Forge News and Updates |
In case you missed it, Monday, March 8, 2021 was International Women’s Day. We here at Forge love to celebrate women every day of the year, but we were especially excited to applaud all of the amazing accomplishments of women during our virtual celebration.
We wanted to champion the numerous contributions women, past present, and future made to society, while highlighting some female owned businesses here in Birmingham. We had the unique privilege of hosting a panel of three incredible, hard-working women to share a bit about their lives, experiences, failures, and more.
Our panel, led by Forge’s Founder and CEO, Kim Lee, includes:
As a new Intern at Forge, I have never been to our International Women’s Day celebration, so I was excited for this event. I gained a lot of insight and advice from hearing about their experiences, both personal and professional. While Kim and the panelists covered more questions and topics than I included in this blog, I wanted to highlight and recap the ones that I felt are most relatable.
Kim Lee, Founder & CEO of Forge
Choose to Challenge
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day Event was Choose to Challenge, and Kim started of the panel asking these women to discuss a time in their career when they ‘Chose to Challenge.’
Mindy started off the panel strong reminding me and everyone that Choosing to Challenge can be as grand or as simple as we want. However, she explains that while “we can choose to challenge…we also have to choose to hold ourselves accountable.” I think this is such an incredible reminder of how women are challengers, in every sense of the word, who have a powerful force of supporters holding them accountable and cheering them on along the way. Javacia encourages us choose to challenge by taking that leap of faith or that jump and “build[ing] [our] wings on the way down.”
Mindy Rohr, Director of Marketing at Bayer Properties
The panelists offer some advice, from their personal experience, about how to step into the unknown or make a change. Stepping away from security and comfort is never easy, neither is change. However, these women encourage us to take that risk.
Delphine Carter, Founder of Boulo Solutions
Javacia’s advice to us is to try to find the median between those differing passions – as there often is. If, for some reason, these passions do not align, Javacia encourages us to not give up on those passions, even if they become “hobbies.” Delphine reminds us that no decision is permanent and if things don’t work out that’s okay – nothing is set in stone. Mindy wraps up this question encouraging women who want to change up their careers to have conversations, ask questions, and network.
Javacia Harris Bowser, Founder of See Jane Write
These women offer up some reassurance for those busy moms who may be struggling to balance all of the different hats women have the privilege of wearing. Delphine reminds us how important it is for us, as women, to give ourselves grace and put less pressure on ourselves.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay! You are not alone, and there are women all around the world feeling the same way as you.
Since I couldn’t include everything that they covered on Monday, I highly encourage you to watch the entire Virtual Celebration with these inspirational women. As a soon to be graduate entering into the work force, I’m honored to learn from these women, and so many like them, so I can step into the workforce more confident and prepared.
If you’re anything like me, you are wanting to hear and learn more from these three women. Well, it is your lucky day because now you can!
In an exclusive podcast, Kim asks the panelist to take a moment to share about their failures and the lessons they’ve learned from them. While I would love to recap all of that here, I would be writing far more than you’d want to read. To hear more about these women’s experiences with failure, head over to the Building Birmingham Together podcast on Spotify and Apple.
We encourage you to choose to challenge yourself by networking and making more connections. Join us for our weekly virtual networking meetings on Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00pm. Find out more about Connect!
To all of the women in our lives. Thank you for everything you do. We, and the world, would not be the same without you.
Forge News and Updates |
In the spirit of giving this holiday season and beyond, we wanted to create a list of nonprofit organizations that are either set in Birmingham or have top members that live here in the Magic City. Although 2020 has been a year filled with challenges, the reward of giving remains.
Magic City Woodworks
This unique organization gives unemployed men “stuck in a rut” an opportunity through a paid 6-month apprenticeship. Magic City Woodworks is a wood and metal shop in the heart of downtown Birmingham that offers beautiful wood pieces with an impactful story.
photo from Magic City Woodworks Facebook page
Urban Avenues
Urban Avenues’ mission is to bring together disconnected communities by inspiring curiosity and to make beautiful things together. They create ventures to add life to the city through art, conversation, and meals. This organization has a passion for people and recognizes the importance of community.
photo from Urban Avenues Facebook
Mwana Villages
Although this nonprofit’s location is far from Birmingham, the U.S. Director, Wellon Bridgers, resides here in the city. Located in the Republic of Congo, Mwana Villages’ mission is to provide refuge for orphans and vulnerable children with an approach that prioritizes family preservation.
photo from Mwana Villages Facebook page
Jefferson County Memorial Project
This grassroots coalition has four main goals that consist of researching documented racial terror victims, educating the public on this history, placing historical markers, and advocating for reform where racial injustice still exists today. Their hope of JCMP is for Alabamians to confront history and reconcile for a better future.
photo from JCMP Facebook page
The Nature Conservancy
For those that are passionate about the Earth, The Nature Conservancy is an organization that is perfect for you. They work to protect Alabama for people and nature to ensure a future where both can thrive.
Jimmie Hale Mission
The Jimmie Hale Mission is an organization that has been a Birmingham staple since 1944. They help men afflicted by homelessness in downtown Birmingham through education remediation, job readiness, and spiritual support.
photo from JHM Facebook page
First Light
First Light is a center for homeless women and children in the Birmingham area, whose mission is to create hospitality in a safe and nurturing community and to allow its members to reach their full potential. They have an emergency shelter, permanent housing programs, and other projects to support the women in the community.
photo from First Light Facebook page
Community Kitchens
Serving lunch 365 days a year, The Community Kitchens is an organization that opens its doors every day to anyone hungry. By serving breakfast during the week in addition to their lunch service, they amount to serving over 65,000 meals a year. Everyone is welcomed and treated as a guest when going to the Community Kitchens.
photo from Community Kitchens Facebook page
Firehouse Ministries
This nonprofit’s mission is to provide homeless men in the Birmingham area, age 18 and above, a caring environment and supportive services to help break them out of the cycle of poverty. Firehouse Ministries treat all guests with dignity, provide those guests accessible and clean facilities, and empowers all guests to achieve their life goals.
While 2020 might have been the hardest year yet, these great organizations continue to make our city a better place. Whether you’re wanting to volunteer more during the new year, or simply want to donate to a Birmingham non-profit, these listed are just a few of the great philanthropic organizations to consider.
Forge News and Updates |
This year it feels more important than ever before to shop local for the holidays. Small businesses need our support in 2020 and thankfully there are so many amazing shops around Birmingham. We’ve curated a gift guide for everyone your list.
Just remember these are gifts and not meant for you (but we won’t tell anyone if you decide to gift yourself).
For Someone With a Sweet Tooth:
Birmingham Candy
Our neighbors at Birmingham Candy Company have created a hometown candy store that everyone in Birmingham can be proud of. They’ve got every sweet you can dream of from caramel apples to fudge and truffles. Buy someone special a gift card or stop in The Pizitz Food Hall and fill up a box of goodies!
Chocolata
Chocolata uses single origin chocolate that is ethically sourced 100% from Latin America and they have so many unique flavors for you to try! If you’ve never stopped by their quaint shop on 2nd Ave. N, it’s a must see. They even have holiday gift sets that you could easily grab!
Big Spoon
Big Spoon Creamery is a small batch, artisan ice cream company and you can tell they are seriously passionate about their craft. The Big Spoon menu always focuses on seasonal flavors with local ingredients.
For Someone Who Loves To Workout
Three15
THREE15 is a workout experience combining 15 minutes of cycling, 15 minutes of barre, and 15 minutes of strength training, into one, high-energy studio fitness experience. They have locations in both Homewood and downtown. Purchase a gift card for your exercise lover friend or family member!
Ignite
Ignite is Birmingham’s only boutique cycling studio! Their main studio is in Pepper Place but they are currently offering open air rides down the street at Sloss Docks. Ignite’s Home for the Holi-Slay Series is available to students and faculty in school outside of Birmingham. Choose from 6 weeks Unlimited Rides for $125 or 3 weeks for $69.
True40
True40 is a boutique fitness studio that provides a 60 minute balanced body, low-impact workout suited for all ages and fitness levels. True40 is located in The Battery and Cahaba Heights. They even have At Home Workouts available on their website!
For the Health Food Lover
Nourish
Nourish Foods is founded by Mary Drennen and Tiffany Vickers Davis- two chefs who wanted and saw a need for healthy, fresh, creative, direct-to-customer food choices. Buy a gift card and your loved one can enjoy chef prepared, southern inspired food that’s delivered right to their door!
Blueroot
Blueroot sells delightful, delicious, and nutrient-dense food for those on the move — because they believe no one should have to sacrifice quality or nutrition for convenience. Give the gift of clean, plant-forward food that can be grabbed on the go!
Harvest Roots
Harvest Roots recently opened their Avondale location and it is definitely worth checking out! Harvest Roots Kombucha is about ingredients, freshness, and innovation. Never too sweet, never too tart. But they don’t have just kombucha- they also have house kimchi, pickles, popcorn and much more. Gift a snack or a kombucha growler to a friend this holiday season!
For Someone Who Needs to be Pampered
FancyFace Bham
Fancy Face is a clean beauty facial bar located in Southside. Facials are designed to give you refreshed skin with no downtime in 30- 45 minutes so it’s an easy way for you to treat a friend! Purchase a gift card on their website or easily schedule a facial for them.
Life Touch Massage
Who doesn’t need a massage in 2020? Give the gift of relaxation and support a downtown Birmingham business at the same time! Life Touch Massage has a wide range of services from deep tissue massage to pregnancy massage and full body scrub!
Shea Shea Beauty and Brow
Shea works right here at Forge as an esthetician and makeup artist. We have seen first hand that Shea has a devoted clientele and lots of rave reviews for her work! Shea Shea Beauty & Brow is a great way to pamper yourself or a friend.
For Someone Who Loves Local, Unique Gifts
Square One Goods Co.
Square One Goods is filled with so many fun, local goods. You can find jewelry, stationery, cards, books, candles and much more. No matter who you’re buying a gift for, you can find something unique at Square One Goods.
Trove Design Shop
Located in Woodlawn, Trove offers a carefully curated selection of “treasures” with an emphasis on craftsmanship and design. If you’re looking for antiques, home decor, aromatherapy goods, books or jewelry, Trove has it all! Right now Trove offers curbside pickup and free local delivery so you can still safely shop.
For the Plant Lover in Your Life
Botanica
Botanica has an amazing selection of tropical and desert houseplants along with unique pots! One of the best parts: Botanica’s plants can be shipped nationwide so you can send them to friends and family who aren’t local. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful if you have any questions about which plant would work best for you.
House Plant Collective
House Plant Collective is Birmingham’s pop-up plant store! They are based out of a renovated (very Instagrammable) school bus with events throughout the city. HPC staff is eager to teach you about plant care and share their plant wisdom!
Shoppe
Shoppe is nestled in Forest Park- it’s the most quaint garden shop you’ll ever see! And they don’t only have plants- inside their shop you’ll find housewares, plant accessories, books and much more. You should also stop in their other store General next door.
For the Book Lover
Thank You Books
Thank You Books is a general interest independent bookstore in the Crestwood neighborhood. Curbside pickup is available during store hours, and they will ship within the US. We love that Thank You Books is woman-owned, community-minded, gratitude-driven. Go check it out if you haven’t already!
Little Professor
Little Professor is Birmingham’s oldest independent bookstore that recently came under new ownership! Stop by their shop in Homewood and browse the aisles of Little Professor for the book lover in your life. You could even gift someone a Little Professor membership- giving them 20% off purchases, 40% off weekly bestsellers, free local delivery and pick up and much more!
Forge is in the business of growing businesses. We care about supporting fellow small business in Birmingham and we hope you do too! Please shop local during the holidays whenever you can.
