Member Stories: Madison Kerns with Urban Avenues

Our coworking space is full of diverse members in many different sectors of business across the city. We even have a few nonprofit organizations! Madison Kerns works with Urban Avenues. Urban Avenues exists to bring together different Birmingham communities by inspiring people to be curious and make beautiful things together.

1. Are you from Birmingham? What gave you the passion to work for Urban Avenues and pour into the city of Birmingham?

I’m originally from Tennessee — just North of Nashville. I decided to move to Birmingham for college back in 2011 and immediately fell in love with the city. The vision for the restoration of the city was so apparent and I wanted to be part of it. While I was earning my Entrepreneurship+Management degree from Samford, there were plenty of opportunities to engage with nonprofits and socially-minded businesses in Birmingham, but I was drawn to Urban Avenues and the ways they utilize creativity as a bridge for the various communities.

Five Loaves was particularly exciting to me; I grew up in my family’s restaurant in TN and personally had a passion for social entrepreneurship — Five Loaves was the intersection my past and my passion! I volunteered with them for a few years while I was working as an executive recruiter and officially joined the Urban Avenues team last year.

2. Whats your day-to-day like?

It seems like every day is different with this job, which I love. I mostly focus on our venture Five Loaves, which equips high school students with culinary and leadership skills so they can create pop-up dinners that bring the city together.

Some days are spent creating a curriculum for training nights so students can learn culinary skills and skills that are relevant regardless of which career they choose (e.g., learning project management and using it to figure out how to execute a meal). Other days could involve meeting with schools, chefs, other nonprofits, and finding ways to partner in ways that will further the city!

3. How have y’all seen Birmingham communities and people experience change through events like Five Loaves and Fish Camp Films?

Five Loaves and Fish Camp Films both involve training students so that they can serve the city, which means I spend a lot of my time with high schoolers. I love seeing them form strong bonds as a team. This month, we had students from four different communities/schools across the city and it was incredible to see the ways they bonded but also became students of one another. It’s the perfect example of what we hope for our city: true growth because everyone has both a seat and a voice at the table.

4. Why did y’all choose to work from Forge this summer?

We’re so happy to be at Forge! Our team has grown this summer with two interns, so our search for an office was inspired by our need for space so everyone could work together! When we toured Forge, we knew it was the perfect choice. Being here allows us to be fully immersed in the city and interact with all the innovators that call Forge home.

5. Do y’all have any upcoming events you’re looking forward to?

We’re currently developing our pop-up dinner schedule for the Fall 2019 season! These are part of our City Series and are a great way to see our students cohost an unforgettable dinner with some of the city’s greatest chefs. If you want to see details as they’re released, follow @five_loaves on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter (for early ticket releases) at fiveloavesbirmingham.com!