Black public officials in Birmingham, Alabama are failing their constituents. The city's school system fails its students, who are overwhelmingly Black. The city's mayor and council members focus on symbolic gestures in lieu of progress. The city's Pard Board blew an opportunity to partner with Major League Baseball on a Youth Baseball Academy. And, the city's future is bleak.

Doyal Reed is Birmingham, Alabama's last warrior for economic justice. Reed's MESBIC empowered businesses in the city in the 1980s & 90s.