Janae Pierre
Host/Reporter
Janae Pierre is an award winning journalist from New Orleans, La. She is the station’s general assignment reporter and local host of NPR’s All Things Considered.
Pierre has worked and volunteered with several different media organizations, notably NPR affiliate WWNO, the New Orleans Tribune and WBOK. In her spare time, Pierre enjoys listening to old vinyl records (she loves that scratchy sound). Some of her favorite artists include Al Green, Gil Scott Heron and Dinah Washington.
Pierre earned an Edward Murrow award for "Hard News" in 2020. In 2019, she was recognized as “Best Large Market Radio Reporter” by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. Pierre was also listed on Radio Ink's 2017 “Future African American Leaders in Radio."
Galleria Mall Shooter Could be at Large
Hoover police issued a statement Friday night indicating the shooter who injured two people at the Riverchase Galleria mall in a shooting Thanksgiving night could be at large. Police shot and killed a 21-year-old Hueytown man who police say fled the scene of the shooting, but wasn't likely the one who fired shots injuring two people at the mall on that busy shopping night.
New Birmingham Bar Owner Named National “Bartender of the Year”
Laura Newman was named the 2018 “Bartender of the Year” by the U.S. Bartenders Guild. She’s the first woman to earn the title, and she’s opening a new cocktail bar in downtown Birmingham called Queen’s Park.
Former Finance Exec to Lead Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham-Southern College has named a new president to replace Linda Flaherty-Goldsmith, who retired earlier this fall. Officials approved the appointment in a meeting Thursday morning.
Some Alabama Voters Anxious Ahead of the Midterms
Groups such as the NAACP and the ACLU have closely monitored voting access. But voter roll purges and dozens of closed polling places in recent years have many Alabama voters worried ahead of Tuesday's midterms. They fear they'll encounter problems at the polls.
Former Birmingham Black Barons Pitcher Remembers ’48 Negro League World Series
This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Birmingham Black Barons’ appearance in what would become the last Negro League World Series ever played. The 1948 team was considered the greatest Black Barons team of all-time and was made up of legends like Bill Greason. Greason was a pitcher who broke the color barrier with the Oklahoma City Indians and later played briefly in the Major League. The 94-year-old tells WBHM’s Janae Pierre about that final Negro League World Series against the Washington Homestead Grays.
‘Rosies’ Featured at Vulcan for Museum Day
The Smithsonian Magazine has its 14th annual “Museum Day” this Saturday. That means free admission to thousands of museums around the country. Here in Birmingham, one participating museum—Vulcan Park & Museum—is putting a twist on the Smithsonian’s them: Women Making History. Casey Gamble is Vulcan’s museum coordinator. She tells WBHM’s Janae Pierre how they plan to incorporate Rosie the Riveter for this year’s event.
Birmingham Times Founder Recognized Among Black PR Pioneers
Alabama native, Jesse Lewis Sr. is recognized as a publishing and marketing trailblazer in the South. In the early 50s, Lewis founded the first minority-owned public relations firm in the U.S. His very first client was the Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company. With their support, Lewis founded the Birmingham Times in 1964. For most of his career, he focused on marketing to African American consumers, a demographic he says was completely ignored during that time. The 93 year old was recently recognized among Black PR Pioneers at the Museum of Public Relations in New York.
Marti Buckley: From Birmingham to Basque Country
When Marti Buckley was a student at LSU, she wanted to study abroad in Madrid. Instead, they placed her in San Sebastian - Spain's Basque Country. She fell in love with the oceans, the mountains and the food. She moved back to Birmingham, her hometown, in 2006 and gave birth to her daughter two years later. Buckley tells WBHM’s Janae Pierre how she landed in Basque Country after working for Southern Living Magazine and cooking under one of the south’s most revered chefs.
New App Aims to Make Game Day Parking Easier
It’s football season which means tailgates and then ... the game. But before fans even get to the stadium, they need to find parking, which can be dreadful. There have been several mobile apps developed around the country to help drivers find parking. WBHM’s Janae Pierre looks at one new mobile app here in Alabama meant to take some of the pain out of parking.
Birmingham Restaurant Week Sometimes A Deal
Birmingham Restaurant Week is in full swing. At several restaurants across the city, diners choose from a prix-fixe menu – that’s several courses at a fixed price. But with crowded restaurants and a limited menu … is it really worth it?
Dorothy Levy, Co-founder Of United Cerebral Palsy Of Birmingham, Celebrates 106th Birthday
Dorothy Levy celebrated her 106th birthday last month, but the party isn’t quite over. Levy co-founded United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, which is now United Ability, and she is as witty and alert as anyone could hope to be at her age.
Sloss’ Summer Program Teaches Traditions of Metal Art
This summer, a dozen young people learned the techniques and traditions of metal art during Sloss' Summer Youth Apprenticeship.
Sloss Fest Becomes Sensory Inclusive
The Sloss Music & Arts Festival is this weekend! Organizers recently announced this year's event will be certified "sensory inclusive." It's meant to attract individuals with autism and other disabilities.
