Learn about local government at Birmingham Civic Outreach Program – apply by April 7

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Always wanted to get involved in your local government, but didn’t know how? Want to understand what exactly the city does and how you can connect? The Civic Engagement Academy (ACE) is an initiative of the City of Birmingham that helps people in Birmingham learn to serve and be leaders in your community. Act fast to secure your spot – applications are due Thursday, April 7.

What is ACE?

ACE is a City of Birmingham initiative which aims to involve and engage residents within their local city government. ACE was created to bring citizens together to understand how the City works for them and how they can plug in themselves. There are so many opportunities for Birmingham residents to serve and be leaders in their community.

• What it is: an opportunity to better understand the daily workings of local government in Birmingham, Mayor Woodfin’s goals for the city and how they can be part of the action.
• Program duration: 7 weeks
• Orientation: April 7
• Graduation: May 26

Origins of the Birmingham Civic Engagement Academy

Mayor Woodfin wants everyone in Birmingham to feel like they are just as much a part of the city as the next person.

“My vision is for everyone to feel a part of how downtown works, regardless of social status, zip code, race or socio-economic status.”

Randall Woodfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham

The program originated when Mayor Woodfin was campaigning. During the election campaign, Woodfin could clearly see that the people of Birmingham simply wanted to be involved.

‘No matter the concern, whether it’s reducing crime, keeping our streets clean or learning how long-standing systems work, all of you people in the City of Birmingham just wanted to be involved in their government. You just didn’t know where to start.

Randall Woodfin, Mayor of the City of Birmingham

The program will focus on five themes

The ACE program focuses on five topics:

• criminality
• Infrastructure
• How to get involved
• neighborhood revitalization
• Town hall

This includes a closer look at the following:

• cultural institutions
• Birmingham businesses
• leisure establishments
• and more

The goal: so that city residents feel confident about the difference they can make and see an accessible avenue to get involved and bring about change.

What previous attendees have to say

Former ACE alumni are grateful for what they have learned and the new knowledge they have gained about their own community.

“After participating in the Academy of Civic Engagement program last year, I gained a better understanding of how the City of Birmingham works. For someone who wants to help my city and my community move in a positive direction, being able to understand our local government was key – and that’s how the program helped me grow. I was able to apply what I learned with a more strategic approach. I have recommended this program to all my friends.

Arthur Fisher Jr., former ACE

Get ready to make a difference in Birmingham. Apply by April 7 to secure your place at the Academy of Civic Engagement.

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