Strength through Diversity

Yesterday, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. We do this to not only recognize an American patriot whose work made us a more perfect Union, but to remind ourselves of the work that still needs to be done.

Diversity at City Hall

As mayor, I have strived to make diversity a cornerstone of all that we do at the City of Tuscaloosa. When I was elected in October 2005, six percent of our department heads were African-American and six percent were women. In order to send a clear message, my first action was to support Councilor Harrison Taylor’s appointment as the first African-American Council President. Council President Taylor, who served in this role for 12 years, truly demonstrated that his leadership was all about the content of his character and not the color of his skin.

I’m proud that since my first inauguration six of my 17 department head or Municipal Judge hires have been African-American (35 percent). Seven of my 17 department head or Municipal Judge hires have been women (41 percent). Our work shattered the good old boy mentality that we inherited in 2005.

Today, of our 11 department heads 36 percent are African-American and 36 percent are women. This includes the first African-American Municipal Court Judge and Police Chief in the City’s history.

The City’s two largest departments which are the Tuscaloosa Police Department and Infrastructure and Public Services are led by an African-American and a woman. These two departments constitute nearly 50 percent of the City’s general fund budget and over 70 percent of our 1,357 employees. As the City’s Chief Executive Officer, I have made achieving diversity part of our culture. Even more importantly, I have strived to appoint the most qualified public servants.

From ending lawsuits dealing with African-American police officers not receiving their retirements, to ensuring that the City did not discriminate against members of the LGBTQ community in employment, our administration has been relentless in opening the doors of City Hall to everyone.

Expanding the American Dream

As Tuscaloosa has transformed itself into one of Alabama’s fastest growing cities, I felt it paramount that everyone should have an opportunity to benefit from this economic success. To that end, in 2014, we created Tuscaloosa Builds which has become a model across Alabama.

Tuscaloosa Builds is a minority contracting and participation program that focuses on creating and expanding minority-owned businesses. Tuscaloosa Builds currently has over 200 participants competing for the City’s business.

The City has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce, the University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College in providing professional development seminars and trainings. One of our strengths has been the active involvement of local building contractors, architects, and engineering firms.

Since its inception, the City has been able to provide over $18.8 million in contracts which were won through a competitive process. In Fiscal Year 2017, nearly $10 million was awarded to minority-owned firms.

The success of Tuscaloosa Builds has been contagious. Today, the Tuscaloosa County Commission, Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County Parks and Recreation Authority participate. Also, when the City provides commercial incentives, we require participation in Tuscaloosa Builds.

In 2018, The Edge, which is an entrepreneurial hub for both University of Alabama students, and citizens of Tuscaloosa, and a partnership between the City, the University of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce, will open its state-of-the art facility in the heart of the 2011 Tornado Recovery Zone. A key component of programing is expanding and enhancing minority business development in alignment with Tuscaloosa Builds.

New Covenant

As your governor, I will carry with me the principles that have guided me as mayor. I believe diversity matters, and I believe that when you create opportunities, you create success for all Alabamians.