African American

How outreach helped Gulf States outpace national COVID vaccine rate for Black residents

COVID-19 vaccination rates among Black residents in the Gulf States are surpassing that of Black residents in the U.S. Health officials say building trust has been key to reaching this point.

Low Likelihood of Matched Bone Marrow Donors Amongst African Americans

When patients with certain blood cancers are looking for a cure, their options begin with finding a bone marrow match. But for African Americans, bone marrow matches are much harder to find.

Appeals Court Ruling Allows Fight for Minimum Wage Increase To Continue

A federal court ruling allows Birmingham minimum wage workers to continue to push for higher pay.

One African-American’s Mission to Preserve His Family’s Rural History

Albert “Peter” Datcher Jr. has been tracing his family history -- from slavery to farming -- in a small, rural, predominately white town in Shelby County, Alabama for the past 15 years. He wants to be sure people recognize African-American contributions to the region.

The Green Book and the Black-Jewish Relationship During Segregation

The Green Book has been described as the Bible for black travelers in the mid-20th century. It featured black-friendly businesses like motels and restaurants where travelers could rest on long road trips. The book’s publisher actually took the idea from a similar book used by Jews.

Black History Month Specials on WBHM

In honor of Black History Month, WBHM presents four documentaries highlighting America’s racial past and the long, dramatic struggle for civil rights.  Also, jazz with significant commentary on the African-American struggle, and a special themed Arc Stories featuring stories about growing up during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham Say it Loud: Great Speeches on […]

New Report finds Black Veterans Targeted for Lynching in the South

The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative is building a memorial to lynching victims. The group estimates more than 4,000 African-Americans were lynched in the South between 1877-1950. Among those targeted were black veterans. These men returned from war abroad having experienced something unfamiliar to them, being treated with dignity and respect; something they didn't receive at home in the U.S. Many black veterans challenged the racial hierarchy of the South and were seen as threats to white supremacy.

A Bridge Between Police and Teens

This summer has seen headline after headline of violent encounters between people of color and law enforcement. In some cases, officers shot and killed black men. In others, police were the target of bullets. Now a Birmingham organization is trying to create a bridge between police and teens.

Mayors Gather in Birmingham to Discuss Violence Against Black Men and Boys

Mayors from across the country are in Birmingham this week for a conference addressing violence against African-American men and boys. It's the third annual gathering for Cities United, a coalition of mayors formed to curb such violence.

Bilingual Ed in the South: It’s Happening, Even at This School

The number of Latinos in America’s schools is rising faster than any other group’s. And their share of the school population is rising fastest in the South. Many don’t speak English as their first language, making them “language-minorities.” And the question of how best to educate them is becoming crucial in places with relatively little […]

Reverse Integration In A Birmingham School

Birmingham was at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, a major front in the battles that ended legal segregation. When the schools were integrated, white people fled the city, taking resources and other advantages with them. That continues today, but about two dozen families are bucking the trend and trying to reverse the process. WBHM's Southern Education Desk reporter Dan Carsen has the story.