Birmingham, AL – Today, in conjunction with the 83^rd annual Magic City Classic, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) hosted a “Classic Conversation” featuring officials from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the City of Birmingham. The discussion focused on how federal funding, including a $10.8 million federal grant, is fostering job growth and workforce development in the City of Birmingham.

Photos and videos are available for media and broadcast purposes here. 

On Friday afternoon at the Birmingham Jefferson-Convention Complex (BJCC) Medical Forum Building Theater, Rep. Sewell was joined by the Vice President of Employee Access and Workforce Development at UAB, Andre Lessears, and Good Jobs Challenge Program Manager for the City of Birmingham, Dr. Olivia Cook. The trio highlighted how federal funding, including a $10.8 million Good Jobs Challenge grant, is fostering job growth and workforce development in the City of Birmingham.

In 2022, with Rep. Sewell’s support, the City of Birmingham was selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency (EDA) to receive a $10.8 million grant from the Good Jobs Program. The grant was made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

The grant helped the City of Birmingham establish the Birmingham Regional Health Partnership, a health care workforce training program that is building a pipeline of skilled health care workers through public-private partnerships with local health care employers including UAB. It is providing access to high-quality healthcare jobs to members of traditionally underrepresented communities including women and people of color. 

Following the conversation, Rep. Sewell visited the Career Connections Career Fair hosted by UAB Medicine and Cooper Green Mercy.

###