As spring arrives in Alabama, so does an exciting lineup of music festivals that celebrate the state’s diverse music scene. Whether you enjoy blues, country, bluegrass, or rock, these festivals draw in music enthusiasts far and wide with unforgettable experiences featuring prominent musical talents and a shared love of music, food, and the arts. Take […]

TechBirmingham just announced the launch of its first-ever Southeast regional pitch competition. The new competition, set to take place in downtown Birmingham, is designed to spur regional business growth and job creation. The competition will kick off the expanded three-day Sloss Tech conference beginning Wednesday, June 25. As part of the competition, innovative startups from […]

In exciting news, the city of Birmingham is set to welcome its first-ever country music festival this fall. The 1st annual Iron Hills Country Music Festival will be held at the historic Sloss Furnaces. Major names in country music will take the stage alongside promising new talent the weekend of October 11th and 12th. See […]

The city of Dothan witnessed a vibrant celebration on Saturday, March 1, as the Krewe of Kolosse (KOK) hosted its landmark 10th annual Mardi Gras Parade. This highly anticipated event, which has grown exponentially over the past decade, brought together thousands of spectators eager to participate in the bead-catching and MoonPie tossing. Featuring an impressive […]

At SoulGrown, we hold a deep passion for showcasing the beauty of Alabama. From bustling city centers to peaceful natural landscapes, there is a story to be told from every corner of our state. We seek to highlight all our state has to offer through series like our State Parks Passport, which explores the diverse […]

The Wilcox Historical Society’s annual Tour of Homes will feature appearances by Luke and Julie Montagu, the 12th Earl and Countess of Sandwich. This 2025 Tour of Homes, set for March 21-22 in Camden, includes visits to seven beautiful, historic homes, a church and the law office of Benjamin Meek Miller, who served as an Alabama Supreme […]

Overlooking the Alabama River in Montgomery, the Equal Justice Initiative’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park stands as a powerful tribute to the millions of Black people who endured slavery in America.  The 17-acre site, the newest addition to Montgomery’s Legacy Sites, is situated along the very river where tens of thousands of enslaved people were trafficked. […]

When picturing The Alamite Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, one of the first things that comes to mind is the eye-catching artwork found throughout the space, from the lobby to the rooftop bar. Curated largely by Blair Plott, a member of The Alamite’s ownership group, the collection features works by many talented local artists and each […]

What may come as a shock to those outside of the distinct world of Alabama restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, has come as welcome news to locals. Four Alabama coffee shops were just named among The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops. Our state is home to an impressive assortment of stunning spaces serving up incredible […]

In a small Alabama town of 5,000, something incredible has been happening over the last 50 years. Big Oak Ranch‘s story begins in the early ‘70s with a pivotal decision made by John Croyle, a former defensive end for Bear Bryant at The University of Alabama. Croyle was working at a camp one summer when […]

It is more than common to walk around historic sites and monuments and marvel at their importance and impact. What is less common is driving through small-town Alabama and recognizing the history to be found at home. But history and home are two things that Lucy and Susan of the Locker family know best. It […]

Nominated by The Pollies, Thad Saajid was honored at our 2024 Soul of the South Awards as our Music & Entertainment category winner. Biography In a place known for bringing in R&B artists to record, Muscle Shoals has a new homegrown talent in Thad Saajid—a singular talent creating a buzz for his effortless melodies, deft […]

The Alabama League of Municipalities’ (ALM) “Live Locally Alabama” campaign seeks to highlight the crucial role that local government plays in creating healthy and vibrant communities across the state’s 465 cities and towns. The state’s diverse range of communities consist of an abundance of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities–all with the singular purpose of developing […]

Alabama seasons come and go on a whim. Some years, summer and winter linger forever, while spring and fall only visit a few brief days. This January, winter decided to sit down and stay for a while. Snow first fell across the state’s northern border, bringing frigid temperatures with it. A week later, the sugar […]

Nominated by Cynthia Crutchfield of Innovate Alabama, T.C. McLemore was honored at our 2024 Soul of the South Awards as our Innovation & Entrepreneurship category winner. Biography Following my undergraduate degree, I did a year of AmeriCorps VISTA working at Alabama Possible. One of the organization’s founders was well-known Alabama historian Wayne Flynt. I asked […]

In 1933, John Kelly Fitzpatrick co-founded the Dixie Art Colony with Sallie B. Carmichael and her daughter Warree Carmichael LeBron. John Kelly Fitzpatrick of Elmore dedicated his life to the arts.  He was a renowned regional painter and is considered one of the South’s most celebrated artists and art promoters of the 1930s-40’s. Now, in 2025, […]

For those of us born and raised in Alabama, we share memories from childhood of finding small spaces across the state that seemed to hold a certain magic—a garden in a grandmother’s backyard, a wooded path that wove along the lakeside, or a little hiding spot among the hills. For all of us, there was […]

Nominated by Melanie Bridgeforth of the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, Leah Davis was honored at our 2024 Soul of the South Awards as our Humanitarianism & Philanthropy category winner. Biography Leah Davis, a Mississippi native, is passionate about philanthropy, equity, and community engagement. Leah is currently the Development Director for the Jefferson County Greenways. In […]

Beginning a new year offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and set meaningful intentions for the future, and one of the most impactful resolutions you can make is to deepen your connection with your community. Living locally not only improves the quality of life in your area but also helps build stronger, more […]

As far as February days in Fairhope are concerned, it was an intolerably cold one. Weaving in and out of the small shops around town, I was desperately eager to find a place where I felt I could take up residence for an hour or two. My limited knowledge of the area combined with my […]

Good Towns is a regular feature of Doing More Today, highlighting the people and places that make communities unique. Our latest Good Town story ties into college football season – a fitting topic considering Regions is the Official Bank of the Southeastern Conference. It’s a Wednesday morning, and the work has already begun at Jordan-Hare […]