Invest in the City

Invest where it matters most — right into the hands of local business owners and creators.

• Where to shop and dine: Visit the Historic 4th Avenue Business District, Uptown, and Downtown Ensley for Black-owned restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, and wellness centers.

• Online directories: Use platforms like Buy Black Birmingham or Urban Impact’s Business Portal to find Black-owned businesses year-round.

• Featured Businesses:

• Yo’ Mama’s Restaurant (soul food, downtown)

• Harlem Zen Wellness Spa

• Green Acres Cafe

• TMB Tax Services (Ensley)

• Birmingham is growing, but not all development benefits longtime residents.

• Invest responsibly by supporting community land trusts, affordable housing initiatives, and historically Black neighborhoods that are fighting displacement.

• Organizations to watch:

• Neighborhood Housing Services

• REV Birmingham

• Ensley Community Redevelopment Corporation

These nonprofits are doing real work — from youth empowerment to job training to restorative justice:

• The Dannon Project – Job training and mentorship for formerly incarcerated individuals.

• Build UP Ensley – A high school/workforce hybrid helping students build homes and earn income.

• Faith in Action Alabama – Mobilizing voters and communities around equity and justice.

• Jones Valley Teaching Farm – Centering food justice and education in underserved schools.

Ways to Help:

• Donate directly through their sites.

• Volunteer your time or professional skills.

• Share their work with your networks.

Before investing in Birmingham, take time to learn the city’s history and listen to the people who call it home. Invest not just with capital, but with care.