Thursday, December 4 • 6:00–9:00 PM
The Alcove • 1713 4th Ave N • Birmingham, AL 35203

Every year, the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter (BCAAC) asks the same question: How do we stay connected to the communities we claim to serve? Not on paper. Not in boardrooms. But in real, lived ways that matter.

This December, we close out 2025 with The Warm Up, a free, end-of-year community night and coat & glove drive. But make no mistake: this event is about far more than winter clothing. It’s about presence. It’s about dignity. It’s about honoring the people who make our neighborhoods stronger. It’s about standing together in times when unity means everything.

More Than a Coat Drive & The Heart Behind The Warm Up

When people hear “coat drive,” they often think of a crisis. We don’t. At BCAAC, we understand that families are managing a long list of responsibilities: rent, groceries, power bills, school clothes, and the everyday unexpected.

For many parents, a winter coat for a growing child is simply one more thing.

We’re not here to label anyone as “needy.” We’re here to share.

There is nothing wrong with helping a child stay warm. There is nothing wrong with easing the load for a parent. There is nothing wrong with the community taking care of the community.

As BCAAC President Jarrod Sims says:

“This isn’t about pity it’s about partnership. When we bring coats, when we show up in person, we’re saying: You matter. Your children matter. Your future matters. And we’re committed to being right here with you.”

 

What to Expect at The Warm Up

The Warm Up is designed to feel like what it truly is: a night with community, for community.

• Free event open to all

• Coat & glove drive for men, women, and children

• Music, fellowship, and light refreshments

• Community Builder Awards honouring individuals who uplift Birmingham

• Membership announcements and a look ahead at 2026

• A special tribute to our partners, supporters, and everyone who carried us through 2025

If you can bring a new or gently used coat or gloves, please do.
But more than anything, we want YOU, your presence, your voice, your energy.

Honoring Those Who Build Birmingham & The Community Builder Awards

This year, BCAAC will honor leaders across four powerful categories:

• Business Community Builder – A business leader creating opportunity and uplift

• Civic & Activist Community Builder – A champion for justice, policy, and advocacy

• Emerging Young Trailblazer – A rising leader ages 15–35 making an early impact

• Service-Focused Community Builder – A servant-leader strengthening the city through consistent, hands-on work

These awards represent what we believe: we rise higher when we rise together.

Where You Can Drop Off Coats Before December 4

Thanks to our community partners, drop-off locations are already open:

• Houston – Latimore & Associates

• S2H Design

• A New U Barbershop

• Bahama Wings

• Monumental Contracting Service LLC

• ProInked Professional Printing Services

• Etheridge Brothers

More partners are being added as the event approaches.

Looking Back on 2025 : A Year of Growth, Momentum, and Purpose

This year, BCAAC members:

• Generated over $15 million in collective sales

• Exchanged more than $4 million in project work among themselves

• Advocated relentlessly for fair inclusion in publicly funded projects

• Strengthened bonds across trades, companies, and communities

We also celebrated one of our most unforgettable nights:

A Night to Remember & The Frankie Beverly Tribute, September 20

Held at the Tuxedo Ballroom in Ensley, the sold-out event brought together music, joy, and purpose, all powered by Black-owned businesses.

The night featured:

• Yung Vokalz & The Movement, with guitar legend Jubu Smith

• DJ Chocolate

• Hosts Dino Posey and Ms. V

But the moment that lifted the room to another level came from Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas. Her video message affirming Black contractors, economic justice, and the power of collective work reminded everyone that:

• Our fight is seen

• Our work matters

• Our mission reaches beyond Birmingham

Her message inspired something even bigger.

“Together We Rise” From the Stage to a National Spotlight

Partnering with Tool Genie, Pixel Cube, and FUNKI BOI Films, BCAAC created the song and video “Together We Rise,” featuring Rep. Crockett.

The results:

• 120,000+ views in 12 days

• Black Contractor News Podcast (BCNP) became fully monetized

• Over 2,500 new subscribers

• Nearly 4,000 watch hours in two weeks

This was more than momentum; it was a movement.

Honoring Legacy The James Poindexter Spirit of Excellence Award

At the tribute event, BCAAC introduced a new honor recognizing those who built Birmingham with their hands and their hearts.

Named after Mr. James Poindexter, the 93-year-old craftsman who supervised the restoration of the 16th Street Baptist Church after the 1963 bombing, the award honored:

• Herman Alexander

• Terence Burts

• Ernest Jackson

• Harold Coleman

These master carpenters carry more than 150 years of combined experience and the soul of Birmingham’s craftsmanship.

Standing Firm Against Rollbacks and Exclusion

2025 was also marked by challenges:

• Anti-DEI legislation

• Federal rollbacks

• Missed opportunities for Black contractor involvement in community-rooted projects, including the recent multipurpose facility initiative at 16th Street Baptist Church

We are not silent. We are not backing down. We remain committed to equity, inclusion, and accountability.

Looking Ahead & Membership & 2026

The Warm Up also marks a key moment in our 2026 Membership Drive.

We will welcome new members, unveil upcoming initiatives (including international partnerships), and outline our expanded goals for construction, advocacy, media, and community development.

Join Us at The Warm Up

Here’s your invitation:

• Thursday, December 4

• 6:00–9:00 PM

• The Alcove, Birmingham

• Free and open to the public