Son of Birmingham: A Memoir - Hardcover

by Randall Woodfin (Author), Edward T. Bowser (Author)

Today's Birmingham--led by Mayor Randall Woodfin--is a phoenix rising from the ashes of systemic racism and white flight.

This first Southern city to pluck the feathers off Jim Crow, where peaceful protesters endured attacks by police dogs, where high-pressure water hoses tore at the flesh of men and women marching for their rights, and where children locked arms and sang "We Shall Overcome," is a living, breathing redemption story.

In Son of Birmingham, Woodfin draws upon the street wisdom of his generation's Southern rap music; the power of family, friends, and faith; and his education at the historically Black Morehouse College to preach the progress every corner of our nation clamors for right now. He walks readers through the streets of his Birmingham, bringing to light the daily joys and struggles of everyday people and revealing what spurred him to turn his education and Capitol Hill experience to the city of his youth.

A moving memoir of a young leader's perseverance in a city still battling racism and gun violence, which Woodfin experienced first-hand, Son of Birmingham is also a call-to-action across America--an appeal to Woodfin's unique brand of servant leadership and responsive government for equitable, inclusive, and prosperous cities where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Author Biography

Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years at Morehouse College has lived in Birmingham ever since. He worked at City Hall (in jobs for the mayor and the city council) and for the Jefferson County Committee on Economic Opportunity, attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, and, after obtaining his law degree, accepted a job in the City of Birmingham Law Department. Outside of his job as an assistant city attorney, he sharpened his skills as a political organizer, working on campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. After serving on the Birmingham Board of Education, he ran for mayor, won an upset victory, and is serving his second term in office. He was featured speaker at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Edward T. Bowser is an award-winning journalist, founder of Soul In Stereo, and deputy director of communications for the City of Birmingham Mayor's Office, where he helps shape the city's voice and vision.