:

    • An initial OSS of two days or fewer does not generate points.

    • If the student receives another OSS later that school year, the days from the first suspension are added to the point total.

    If the initial OSS exceeds two days, all of those days count.

    Can students erase discipline points?

    Yes. Taylor’s Law includes provisions that allow students to reduce or eliminate accumulated points through improved behavior.

    If a student completes one full school year without receiving additional discipline points, previously accumulated points are reduced by half.

    If the student completes two consecutive school years without receiving additional points, all accumulated points are removed from the student’s school record.

    Is there a limit to how long a license can be delayed?

    Yes.

    Even if a student accumulates enough points to create a longer delay, Alabama law says eligibility cannot be extended by more than one year beyond the date the student would otherwise first qualify to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

    Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email atjlindahl@usatodayco.com.

    To read the original article on The Montgomery Adviser, click here

  • Congresswoman files bill to solve Alabama’s rural ambulance crisis

    Congresswoman files bill to solve Alabama’s rural ambulance crisis

    By Savannah Tryens-Fernandes, AL.com

    U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell introduced a bipartisan bill this week to increase Medicare payments for ambulances to help fix the crisis plaguing communities throughout Alabama and the country. 

    Medicare reimbursements for ground and air ambulances have not been updated since 2002, according to the group of representatives sponsoring the Reimbursing Emergency Services for Critical Urgent Encounters (RESCUE) Act. 

    That means the current rates emergency services are being paid by Medicare are based on data from 1998, even as the cost of things like gas and medical equipment have gone up.

    “I cosponsored the bipartisan RESCUE Act because it will help ensure ambulance services are fairly reimbursed for the lifesaving care they provide, strengthening emergency medical services and helping keep ambulances on the road for the communities that depend on them,” Sewell (D) said in a statement to AL.com. 

    Alabama has the second lowest number of ambulance stations per capita in the country, according to a 2023 report by the Rural Health Research and Policy Centers.

    Of the state’s 67 counties, 64 are considered to be in an ‘ambulance desert,’ impacting over 300,000 people, mostly in rural communities. Many rural counties have lost medical services in recent years as hospitals downsized or closed completely.

    Earlier this month, Greene County Emergency Medical Services halted their ambulance service because a “critical lack of funding” had prevented them from maintaining their ambulances.

    Residents were told there was only one quick response vehicle available to take patients to the hospital, and they “should expect significantly delayed response times” for emergencies.

    But days later, local and state officials secured money for two new ambulances from the state’s EMS office. 

    Local officials told AL.com that the new ambulances are only a short-term solution. In order to keep them on the road, emergency services will need higher payments from Medicare and other insurance providers. 

    “The biggest clients that the ambulances have in Greene County are Medicaid and Medicare patients,” said Garria Spencer, chair of the Greene County Commission. 

    “We have got to have a source of income other than what they’re billing because they’re just not billing enough to make it work, and that’s not only true in Greene County.”

    The RESCUE Act would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to update ambulance payments every three years based on current data on mileage and labor costs. 

    The new payments would take effect in 2029, according to the bill, which has the support of the Emergency Ambulance Operators Alliance. 

    “When Alabamians call 911 during a medical emergency, they deserve to know that an ambulance will be there when they need it,” Sewell said. 

    “Unfortunately, too many families—especially in our rural communities—are facing longer response times because ambulance providers are under tremendous financial strain.” 

     

    Savannah Tryens-Fernandes is an investigative reporter covering health and medical care in Alabama. She joined AL.com as an education reporter and Report for America corps member in 2021, covering efforts to address child mental health and wellness inside and outside classrooms. Savannah previously documented human rights abuses in Southern Africa while working at Human Rights Watch. She also holds a master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School, where she was a Stabile fellow in investigative journalism.

    To read the original article on AL.com, click here.

  • Alabama’s Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy Receives $1.15 Million Grant to Preserve Civil Rights Landmark and Expand Cultural Programming

    Alabama’s Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy Receives $1.15 Million Grant to Preserve Civil Rights Landmark and Expand Cultural Programming

    Media Contact: Jasmine Phillips Jones (jasmine@experiencelry.com)

    ALBERTA, Ala. (July 27, 2026) — Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy (FQBL) is pleased to announce it has received a $1.15 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to preserve and strengthen the historic home of the Freedom Quilting Bee while expanding the organization’s long-term capacity to steward this nationally significant cultural landmark. 

    The three-year grant, which runs July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, represents a transformative investment in both the preservation of the historic Freedom Quilting Bee headquarters and the future sustainability of the organization that carries its legacy forward. Founded in 1966, the Freedom Quilting Bee became a nationally recognized quilting cooperative that created economic opportunity for Black women in rural Alabama. Through their extraordinary artistry, entrepreneurship, and partnerships with national retailers, the women of the Freedom Quilting Bee generated income for their families while preserving a rich artistic tradition and advancing economic justice during the Civil Rights Movement. 

    “This investment from the Mellon Foundation is a powerful affirmation of the national significance of the Freedom Quilting Bee story,” said Kim V. Kelly, Executive Director of Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy. “It enables us to preserve this historic place while building the organizational capacity needed to ensure these stories continue to educate and inspire generations to come.” 

    Through the Humanities in Place grant, Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy will undertake critical work to upgrade the historic structure, ensuring that it can continue to serve as a center for exhibitions, educational programming, research, and community engagement. Planned improvements include modernization of essential building systems, accessibility enhancements, and rehabilitation that preserves the building’s historic character while preparing it for long-term public use. 

    In addition to investing in the historic building, the grant will strengthen the organization’s capacity by supporting the recruitment and hiring of a Development Director. This new leadership position will expand Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts, broaden philanthropic support, and help secure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.

    “The Mellon Foundation recognizes that preserving historic places also requires investing in the organizations that care for them,” Kelly said. “By strengthening our development capacity, we will be better positioned to cultivate new partnerships and resources that will sustain this important work well beyond the grant period.” 

    The award builds upon several years of investment by public and private partners in the Adaptive Reuse Project. Previous support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, and the Educational Foundation of America enabled significant improvements to the property, including renovation of the Rev. Lonnie Brown Jr. Learning Center, expansion of the site’s infrastructure, and completion of architectural plans for restoration of the building’s original roof design. Souls Grown Deep Foundation was an early funder whose support helped launch Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy. Today, that partnership continues through their contribution of original photographic documentation of the community and their curation of the exhibition currently on display. 

    By the conclusion of the grant period in 2029, Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy will have advanced the preservation of one of Alabama’s most important Civil Rights and folk art landmarks while establishing stronger organizational systems to support expanded exhibitions, educational initiatives, artist residencies, public humanities programming, and community partnerships. 

    About Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy 

    Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy preserves, interprets, and advances the history and enduring impact of the Freedom Quilting Bee. Through historic preservation, exhibitions, educational programming, and community partnerships, the organization celebrates the women whose artistry and entrepreneurship transformed their community and left an indelible mark on American history. To learn more about the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, visit http://www.fqblegacy.org

  • The FBI Will Reportedly Stop Investigating ICE Confrontations. Why?

    The FBI Will Reportedly Stop Investigating ICE Confrontations. Why?

    By Zack Linly, NewsOne

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have shot and killed two immigrants within a week of each other, prompting national outrage and protests, as favorability toward the agency continues to plummet on the heels of the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. So, how does the Trump administration respond to concerns that ICE is out of control and has become a danger to the general public? Well, apparently, it has decided that the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations with immigration agents, specifically cases that involve assault allegations against agents, and cases that could be used to prosecute federal agents implicated in violent encounters. Instead, those cases will reportedly be handled by an internal investigation arm of ICE, which essentially means the agency would be investigating itself.

    Now, according to the New York Times, the administration is denying the rule change, and we’ll circle back to that in a second, but FBI agents have reportedly already been informed of it.

    From the Times:

    F.B.I. managers around the country received a written notice informing them of the change on Thursday, according to the people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal communications. The same day, some ICE agents around the country were notified by their F.B.I. counterparts.

    The guidance shared with them said that the bureau would stop investigating claims of assaults against Department of Homeland Security agents, the people said. Even though such investigations are intended to determine whether the officers were in fact attacked, they can provide a crucial means of gathering evidence implicating the agents themselves.

    Under the change, responsibility for investigating cases involving federal immigration officers would likely fall to Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of ICE, effectively leaving the agency to investigate itself, according to guidance circulated

    Cases involving an assault on a federal officer have been a source of tension inside federal law enforcement agencies for more than a year. White House and Justice Department officials have pushed prosecutors to bring charges in as many of them as possible, particularly as Americans protest the administration’s immigration crackdown.

    Under the federal statute, felony charges can be brought against anyone who “forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates or interferes” with a federal law enforcement officer.among F.B.I. and ICE agents.

    Cases involving an assault on a federal officer have been a source of tension inside federal law enforcement agencies for more than a year. White House and Justice Department officials have pushed prosecutors to bring charges in as many of them as possible, particularly as Americans protest the administration’s immigration crackdown.

    Under the federal statute, felony charges can be brought against anyone who “forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates or interferes” with a federal law enforcement officer.

    Just to put this all in perspective, last year, a federal judge in Chicago ordered the release of numerous videos that show, among other things, that immigration agents and DHS officials have made a habit of lying about anti-ICE protesters assaulting or posing threats to agents before those agents began using tear gas, pepper-balls, and other non-lethal yet brutal tactics to get them under control. The order came on the heels of the case of Chicago activist Marimar Martinez, who was shot several times by federal agents and accused of following and ramming ICE vehicles while agents were conducting their operations. The charges related to those allegations were dismissed with prejudice because witness accounts and surveillance footage of the incident contradicted what agents said happened, among other discrepancies in the government’s narrative.

    And we all saw the lengths the government went to to smear Good and Pretti as “domestic terrorists” who attacked agents before they were fatally shot, which video footage showed was not true in both cases.

    The point is, this is an administration that lies and spreads anti-immigrant and pro-ICE propaganda routinely, and any changes made in how these incidents are investigated would only be made so the administration could further insulate itself from outside accountability. (Not that the FBI should rightfully be considered an agency that is separate from the administration with Kash Patel at the helm, but still.)

    At any rate, the administration denied that the rule change had happened.

    “The relationship between D.H.S. and D.O.J. in investigating assault on federal officer cases has not changed, and F.B.I. will continue to investigate in accordance with agency policy,” a joint statement by the Justice Department and DHS said. “This administration has been clear, anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Notice the sleight of hand there. The concern is not that people who allegedly assault federal officers won’t be held accountable. This administration has been caught lying about agents being attacked numerous times, only for it to come out that the agents were actually the aggressors. The federal government’s statement even indicates that its only concern is for the agents accusing others of violence, not the other way around. And if it is true that officials have directed the FBI to no longer investigate these cases, leaving it to internal ICE departments to investigate themselves, it would only mean the administration is limiting scrutiny of immigration agents by law enforcement.

    The administration that claims everything is rigged is continuing its attempts to rig everything in its own favor. We can’t let it.

    Read the original article here.

    Featured Image: ICE Death Memorial (Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Getty)

  • Black Belt Community Foundation announces the 2026 Levitt Amp Selma Music Series

    Black Belt Community Foundation announces the 2026 Levitt Amp Selma Music Series

    Submitted by the Black Belt Community Foundation

    SELMA, AL— July 14, 2026: The countdown to an unforgettable season of free, live music under summer sunsets and into autumn evenings in historic Selma is officially underway. The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) announces the themes and calendar for 2026’s return of the Levitt AMP Selma Music Series.

    Beginning Saturday, July 25, the series will bring seven unique cultural experiences to Selma’s Riverfront Amphitheater. Families, friends, and neighbors from across the region are invited to bring their blankets, sunbrellas and lawn chairs to the amphitheater lawn to experience the transformational power of free, live music in bringing community together.

    Supported in large part by the Levitt Family Foundation, a social impact funder at the intersection of music, public space, and community building, the Levitt AMP Music Series program injects new life into public spaces through free, outdoor concerts across the country. The 2026 season marks an exciting new chapter for Selma, building on the success of past seasons to present professionally produced, immersive themed festival dates running through late October.

    “This season is about so much more than just the music on stage,” says Lydia Chatmon, TRHT Selma Director. “It’s about bringing people together, supporting our local business ecosystem, celebrating our rich cultural heritage, and showcasing the very best of downtown Selma.”

    Season of Immersive Themes:

    Instead of focusing purely on individual performers, the 2026 series is designed around seven planned experiences that offer something for every member of the family.

    • July 25 — The Inaugural Bridge City Jazz Festival: The season sets sail with an elegant, smooth- jazz atmosphere. Concert-goers are encouraged to come dressed in all-white attire for this premier opening night event.
    • August 8 — Joy Jamboree: A dedicated day of play, music, and smiles designed specifically for children and families, featuring bounce houses, face painting, games, and youth-oriented fun.
    • August 22 —

    Smoke in the City: BBQ & Blues Festival: Fire up the grill and claim your bragging rights! This date blends a competitive community barbecue atmosphere with a soulful soundtrack of regional blues.

    • September 12 — Classic Cars & Chrome: Cruise in for this celebration of sleek vintage automobiles and deep musical grooves, featuring a car show paired with the absolute best in classic R&B, Soul, and Funk.
    • September 26 —

    Gospel Fest: An uplifting community favorite that elevates local and regional voices, celebrating the profound spiritual and musical heritage of the Black Belt.

    • October 10 — Fiesta on the River!: A vibrant cultural celebration packed with high-energy Latin music, salsa beats, and a community taco-eating contest, so don’t forget the hot sauce.
    • October 24 — Southern Soul: The Grand Finale: The ultimate season closer, bringing the community together one last night to celebrate some funky soul, great food, and collective joy.

    Event Details & Vendor Info

    To satisfy every craving, a diverse rotation of local food trucks and vendors from across the region will be on-site for every event. The Levitt AMP Selma Music Series is held inside Selma’s Riverfront Amphitheater and surrounds, located at 3 Lawrence Street in Downtown Selma

    (directly across from the Evans Reception Hall). Admission to all events is completely free and open to the general public.

    Specific artist announcements, finite scheduling details, weather updates, and information regarding parking and wheelchair accessibility will be updated continuously. The public is highly encouraged to visit the official website at http://www.blackbeltfound.org and follow the Levitt AMP Selma Music Series on social media, including Facebook, for the most up-to-date schedule. The main FB page-“Levitt AMP Selma”- is found at https://www.facebook.com /LevittAMPSelma.

    In 2023, the Black Belt Community Foundation was named one of a select group of nonprofits across America to receive a Levitt Music Series grant from the Levitt Family Foundation to present free outdoor concerts. This ongoing initiative is made possible through vital local partnerships, including the City of Selma, the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation, and the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, all under the umbrella of BBCF’s TRHT Selma begun through a multi-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

    About Black Belt Community Foundation:

    The mission of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) is to forge a collective stream of giving that transforms our 12- county region in Alabama and connects those interested in having an impact in this region with nonprof- its that are making a difference today. Founded in 2004 with the idea that those living and working in the Black Belt best knew the area’s challenges and opportunities, the Black Belt Community Foundation actively puts needed resources into the region that make a lasting impact.

    The Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation initiative in Selma (TRHT Selma) is a core program of BBCF and serves as the lead programmatic organizer implementing the Levitt AMP Selma Music Series. TRHT Selma is a comprehensive, community-based process to plan for and bring about trans- formational, sustainable change while addressing the historic and contemporary effects of racism, all supported by a multi-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

     

    About Levitt Family Foundation:

    The Levitt AMP Selma Music Series is supported in part by the Levitt Family Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits to strengthen the social fabric of communities in America through free, live music in outdoor public spaces. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt concerts are welcoming, inclusive destinations where people of all ages and backgrounds come together. In 2026, the Levitt Family Foundation is supporting over 900 free concerts in 90+ towns and cities across the country, bringing joy to over a million people. In addition to supporting free concerts, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing vibrant music ecosystems through partnerships, field-building initiatives, and research. levitt.org

    Featured image: Festival goer from the Levit AMP Selma Music Series 2025 (Black Belt Community Foundation)

  • Newswire: OP-ED: 250 Years of America – Progress on the Promise?

    Newswire: OP-ED: 250 Years of America – Progress on the Promise?

    By Delegate N. Scott Phillips, BlackPressUSA

    Let’s be clear, African Americans have done our part, we have fought in every war, built businesses, advanced science, created culture, and strengthened our democracy, often while being denied its full benefits. There has been undeniable progress, but significant challenges still remain.

    As Chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, I believe this moment calls for our collective vigilance and less complacency. The distance between our founding ideals and our lived reality has narrowed since the civil rights movement, but it has not disappeared. Equity in economic and educational opportunity, access to affordable housing, fair protection under the law, and competent political representation remain unfinished business.

    Maryland has a lot to be proud of when it comes to the political ascension of African Americans in our state. None but the Old Line State can boast that Blacks serve as Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, US Senator, Mayors, and County Executives of over 62% of Maryland’s population and a legislative Black Caucus that comprises 29% of the legislature, the largest percentage in the nation. We have made meaningful investments in education, entrepreneurship, criminal justice reform, and community development. 

    The timing of this year’s Independence Day reflection is especially significant as Maryland prepares for Governor Moore to convene a special legislative session on congressional redistricting. Redistricting is far more than drawing lines on a map. It determines whose communities remain whole, and whose interests are represented in the halls of power.

    The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus believes that we have an obligation to ensure that African American voting strength is not diluted and that the hard-fought gains secured through generations of sacrifice are preserved. Fair representation is not about guaranteeing outcomes; it is about guaranteeing opportunity. Every Marylander deserves an equal voice in choosing those who represent them.

    The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus will continue to advocate for policies that expand opportunity, protect civil rights, and strengthen our democracy. We recognize that representation is only the beginning. True progress will be evident in positive measurable outcomes in economic mobility, educational achievement, better public safety, and fair access to justice for every Marylander.

    As we gather with family and friends this Fourth of July, let us celebrate how far America has come but never denying how far we still must go. Patriotism is not measured solely by our willingness to celebrate our nation’s achievements, but also by our commitment to perfecting our imperfect union.

    That is the work of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus and all people of good conscience who lead while serving as educators, mavens of business and industry, faith leaders and community activists; and this task before us cannot be lost amid celebratory parades, commemorative speeches and patriotic celebrations from the city to the shore. It requires us to redouble our persistence, and principled leadership in the pursuit of America’s promise.

    Delegate N. Scott Phillips is the Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

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    Featured Image: Delegate N. Scott Phillips is the Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.