CEO
The Bethesda Life Center, Inc.
HELPING MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE BETTER HEALTH
FOCUS
Ensley is a community in Birmingham, AL that is a symbol of Birmingham’s rich industrial history. Like similar communities, Ensley has suffered economic decline. The Bethesda Life Center, Inc. is concerned with the health of the mind, body, and spirit of community members. The Bethesda is a catalyst for economic renewal. As co-founder of Ensley Alive, a movement dedicated to Ensley’s renaissance, I support local creatives who are improving the health of the community through creative activity, murals, gardens, and filling vacant spaces.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE: Ensley Alive
The mission of the initiative is to increase foot traffic in downtown Ensley by branding its jazz heritage as an attraction. It is a collaboration by and for Ensley stakeholders. Three of the five Ensley Alive founders grew up in Ensley. We Are Rtists (WAR) will create a public art piece that will be a point of attraction for visitors. The public art piece will capture Ensley’s jazz greats. Kuumba Community Art will create an Ensley brand through graphic images and merchandise, such as t-shirts and postcards. Brand Ensley will include images from completed WAR installations called The Color Project Ensley, as well as a new piece created by WAR. Kuumba Community Art will also utilize its Design Academy to create a Brand Ensley business. Current trained design students will have an opportunity to learn a skill, build portfolios, and learn to market their products. They will also learn how to run an online and retail business and will work with local merchants on the retail side of the business.
MORE ABOUT BETTINA
I am an interculturalist who is passionate about cultural competence, health disparities and building a culture of health in Ensley.
Click here to watch Bettina’s Legacy Project video.