Food Revival

I am extremely proud of a brand new Birmingham-based initiative: Pavo Magazine. The two visionaries (and friends) behind this project are Janet Simpson-Templin and Lauren Lippeatt. The creative design and web-savvy boy behind the scenes happens to be my husband-to-be: Mike Benson. For me, FoodRevival has been a positive outlet – an opportunity to discuss food-focused solutions for our community. I believe in the power of change in our Birmingham community. I also happen to believe that our state has plenty of strengths and it is up to us, as individuals, to highlight them and move forward (sweat, tears, and all). Am I saying we don't have problems? Absolutely not. I realize the frustrations as we struggle with corrupt leadership, failed initiatives, and embarrassments. I am choosing – in this time and space– to dream bigger, create an action plan, and demand more from the place I call home. So you can imagine my delight when I read this entry on Pavo magazine's "About Us" page: 

"Pavo Magazine dreams to unite and nurture the diverse, beautiful community that is Birmingham.  How many times have we seen Birmingham in full Renaissance only to shy from the prize just as it was being awarded?  Many fledglings in our city have become birdlings and finally have flown to great heights.  Some have had their wings clipped and some have flown straight into the window of an empty downtown high-rise, transfixed by their own distorted reflection.

40 years removed from George Wallace and the violence of the civil rights era our city struggles possibly harder than ever to become an integrated, celebrated metropolis.  But we see what’s out there!  Birmingham’s voice is calling, strong and full, telling its story, carving its path to a brighter future.  From our ever proliferating and growing art festivals and music scene to local food and farm to table movements to our literary culture to our neighborhood activism, Birmingham is filled with an energized, creative people. Pavo will strive to bring our people, their passions and projects together into one unified hub."

I am proud to be associated with this project and all of its wonderful energy. Please be sure to bookmark Pavo Magazine and support it regularly with page views and/or donations. 

Some highlights from this month's issue include:
Women in the Magic City: An Interview with Bettina Byrd-Giles
Trib Trek - Village Creek Part II: The second installment in a video series about Black Warrior tributary
Do That Stomp: 20 Days, 20 Birmingham Songs
and much, much more...