On February 22, the Birmingham Field Office celebrated the African American journey from slavery to freedom with a Black History Month Program. Dr. Fallin, a Professor of History and Religion at the University of Montevallo, the President of the Birmingham Baptist College and an original member of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, was the featured speaker. He led those in attendance for the program on a journey that began at Jamestown in 1619 and continues through today. He highlighted the role of religion in the struggle for African American liberation. Noting that, in the beginning, religion was used as a tool of enslavement, but that ultimately the Church community redeemed itself through the leadership role it played in the Civil Rights movement.

Dr. Wilson Fallin, Jr., noted Civil Rights movement historian and religious scholar talks to Birmingham Field Office staff about the African American journey from slavery to freedom during Field Office Black History Month Program.

While Dr. Fallin inspired us with his knowledge of the history of the struggle for African American liberation, Sharon Law with the accompaniment of Sharon Brown and Buddy Camp sang a spirited version of Summertime by George and Ira Gershwin. Summertime was an original song from Porgie and Bess. Porgie and Bess was the first American Opera that featured an all African American cast.

The program was presented by the Birmingham Field Office Black History Month Committee. The committee members were; Adrian Peterson-Fields, Chairperson, Sharon Law, Victoria Fisher-Pippen and Debra Pippen-Johnson.

HUD employees Sharon Brown and Sharon Law are joined by Birmingham musician Buddy Camp in giving a presentation of "Summertime" by George and Ira Gershwin

Retired Birmingham Field Office employee Jethro Woodson enjoys a moment with Dr. Fallen after Black History Month Program. Jethro, as well as retired employees Yvonne Turner and Don Bell took part in the Program. Yvonne Turner was recognized as the first African American employee of the Birmingham Field Office.